The Journal of French Trotting by Mark Kentell

EQUINE HEALTH Botulism: A Perfect Killer >> page 15 THE JOURNAL OF

FrenchTrotting ISSN 2101-5635

French Racing & Breeding News in English | www.frenchtrotting.com | Mon. 26th Oct. 2009 | N°21

IN BRIEF

No more racing for IGOR FONT The 5-year-old Italian trotter, IGOR FONT, who's trained in France by Fabrice Souloy, will no longer race. Souloy's champion was being prepared for the next Prix d'Amérique at Vincennes, but his owners have sold part of their shares and he will now start a new life at the stud, in Italy. ■

Vincennes' Winter Season starts on Wednesday! Mark Kentell Paris

he first day of Vincennes' Winter meeting is usually quite calm, although the opening race, the Prix des Cévennes, is offering a 'plateau' of excellent quality with horses such as PARIS HAUFOR, ORLANDO SPORT and PERLANDO who figured on this morning's list of engaged trotters. The Prix des Cévennes is a European race, offering 105,000 euro prize money, and raced over the classical distance of 2,700 meters, just like the Prix d'Amérique.

However, the 'good stuff' starts tomorrow night, Tuesday, with the Group II International Prix Reynolds (2,200 m., saddle, 110,000 euro). Last year's winner MARATHON MAN raced recently at Caen and should be among the first five, although the horse isn't yet at 100%. The other gelding, MAGE DU MARTELLIER, won the race in 2006 and was second the following year. To keep those two away, OYONNAX is certainly one of the most dangerous. The trotter trained by Vincent Brazon races occasionally under saddle, but each time with a certain degree of success. After tommorrow's

race, he should then be seen in a couple of Prix d'Amérique preps before entering the Gr.1 International Prix de Cornulier (2,700 m, 700,000 euro). In our opinion, though, it may be the Swedish interest HOT TUB who could be the most impressive tomorrow night. The relatively short distance is exactly what he likes, and this time he'll be raced unshod. On his part, LIPOUZ LESMELCHEN will be trying at a higher level although his latest performances are very good, while PRINCE DE MONTFORT, needs a few more races to be competitive on Tuesday night at Vincennes. ■

Matthieu Abrivard by Manuelle Toussaint

Vincennes international racecourse, Paris. The starter. Paris-Vincennes opens its doors on yet another long Winter season starting on Wednesday until March. Highlights of the season are the Prix de Cornulier and the Prix d'Amérique, bothed raced in January. © Mark Kentell / France-TROT

2010 Driver's Calendar Manuelle Toussaint has photographed the hands of twelve French jockeys and drivers to illustrate the first calendar of its kind. The calendar is sold for 20 euro (available on www.chevalfrancais.com or at Vincennes, Caen, Cabourg and Enghien) and all profit goes to the syndicate of trainers, drivers and jockeys. Magnificent. ■

CONTENTS

The Journal of French Trotting 26th October 2009

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THE JOURNAL OF

FrenchTrotting French Racing & Breeding News in English | www.frenchtrotting.com | N°21

www.france-trot.fr The agency's website has been rebuilt for an easier access.

INDUSTRY NEWS The World of Harness-Racing In-depth analysis of what happened recently in the news. >> page 4

Our clients can now order their products (text, photos, feeds…) in their own space without the hassle of going through the public interface.

RACING Results All the detailed results of last week's main trotting races in France. Discover who's preparing for Vincennes as the Winter season is about to start. >> page 10

The Journal of French Trotting is published weekly by France-TROT Press Agency 50, rue Parmentier 91120 Palaiseau France SIRET 388 947 137 00039 APE 6391Z (Agence de Presse)

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Contact Information: www.frenchtrotting.com Fax: +44 173 328 6889 (UK) Editors: Mark Kentell (editor-in-chief) Mick Adams (reporter) Allen Barrett (columns) Photography: France-TROT (FT-Digital) www.france-trot.fr Mark Kentell Jean-Luc Lamaère Gérald Buthaud Daniel Palmeri Toscan Louis Lamaère Subscription rates: 25.00 EUR / Year (PDF edition)

ver the past years, prize-money distributed at Paris-Vincennes during the Winter meeting has never stopped rising. And this year is no exception, although the financial crisis is still lurking on the worldwide economy. The French racing industry, however, hasn't really suffered from the crisis, as the Pari-Mutuel's turnover won another few points this year. We'll see in January, but I'm pretty sure the figures

won't be worse than last year. There is one question which remains, though. What's going to happen when the Internet market opens? If the PMU will certainly have to share some of the cake with other European companies, the industry itself should be well an fit thanks to the 7.5% tax on online wagering, which is, may I remind the sceptic, far underneath the 30% actually taxed on bets in France… M.K. ■

Print edition is temporarily suspended.

©2009 France-TROT. Some contents are published with permission of external publications. Consequent credits are indicated. Unless otherwise stated, no part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher and the authors of each article and illustration. The Journal of French Trotting, France-TROT and their respective logos are registered trademarks of France-TROT Press Agency

ISSN 2101-5635 Directeur de la Publication: Mark Kentell

INDUSTRY NEWS French Internet betting law adopted France moved towards ending a state monopoly on online gambling and allowing private companies to offer Internet bets on poker, soccer and horse racing under a new law approved by parliament in October (see JFT N°19). The National Assembly approved the law by 302 votes against 206. It will still need to receive final approval in the

Senate. Critics from both the leftwing opposition and the ruling UMP worry that the addiction problem could worsen as private firms use advertising to lure in new users. The opposition Socialist Party also accuses the government of seeking to favour the interests of several business leaders close to President Nicolas Sarkozy, who have stakes in gambling firms or plans to set up betting websites. ■

Danish draft legislation needs amending according to the EC The European Commission issued a detailed opinion against the Danish proposal to regulate online gaming and betting this week. The draft legislation is intended to regulate both the on and offline gaming and betting market in Denmark. Sigrid Ligné, Secretary General of EGBA said: “We support the Danish government’s intention to move towards a regulated opening of the online gaming market, but this has to be done in compliance with EC law requirements. We welcome the European Commission´s continued resolve to ensure that all gaming and betting legislation in the EU complies with the core principles of the EC Treaty.” The Danish draft law was notified to the European Commission and the other Member States on 7 July 2009. The draft text was made publicly available upon notification but the Danish government later invoked the confidentiality procedure. According to the EGBA, a number of key provisions are highly doubtful under EC law, including: The licensing regime fails to take into account securities and controls already offered by other EU jurisdictions, in conflict with jurisprudence of the European Court of Justice; continued 4

monopoly on inter alia pool betting for horse racing; introduction of ISP and financial transactions blocking and a marketing ban and prohibition for non-Danish residents to participate in Danish licensed games. According to Sigrid Ligné; “EU consumers demand a diverse, safe and secure online gaming and betting offer. More and more Member States are responding to these demands by moving away from their existing system of a gambling monopoly to a licensing system adapted to the Internet. We support the Danish government´s intentions but emphasize the need to ensure that any new legal framework is compliant with the EC Treaty. We would welcome an opportunity to share our expertise and knowledge of other licensing regimes in the EU to ensure an effective regime can be introduced at the earliest opportunity.” Today’s detailed opinion extends the standstill period until November 9th, during which time Denmark cannot adopt its draft legislation. Denmark is required to reply to the Commission’s views before adopting the legislation. If Denmark adopts the current text without taking into account the Commission’s objections, it can immediately launch infringement proceedings. ■

