Murray Fish

21 hours ago Share Victoria Gill Science correspondent•@vic_gill Kate Stephens Senior science producer BBC News The team of veterinary scientists worked with five stud farms for the study into gut microbes and their impact on long-term health The future success of a racehorse can be detected in the animal’s gut when it is just one month old, research suggests. A recent veterinary study analysed horses' poo, measuring the bacteria in the digestive systems of more than 50 thoroughbred foals over the first three years of their lives. The study found the more types of gut microbes a foal had at just four weeks old directly correlates to its future health, and its success on the racecourse. The findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, add to an emerging biological picture regarding the importance of the trillions of microbes that live inside young animals’ digestive systems - and their role in long-term health. BBC News Like human infants, young horses pick up vital gut bacteria from their mothers and from the environment “Gut health is absolutely critical,” said lead researcher Chris Proudman, a professor of clinical veterinary science at the University of Surrey. “There is a growing understanding that what happens in human guts and in animal guts – horses, in this case - has a profound influence on many aspects of health and disease.” “It’s also about timing,” he explained. “The nature of the gut bacteria in those first few weeks of life predicts the future health, and the future performance, of these horses.” Young racehorses provide veterinary scientists with an ideal opportunity for studying the gut. Breeders and trainers of thoroughbred foals typically keep highly detailed records of each animal’s birth, diet and health, as well as any veterinary care they receive. “Anything we can investigate – to help them be in as good shape as possible – is a really good opportunity for us,” said Jane Black, co-owner of Chasemore stud farm in Surrey, which bred some of the foals involved in the research. ADVERTISEMENT Over the course of three years, owners and trainers recorded how their horses performed on the racecourse, including where they placed and how much prize money they earned. Meanwhile, scientists regularly collected faecal samples - by collecting horse poo from the stables - from each of the 52 young horses involved in the study. Researchers were then able to “DNA fingerprint” the samples, providing a regular read-out of the bacteria inside each animal's gut. Victoria Gill What is happening in the gut of a foal at four weeks old is critical to its health as an adult “We can see the amount of bacteria present and identify the different types,” explained Prof Proudman. “Then we compared that with our health data, and with our racing performance data.” The study concluded that the more diverse the gut bacteria in a four-week-old foal, the fewer health problems - particularly respiratory diseases - the horse suffered in later life. Researchers also found a direct relationship between the number of different types of gut bacteria in a month-old foal and its performance on the racecourse when it was older. Impact of antibiotics The team of scientists also investigated the long-term consequences of young foals being treated with antibiotics. Foals treated with antibiotic drugs had fewer types of bacteria in their guts, and subsequently went on to win less prize money in their racing careers compared to horses that had not received early antibiotic treatment. Prof Proudman said the discovery raised questions about the use of antibiotics, both in animals and in humans, in early life. “We need to think about things that happen in those first few weeks of life - to make sure that animals and humans' gut bacteria are in a good state at that stage. "That appears to set them up for a healthy life in the future,” he said. Professor Roberto La Ragione, also at the University of Surrey, said:  “The next part of our study will examine how we can minimise disruption of gut bacteria when antibiotics have to be used to treat infections [early on].”

"it's all about the data" it was the best of times, it was the worse of times... at the going down of the sun, we will throw more money at it....

