Exchange Wagering

Horse Racing Partnerships discuss exchange Wagering

From the beginning of horse racing in the United States betting has played a very prominent and important role in the sport. When race tracks began taking wagers from the general public it was, and still is the biggest source of revenue for race tracks. Essentially, without pari-mutuel wagering there would be no horse racing. But today, racing has evolved alongside of technology and has wagering available not only at the track itself but also on online platforms, in which the racetrack is able to take a certain percentage of what is wagered online.

Traditional betting in horse racing is pari-mutuel wagering which is defined as a betting system in which all bets of a particular type are placed together in a pool, taxes and the house take out are removed and the payoff is calculated sharing the pool among all winning bets.  In horse racing there are many different types of bets that have their “pool” whether it may be win, place, show, exacta, trifecta or even pick fours and pick sixes. Currently, all these bets are strictly win wagers that must be placed before the specific race takes place.

In 2000 a new type of wagering, Exchange Wager, was introduced to thoroughbred horse racing in the United Kingdom, where it has been quite popular. Exchange wagering is a form of pari-mutuel wagering in which two or more persons place identically opposing wagers in a given market. For example, bettors can place wagers on whether a horse will win or lose a race, and also have the ability to bet on a race in progress. Because exchange wagering has been so popular in the UK there has been a strong push to get exchange wagering into the U.S.

California has been one of the leading states along with New Jersey to potentially use exchange wagering in a trial period. The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) has been leading the way, in conjunction with California race tracks to promote this new type of wagering in California. They feel that bringing exchange wagering to horse racing in California will attract new bettors who regularly wouldn’t bet with traditional pari-mutuel wagers. The main opposition consists of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) as well as the thoroughbred trainers. The main reason certain groups and fans are against exchange wagering is that owners, trainers, jockey’s, and those involved in the game would have the ability to bet against their own horse, and have the ability to profit from losing a race.

Luckily, the CHRB has just recently proposed a rule that if exchange wagering is to be implemented, owners, trainers, jockeys, and those involved with the horse will be prohibited from wagering against their own horses.  Though this is a necessary rule and precaution it will surely be hard to prevent those determined to break the rules. And though this rule was recently passed by the CHRB, it will still need approval from the state’s office of Administration Law, which is a process that can take several months and then it must make its way to the Secretary of State for final approval.

Unfortunately for the CHRB and those backing exchange wagering, it still seems that horse racing partnerships, individual owners, and trainers are still mostly opposed to the idea of exchange wagering because it will question and test the integrity of the game and the amount of money that will go to purses is in question. Furthermore, it looks like it will be well into 2013 until we have an official decision and how if it is approved, exchange wagering will be set up. But with the potential boost in handle for tracks and economic increase for the sport in general, I am sure all horse racing fans would agree that it would be beneficial for the sport to find a way to implement it while still maintaining a high level of integrity.

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!

 

The Breeders’ Cup

A Horse Racing Syndicate’s Dream, The Breeders’ Cup

Imagine a day in thoroughbred horse racing where all the best horses from around the world come together at the same race track and show off their talents for two consecutive days. This spectacular event of racing is The Breeders’ Cup. In short, the Breeders’ Cup is the end of the year challenge where all the best horses in the world come together to compete against one another in their respective classes and distances.

Every dream of a thoroughbred horse racing syndicate is to run in the Breeders’ Cup at the end of the year. It’s like the all-star game for horses, where the best horses at each distance and surface compete against the best from around the world. The Breeders’ Cup was inaugurated in 1984 at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles, CA. It was a dream conceived by several prominent owners in the industry to bring more attention and a positive light to horse racing on an international stage. Originally, the Breeders’ Cup was held on one single day but today it is comprised of 15 stakes races, the majority of which are Grade 1 races, and is held on two consecutive days.

The Breeders’ Cup is not available to just any horse, but only the best in world. Today, there are sponsored races that are predetermined before the racing season begins called Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” races. There are a set amount of “Win and You’re In” races for each Breeders’ Cup race, and the winner of these races gains an automatic entry into the Breeders’ Cup, as well as entry fees paid for. This is the most direct and assured way of gaining entry into the Breeders’ Cup so most horse racing partnerships will point their horses to specific “Win and You’re In” races. The other way to gain entry into the Breeders’ Cup races, is based on a point system, where specific stakes races have a predetermined number of points for finishing 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd respectively. The rest of the field is determined by the highest point earners, and then if needed horses can be nominated and are evaluated by a panel.

