Have you ever heard of Sound? Sound is an 8-year-old brown thoroughbred racehorse born in Germany in 2013. After several successful seasons of racing in Germany, with 7 wins from 16 starts including 2 Listed stakes races, a Group 2 victory (and a 2nd place in the prestigious Group 1 Grosser Preis von Berlin at the famed Hoppegarten Racecourse), Sound was purchased in 2018 to do his future racing in Australia.
Bought by Paul Moroney Bloodstock, Sound was transferred to the Melbourne Cup winning trainer Michael Moroney’s Ballymore Stables in Flemington.
Having proven his staying prowess in Germany, Sound was aimed at some of Australia’s most prestigious “Cups” races. He debuted in the 2018 Caulfield Cup and his 5 races in the 2018/2019 Australian racing season and first 4 races in the following 2019/2020 season were all Group 1 middle to long distance contests (typically 2,000m – 3,200m) – and some of Australia’s greatest staying races – culminating in a tiring midfield finish in the Melbourne Cup (3,200m) in November of 2019.
Although spelled and kept fresh over that period…Sound had over 62,000m of some of the world’s most grueling racing (not including training) in his legs by the end of November 2019.
Dr Emma Wood, BSc., BVMS, CVA, started treating Sound with Arthramid® Vet in December 2019;
“He began experiencing issues after a spring campaign and a short let-up. His fetlocks were changing shape, effused and range of motion decreased. Radiographs showed mild signs of degenerative joint disease (DJD) and we did not want to use cortisone at that early stage of his preparation.”
“We treated (front fetlocks) in December 2019 which correlates with his turn around in form in February and March 202. He was again treated in June 2020 (front fetlocks) and July 2020 (left front tendon sheath) after a flare of synovitis. Within 3 weeks both fetlocks and tendon sheath were tight and his action terrific. He went on to run 2nd in the Lexus and win the G2 Zipping Classic (5+ months after injection). As an 8yo stallion he tends to hold condition and to reach peak fitness he underwent a tough spring training campaign. On his non gallop days he would complete 4000m of cantering daily, this is a lot of miles on his joints, and I do not believe we could have kept him sound without the use of Arthramid. Not only did he perform well but he maintained soundness and his action improved throughout the preparation.”
Since treatment, Sound has found top form with multiple placings at Group level in Australia and New Zealand (including a 2nd and 3rd in successive Group 1 Auckland Cups) and picking up a prized Australian Group 2 win in the Zipping Classic at Sandown in November 2020. He has brought his lifetime stakes winnings to over $1M.
“The use of Arthramid® Vet to manage his arthritis has helped keep him genuinely sound and allowed him to continue to move freely and without pain” Dr Wood said.
Mike Moroney, Sound’s trainer, is also grateful for Arthramid® Vet, which resulted in an exceptional racing season for Sound in 2020.
“We used Arthramid Vet on Sound after his Spring campaign in 2019. What delighted me the most is that when treated early in the preparation he maintained his soundness throughout multiple arduous training and racing campaigns and his joints have never looked better. Welfare in racing is paramount in this current environment so by waiving the need to use cortisone and avoiding the risks of its adverse effects I have more confidence in keeping my horse’s sound. From a training perspective I am getting more races into a campaign and stronger performances through to the end. It’s fantastic for my horses, my owners and my team. “
Arthramid® Vet
- Arthramid® Vet is a patented 2.5% cross-linked polyacrylamide hydrogel, that contains no active pharmaceutical ingredient and is a highly effective, long-lasting and most importantly, safe treatment for arthritis in horses
- It works by being injected into the problem joint, which enables a biocompatible tissue scaffold to form naturally in the joint capsule. This acts to stabilise both the joint and the synovium and increase the elasticity of the joint capsule itself. This helps treat the discomfort that comes with joint lameness, and ultimately improves joint function.
IMS Vet NZ Limited
IMS Vet is positioned as a key leader in researching, developing and promoting innovative products for the veterinary market created around a small but dedicated team of passionate people. The IMS Vet team share the same outstanding passion for the veterinary industry and their clients.
We are privileged to have registered and hold the veterinary market authorisations in New Zealand & Australia for the ground-breaking product Arthramid® Vet – The Future of Arthritis Treatment.
Arthramid® Vet is a unique and patented hydrogel formulation consisting of 97.5% sterile water and 2.5% ILX cross-linked polyacrylamide combined in a sterile pre-filled 1ml syringe for intra-articular injection. Arthramid® Vet is used to treat non-infectious causes of joint lameness in animals, including both early and late stages of osteoarthritis. Arthramid® Vet has the ability to integrate into the synovial membrane creating a safe and inert ”bio-scaffold” supporting structure. The effect of this unique mechanism of action helps stabilise the joint capsule, increase elasticity, and contribute to reducing the pain of synovitis and osteoarthritis, and ultimately restoring the joint to better function.