https://www.betcha.co.nz/

There’s a new player on the Kiwi betting landscape for the first time in 74 years Mat Kermeen Entain says the younger demographic are already betting and are safer doing it with a New Zealand company who have harm minimisation practices. John Davidson / www.photosport.n / John Davidson / www.photosport.nz FAST FACTS Entain, who operate the New Zealand TAB, have launched a second betting platform. Betcha, is targeting a younger demographic, who Entain claim are already betting big with overseas agencies. PGF services say targeting a market as young as teenagers is ‘very concerning’. International wagering operator Entain, which operates the New Zealand TAB, has launched a new platform to attract a younger audience and minimise the damage being done by offshore betting operators. Until the launch of betcha on Wednesday, the only New Zealand-based option to bet on racing and sports, legally, in the previous 74 years has been with the TAB. An online platform, betcha will not have a retail front or self-service machines and will run alongside the existing TAB but as a different entity. Account holders will use betcha through a website, similar to the new TAB layout, and an app. Already signed as New Zealand’s official betting partner to the UFC, betcha will have a strong focus on sports such as football and basketball that are popular with the younger generation, but Entain says it will hold a prominent racing footprint. There are concerns around the targeted advertising of the new platform towards young adults. BRUCE MACKAY / BRUCE MACKAY / STUFF Entain, who took over the running of the NZ TAB midway through last year, says its reason for targeting the younger market was because that is the age bracket that is doing the most betting with offshore operators, taking money away from New Zealand sports and racing bodies. Given the demographic, betcha will have a strong social media presence and be more visible to potential punters, as young as teenagers. But PGF Services (formerly Problem Gambling Foundation) can see the move causing damage of a different kind and say a new platform targeting young adults is “very concerning”, claiming it will put young adults at serious risk of overreaching their limits. “I think it’s really concerning, it’s clearly targeting 18 to 29-year-old’s and that is really problematic,” PGF services spokesperson Andree Froude said. “Haven’t we learned anything from alcohol and tobacco? “That they can come out with a brand that’s blatantly targeting young people is really, really concerning.” ADVERTISEMENT “Young people and risk taking, we know for many things that can be problematic,” Froude said. Entain says it can create a safer avenue for the younger demographic to bet legally and in an environment that has harm minimisation protections, something offshore agencies largely don’t provide. Back in April, the TAB launched a new betting platform and website but Cameron Rodger, Entain Australia and New Zealand’s managing director, said while that had provided some growth in the the 18-29 demographic, there was clearly a demand for a point of difference in the market. “Offshore spending is now estimated to be over $180m per annum, and this is led by the growth in offshore spending doubling in the 18-29-year-old age band in the last five years,” Rodger said. “In the three months to the end of June 2024, New Zealanders’ spending with offshore betting operators grew by 30%, continuing a trend over the last three or more years. “Their betting activity provides little to no benefit for the New Zealand racing and sports industries, and these offshore operators are under no obligation to provide the same level of harm minimisation support and account management tools that betcha will make available for Kiwis,” Rodger said. Betcha is already signed as New Zealand’s official betting partner to the UFC. Altaf Qadri / AP ADVERTISEMENT Froude said aside from the concerns around targeting youth, another player in the wagering industry would expose at risk gamblers, of all ages, to more marketing and enticements to bet. Forde said advertising, enticements and promotions offered by betting agencies, including the TAB, can make betting seem not risky or having no harm associated with it. “And they are harmful products,” she said. The view of PGF, who see the damage problem gambling does on a daily basis, was that gambling advertising should not be prohibited at all. “It is so normalised,” Froude said. “You cannot watch sport now without hearing about odds.” Entain’s chief marketing officer, Mel Kenneday, said betcha would introduce New Zealanders to the next generation of betting, where punters could create syndicates and bet with mates. Betcha will offer more personalised options and flexibility to its online customers than the more traditional TAB service. Like the TAB website, the betcha app and website will have free live streaming of Trackside Racing channels and some sports for account holders. TAB account holders wanting to join betcha will need to sign up to a separate account. Froude said said PGF wanted to see mandatory limits and accounts and should not be able to be topped up by credit cards as minimum requirements. - Stuff

TAB New Zealand Interim Chair Anna Stove has today announced her resignation after a significant five-year contribution to the statutory body. Stove’s governance contribution began in 2019 when she joined the Racing Industry Transition Agency. She became Deputy Chair of the first TAB NZ Board in 2021, Interim Chair in September 2023, and was instrumental in securing TAB NZ’s strategic partnering arrangement with Entain. Her time on the board saw the implementation of the far-reaching changes to the racing industry recommended by the “Messara Report”, overcoming challenges in racing and sport posed by COVID restrictions, the negotiation and finalisation of the Entain strategic partnership, transitioning to TAB NZ’s new operating model, and making investments across both racing and sports. Stove said she is very proud of the legacy that has been created by TAB NZ during her time on the Board. “It has been a rewarding five years and more importantly we have delivered a sustainable long-term outcome for our stakeholders through the Entain partnership.” “I would like to thank the Minister, and all my director and management colleagues who I have worked with during this time. I have the utmost confidence in the remaining Board and management team continuing to build on the foundation we have laid – we are well placed for the next chapter. I feel very confident about the industry’s future and its contribution to the nation’s economy.” TAB NZ Chief Executive Officer, Nick Roberts, congratulated Stove on her contribution. “I would like to thank Anna for her leadership and drive. There’s no doubt that Anna leaves the organisation, and those who rely on our funding, in a better position than when she joined in 2019.” Although leaving the Board, Stove will continue to follow her lifelong interest in the racing industry through breeding and racing thoroughbreds from her Karaka property. Stove will continue as Interim Chair until a new appointment is made by the Minister for Racing.