Unlike the Triple Crown races that are held at the same venues each year, the Breeders’ Cup usually does not have the same venue for more than 2 years in a row. Fortunately, this year and the 2013 Breeders’ Cup will be held at the beautiful Santa Anita Park in Southern California. In the past, the Breeders’ Cup has been held all across the United States, with Churchill Downs, Santa Anita, and Belmont Park being the most popular locations. Only one time in 1996, was the Breeders’ Cup held outside the U.S., at Woodbine in Canada. For the foreseeable future the Breeders’ Cup will be held within the United States.

Probably one of the most memorable Breeders’ Cup races took place in the 2009 G1 $5,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park. Zenyatta, one of the best female thoroughbreds to ever race became the first female thoroughbred to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which is typically a race dominated by male entries. Not only did she become the first female horse to win the Classic but also the first horse to win two different Breeders’ Cup races, as she won the 2008 Lady’s Classic. This was truly a remarkable feet, that may never be duplicated. These accomplishments speak to the history and quality of racing that takes place year in and year out at the Breeders’ Cup.

At Blinkers On Racing Stable, we were fortunate enough to campaign Turbulent Descent last year, where she went off as the post time favorite in the Grade 1, $1,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. Though she had a very troubled trip and had to go 5 wide, finishing 5^th, it was still the most exciting experience for our thoroughbred syndicate. All of our partners made the trip to Churchill Downs as passionate owners, friends, and fans. To be a part of the Breeders’ Cup is an experience in racing that usually only comes once in a life time, but we are confident that the Blinkers On horse racing partnership will be back very soon.

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!

 

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!

 

Thoroughbred Horse Racing Partnerships Get Two Year Olds Ready For The Races

Horse Racing Syndicates Prepare 2 Year-Olds For Race Day

Getting a thoroughbred to the races whether it’s after a sale, or straight in from the farm is never an easy task. Every thoroughbred horse racing syndicate’s trainer has a different approach to getting a horse ready for his or her first race.

At Blinkers On Racing Stable, we purchase race horses for sale from 2 year old in training auctions. These sales take place in the Spring, from March through June. Depending on when the thoroughbred is purchased can determines when the horse will be ready to run. Each horse is an individual and depending on when they come out of the sale helps us determine when they are ready to resume training. But as a rule of thumb we like to give our horses at least 30 days of rest on the farm immediately after the sale. Race horses for sale at 2 year old in training auctions are pushed on to run fast in the under tack shows in order bring more money in the auction ring, this along with the hectic sales environment can leave many horses very stressed and tired both mentally and physically. Most horse racing partnerships like to just go on training their horses after the sales, but at Blinkers On Racing Stable, we like to let our horses recover both physically and mentally from the very taxing sales environment.

After the sale, our horses are shipped to a farm in Southern California where they will rest for 30 days and just be a horse. After the necessary time is given to each individual horse they will begin light training at the farm which starts with a few days of tack walking, then 2 to 3 weeks of jogging and then another 2 to 3 weeks of galloping. At this point the thoroughbred horse racing syndicate’s trainer will evaluate the horse’s fitness and progress at the farm, and if he and the owners agree, the horse will be brought to the trainer’s barn at the race track to continue training.

Once a horse is brought to the race track each trainer has a different set of guidelines of how they prepare 2 year olds for their first race. Typically, a Blinkers On trained horse will continue galloping about 2 miles per day for about 2 weeks after coming into the track. At that point if the trainer is satisfied with the fitness of the horse, he will plan to breeze the horse 2 to 3 furlongs for his or her first breeze. This first breeze is typically used as more of a learning experience as well as finding out how fit the horse actually is. More times than not, the horse will breeze nice and easy finishing with an average time and will be relatively tired. This is normal for a horse’s first 3/8ths breeze as they have not been asked to run since the sale almost 2 ½ months ago.

