Racing with Oxidative Stress: A Hidden Risk Undermining Thoroughbred Performance
New data reveals that Thoroughbred racehorses free from oxidative stress are significantly more likely to win or place, spotlighting OxiDx’s patented biomarker test as a game-changer in equine performance and welfare.
- OxiDx test detects oxidative stress linked to muscle damage and injury risk
- Horses without oxidative stress 49% more likely to win, 76% more likely to place
- 88% of top-three finishers raced without oxidative stress
- Study tracked 75 horses over 216 races with daily blood monitoring
- Commercialisation talks underway for Australian and international racing markets
Breakthrough in Equine Performance Monitoring
Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd (ASX – PIQ) has unveiled compelling new evidence that its majority owned subsidiary OxiDx Pty Ltd’s patented oxidative stress biomarker test can significantly enhance Thoroughbred racehorse performance. Presented at the Australian Physiological Society Annual Scientific Meeting in Sydney, the data shows horses racing without oxidative stress were nearly 50% more likely to win and 76% more likely to place in the top three.
This breakthrough comes amid growing concerns over musculoskeletal injuries in the racing industry, where approximately 85% of Thoroughbreds sustain injuries during their early racing careers. The OxiDx test measures thiol-oxidised albumin, a sensitive biomarker of systemic oxidative stress linked to muscle damage and poor recovery, using a simple dried blood spot assay that can be performed in under a minute.
Study Details and Implications
The study monitored 75 racehorses from seven Australian stables across 216 competitive events, establishing individual oxidative stress baselines and tracking changes daily throughout the racing season. Results showed that 88% of horses finishing in the top three were racing without oxidative stress, underscoring the biomarker’s strong correlation with superior performance.
Interestingly, oxidative stress levels increased with consecutive races, rising from 24% of horses showing stress pre-first race to 53% after three races, highlighting the cumulative toll of competition on equine physiology. This insight offers trainers a powerful tool to optimise race readiness and recovery, potentially reducing injury risk and improving animal welfare.
Commercial Prospects and Future Directions
Proteomics International is actively engaging with potential partners to accelerate the commercial rollout of the OxiDx test within Australia’s $9 billion racing industry and internationally. Given the global Thoroughbred racing market’s valuation exceeding A$400 billion, the technology’s scalability and application could be transformative.
Beyond equine sports, OxiDx plans to extend its oxidative stress monitoring technology to elite human athletes, leveraging its precision diagnostics platform to enhance performance and recovery across disciplines.
Managing Director Dr Richard Lipscombe emphasised the test’s unique ability to provide trainers with actionable physiological insights, balancing peak performance with welfare considerations. As the racing industry increasingly embraces sports science, OxiDx’s data-driven approach could become an indispensable part of racehorse management.
Bottom Line?
OxiDx’s oxidative stress test is poised to redefine racehorse performance and welfare, with commercial partnerships the next critical step.
Questions in the middle?
- How quickly will OxiDx secure commercial partnerships and market adoption?
- Can the test’s predictive power reduce injury rates long-term in the racing industry?
- What regulatory hurdles remain for broader international deployment?