The Journal of French Trotting 26th October 2009

BOOKMAKERS EXPRESS INTEREST BUT SALE OF TOTE FACES HEAVY GOING Ladbrokes and Paddy Power were among the existing betting operators to express interest in acquiring the Tote following confirmation that the state-owned business, which runs betting shops and oncourse pool betting, will be sold along with a number of other public assets. The Tote has been identified as a source of funds to help balance the government’s books, along with the Dartford crossing, outstanding student debts and surplus real estate. During a debate in the House of Commons last week, Liam Byrne, the chief secretary to the Treasury, confirmed that the Tote will be sold “when and where market conditions are right”. However, no detailed schedule for the sale was laid out. Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrats’ shadow chancellor, who initiated the debate, said that the process had had “more false starts than any horse race”. A spokesman for Ladbrokes said last week that “potentially we would be interested but it would depend on the structure of the deal”, while a spokesman for Paddy Power said that the firm is “open-minded about anything that will help us grow as a company”. Paddy Power, which has a relatively small high-street presence in Britain, would offer fewer complications than Ladbrokes should the Government want a quick sale. In particular, Ladbrokes, which has more than 2,000 betting shops in Britain and Ireland, is close to the perceived ceiling for a single firm, and would attract attention from competition regulators if it attempted to acquire 540 more. The Tote contributed £10.4m to racing last year, down from £11.9m the previous year, and is a significant source of funding for the sport. “Racing is important for the Tote, and the Tote is important to racing, and we are committed to working with them to maximise the return to racing,” Nic Coward, the chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, said. “The minister made a statement a while ago [that plans for an imminent sale of the Tote had been shelved] that was designed to give the Tote’s leadership time to build the business. If the Government is now looking to do something different, we look forward to receiving the details and working with them.” ■

New Zealand Tote picks new system to bet abroad The New Zealand Racing Board (NZRB )has invested in a new software betting platform that promotes itself as a vehicle for commingling with other totes. The betting platform, called Typhoon, was only launched this year and it illustrates the increasing focus on international betting in common

pools. Many tote systems are historically built to serve a domestic market and in recent years, a few companies have built systems from scratch that allow intra-operability between different tote systems. Other tote companies follow a strategy to connect to other pools through a hub. ■

INDUSTRY NEWS

The Journal of French Trotting 26th October 2009

EQUIDIA Celebrates 10th Birthday The French racing and equestrian TV channel EQUIDIA celebrated its 10th anniversary last week. ParisVincennes racecourse was the theatre for the event as TV presentators, journalists, and commentators were among the public. Happy Birthday EQUIDIA!

Trainer Thierry Duvaldestin has a serious advance over his collegues as we enter the Winter season at Paris-Vincennes. © Mark Kentell / France-TROT

Thierry Duvaldestin dominates as the Winter season starts at Vincennes Since January 1st this year, Thierry Duvaldestin leads the trainers ranking with 192 wins (as of October 18th), a score to be compared to Bruno Marie’s record last year who’d won 184 races in the same period. In terms of prize money, Duvaldestin’s trotters have earned 4,081,400 euro to date. Second for the moment, Jean-Michel Bazire’s trotters have won 133 times for a total of 3,424,660 euro. Bazire is followed by Bruno Marie with 123 wins and 2,128,070 euro. There aren’t any significant changes at the top of the drivers’ and jockeys’ rankings. Jean-Michel Bazire is still the leading driver with 256 victories, followed by Franck Nivard (139) and Thierry Duvaldestin (112). The leading jockey is the Belgian star Philippe Masschaele with 50 wins, tailed by Eric Raffin (46) and Franck Nivard (46, too), who’s as good in the bike as he is on horseback. Like last year, owner Jean Luck starts the Winter meeting ahead of everyone else, thanks, undoubtedly, to his excellent ROMBALDI who won the Gr.1 Prix du Président de la République at Vincennes in June. Mr Luck has earned 1,489,740 euro since the beginning of the year, dominating Jean-Philippe Dubois (Critérium des 5 Ans) with 1,170,780 euro, and the Ecurie des Charmes stable (Lucien Urano) with 1,144,195 euro. ■

PMU President Philippe Germond chats live on Internet On Monday 2nd November, PariMutuel Urbain’s new President, Philippe Germond, will be on a live chat on the PMU website www.pmu.fr, at 18.00 French time. He intends to answer questions about the PMU and the opening of the market to private Internet wagering companies. Questions should be posted before Friday 31st October on the PMU website to be considered for the Philippe Germond. © Didier Dyga/ScoopDyga/PMU interview. ■

THE JOURNAL OF

FrenchTrotting French Racing & Breeding News in English | www.frenchtrotting.com | Back Issues

INDEX OF ARTICLES PEDIGREES NEW DES LANDES NIMROD BOREALIS OFFSHORE DREAM OPIUM ORLANDO SPORT PARIS HAUFOR PERLANDO POWER JET QUAID SELECT READY CASH REVE DES VALLEES ROLLING D'HERIPRE ROMBALDI SCIPION DU GOUTIER SEVERINO SO LOVELY GIRL UNFORGETTABLE (GER)

N°19 N°5 N°9 N°12 N°10 N°15 N°11 N°6 N°4 N°14 N°13 N°1 N°7 N°18 N°8 N°3 N°2

EQUINE HEALTH Back kinematics of healthy trotting horses An alternative location for blood collection in the horse Parasite Primer (Part 1) Basics Parasite Primer (Part 2) Tapeworms Parasite Primer (Part 3) Ascarids Parasite Primer (Part 4) Strongyles Parasite Primer (Part 5) Bots Parasite Primer (Part 6) Diagnosis Parasite Primer (Part 7) Environment Parasite Primer (Part 8) Drugs Parasite Primer (Part 9) Resistant worms Parasite Primer (Part 10) Dewormer adjuncts Parasite Primer (Part 11) Young horses Parasite Primer (Part 12) Control Programs for Mature Horses Thrush in Horses Equine Joint Injections The Airways and The Lungs

N°1 N°2 N°3 N°4 N°5 N°6 N°7 N°8 N°9 N°10 N°11 N°12 N°13 N°14 N°15 N°17 N°19

RACECOURSES Caen Croisé-Laroche (Le) Laval Vichy

N°3 N°4 N°5 N°7

BREEDER'S CORNER Endometritis in mares Equine Influenza Rhodococcus Equi Failure of Passive Transfer

N°11 N°14 N°15 N°16

RACE CALENDAR

The Journal of French Trotting 26th October 2009

Upcoming Group Races in France OCTOBER Tue. 27 - PARIS-VINCENNES PRIX REYNOLDS Group II - International Race 110.000. - Saddle. - 2.200 metres 55.000, 27.500, 14.300, 6.600, 3.300, 2.200, 1.100. For 5- to 10-yo. included, the 5-yo. with at least 80.000, the 6-, 7-, and 8-yo. with at least 122.000, the 9- and 10-yo. with at least 160.000.

55.000, 27.500, 14.300, 6.600, 3.300, 2.200, 1.100. For 4-yo., geldings excluded, with at least 38.000. - 25 m. handicap at 371.000. Sun. 8 - ARGENTAN PRIX PAUL BUQUET Group III - International Race 40.000. - Harness. - 2.875 metres. 20.000, 10.000, 5.200, 2.400, 1.200, 800, 400. Pour 4 à 10 ans inclus. - 25 m. handicap at 185.000, 50 m. at 385.000.

Fri. 30 - AGEN-LE PASSAGE Mon. 9 - PARIS-VINCENNES GRAND PRIX D’AQUITAINE South-Western France Grand Prix Circuit Qualifying Race European Race - Group III 36.000. - Harness. - 2.650 metres. 18.000, 9.000, 4.680, 2.160, 1.080, 720, 360. For 5- to 10-yo. included, with less than 530.000. - 25 m. handicap at 260.000.

