There are few more lucrative sports in the world than hose racing, meaning that intense training is often at the heart of success achieved.
However, the sport is as much to do with the horses themselves, with trainers tasked with getting the optimal performance levels out of their runners at the right time of the season to gain the ultimate prizes.
Horses and jockeys will need to work in unison to win the top Graded races on the international calendar, and only regular winners will rank among the leading contenders for major races such as the Kentucky Derby.
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Still, how do horses, riders, and trainers ensure that they adhere to key principles to get the very best out of their runners?
Intense Training at Top for Riders
Reaching the peak of thoroughbred racing isn’t an easy feat, with riders having to dedicate themselves to their craft from an early age.
As well as that, they will need to make sacrifices throughout their career to ensure that they are able to compete against the very best in the world.
Jockeys are among the most professional athletes in the world. They will need to maintain their riding weight throughout the season, as there is rarely time off for the leaders in the field.
Away from the track, jockeys will focus on building strong core, legs and cardio, all of which are vitally important when it comes to riding a winner on track.
However, keeping on top of weight is the major challenge for a rider, typically having to monitor their diet and shredding any last minute pounds by running around the track on race day.
Learning The Best Tactics
Every race is different, and being on the best horse in a race doesn’t necessarily mean that a victory is guaranteed. Horse racing is one of the most unpredictable sports in the world, with factors out of a rider’s hands likely to play a key role in a race.
That includes ground conditions, as well as avoiding horses that may have quirks that could impact a rider’s chances of winning. Understanding race tactics is key for all riders from an early age, but this education never ends, with even the world’s elite still using technology to understand how they can squeeze out even more performance from their runner.
Jockey simulators are an incredibly popular option for riders in this modern day, as the tech can give the rider an experience that they will likely have in the race, taking into account how each decision they make could impact the result of the race.
As well as this, the tech can also help riders to understand the pace fractions that must be set, which could be crucial information given that jockeys only have one chance to get it right on a big day at the races.
Getting a Horse Ready For a Big Race
While a jockey can only take care of their own part in a big race, the main responsibility rests on the shoulders of a trainer. A trainer will be tasked with getting their equine perfect for a major event, which includes planning their program around one key date in the diary.
Race planning can be challenging for major trainers, as equines will need a number of competitive runs before taking on their biggest target, with race fitness only being gained in active competition.
Therefore, trainers will typically run their runners in races with the only intention of being to gain race fitness. There is only so much work that trainers can get through at the yard, which revolves around building fitness levels and ensuring that a horse has a dedicated diet plan to suit their needs.
Horses will also have regular visits from vets and farriers while in the stables to ensure that they are 100% before travelling to the track. Horses will only take their chance in a race if they are physically healthy.
What Are The Rewards?
While the risks in horse racing are well-documented, it’s always worth remembering that thoroughbreds are bred to race.
Equine welfare is of paramount importance, but the main goal for every horse in training is to win as much in prize money as possible. The rewards in the sport range drastically, with as little as few hundred dollars being up for grabs in lower-level races, while major events such as the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic offers purses in the millions.
After winning a race, the purse is distributed between the owner, trainer, and jockey. The former gains the biggest portion, taking home an average of 75%. Meanwhile, a trainer will be rewarded with 10% of the winnings, and a jockey takes home 5%, with the remaining purse going to stable staff.