From this point forward the horse will typically be on a 6 to 7 day breeze schedule while galloping each day in between usually with one day off. During the days of galloping the horse from time to time will be walked through the starting gate in order to get comfortable with that environment. They will be walked through and even held inside the gate just to get them use to what it’s like so they will be more comfortable come race day. After the first 3 furlongs, depending on the fitness of the horse he or she will breeze one or two more times at 3 furlongs and then begin breezing a half mile at least 2 to 3 times in consecutive weeks. At this point in the training process the horse racing partnership and trainer will have a good idea of the horse’s fitness and ability. Furthermore, the learning process will have continued during this time where the horse will breeze in company in order to learn to run with other horses. In doing so, they will be strategically placed behind other horses at times to get them use to getting dirt in their face, as well as on the lead. One of the most beneficial training exercises is learning how to start from behind another horse and pass on both the inside and the outside. At this point the horse should be pretty fit and ready for a gate work.

Before a horse can be entered in a race they must earn what is called a “gate card”. A gate card is given when a horse shows they can safely and successfully break from a starting gate. This is usually done with other horses in the gate to simulate a race environment and can also be part of a regular breeze, which will be recorded as a gate breeze (gate breezes are usually one second slower than a normal breeze). Once the horse has earned their gate card and has breezed at least 5 furlongs and possibly a 6 furlong breeze they will be ready for their first race.

Preparing a two year for old for the races is one of the most exciting times in horse racing. The anticipation of the horse’s potential as well as the process of evaluating the horse’s progress and watching them grow and mature is second to none. When you are part of a horse racing syndicate and you have watched your horse mature from the time of the sale into a race ready thoroughbred and see him or her cross the finish line first, your heart stops and the feeling is like nothing you have ever experienced, and you realize this is why we love the game.

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!

 

Race Day Medication

Horse Racing Partnerships Debate The Use Of Lasix

Like any major sport in the United States Horse Racing struggles with its medication policies and regulations. It is largely agreed upon that the sport as a whole needs some kind of medication reform. But the issue still remains, which drugs should be regulated and who will regulate them.

The most controversial medications are those that are administered on race days, specifically, Salix (Furosemide) commonly known as Lasix. This drug is commonly given to horses on race day, a few hours before their race to prevent EIPH (exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage) which is bleeding in the horse’s lungs that is caused by exercise. This is a common occurrence in thoroughbreds throughout the U.S. and Lasix helps prevent the bleeding in the horse’s lungs. The problem is that some feel that this drug is a performance enhancing drug that is only masking symptoms that are naturally occurring in the animal.

Major groups that represent thoroughbred racing for horse racing partnerships and owners across the country are in disagreement on whether to ban Lasix or not. Very influential groups like the Jockey Club and the TOBA (thoroughbred owners and breeders association) believe that race day Lasix should be banned and horses that have EIPH should not run and the “bleeders” should not be bred. And on the other side the strongest opposition is the trainers. Trainers feel that most of their horses would not be able to run without Lasix and they would be left with very few horses that do not have EIPH. It would effectively be like taking most of their barn away and starting over.

Whether banning race day medication like Lasix is actually a good idea for the sport or not is a tough question to be answered, but the real problem seems to lie in the fact that there is no governing body in thoroughbred horse racing. Unlike in baseball and every other major sport, horse racing does not have a commissioner or oversight committee that enforces rules and regulations nationally. Without a central body overseeing and regulating horse racing as a whole, states will begin to make decisions on their own, and unfortunately rules may be different from state to state. Slowly but surely different entities will start and have already begun to ban race day Lasix from racing. For Example, the Breeders’ Cup has implemented a ban of Lasix in all of their 2 year old races starting in 2012. It would be hard to imagine all these 2 year olds running in the beginning of the year with Lasix and then trying to run without it come Breeders’ Cup race day.

What seems evident is that more research needs to be done in the U.S. about the effects of race day Lasix both positive and negative. In addition, racing as a whole will need to find a way to come together in agreement so the sport itself is not affected by the infighting because of the lack of leadership in our sport. Hopefully, with more research, information, and debates between trainers, thoroughbred partnerships, and committees everyone can come to a decision on race day medication that puts the welfare of the horse and the sport first. Because at the end of the day, without race horses for sale and new race horse partnerships forming year after year the sport will not be able to sustain itself.

