Deirdre Biles
Deirdre Biles is the Bloodstock Sales Editor for The Blood-Horse magazine.
Articles by Deirdre Biles
War Emblem's Struggles in Breeding Shed Continue in Japan
July 11, 2006
War Emblem's problems in the breeding shed have gotten worse. There will be no foals sired by the 7-year-old champion son of Our Emblem born in 2007. The 2002 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner has been reluctant to cover Read More
Buyers Surveyed on Disclosure of Surgeries
July 01, 2006
Thousands of Thoroughbred buyers were sent surveys asking what they think about the mandatory disclosure of surgeries that cause permanent changes in the conformation of sale horses.
Distribution of the questionnaires began in mid-April. The Read More
Barbaro on Thursday: Progressing Nicely
May 26, 2006
The news continued to be promising for Barbaro Thursday. Dr. Dean Richardson reported that the colt was "progressing nicely, has totally normal vital signs, and is in excellent condition" at the the Read More
Barbaro on Friday: His Condition is Excellent
May 26, 2006
Five days after undergoing surgery, Barbaro was in excellent condition, according to a report from the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center.
"He looks good, everything is fine Read More
Buyers to be Surveyed on Mandatory Disclosure of Surgeries
April 25, 2006
Thousands of Thoroughbred buyers soon will be receiving surveys asking what they think about the mandatory disclosure of surgeries that cause permanent changes in the conformation of sale horses.
Distribution of the questionnaires was Read More
Sales Integrity Program Committee Addresses Concerns Over Surgery Disclosure
August 02, 2005
The monitoring committee for the Sales Integrity Program is taking action to address some consignors' concerns about how the Thoroughbred auction industry will handle the disclosure of invasive joint surgeries and other procedures designed to Read More
Umbilical Cord Length and Foal Health
May 23, 2005
A long umbilical cord increases the risks for abortions and stillbirths in horses. Complications include strangulation of the foal and excessive cord twisting, writes Karin Bosh in a recent edition of Equine Disease Quarterly, a newsletter Read More
Whip Use and Racing Falls
January 01, 2005
A study conducted by scientists at the University of Liverpool in England found that the risk of falling in hurdle and steeplechase races was significantly associated with whip use and a horse's progress while competing. The results of the work Read More
Septic Arthritis
November 10, 2004
Septic arthritis in a Thoroughbred foal significantly reduces the likelihood the animal will race, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Glasgow in Scotland and Read More
Whip Use and Risk for Racing Falls
November 02, 2004
A study conducted by scientists at the University of Liverpool in England found that the risk of falling in hurdle and steeplechase races was significantly associated with whip use and a horse's progress while competing. The results of the work Read More
Lone Star Offers Access to High-Tech Equine Surgical Suite
November 02, 2004
A high-tech surgical suite, developed originally for human medicine, is now available to horses at Lone Star Park, the host for this year's running of the Breeders'Cup World Thoroughbred Championships. The facility, designed especially for Read More
Ocala Horsemen Cope With Power Outages, Minor Damage Following Frances
September 08, 2004
Horsemen in Ocala were coping with downed trees, damage to barn roofs, and widespread power outages Wednesday during the wake of Hurricane Frances, which pounded Central Florida with heavy rains and strong winds over the Labor Day Read More
Septic Arthritis and Racing Potential
January 01, 2004
Septic arthritis in a Thoroughbred foal significantly reduces the likelihood the animal will race, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Glasgow in Scotland and veterinarians with Rossdale and Partners in England. Th Read More
AAEP Publishes Vesicular Stomatitis Brochure
September 30, 2003
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) recently released a brochure about vesicular stomatitis (VS) for the horse owner. VS is a contagious disease that afflicts horses, livestock, wildlife, and humans. Although the virus that Read More
Dutch, Israeli Researchers Developing West Nile Virus Vaccine
September 08, 2003
Crucell N.V., a Dutch biotechnology company, and the Israel-based Kimron Veterinary Institute are anticipating the approval of their veterinary West Nile Virus (WNV) in Israel in early 2004. Based on encouraging results from their early work, Read More
Throat Studies
July 01, 2003
A pair of recent studies conducted by researchers in New York, Ireland, and Australia have provided new information about the equine throat. Articles about both research projects appeared in the May 2003 issue of the Equine Veterinary Read More
The Sound Barrier
April 30, 2003
The debate over fast workout times for sale 2-year-olds
The specter of catastrophic injury continues to haunt sales of Thoroughbred 2-year-olds in training. Every time a horse breaks down during an under-tack show, the debate Read More
Equine Abortions In Kentucky Fall Behind Last Year's Pace
March 10, 2003
The number of reported equine abortions in Kentucky declined for the fourth week in a row, based on figures released by the University of Kentucky's Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center (LDDC) on Monday. The Read More
Equine Abortions In Central Kentucky Still Ahead Of Last Year's Pace
February 11, 2003
The number of equine abortions in Central Kentucky remains ahead of last year's pace based on the most recent report issued by the University of Kentucky's Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center (LDDC) on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Thirty-eight aborted Read More
Kentucky Industry Working On Computerized System To Spot Equine Health Problems
January 31, 2003
The Kentucky Thoroughbred Association (KTA) is working in conjunction with the University of Kentucky, horsemen, and veterinarians to develop a computer program that would help the equine industry detect health problems like mare reproductive Read More
Abortions Up In Central Kentucky; Signs Not Consistent With MRLS
January 31, 2003
The abortion rate in Central Kentucky is up from a year ago, but scientists aren't sure why there has been an increase.
"At this time, there is nothing that is fully consistent with MRLS (mare reproductive loss syndrome)," said Dr. Lenn Read More
Genetically Speaking
January 28, 2003
Ireland is not a big country. It covers only 32,599 square miles, making it about the same size as Indiana. But Ireland plays a large and important role in the Thoroughbred industry. Some of the best runners in the world are raised on its Read More
The Gray Gene
October 23, 2002
British scientists have identified the distinctive gene that gives about 3% of the Thoroughbred population the gray coat color, and they plan to continue studying the genetics in hopes of learning why grays are more prone to developing melanomas Read More
Airway Health
October 03, 2002
Many trainers judge the health of their horses’ airways by listening to the sounds the animals make while they are exercising. Airway Dynamics of Midway, Ky., is doing the same thing more scientifically by using high-tech equipment. Veterinarian Read More
Barretts Plans To Limit Clenbuterol Use at Juvenile Auctions
January 29, 2002
All the details have not been finalized, but Barretts Equine Limited plans to prevent consignors from treating their juvenile sale horses with clenbuterol within 72 hours of presale under tack shows. The California auction company also plans to Read More
