Background:
Published epidemiological data from Middle Eastern racing jurisdictions is limited, and historically, veterinary record keeping in Qatar has been inconsistent. The 2024–2025 racing season is the first in which all veterinary events were systematically documented. This allowed for a comprehensive evaluation of pre- and post-race veterinary examinations, which some stakeholders have criticised as “unnecessary, pointless and burdensome.”
Methods:
Racing in Qatar runs from mid-October to mid-April. All starters undergo a brief pre-race trot-up and inspection, while post-race examinations are conducted on horses selected for poor performance or veterinary concern. Horses are held for 10 minutes post-race. Data from 6,028 starts (1,673 individual horses) during the 2024–25 season were reviewed. The prevalence and outcomes of veterinary embargoes (VEs) were analysed to determine the effectiveness of pre- and post-race examinations.
Results:
Post-race epistaxis prevalence was 1.5%, consistent with international prevalence. A further 160 VEs were issued for lameness, tendon injuries, arrhythmia's, exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH), and other conditions (minor wounds, skin disease etc). Of these, 63% (100) of affected horses did not return to racing that season. Among 22 horses cleared for lameness, 36% subsequently raced poorly and 14% sustained catastrophic or career-ending injuries. Thirty-eight cases related to minor issues of limited long-term significance. Thoroughbreds (54%) and Arabians (46%) had similar risk profiles. Three- and four-year-olds were most frequently affected, with no sex-related differences. Reasons for failure to return to racing included non-tendon lameness (51%), tendon injuries (40%), EIPH (6%), and arrhythmia's (3%). Forelimb involvement predominated, particularly RF (52%). Outcome severity did not differ between pre- and post-race VEs.
Conclusion:
Analysis demonstrates that pre- and post-race examinations effectively identify significant musculoskeletal and medical conditions with equal effectiveness. Despite stakeholder concerns, these examinations provide valuable welfare and performance insights, supporting their essential role in safeguarding horse health and racing integrity.