Enhancing Horse Safety in Training and Racing

The Gerald Leigh Memorial Lectures were held at the Sales Paddocks, Newmarket on the 7th June 2023 by kind permission of Tattersalls.

Gerald Leigh was a prominent owner breeder of racehorses based at Eydon Hall Farm in Northamptonshire. He established himself as a leading international breeder by developing strong families with a small but select broodmare band.

On the racecourse, he achieved international success with Classic and Group 1 wins in England, Ireland, France, America, Canada and Australia. Amongst these victories, Markofdistinction delivered a first Group 1 success for jockey Frankie Dettori in the 1990 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. His homebred Barathea, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile in a course record, was named “European Horse of the Year” at the 1994 Cartier Awards. Among his commercial successes in the sales ring, his broodmare Korveya was sold for a world-record $7 million in 1998.

The BCET are incredibly grateful for the continued support from his Charitable Trust.

This year’s theme was entitled “Enhancing Horse Safety in Training and Racing” with some high class renowned speakers from across the globe.

This group of lectures brings together international experts in risk management, racehorse practice, othropaedics and cardiology with senior trainers to examine current knowledge and recent developments in prevention of limb fracture, arrhythmia and exercise-associated sudden death. Practical steps towards reducing prevalence of fracture and emergency care to limit further limb damage are outlined while potential roles for AI in diagnosis of cardiac rhythm disorders are explained. Together this set of lectures provides a comprehensive view of what can be done now and in the future to enhance horse safety in training and racing.

Refreshments and a scrumptious lunch were provided by Crown Caterers.