NOVEMBER Sun. 1 - LAVAL GRAND PRIX ANDRE DE LA VAISSIERE Group III European Race 35.000. - Harness. - 2.875 metres. 17.500, 8.750, 4.550, 2.100, 1.050, 700, 350. For 5- to 10-yo. included, with less than 575.000. - 25 m. handicap at 244.000. Wed. 4 - NANTES GRAND PRIX DE LOIRE ATLANTIQUE Group III 12th Stage of the Grand National National Race 80.000. - Harness. - 3.000 metres. 40.000, 20.000, 10.400, 4.800, 2.400, 1.600, 800. For 5- to 10-yo. included, the 5-, 6-, and 7-yo. with at least 40.000, the 8-yo. at least 80.000, the 9- and 10-yo. at least 160.000. - 25 m. handicap at 298.000, 50 m. at 590.000.

PRIX REINE DU CORTA Group II 110.000. - Harness, females. - 2.175 metres 55.000, 27.500, 14.300, 6.600, 3.300, 2.200, 1.100. For 3-yo. fillies, with at least 15.000. PRIX ABEL BASSIGNY Group II 110.000. - Harness, males. - 2.175 metres 55.000, 27.500, 14.300, 6.600, 3.300, 2.200, 1.100. For 3-yo. colts, geldings excluded, with at least 15.000. Tue. 10 - BORDEAUX PRIX FEDERATION REGIONALE DU SUD OUEST Group III South-Western France Grand Prix Circuit Qualifying Race - European Race 42.000. - Harness. - 2.650 metres. 21.000, 10.500, 5.460, 2.520, 1.260, 840, 420 For 5- to 10-yo. included, with less than 458.000, the 5- to 9-yo. with at least 110.000. - 25 m. handicap at 244.000. Wed. 11 - GRAIGNES PRIX MADAME RAYMOND RIGAULT Group III - European Race 36.000. - Harness. - 2.725 metres. 18.000, 9.000, 4.680, 2.160, 1.080, 720, 360 For 5- to 10-yo. included, with less than 230.000. 25 m. handicap at 118.000.

Thu. 5 - PARIS-VINCENNES PRIX DOYNEL DE SAINT-QUENTIN Group II - European Race 110.000. - Harness. - 2.850 metres 55.000, 27.500, 14.300, 6.600, 3.300, 2.200, 1.100. For 5-yo., geldings excluded, with at least 54.000. - 25 m. handicap at 424.000. PRIX OLRY-ROEDERER Group II - European Race 110.000. - Saddle. - 2.850 metres 6

Sat. 14 - LE CROISÉ-LAROCHE GRAND PRIX DU NORD DES 4 ANS Group III Final 40.000. - Harness. - 2.775 metres. 20.000, 10.000, 5.200, 2.400, 1.200, 800, 400.. For 4-yo. - 25 m. handicap at 40.000, 50 m. at 80.000. Qualified horses only.

The Journal of French Trotting 26th October 2009

Sun. 15 - ANGERS PRIX AMAZONE B Group III European Race 32.000. - Harness. - 3.125 metres. 16.000, 8.000, 4.160, 1.920, 960, 640, 320. For 6- to 10-yo. included, with less than 190.000. - 25 m. handicap at 105.000. Mon. 16 - PARIS-VINCENNES PRIX LOUIS TILLAYE Group II 110.000. - Saddle. - 2.700 metres 55.000, 27.500, 14.300, 6.600, 3.300, 2.200, 1.100. For 3-yo., geldings excluded, with at least 15.000. Wed. 18 - MAUQUENCHY PRIX GENY.COM Group III 13th Stage of the Grand National National Race 80.000. - Harness. - 2.850 metres. 40.000, 20.000, 10.400, 4.800, 2.400, 1.600, 800 For 5- to 10-yo. included, the 5-, 6-, and 7-yo. with at least 40.000, the 8-yo. with at least 80.000, the 9- and 10-yo. at least 160.000. - 25 m. handicap at 260.000, 50 m. at 527.000.

This Winter at Vincennes Sat. 21/11 Thu. 2/12 Sat. 12/12 Sun. 13/12 Sun. 20/12 Sat. 26/12 Sun. 27/12 Sun. 27/12 Sun. 3/01 Sun. 10/01 Sun. 17/01 Sun. 17/01 Sun. 24/01 Sun. 31/01 Sun. 7/02 Sun. 14/02 Sun. 14/02 Sun. 21/02 Sun. 21/02 Sun. 28/02 Sat. 6/03 Sat. 6/03 Sat. 6/03

Prix de Bretagne (Prix d'Amerique qual. race) Prix Paul Buquet (Prix de Cornulier prep') Prix du Bourbonnais (Prix d'Amerique qual. race) Criterium des 3 ans Grand National Final Prix Jules Lemonnier (Prix de Cornulier prep') Criterium continental (Prix d'Amerique qual. race) Prix de Vincennes Prix de Bourgogne (Prix d'Amerique qual. race) Prix du Calvados (Prix de Cornulier prep') Prix de Belgique (Prix d'Amerique qual. race) Prix Ténor de Baune (Prix d'Amerique qual. race) Prix de Cornulier Prix d'Amerique Prix de l'Île-de-France Prix de France Prix des Centaures Prix de Pontavice de Heussey Prix de Paris Critérium des jeunes Prix Henri Desmontils Prix de sélection Prix de l'Union Européenne

RACE CALENDAR

The Journal of French Trotting 26th October 2009

European & International Races 01/11/09 Laval (FR) GRAND PRIX ANDRE DE LA VAISSIERE

Gävle (SE) SILVERDIVISIONEN Final

15/11/09

Milano (San Siro) (IT) G.P. Paolo e Orsino ORSI MANGELLI

Angers (FR) PRIX AMAZONE B

Milano (San Siro) (IT) G.P. Paolo e Orsino ORSI MANGELLI -

Angers (FR) PRIX KAIROS

Fillies

Chartres (FR) PRIX ANGOT ELECTRICITE

Vincennes (FR) PRIX D'ARCACHON 03/11/09

Graignes (FR) PRIX GEORGES DREUX Milano (San Siro) (IT) GRAN CRITERIUM "MEMORIAL PIERO

04/11/09

17/11/09 Jägersro (SE) JOHAN JACOBSSONS MINNESLPNING 2009 (Race 2) 18/11/09

Nantes (FR) PRIX GENERAL DU POMMEAU Solvalla (SE) LORD RAPPES LOPP (Race No 1)

Mauquenchy (FR) PRIX PARIS NORMANDIE

Solvalla (SE) PIXIES LOPP (Race No 4)

Mauquenchy (FR) PRIX DE LA SOCIETE DES COURSES DE

Solvalla (SE) FILLIES AND MARES (Race 5)

MAUQUENCHY

Solvalla (SE) THE OWNERS TROPHY (Race 6)

20/11/09

Solvalla (SE) MORGONDAGENS STJRNA (Race No 8)

