What’s going on: Breeders Cup World Thoroughbred Championships
Where it’s happening: Beautiful Santa Anita Park outside Los Angeles, California
Who’s making news: AAEP’s “On Call” Veterinarians
When it will take place: Friday and Saturday, November 2-3
It’s a tradition now. Each November, the Breeders Cup captures the imagination of horse lovers and racing fans. They’re glued to the television screen in one of the great sports marathon broadcasts of the year as NBC captures it all, championship race by championship race. And a cadre of veterinarians stands by in the background to assist the broadcasters, should expertise on horse injuries or health need to be explained to the public.
NBC and its cable affiliate, NBC Sports Network, will feature 9 1/2 hours of live coverage of the Breeders’ Cup from Santa Anita Park later this week. Their coverage culminates with Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, which often determines the coveted Horse of the Year title for Thoroughbreds.
But NBC won’t do it alone: Equine surgeons Larry Bramlage, DVM, MS, and Wayne McIlwraith, BVSc, PhD, will be on hand to provide timely health reports to the media and viewing audience regarding the athletes in each race. Their services will be provided as part of the ongoing “On Call” service of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).
About the veterinarians
Dr. Bramlage is a partner at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky.? He is a past president of the AAEP and a past chairman of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation’s Research Committee. He is a recipient of The Jockey Club Gold Medal.
Dr. McIlwraith, who also is an AAEP past president, is a Colorado State University professor in Clinical Sciences, holder of the Barbara Cox Anthony Endowed Chair, and director of the Orthopedic Research Center at CSU.
Both vets are board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
The AAEP’s On Call program has been assisting with television broadcasts since 1991. Approximately 30 veterinarians are standing by during telecasts of leading Thoroughbred and Standardbred races throughout the year.
