X rays and Sales Horses

[imaufo]

Radiographic screening to be compulsory for horses imported into HK
The Stewards of the Hong Kong Jockey Club have decided that, from July 1 2002, all
racehorses subject to import into Hong Kong must have their limbs screened
radiographically prior to their arrival in the SAR.
The introduction of this procedure is to attempt to identify actual or potential
problems in horses prior to import and therefore protect owners from receiving horses
with pre-existing problems.
The Jockey Club suggests that the radiographic procedure follows closely that which
is in current use for the Piaget Hong Kong International Sale as a lack of problems
with the horses that passed through last year's International Sale has been noted.
Furthermore, a thorough vetting of the horse should be performed during the month
prior to the horse entering Pre-Export Quarantine so that clinical and radiographic
findings can be compared and evaluated. The Jockey Club will also employ leading
specialists to assess individual cases when doubts are cast as to the suitability of a
horse for racing in Hong Kong.

[Horny Harry]

This is a link to a very interesting article ( Sydney Morning Herald) re ex-rays. Inglis gives some good reasons as to his anti x ray stance.
http://smh.com.au/articles/2002/03/29/1017206151702.html
[ March 31, 2002: Message edited by: Horny Harry ]

[Homer J.]

The Hong Kong Jockey Club welcomes the decision by Australian thoroughbred
auction house William Inglis & Son to allow horses bought at its sales to be X-rayed
in line with the club's requirements.
The company's managing director, Mr. Reg Inglis, notified the club by facsimile letter
today that X-ray criteria have been put in place for the Australian Easter Yearling Sale
this coming weekend.
"This is a milestone for Hong Kong owners, and owners everywhere, because it
provides protection against buying an unsound horse," Executive Director Winfried
Engelbrecht-Bresges said. "We are pleased our stance on this issue has obtained this
result, and we will continue to do whatever we can to protect our owners."
The club early this year notified sales organisations that it insisted on the right to x-
ray any horse it purchased, with the proviso that if any of five specified conditions
were found, the horse could be returned without penalty.
The five conditions were bone cysts, osteochondrosis of stifle or hock, fractures,
ringbone, and rotation of the pedal bone.
The criteria to be introduced by Inglis & Son provide that a prospective buyer can get
prior consent from the vendor to have a horse submitted to radiographic examination
after purchase.
If any of the five conditions listed by the club are found, the buyer can return the
horse without penalty.
The club notes that X-ray criteria are now in use at many important international sales
and that the Australian thoroughbred vendors' organisation, Aushorse, on Friday
adopted a resolution in line with the club's stance on the issue.
The 11th hour decision by Inglis & Son comes too late for the club to be represented as
it normally would at the Easter sale, but its appointed agents will be in attendance.
* * *

[hobbes]

well done HKJC -- a well deserved victory methinks. :D ;) :D ;) :D

[cheesebeast]

Some second hand info from elsewhere in cyberspace
The first of the X-ray casualties!
Apparently Darley have 'returned' the Zabeel 1/2 sister to Pure Theatre to the consignor, The Oaks Stud after x-rays revealed a chip, after the filly was sold!!!!!!

[cheesebeast]

A wee bit of discussion on the x-ray saga on an NZ BB.
X-Ray Bullshit! (http://www.racecafe.co.nz/cgi-bin/forum/thbred.pl?read=18397)

[shapke]

Think Paul might have an axe to grind?????
________
apartments for sale in Pattaya (http://pattayaluxurycondos.com)

[Steppin Short]

Wouldn't the logical course to take, if you were considering purchasing at a sale, to approach the vendor prior to the sale, request that the horse be x-rayed, if the vendor refused, then just delete that horse from your short list.
I'm sure that if the approach was made in an unoffending manner, most of the vendors would agree to have the x-rays done.
There is no need to have the results made public, if you are interested in the horse then you have a right to protect yourself and the vendor has a right to protect his interests as well.

[hobbes]

Wednesday, April 10, 2002 RACING
X-rays will bring long-term benefits
ALAN AITKEN
While it is true the impetus came of its own business policies and was never intended as a class action on behalf of all buyers, the Hong Kong Jockey Club can still take a bow for its hard line stance on the X-ray policies at the Sydney Easter yearling sale.
Sales company William Inglis & Son stood firm representing the wishes of many of its vendors when the Club demanded X-rays and the right to return seriously flawed horses. The firm was caught in the sandwich but swung around to open the X-ray door to all buyers once the breeders decided en masse that the stakes were too high if they resisted.
The upshot is that a number of important purchases, including the A$1.4 million second top-priced lot, have been returned with serious problems discovered by the X-ray examinations post-sale.
Hong Kong owners have been affected as at least two trainers from here have been forced to return yearlings found to have serious problems, as have other Australian and South African buyers.
While the Inglis company and some of its vendors are doubtless pretty nonplussed with the outcome of the last-minute concessions - the return of the A$1.4 million Danehill colt stands as a commercial disaster for his relatively small-time breeder - the longer-term view must be that the use of X-rays is is good for the sale.
It is anticipated that pre-sale X-rays will be available on a lot-by-lot basis at next year's Easter auction and they will surely become part of the auctioneer's screening process for the catalogue, too. And all that takes the auction back to a reasonable caveat emptor standing.
With the X-rays available before bidding, surely all buyers will do their homework first and make their bids in full knowledge of all that is right or wrong with the horse. In those circumstances, a buyer who finds a problem in the X-rays after purchase probably will not and should not find the return so easy.
The Jockey Club was always correct in principle - it is hard enough to buy a horse with the required ability and soundness to perform under the constant regime of exercise without having a wild card of chronic pre-sale problems which cause trouble even at the trot.
The X-rays won't make the horses from the sale any faster or tougher, but at least buyers will start with the raw product they thought they were getting and that ought to make them spend even more confidently.
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