Lyon-Parilly (FR) PRIX DE PROVENCE

Solvalla (SE) SOLVALLAS HSTGARFRENINGS MONTPOKAL

Vincennes (FR) PRIX MIZAR 21/11/09

(Race No 11) 05/11/09

Vincennes (FR) PRIX DE L'ILE DE RE

Vincennes (FR) PRIX OLRY-ROEDERER

Vincennes (FR) PRIX DE BRETAGNE Vincennes (FR) PRIX DE CHENONCEAUX

Chartres (FR) PRIX DU BAR P.M.U. "LE CENTRAL" A NOGENT

Kalmar (SE) SILVERDIVISIONEN Elim. 2

LE ROI

Kalmar (SE) GULDDIVISIONEN Elim 2 22/11/09

Jarlsberg (NO) Th. Martinsens reslp Eskilstuna (SE) SILVERDIVISIONEN Elim. 1

Bordeaux (FR) PRIX CONSEIL REGIONAL D?AQUITAINE

Eskilstuna (SE) SMEDTRFFEN - Gulddiv. Elim 1

Bordeaux (FR) GRAND PRIX PARIS TURF

08/11/09

Montegiorgio (San Paolo) (IT) GRAN PREMIO PALIO DEI COMUNI

Argentan (FR) PRIX SIRIUS Argentan (FR) PRIX PAUL BUQUET Lignieres en Berry (FR) PRIX PIERRE MERLOT Milano (San Siro) (IT) GRAN PREMIO DELLE NAZIONI Milano (San Siro) (IT) GRAN PREMIO COPPA DI MILANO 09/11/09

25/11/09

Solvalla (SE) FROM ABOVES LOPP (Race No 3)

REGIONALE

Solvalla (SE) PETIT PRIX (Race 5)

26/11/09 Marseille (A Vivaux) (FR) PRIX DU PONT DE L'ARC

Bordeaux (FR) PRIX LYON PARILLY

Marseille (A Vivaux) (FR) PRIX GENERAL BONNAFE

Graignes (FR) PRIX MADAME RAYMOND RIGAULT Solvalla (SE) SOLVALLASERIEN X (Race No 6) 12/11/09

Vincennes (FR) PRIX DE MONTIGNAC-CHARENTE 27/11/09 Chartres (FR) PRIX DE LA VILLE DE BROU 28/11/09

Vincennes (FR) PRIX DE BOISSY-SAINT-LEGER

Vincennes (FR) PRIX DE QUIMPER

Vincennes (FR) PRIX DE L'ILE D'OLERON

Klosterskogen (NO) Klosterskogen 3-rs Elite

13/11/09 Saint-Galmier (FR) PRIX DES CASSIS 14/11/09

Jägersro (SE) SILVERDIVISIONEN Elim. 3 Jägersro (SE) GULDDIVISIONEN Elim 3 29/11/09

Helsinki (FI) KPYL GRAND PRIX

Agen-Le Passage (FR) GRAND PRIX PARIS-TURF

Helsinki (FI) ERKKI RAJAKOSKI MEMORIAL

Lyon-Parilly (FR) PRIX DE PARILLY

Le Croisé-Laroche (FR) PRIX EQUIDIA

Mauquenchy (FR) PRIX PARIS NORMANDIE

Gävle (SE) KLASS III Final

30/11/09

Gävle (SE) KLASS II Final

Toulouse (FR) PRIX DU CONSEIL MUNICIPAL

Gävle (SE) KLASS I Final

Vincennes (FR) PRIX MARCEL LAURENT

Gävle (SE) BRONSDIVISIONEN Final

Vincennes (FR) PRIX DE CHAMBLY

Fri. 30.10.09 Agen-Le Passage, Vincennes Sat. 31.10.09 Cabourg, Saint-Brieuc Sun. 1.11.09 Beaumont-de-Lomagne, Cherbourg, Cholet, Laval, Lyon-Parilly, Nîmes, Pontchâteau, Strasbourg Mon. 2.11.09 Agen-Le Passage, Le Croisé-Laroche, Le Mont-Saint-MichelPontorson, Vincennes Tue. 3.11.09 Lyon-La Soie, Vincennes Wed. 4.11.09 Caen, Marseille-Borély, Nantes, Toulouse

Solvalla (SE) SOLVALLA GRAND PRIX Final (Race 6)

Bordeaux (FR) GRAND PRIX PARIS TURF

11/11/09

Thu. 29.10.09 Marseille-Vivaux, Vire

Solvalla (SE) EMMA GEE SANS LOPP (Race No 2)

Solvalla (SE) PEACE CORPS LOPP (Race 4)

10/11/09

Wed. 28.10.09 Caen, Marseille-Borély, Vincennes

23/11/09 Vincennes (FR) PRIX DE SILLE LE GUILLAUME

Grenade-sur-Garonne (FR) GRAND PRIX DE LA FEDERATION

Vincennes (FR) PRIX DU LANGUEDOC

Tue. 27.10.09 Vincennes

Vincennes (FR) PRIX EDMOND HENRY

Vincennes (FR) PRIX DOYNEL DE SAINT-QUENTIN

07/11/09

Mon. 26.10.09 Caen, Hyères, Le Croisé-Laroche, Reims

BIONDI"

Lyon-la-Soie (FR) PRIX DES COLVERTS Axevalla (SE) JOHAN ULLBERGS MINNESLOPP (Race 9)

In red = Group 1 race(s)

Gävle (SE) GULDDIVISIONEN Final

Laval (FR) PRIX GEORGES DREUX

02/11/09

Next Week's Fixtures

Thu. 5.11.09 Vincennes Fri. 6.11.09 Lyon-Parilly, Vincennes Sat. 7.11.09 Cabourg, Chartres, Toulouse Sun. 8.11.09 Ajaccio, Argentan, Castelsarrasin, Hyères, Laval, Lignières-en-Berry, Lyon-Parilly, Mauquenchy, Maure-de-Bretagne, Nancy Mon. 9.11.09 Grenade-sur-Garonne, Pontchâteau, Salon-de-Provence, Vincennes

RACING

The Journal of French Trotting 26th October 2009

R E S U L T S G r o u p 1 , G r o u p 2 , G r o u p 3 , E u r o p e a n , I n t e r n a t i o n a l , a n d o t h e r r a c e s o f i n t e r e s t KEY: ‘f.’ = female ‘g.’ = gelding ‘m.’ = male ‘T.N.C.’ = no timing available ‘own.’ = owner ‘train.’ = trainer (NAME) = driver / jockey Friday 16th October 2009 PARIS-VINCENNES PRIX THEMIS European Race Mobile Start 60.000. - Harness. - 2.100 metres 30.000, 15.000, 7.800, 3.600, 1.800, 1.200, 600. For 6- to 10-yo. included, with less than 315.000. 1 BRIONI m., 6-yo., TIMBERLAND - ARMBRO EDITH, own. Gunter HERZ (J. LOVGREN), 2100. Train. : Joakim LOVGREN (1’12”9) 2 SIR KARAN 6-yo., PINK DIAMOND - DONNA KARAN, own. Mrs. Ursula AUGST (R. HULSKATH), 2100. (1’13”2) 3 NYMPHE DES RACQUES 8-yo., EXTREME DREAM - GAMINE DES RACQUES, own. Ecurie Michel Paul LEMARCHAND (T. LE BELLER), 2100. (1’13”4) 4 BEXIPOP 7-yo., SUPER ARNIE - LADY EXCLUSIVE, own. Ecurie KUSEPOP KB (Miss J. LINDQVIST), 2100. (1’13”5) 5 ORLY MONTAVAL 7-yo., TARASS BOULBA - GAIETE CLASSIQUE, own. Mrs. Brigitte CHAUDEMANCHE (F. BLANDIN), 2100. (1’13”6) 6 URIAH BOKO 7-yo., JULIANO STAR - NINA BOKO, own. Ecurie GERRITS RECYCLING B.V. (P. LEVESQUE), 2100. (1’13”6) 7 LADY DE VINDECY 10-yo., DJIM DU HAUTVENT - TOUNDRA DES BOIS, own. Benjamin GOETZ (B. PITON), 2100. (1’13”6)

