Chartered Physiotherapist Specialising in the Thoroughbred racehorse

Veterinary physiotherapy service for racehorses ONLY

Chartered physiotherapist Kate Hesse with Mishriff
Kate Hesse with Mishriff
On Track Physiotherapy Ltd is based at the historic headquarters of horse racing, Newmarket England, providing physiotherapy services to Thoroughbred racehorses in training. It is run by chartered physiotherapist Kate Hesse BPhysio MSc MCSP ACPAT(A) who has been treating horses since 1997.

Australian born, Kate Hesse graduated from La Trobe University (Melbourne) in 1995 with a four-year Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPhysio). Her early training in equine physiotherapy was predominantly with the Academy of Equine Sport Therapy in Germany. Moving to the UK in 2002, Kate qualified as a Category ‘A’ Member of ACPAT, the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy. In 2009 she attained a distinction in the Master of Science (MSc) degree in Veterinary Physiotherapy from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London.

Also working in association with Rossdale and Partners Veterinary Surgeons, Kate treats horses at a number of racing yards and studs in the Newmarket area. As an expert in the field, for a decade Kate provided clinical education for the Royal Veterinary College and thereafter the University of Liverpool on their MSc in Veterinary Physiotherapy programmes. She continues to present at professional conferences in the UK and abroad.

Occasionally Katharine (Kate) Stephens BSc (Hons) MSc MCSP ACPAT(A) provides cover for Kate through Complete Performance Physiotherapy.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Mostahdaf, winner of the 2023 Juddmonte International
Mostahdaf, winner of the 2023 Juddmonte International
Courtesy of Michael Harris

Some noteworthy Group One winning champions with whom Kate Hesse has worked include:

  • Outstanding dual Group 1 winner, Mostahdaf (Prince of Wales’s Stakes 2023, Juddmonte International 2023)
  • Globetrotting Mishriff, World’s Best Turf Horse 2021, with prize earnings close to £12 million. His glittering CV includes the Saudi Cup (2021), Dubai Sheema Classic (2021), Juddmonte International (2021), and French Derby (2020).
  • Cartier Champion Three-year-old Colt 2020 and Champion Older Horse 2021, Palace Pier, retired as World Champion miler with 5 Group 1s to his name. Rated the best racehorse in the world after his Lockinge and Queen Anne wins in 2021, he also won the St James’s Palace Stakes 2020 and is the only back-to-back winner of the Prix Jacques Le Marois this century.
  • The people’s favourite, Lady Bowthorpe, brought the house down at Glorious Goodwood when winning the Nassau Stakes. The Racehorse Owners Association rightly crowned her Top Filly or Mare 2021.
  • Palace Pier winning the Lockinge in 2021 with Lady Bowthorpe a gallant second.
    Palace Pier winning the Lockinge in 2021
    with Lady Bowthorpe a gallant second.
    Courtesy of Pat Healy
    The phenomenal, multiple award winning Queen of the Turf, Enable, winner of 11 Group 1s across two continents and four countries including two Prix de l’Arc Triomphes (2017 & 2018), three King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2017, 2019 & 2020), and the Breeders’ Cup Turf (2018).
  • Thunder Snow, the only two-time winner of the Dubai World Cup (2018 and 2019); with career earnings in excess of £12.5 million.
  • Joint World’s Best Racehorse 2018, Cracksman (Champion Stakes 2017 and 2018, Coronation Cup 2018)
  • World’s Best Three-year-old 2018 and Cartier Horse of the Year 2018, Roaring Lion (Coral-Eclipse 2018, Irish Champion Stakes 2018, Juddmonte International 2018, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes 2018)
  • Persuasive (Queen Elizabeth II Stakes 2017)
  • Rizeena (Moyglare Stud Stakes 2013, Coronation Stakes 2014)
  • Cartier Champion Three-year-old Filly, Taghrooda (Epsom Oaks 2014, King George 2014)
  • Thunder Snow, two-time winner of the Dubai World Cup, 2018 and 2019 - courtesy of Erika Rasmussen
    Thunder Snow, two-time winner of the Dubai World Cup,
    2018 and 2019.
    Courtesy of Erika Rasmussen
    Cartier Horse of the Year, Kingman (Irish 2000 Guineas 2014, St James’s Palace Stakes 2014, Sussex Stakes 2014, Prix Jacques le Marois 2014)
  • Nathaniel, sire of dual Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Enable (King George 2011, Coral-Eclipse 2012)
  • US$5 million Dubai Sheema Classic winner 2010, Dar Re Mi (Pretty Polly Stakes 2009, Yorkshire Oaks 2009)
  • Aussie sensation, Starcraft (5 Group 1s across both hemispheres including the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes 2005)
  • Winner in a then record time of the 2005 Japan Cup, Alkaased (Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud 2005)
  • Epsom Derby winner 2004, North Light

Another major highlight in Kate’s career was her appointment as the official physiotherapist for Veterinary Services at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Further information on Kate Hesse

N.B. UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE UNABLE TO TAKE ON ANY WORK EXPERIENCE STUDENTS

For information on qualifying as a veterinary physiotherapist in the UK, please visit Careers and Development at ACPAT.