Training a Thoroughbred to race begins when the colt or filly is relatively young. Since the Thoroughbred is a fast maturing breed and the jockeys are very light, often full training is started when the horse is just over a year. It is important to note that all Thoroughbred horses have the same birthday. For Thoroughbreds in the Northern Hemisphere all Thoroughbreds are considered to be one year older on January 1st of each year. In the Southern Hemisphere all Thoroughbreds become one year older on July 1st of each year.
Typically a race horse owner will not be either the trainer or the jockey, and will likely have little to do with the horse, especially in the larger stables. The colts and fillies are vet tested and examined before purchase and the history of the pedigree is very important in selecting a potential winning Thoroughbred. There are over 30,000 Thoroughbreds registered each year in the United States, with only a very small percentage of those horses ever actually getting to the track as competitors.
Training starts with a full assessment of the potential and ability of the yearling. This will involve training the horse to accept the jockey and to race on smaller tracks against other horses of the same age and developmental level. A good trainer that has years of experience with Thoroughbreds can assess both the potential for the young horse as well as the attitude, drive and ability that the young horse possesses. Training is then developed to meet the ability and needs of the horse, on an individual horse by horse basis.
Typically one trainer will work with several young horses but the jockey will stay fairly constant. This allows the trainer and jockey to work together to bring the horse along and to evaluate the performance of the horse. Endurance and stamina as well as physical conditioning are a large part of the training. Race horses are particularly prone to leg and ligament problems as well as stress fractures, hoof problems and other skeletal concerns if training becomes too intense or enough attention is not paid to the response of the horse to the training. The jockey, trainer and stable staff will all be involved in monitoring, coordinating and completing all aspects of care for the young horse during the training period.
Once the young horse has proven itself in training it is run in several races in its first year as a two year old. These are called maiden races and are typically less important for the horse to win but important for the horse to get a feel for the competition and the track. Some horses will never win a first race so will be considered to be maiden racers. Maiden races can be run for two or three year olds, as can claiming races, where the horses can actually be sold or claimed during the race for a set amount of money. Some horses will go on to win during their first and second year of racing and will move up into more prestigious races and some will even go on to become champions.
|
