Horse Racing Syndicates Evaluate A Horse’s Best Distance

Thoroughbred Syndicates Determine If A Horse Is A Sprinter Or Router

A common question that thoroughbred syndicates get from partners and potential partners is, do you think this horse will be a sprinter or a route horse? For race horse partnership managers, this is not always an easy question to answer, but there are certain things that thoroughbred syndicates rely on to help them determine whether the horse will be a more successful sprinter or distance horse.

The first thing that a horse racing partnership manager will look at to determine what distance a horse will succeed at is their pedigree. The pedigree of the thoroughbred will give a good indication as to whether the horse wants to sprint or route. For example, Blinkers On Racing Stable’s 2 year old colt, Cruel Spirits is by Henny Hughes. Looking at Cruel Spirits’ pedigree we know that Henny Hughes was a very good sprinter and over the years as a sire he has been successful at getting more successful sprinters than route horses on the race track. On the other hand, a horse like Just Your Shadow, another 2 year old colt that Blinkers On manages, is by Ghostzapper, who won graded stakes races from 6.5 furlongs to 1 ¼ miles in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Ghostzapper was probably at his best going a route of ground like his sire Awesome Again, so we would expect Just Your Shadow to most likely be more successful as a distance runner.

In addition, a horse’s Dosage Index is also an important aspect in determining whether a horse will be better as a distance or sprinting thoroughbred. Dosage Index is a mathematical calculation based on prolific thoroughbred sires that give each thoroughbred a number based on their pedigree that is supposed to represent what they will be most successful running at. For example, the thoroughbred has an average center of distribution of 2.40 so anything below that number would lean more toward being able to run a further distance, and anything above that number would typically mean that the horse will most likely be suited for sprinting. Inevitably, there are exceptions to this method but it is set up as a guide to help thoroughbred syndicate owners and breeders as they buy and race thoroughbreds. But looking at a horse’s pedigree isn’t the only factor in determining whether a thoroughbred is more suited for sprinting or routing.

The body type of a horse also plays an important role in helping to determine a horse’s best distance. For example, Just Your Shadow’s pedigree says he could probably sprint or route but looking at his body type and the way he moves over the track he looks more like a route horse. He is a bigger horse has a lot of leg and a longer body and back that creates a bigger more fluid stride where the recovery of the stride is not as quick. Therefore, allowing him to carry that fluid stride over a route of ground without tiring. Whereas, a horse like Cruel Spirits has a long stride as well but his recovery time between strides is much quicker, allowing for a higher cruising speed than Just Your Shadow, but not being able to carry that speed over a longer distance. In addition, Cruel Spirits is built more compact with a powerful hip and shorter back that are common traits of a successful sprinter.

At Blinkers On Racing Stable, with the help of our bloodstock advisor and trainer, we take into consideration all of the available information that is helpful in making a determination whether to sprint or route a specific horse. But sometimes the most useful piece of information above pedigree, dosage index and conformation is watching the horse race and finding out how they succeed at different distances.

Blinkers On

Blinkers On Racing Stable, a leader in thoroughbred horse racing partnerships, brings together the finest in thoroughbred horse racing expertise with the best in business know-how, and above all, a team of people you can trust, to manage your investment. We are committed to helping you experience the joys of thoroughbred horse ownership. For more information on thoroughbred partnerships visit our website or request an information package about our partnership. Keep up with horse racing in California by reading our Blog, finding us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, checking us out on LinkedIn, or visiting our YouTube Channel!