The Italian mare, LA DANY BAR, has an easy trip around the short track at Vincennes. © Daniel Palmeri / France-TROT

PRIX KLYMENE European Race Mobile Start 70.000. - Harness, females. - 2.100 metres 35.000, 17.500, 9.100, 4.200, 2.100, 1.400, 700. For 4- and 5-yo. mares, with less than 260.000. 1 LA DANY BAR 4-yo., LOVE YOU - RED HOT ACTION, own. Luigi TRUCCONE (M. SMORGON), 2100. Train. : Marco SMORGON (1’12”4) 2 LIVENZA 4-yo., ENJOY LAVEC - VASILISSA, own. Ecurie LOUISIANA (S. MOLLO), 2100. (1’12”6) 3 QUERIDA DES FOUEES 5-yo., BASSANO - FLAMrs. DU VIGNON, own. Théophile LONCKE (E. RAFFIN), 2100. (1’12”6) 4 QUELLE MISS WIC 5-yo., GOBERNADOR - EPONA VINN, own. Laurent SIMON (M. ABRIVARD), 2100. (1’13”3) 5 FREYA KIEVITSHOF 5-yo., PINE CHIP - ORCHIDEE BOSHOEVE, own. Ecurie GRANTON NV (J. LOVGREN), 2100. (1’13”5) 6 QUECHUA DE CHARUE 5-yo., KOREAN - GITANE DE BILLERON, own. Ecurie LE TREMONT (F. NIVARD), 2100. (1’13”7) 7 NIGHT QUEEN INDIKA 5-yo., TURBO THRUST - SPENCIA, own. Ecurie INDIKA AB (F. OUVRIE), 2100. (1’13”9) Saturday 17th October 2009 BORDEAUX

PRIX EDOUARD MARCILLAC European Race 30.000. - Harness. - 2.650 metres. 15.000, 7.500, 3.900, 1.800, 900, 600, 300. For 5- to 10-yo. included, with less than 296.000. - 25 m. handicap at 145.000.

RACING

The Journal of French Trotting 26th October 2009

1 AKJAS FUNNYMAKER m., 5-yo., STARO SHOWBIZ - FUN IN FRANCE, own. Ecurie SINGER (R. LACROIX), 2650. Train. : Robert BERGH (1’16”4) 2 MUSTANG DU DON 9-yo., FIRST DE RETZ - FALIA FLEURIE, own. Christophe Alain MALLET (F. JEANNEAU), 2650. (1’16”6) 3 QUELLE AVENTURE 5-yo., DEFI D’AUNOU - BAHAMA, own. Marquise de MORATALLA (R.W. DENECHERE), 2675. (1’16”1) 4 OSCAR LAURENCIERE 7-yo., TRESOR DU LOIR - IO LAURENCIERE, own. Ludovic GUITTON (the own.), 2650. (1’16”9) 5 PEPITE GRANGELABBE 6-yo., DRAG - DAPHNE DES NOUES, own. Eric NICOLAYSEN (F. COLLETTE), 2650. (1’16”9) 6 PEPITE DU PHARE 6-yo., NEVAIO - INES D’OR, own. Denis BROSSARD (the own.), 2650. (1’16”9) 7 NELISE DE BRIAL 8-yo., ESCARTEFIGUE - ELISE D’AZUR, own. Ecurie Christian BOISNARD (CH. BOISNARD), 2650. (1’17”2) Saturday 17th October 2009 CAEN PRIX DE LA VILLE DE CAEN Group III International Race 75.000. - Harness. - 4.400 metres. 37.500, 18.750, 9.750, 4.500, 2.250, 1.500, 750. For 5- to 10-yo. included; the 5- to 8-yo. with at least 122.000, the 9and 10-yo. at least 160.000. - 25 m. handicap at 370.000, 50 m. at 670.000. 1 OBELO DARCHE g., 7-yo., DANUBE CASTELETS - AURORE DU HOULME, own. Ecurie DARCHE (F. NIVARD), 4425. Train. : Franck BLANDIN (1’16”7) 2 INFINITIF 5-yo., PINE CHIP - ISLAND DREAM, own. Ecurie REVE AVEC MOI (J. BAUDRON), 4425. (1’16”7) 3 PRESIDENT 6-yo., GOBERNADOR - KALAMITA, own. Ecurie des CHARMES (D. LOCQUENEUX), 4400. (1’17”2) 4 NIMROD BOREALIS 8-yo., ARNAQUEUR - HERMINE DIAM, own. Ecurie LD-M. ABRIVARD (M. ABRIVARD), 4450. (1’16”3) 5 QUINOA DU GERS 5-yo., GANYMEDE - TARGA DU CHALANGE, own. Ecurie Jean Michel BAZIRE (J.M. BAZIRE), 4400. (1’17”4) 6 NUCLEAR 8-yo., SANCHO PANCA - ANNE SPEED, own. Ecurie Pierre LEVESQUE (P. LEVESQUE), 4425. (1’16”9) 7 OYONNAX 7-yo., IN LOVE WITH YOU - HERMINE D’URGA, own. Manuel AHRES (S. ERNAULT), 4450. (1’16”5)

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Saturday 17th October 2009 SAINT-GALMIER PRIX DE CUZIEU European Race Mobile Start 30.000. - Harness. - 2.650 metres. 15.000, 7.500, 3.900, 1.800, 900, 600, 300. For 7- to 10-yo. included, with less than 196.000. 1 ODE MESLOISE f., 7-yo., IDEAL DE L’ITON - HEROIQUE MESLOISE, own. Alain CRETAZ (M. CRIADO), 2650. Train. : the own. (1’16”3) 2 NAVAJO VICI 8-yo., HELLO JO - EAU DU LOIR, own. Ecurie DANOVER (F. LECANU), 2650. (1’16”5) 3 OREV DU REYNARD 7-yo., REVE D’UDON - ANDALOUSE, own. Ecurie du REYNARD (J. HUGUET), 2650. (1’16”6) 4 MUST DE BANNES 9-yo., EXPRESS ROAD - UNESTRA, own. Jacques COEUR (LOIC GROUSSARD), 2650. (1’16”7) 5 NEW DREAM DANOVER 8-yo., BLUE DREAM - AYOLA DE PITZ, own. Ecurie DANOVER (Y. HENRY), 2650. (1’16”8) 6 MARATHON VILLERS 9-yo., DANCE MARATHON - EMIKO, own. Fernand LANOIS (B. MARIE), 2650. (1’16”8) 7 MAGNAT CROWN 9-yo., EROS DU ROCHER - DIANA DE PITZ, own. Ecurie DANOVER (L. BULLIER), 2650. (1’17”) Sunday 18th October 2009 AGEN PRIX GROUP J.-P. FAUCHE South-Western France Grand Prix Circuit Qualifying Race International Race 30.000. - Harness. - 2.675 metres. 15.000, 7.500, 3.900, 1.800, 900, 600, 300. For 5- to 10-yo. included, having raced at least twice within the South-West Federation and with less than 400.000. - 25 m. advantage to horses having earned less than 30.000 this year. 1 OLD DU HAUTVENT g., 7-yo., CHEF DU CHATELET - MALMAISON, own. Michel DELAUNAY (Y. CHENY), 2675. Train. : Régis METAYER (1’15”8) 2 OLA DE PADD 7-yo., EXTREME DREAM - ELRITA DE PADD, own. Philippe DAVID (M.X. CHARLOT), 2675. (1’15”9) 3 MISTER MERITE 9-yo., COKTAIL JET - DARABOLE, own. Ecurie BRINDOR (R.W. DENECHERE), 2675. (1’16”) 4 MACBETH DU CORTA 9-yo., BUVETIER D’AUNOU - ESTHER DU ROY, own. Michel LOURMIERE (J.H. TREICH), 2675. (1’16”) 5 PEPITE BOCAIN 6-yo., DEFI D’AUNOU - BAUXITE BOCAIN, own. Jean François YVER (R. LACROIX), 2650. (1’17”1) 6 OLGA DU DUDY 7-yo., HETRE VERT - ELGA DU DUDY, own. Régis METAYER (the own.), 2675. (1’16”5) 7 VASTERBO JETLAG 9-yo., CHOCTAW BRAVE - COM EVA, own. Ecurie MEXIQUE RANCH (E. AUDEBERT), 2650. (1’17”5)