Paul Vettise, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk 7 August 2024 Brendan and Jo Lindsay celebrated a string of major results in the 2023/24 season from both the proven and promising members of their racing team. Such was the extent of the Cambridge Stud principals on-track successes, the couple claimed the New Zealand Ownership Premiership with 27 winners of 40 races from 38 runners.

Yes and all the guns from last season. oh to have been on course!

what be the stakes for this period?

i don't really care about the odds until I have a horse that I think can win or place, then odds kick in... but the modern way that racing is now delivered, driven by that 4/5 minute churn, the now seems to Never be decent prerace actual footage of the Horse! Which I need to actually have a bet! The odd big race we might get that... I need the 'talking heads' 0.0025%

sigh, Tab seem to love Mr Mess, I wonder what Messara thinks happened after he galloped out of town?

Via my FB acc and the CWJ page, I tried to champion people to have a say! Literally 100's of CF workers, trainers etc a very eclectic lot! were critical! I'm sure some themes could be drawn from all the comments, one I recon was the 'procedural way' it was rolled out, seemly always lacking re info. No One from Head Office ever fronting up! But as you have said "what has happened" Entain has certainly happened

waiting for the Cup for me! a doh moment! a couple of mates have a share horse starting in R3, dam! 5 minutes late to watch live! good to see it go a honest race for its placing Bring on the Cup!

I'm all cashed up! Awaiting the decent tracks on the big days! awaiting...

8 G1's won it for me!

@Doomed goes with WK = 2 / 2 ticks so far on this thread?

might be... but then, it that could be a case of the old 'dead cat bounce' I think I will keep me $tach in the biscuit tin! ps, I am keen to beat them, on the Track! A safe Track! A not over watered Track! On G1 Days! I live in hope!

the future her now... How does Au? or Hk? stack up? fascinating.. as ever, Data more and more coming into play, then of course it is 'who owns' that data and who has access to it. who is driving it strategically? ..perhaps also, what happen if microsoft breaks down..

tick. I'm sure WK will be happy with his premiership! hard earned! v's Opie with 8!!!!!! G1's wow! nz racing should be so thankful that he ended up making NZ his base for most of his career, given options overseas I'm sure he would have done well as well! So easy on the eye, so often seems to read the race well. And like the really top once so often gets the best out of his ride. ps. I have never meet him personally, so that is missing in my overall view.

@NZRacing any idea about how much info was put into the public domain around the actual contract in place with Entain? Options for getting a divorce? I would love to know what the previous Minister and the current one be thinking about the share price? talking the Minister: Winnie seems a tad quite lately? out for a winter spell?

(blush), I don't have one, mainly because I sort if didn't put much effort into trying to understand the form etc for that age group! All the wet track on so many of the big race days didn't help! I think reflected in the fact that all NZ G1's were won by a different horse.

https://www.racingmuseum.org/hall-of-fame/jockey/steve-cauthen

The challenge I think with any 2yr olds winning the HOY, is that they usually don't race against the older horses, like the top 3yr olds do in the late summer/autumn period. Talking Our Maizcay, at Trentham one day, it was down to do a gallop between races, he was being lead from the stables into the path that leads to the birdcage, No ropes up, people walking all around! He spooked out! he got rather upset and let out with a massive kick that just missed a punter! wow!

Official Ratings, shouldn't that be the Judge? For me, The 4 horses that impressed me the most last season were Imperatriz, Crocetti, Orchestral and Legarto. Imperatriz HOY Orchestral for 3 year olds. Special mention for La Crique, two bets for two wins! with thank$

so subjective in the end?