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Greatrex hails importance of wind operations as BHA continues to collect data

Warren Greatrex is a strong advocate of wind operations
Warren Greatrex is a strong advocate of wind operationsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Trainer Warren Greatrex has extolled the benefit of wind operations as the BHA marked the one-year anniversary of surgeries being declared with the reminder punters must assess the information's value for themselves.

The Racing Post has published a wide range of data that shows those using public knowledge about wind operations to aid their betting have needed to be highly selective.

However, while some punters may have lost considerably by banking on breathing procedures being a precursor to better racecourse performance, trainer Warren Greatrex is adamant they are of enormous benefit.

Cole Harden on the way to victory in the 2015 World Hurdle after having had a wind operation
Star staying hurdler Cole Harden underwent a number of breathing operationsCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"They have worked for me," said Greatrex, who had four winners from 18 runners to have had wind surgery in the last year, representing a £16.42 profit to a £1 stake. "When Cole Harden was running he had three or four because his breathing wasn't great at all.

"I don't do them willy-nilly. You listen to the jockeys or at home and if I think they're not producing what I think they should, they're important. Whatever they're doing there's nothing worse than a horse who can't breathe, so all we're trying to do is help them.

"They don't all work but the people doing the wind ops are learning and getting better at it. I can't remember one that hasn't really improved a horse. I think they are very important."

Reflecting on the completion of the first year of wind declarations, BHA head of media Robin Mounsey said: "Information on wind operations was introduced in the interests of openness and transparency, following a survey by the Horserace Betting Forum, which found it was the piece of information most requested by the betting public. Information that may have an impact on a horse’s performance should be available to all, not only those who are close to the horse.

"We always said from the very start any assumptions on the impact of the surgery on the horse’s form should rest entirely with the betting customer. Not all wind surgeries are successful, but some clearly are. Because of this, it is our view the information should be in the public domain."

Mounsey added: "In terms of the different types of wind operation, our starting point was we believe it is reasonable the betting customers will take it as read the trainer, owner and their veterinarian will have performed the most appropriate surgery to address the issue with the specific horse. However, this is a relatively new initiative and we will continue to monitor the data and public feedback around this issue.

"As well as enhanced data for betting customers the development will also allow the BHA to collect research data on the nature, frequency and impact of wind surgeries on racehorses. That data is being gathered, but is still in the early days and the intention is to collect a few years more data before it will be sufficiently significant to inform equine welfare research."

Trainer Michael Scudamore, who attributed Next Sensation's Cheltenham Festival success to wind operations, said: "There are plenty of horses out there who without wind surgery would have retired a long time ago but are able to have a successful career.

"Sometimes they can take a run to realise their wind isn't causing them any discomfort again. It can be a confidence thing and quite often you'll see horses having their best runs on their second or third run after a wind operation."


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Lee MottersheadSenior writer

Published on 21 January 2019inNews

Last updated 20:24, 21 January 2019

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