RACING

The Journal of French Trotting 26th October 2009

Sunday 18th October 2009 STRASBOURG

Sunday 18th October 2009 CHARTRES PRIX CYRIL AVERT BOULANGER-PATISSIER European Race 22.000. - Harness. - 2.800 metres. 11.000, 5.500, 2.860, 1.320, 660, 440, 220. For 6-, 7-, and 8-yo., with less than 163.000. - 25 m. handicap at 81.000.

GRAND PRIX FRANCE 3 ALSACE European Race 22.000. - Saddle. - 2.800 metres. 11.000, 5.500, 2.860, 1.320, 660, 440, 220. For 5- to 9-yo. included, with less than 130.000. - 25 m. handicap at 68.000.

1 NACHILLE DES PRES g., 8-yo., ACHILLE - CAPELLA DES PRES, own. Franck DELANOE (the own.), 2825. Train. : the own. (1’16”) 2 NICOS D’ARCY 8-yo., FIRST DE RETZ - CLAIRIERE, own. Sylvain BERNARD (TH. LE FLOCH), 2800. (1’16”7) 3 PRETTY DANCER 6-yo., VIKING’S WAY - ULTRA LOUISA, own. Mrs. Josette BOIVIN (E. RAFFIN), 2825. (1’16”2) 4 OFFUSQUER 7-yo., CALIFE DES NOUES - GIRL END, own. Philippe PELTIER (the own.), 2800. (1’16”9) 5 ORPHEE D’IDOLE 7-yo., BOLIDE D’ODYSSEE - FLORIANE PALLAS, own. Ecurie de L’ANGERIE (P. ANGELIAUME), 2800. (1’17”) 6 ODINE DE SURVIE 7-yo., HOOPER - GANDINE, own. Erno SZIRMAY (the own.), 2800. (1’17”) 7 ORCHIDEE DU PONT 7-yo., BACCARAT DU PONT - TENDRESSE DU PONT, own. Ecurie Albert RAYON (G. POREE), 2800. (1’17”1)

1 PHOENIX SEASON g., 6-yo., HERMES PERRINE - TREVE DU VAL, own. Pascal GARREAU (F. NIVARD), 2825. Train. : Julien ROSENZWEIG (1’18”2) 2 ICARUS FRONTLINE 8-yo., COPIAD - INGRID LAUKKO, own. Veijo RAHKONEN (TH. VIET), 2800. (1’19”2) 3 ORGUEIL DE FRANCE 7-yo., HERMES DU BUISSON - QUAOUSSINE, own. Mrs. Odette LUST (PH. MASSCHAELE), 2800. (1’19”2) 4 NAIADE DES ANDIERS 8-yo., FILOU DU BOSCAIL - HAIFA DES ANDIERS, own. Jean DAUBRE (P.Y. VERVA), 2825. (1’19”) 5 MAJOR DU LOMBART 9-yo., BIESOLO - UNE MAGIE ROSE, own. Ecurie Jozef DEBUSSERE (O. DAGNICOURT), 2825. (1’19”2) 6 RAYON D’ESPOIR 6-yo., SPEEDY SHANE - UNSERE EMYLIE, own. Ecurie WOLFIMAIR (Miss C. MAYR), 2800. (1’19”9) 7 PARIGOTE 6-yo., USTANG DE MAI - HISTOIRE DE REVE, own. Serge BISCH (K. THONNERIEUX), 2800. (1’20”1)

Sunday 18th October 2009 NANTES

Monday 19th October 2009 ENGHIEN

GRAND PRIX DE LA VILLE D’ORVAULT European Race 28.000. - Harness. - 3.000 metres. 14.000, 7.000, 3.640, 1.680, 840, 560, 280. For 7- to 10-yo. included, with less than 191.000. - 25 m. handicap at 95.000. 1 HASTEN g., 7-yo., TRES SOLIDE L - TRACY SIDNEY, own. Ecurie Tony RYTTAR AB (J. NISKANEN), 3000. Train. : Jarmo NISKANEN (1’17”2) 2 OUTSIDER DE CAMBES 7-yo., FULL ACCOUNT - IRDAISE BARBES, own. André Francis BIGEON (W. BIGEON), 3000. (1’17”2) 3 ORCHIDEE DES BOIS 7-yo., JAG DE BELLOUET - NUIT CHAMPETRE, own. Denis DEVE (F. HEON), 3000. (1’17”3) 4 OTHELLO DE LEVRES 7-yo., JAG DE BELLOUET - ELVIRA DU BIGNON, own. Christophe CHALON (the own.), 3025. (1’16”8) 5 ONYX DE MARZY 7-yo., GAZOUILLIS - FRANCE DE MARZY, own. Gérard DELAUNAI (F.P. BOSSUET), 3025. (1’16”9) 6 OURAGAN DE MANCHE 7-yo., AND ARIFANT - AUSONE, own. Mrs. Annie THOURY (J. LEPENNETIER), 3025. (1’16”9) 7 MAFIOSI DES LANDES 9-yo., OCARINO D’ANJOU - FIERE ECLAIR DEJ, own. Ecurie Christian BOISNARD (CH. BOISNARD), 3025. (1’16”9)

PRIX DE MAINVILLIERS European Race APPRENTICES & LAD-JOCKEYS 60.000. - Saddle. - 2.875 metres. 30.000, 15.000, 7.800, 3.600, 1.800, 1.200, 600. For 6- to 10-yo. included, with less than 342.000. 1 NEARLY CHARM g., 8-yo., CYGNUS D’ODYSSEE - CHARMEUSE, own. Laurent FORTIN (G. BLANDIN), 2875. Train. : the own. (1’15”6) 2 OHIO DE JOUDES 7-yo., PODOSIS - FIDJIA, own. Daniel LACROIX (J. VANMEERBECK), 2875. (1’16”) 3 METEOR DU GOUTIER 9-yo., COKTAIL JET - GLOIRE GEDE, own. Alain DUBERT (Miss ALICE DUBERT), 2875. (1’16”) 4 PRINCE DU CHEVREL 6-yo., HASARD LAVEC - HIRONDELLE DE RIO, own. Ecurie de la LAIZE (Miss M.CH. MARY), 2875. (1’16”9) 5 ARIFANT 9-yo., AND ARIFANT - JEWEL SUND, own. Camel BENKHEIRA (J.R. LAUNOIS), 2875. (1’16”9) 6 NUIT DE LA MARFEE 8-yo., ACHILLE - CYBELE RISSA, own. Guy LHOMET (J. GRUMETZ), 2875. (1’17”)

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The Journal of French Trotting 26th October 2009

Tuesday 20th October 2009 PARIS-VINCENNES EQUIDIA’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY (PRIX PIERRE VAN TROYEN) 80.000. - Harness. - 2.850 metres 40.000, 20.000, 10.400, 4.800, 2.400, 1.600, 800. For 4- and 5-yo., with less than 350.000. 1 QUITO D’AVEZE g., 5-yo., DEFI D’AUNOU - JOLIETTE D’ATOUT, own. Pierre Emmanuel GOETZ (F. NIVARD), 2850. Train. : Benjamin GOETZ (1’13”9) 2 QUADRO DE LA FERME 5-yo., BUVETIER D’AUNOU - ERIKA DE VILZY, own. Axel WEND (J. VERBEECK), 2850. (1’14”) 3 QWERTY 5-yo., QUADROPHENIO - ANNE SPEED, own. Ecurie Pierre LEVESQUE (P. LEVESQUE), 2850. (1’14”2) 4 QUELLE COPINE 5-yo., ACHILLE - HAIE, own. Jean Yves ROZE (E. RAFFIN), 2850. (1’14”4) 5 ROMBALDI 4-yo., LULO JOSSELYN - URGAFLORE, own. Jean LUCK (M. ABRIVARD), 2850. (1’14”6) 6 QUIRKY JET 5-yo., GOETMALS WOOD - JOYEUSE GEDE, own. Dominique JOUSSE (LOIC GROUSSARD), 2850. (1’15”2)

PEDIGREE

The Journal of French Trotting 26th October 2009

OFFICIAL SECRET

OFFICIAL SECRET Absolute record : 1'12"5 (2,100m, mobile start, Vincennes, at 5) Speedy Scot (US) Workaholic (US)

Speedy Crown (US) Missile Toe (US)

1982

Speedy Count (US) 1'11"2

Cygnus d'Odyssee (FR)

Ah So (US) Lalita Hanover (US)

1990

Carioca II (FR) 1'13"9

Nymphe d'Odyssee (FR)

Seddouk (FR) Arlette III (FR)

1979

Fandango (FR) —

Etoile d'Odyssee (FR) Odyssee P (FR) Speedy Crown (US)

Cezio Josselyn (FR)

Armbro Goal (US) Armbro Flight (US)

1990

Patara (FR) 1'12"2

Ilexia (FR)

Quezira (FR) Ezira (FR)

1996

Sabi Pas (FR) 1'14"7

Araxia (FR)

Fakir du Vivier (FR) Ua Uka (FR)

1988

Defi de Pompadour (FR) 1'15"9

Iboga (FR) Carotte M (FR)

Speedster (US) Scotch Love (US) Florican (US) Worth a Plenty (US) Speedster (US) Countess Song (US) Hoot Mon (US) Lark Hanover (US) Mousko Williams (FR) Quovaria (FR) Loudeac (FR) Maggy II (FR) Loudeac (FR) Tombelaine (FR) Petit Jean III (FR) Idylle (FR) Speedy Scot (US) Missile Toe (US) Star's Pride (US) Helicopter (US) Gutemberg A (FR) Francette (FR) Fandango (FR) Queen Hera (FR) Carioca II (FR) Infante II (FR) Kerjacques (FR) Flicka (FR) Meiningen (FR) Pompadour M (FR) Quito (FR) Quorpile (FR)

The Journal of French Trotting 26th October 2009

EQUINE HEALTH

BOTULISM A Perfect Killer Horses are highly susceptible to botulism toxines; vaccination and feed/water management are key to prevention. Kim A. Sprayberry, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM

is an oftenlethal disease caused by a bacterial toxin. Although the disease can affect nearly all warmblooded animals, it is particularly deadly in horses, because they are more sensitive to the effects of the toxin than other animals. The disease can strike suddenly and result in death in horses that were perfectly healthy the day before. Horses’ best chance at survival lies in being treated with antitoxin as quickly as possible, but the disease often leaves no tangible footprint for veterinarians to detect through testing. This makes it necessary to recognize the clinical signs that are suggestive of the disease and make the diagnosis on that basis alone. The scenario has many elements of a good thriller novel: a terrible event happens, the clock is ticking on whether the diagnosis can be made and treatment provided in time to save the patient, and the killer is elusive and might never be found. There the analogy ends, though, because there is nothing entertaining about botulism, a disease characterized by neuromuscular blockade (in which toxins block the communication between nerves and muscles) and flaccid paralysis OTULISM

(the horse can’t move, but isn’t stiff). Toxin Attack The disease is not caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, but rather by the toxins that it produces. Clostridial organisms are strict anaerobes, meaning they do not grow in the presence of oxygen or in healthy, well-oxygenated tissues. Clostridium botulinum produces seven different neurotoxins (types A, B, C1, D, E, F, and G), each of which is distinct and different enough from the others that antibodies against one type do not protect an animal against botulism from another type. Botulinum toxin is one of the most potent biotoxins known, which is not surprising given that C. botulinum is a member of a family of lethal pathogens that are all capable of causing rapid, severe sickness and death. Tetanus, blackleg, and malignant edema are other diseases caused by members of the Clostridium genus. Sometimes the onset of clostridial disease is so rapid that no clinical signs are ever manifested; animals are simply found dead. Clostridium botulinum can act just as rapidly and with the same lethal effects. Exposure Horses can get botulism toxin in three basic ways: ingestion of toxins, ingestion of the bacterium and

internal production of toxins, and wounds. The first mechanism of entry is ingestion of preformed toxin in feed. When horses are exposed to botulism toxin in the feed in this manner, the disease is sometimes called “forage poisoning,” usually involving type C toxin. Toxin might be present as a contaminant in feed, or if there are droppings or carcasses of small rodents in the feed bunk or water tub. One problem occurs when rodents or other animals die in a field of forage, and a carcass is incorporated into a bale during baling. Because horses as a species are fastidious eaters, they will avoid consuming hay that is contaminated by animal remains when possible. However, when processed feeds such as cubes or pellets are fed, it is impossible for horses to eat around the contaminant, and consumption of the deadly spores can occur. Contaminated hay cubes have been responsible for at least one large outbreak of botulism in horses. Even if a carcass has undergone dessication (it’s dried out) or is unrecognizable in a flake of hay, enough spores can remain to kill a horse. Hay contaminated with animal carcasses is not the only route of foodborne exposure; the vegetation itself can also be a problem. When foodstuffs are improperly cured or dried, an anaerobic environment favorable for growth of

the organism can develop. Anaerobic conditions can arise in wilted grass or vegetables, for example, and also in round hay bales. Outbreaks of botulism have been associated with feeding discarded produce (wilted unsold lettuce at a farmer’s market in one instance) and lawn clippings. Toxicoinfectious botulism is the secondmost common form of botulism in horses, and this arises when the bacterium itself is ingested from soil and colonizes the gastrointestinal tract. As it grows inside the body, it produces the toxin, and signs of disease become apparent as toxin is absorbed into the bloodstream from the intestinal tract. Clostridium botulinum type B causes a manifestation of toxicoinfectious botulism called shaker foal disease. Shaker foal disease is a form of botulism that affects young foals, and it is mostly a problem in foals born to dams that were recently moved to an endemic area or that were not vaccinated during pregnancy. The disease takes its name from the muscle trembling seen in affected foals. Wound botulism is the third and leastcommon form of botulism in horses. Deep puncture wounds or wounds in which tissue becomes devitalized can support growth of C. botulinum. When the bacterium grows and produces toxin, the toxin is absorbed into the bloodstream and the horse develops botulism. 15

EQUINE HEALTH Toxic Mechanisms Irrespective of the route of exposure, the sequence of events that ensues is the same. Once toxin has been absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract or inoculated through a wound, it enters the bloodstream and is dispersed to nerves bodywide. Nerves that conduct highimpulse traffic, like the fibers that innervate the muscles for swallowing or anti-gravity muscles (muscles that are tonically or continuously contracted during standing), are affected earliest. After a toxin molecule enters a nerve cell, it travels down the length of the nerve fiber to the endplate, where the nerve terminates in close proximity to a muscle cell. The toxin prevents transmission of the impulses that travel down nerve fibers, cross the tiny space between nerve ending and muscle, and induce movement in the muscle. The block occurs at the junction between the nerve and the muscle cell; the resultant neuromuscular blockade at the cellular level is recognized at the animal level as generalized weakness that progresses to paralysis. Signs of Botulism The first signs that owners typically notice are the horse’s inability to eat, drooling or profuse green nasal discharge, and recumbency (inability to rise). Dysphagia or inability to swallow, manifests as milk exiting the nostrils in foals during nursing, and it is often accompanied by coughing as milk enters the trachea instead of the esophagus. In adults, feed material exits the nostrils when the horse attempts to swallow feed, resulting in green, feedtinged discharge coming from the nose. Horses might immerse much of their face in a bucket of water in an attempt to drink, and grain might be dropped, covered with saliva, or pushed around ineffectually in the feed tub as the horse tries to eat. Foals and adults both might drool as a result of paralysis of the swallowing muscles and resulting inability to swallow saliva. Recumbency is also a common early sign of botulism. An affected 16

The Journal of French Trotting 26th October 2009

horse might be unable to get up, or he might lie down for longer periods than usual. Closer observation reveals fine muscle fasciculations (involuntary contractions) or trembling, particularly in the shoulder and flank muscles. The horse might tread or shift weight frequently in the hind limbs, and he might pace around the stall with restlessness or anxiety as he feels muscle weakness progressing and tries to remain standing. Some

mal response is). Pupillary light reflexes, in which a light shone into the horse’s eye induces the pupil to contract, might become sluggish or absent. Tongue tone might be poor, and it might take the horse several seconds to minutes to retract the tongue after gentle exteriorization out the side of the mouth. (At this point it is important to note that until a neurologic horse is diagnosed, rabies should be con-

The hay your horse is eating might appear harmless, but deadly botulism-causing bacterial toxins—sometimes introduced by the baling of animal carcasses like these— could be lurking in anaerobic conditions deep in the bale. © France-TROT (File photo)

horses adopt an “elephanton-aball” posture, with all four feet placed close together under the body. When an affected horse does lie down, he might collapse abruptly rather than deliberately folding the limbs and lowering the body in the normal sequence. This is especially noticeable in foals. Eyelid tone might be decreased, such that the upper lid can easily be moved open and closed (try this in your horse to see what the nor-

sidered a possibility and protection of humans is extremely important.) These are the external signs of botulism; inside the horse’s body, the toxin causes additional abnormalities. Toxin might obliterate gastrointestinal motility (leading to impactions or bowel displacements), voluntary bladder voiding, and, eventually, ability of the diaphragm to contract. The diaphragm is the large sheetlike muscle that separates the thorax from the abdomen, and its contrac-

tions are what facilitate breathing. The diaphragm is the last muscle to be paralyzed by the toxin, and as the horse approaches death, respiratory movements become weaker and weaker until the nerve impulses can no longer elicit a response from the muscle. One of the most unpleasant aspects of botulism is the fact that only motor nerves are affected; sensory function is unimpaired. This means that victims of botulism can fully experience hunger, thirst, fear, stiff muscles, a distended bladder, the effects of failing respiration, and all other sensations, but simply cannot move in response. In an animal as sensitive to danger and the devastating effects of prolonged recumbency as the horse, the disease is particularly insidious. Treatment The most important element of treatment is administration of hyperimmune plasma, which contains high titers of antitoxin. Knowledge of the type of toxin endemic to a given area is important, because attempts to conclusively diagnose botulism by having blood, feed, or water samples analyzed might yield negative results, and even positive results could take days or weeks to be returned. This turnaround time is far too long for a horse with a disease that can kill within hours or days. Therefore, prompt administration of antibodies against the toxin type most likely to be present in the horse’s location constitutes the horse’s best chance for survival. Hyperimmune plasma obtained from horses immunized with botulinum toxin is commercially available. The plasma is costly, because the costs of licensure to handle and use the purified botulinum toxin for immunization are high. Botulinum toxin is the most potent biotoxin known, and the potential for misuse and need for strict security during shipping make the regulatory costs substantial. Horses that ingest a small dose of toxin might survive without receiving antitoxin, but it is usually impossi-

The Journal of French Trotting 26th October 2009

ble to ascertain the quantity of toxin to which a horse has been exposed. One of the lethal elements of botulism is the irreversibility of the bond that forms between the toxin molecule and the nerve cell. Once a toxin molecule has entered a nerve cell, disruption of function is irrevocable because not even antitoxin can remove toxin once it has bound to the nerve cell. The antibodies in hyperimmune plasma can bind to toxin molecules in the blood circulation and neutralize them before they bind to nerve cells, but they cannot reverse the effects of bound toxin. This underscores the importance of timely recognition of clinical signs and administration of antitoxin before enough toxin molecules have blocked neuromuscular junctions as to render the horse unsavable. There is one bit of good news in this scenario, and that is the horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body can make new neuromuscular junctions. However, this process requires seven to 10 days,

and keeping a recumbent horse that cannot eat or drink alive for that interval necessitates skillful and dedicated nursing care. In adult horses, recumbency from any cause can have severe consequences, including development of pressure sores, muscle damage, and colic. Humans with botulism are placed on mechanical ventilators if the disease progresses to diaphragmatic weakness and paralysis, but no machines exist that are large enough to ventilate an adult horse for the days or week that might be necessary. Foals can be ventilated for a week or longer, and this intervention is lifesaving in many instances. However, when paralysis extends to involve the breathing muscles in adult horses, it is humane to euthanatize the horse. After administration of hyperimmune plasma, the most important features of treatment are maintaining hydration (by giving intravenous fluids or administering feed slurry and water through a

EQUINE HEALTH nasogastric tube), administration of antimicrobials to manage aspiration pneumonia or wound infection, rolling the horse to minimize compression damage to muscles, placement of a urinary catheter to facilitate urination, rectal evacuation to facilitate defecation, application of eye ointments if the horse cannot blink, and bandaging of the limbs to prevent injury from paddling and flailing. Adult horses and foals that recover from botulism appear to recover fully, with no residual nervous system deficits or muscle weakness. A vaccination against botulism type B is available for administration to pregnant mares; this immunization results in a high titer of anti-botulism antibodies in the colostrum and protection for the foal. Diagnosis Efforts to identify toxin in feedstuffs or in feces from an affected horse are not always successful. Results of routine blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC)

and serum biochemistry, are typically normal; in fact, unremarkable blood work is one feature that should prompt suspicion of botulism in a horse with signs of weakness. Samples of feed from a feed bunk, an animal carcass detected in hay bales or processed hay products, and fecal samples might be submitted to diagnostic laboratories for toxin identification. A sample of the horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s serum should also be submitted for toxin analysis. Samples that are submitted as soon as possible after clinical signs are noticed are most likely to yield diagnostic information. Take-Home Message Botulism can be a lethal and devastating disease, but prompt recognition of clinical signs and veterinary intervention, especially administration of the correct antitoxin, increase the odds that the outcome will be favorable once the disease is diagnosed. â&#x2013;