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!

 

How To Tack A Horse

A Thoroughbred Partnership’s Trainer Shows How To Tack A Horse

Race Horses For Sale

Have you ever wondered what all the different pieces of equipment are when tacking a horse before training? Or maybe you have never noticed all the different pieces that are necessary to getting a horse ready for a morning workout. For thoroughbred partnership Blinkers On Racing Stable’s trainer, Mike Puype, he likes to use the same equipment for jogging, galloping, and breezing during morning training.

The first piece of equipment is called the shammie. The shammie is a small cloth that is applied directly to the back of the horse and is used to keep the saddle from slipping off the horse’s back. This piece is obviously very important to the safety of the horse and the rider. Applying this piece properly is imperative. Next, the saddle cloth is placed on top of the shammie. The saddle cloth acts as a protective layer for the horse. Without this piece the rider’s legs and boots would constantly rub against the horse and irritate its body. Then, the pad is placed on top of the saddle cloth which is used as a cushion for both the rider and the horse, so there is not direct contact with the saddle to the horse’s back.

Once the pad is placed the saddle is ready to go on. The saddle lies directly on top of the pad and it is also very important how this piece is placed on the horse. In order to secure the saddle a strap known as the girth must connect from one side of the saddle and be pulled under and around the horse’s girth and tightened like a belt to the other side of the saddle. This girth also has a protective pad around it so it won’t irritate the horse’s body when it is tightened. During training the girth does not need to be as tight as it would be for a race but still needs to be secure or the saddle will come out of alignment.

After the saddle is secure there are a few more pieces that Blinkers On horse racing partnership trainer Mike Puype likes to use. Attached to the reins he uses a small triangle piece that each side of the resins is threaded through and sits right by the horse’s chest. This piece is called the martingale which gives the rider more control of the horse and restricts the horse from being able to raise its head to certain level. He likes to use this piece so the rider can have more control of the horse, especially if the horse is excited or a little tougher to train.

In addition, Mike likes to use bell boots and polos for jogging and when a horse is taken over to the paddock before a race. Both bell boots and polos are used as protective equipment that keep the horse from striking its front hoof with its back or striking its front leg with its back legs. The bell boots are rubber covers that sit on top of and cover the hooves, protecting the horse from grabbing a quarter (striking the bottom of their front hoof with their back hoof). The polos are cloth wraps that are wrapped around the front ankles and cannon bones of the horse and also act as a protective piece of equipment. Now that the horse is fully tacked, they are ready to hit the track for morning training! To watch Mike Puype explain how a horse gets tacked in the morning click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZExHpGWmWzw&list=PL3BE7DB2384165BD4&index=2&feature=plpp_video

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!

 

Reading a Condition Book

How Thoroughbred Partnerships Spot Horses in Competitive Races

A condition book is a book of upcoming races that is released every two to three weeks depending on the race track, by the racing secretary. This book contains a list of races that horse racing partnerships, owners, and trainers use to point their horses to an upcoming race. The book is usually released about two weeks before the first scheduled race in the book and has races mapped out for the following two to three weeks. This book is very important and not understanding how read it can lead to the possibility of putting your horse in a race that is not necessarily the best fit.

The condition book has a few major components that are important to understand. First, races are categorized by the sex of the horse, male and female. Male horses are never allowed to run in a race restricted to fillies and mares, but in certain circumstances fillies and mares may run against male horses. The next step is finding the races that fit your horse’s age group. Races are categorized in a few different age groups; 2 year olds, 3 year olds, 3 year olds and upward, and 4 year olds and upward. This seems pretty straight forward but it is important to note that if you have a 3 year old it is best to try and race in races for 3 year olds only because typically as horses get older they continue to mature and get better with age and the races for 3 year olds and up are naturally tougher.

The next important piece is the type of race; maiden race, claiming race, allowance race, and stakes race. These are the basic types of races that are offered and each has a specific set of conditions to them. For example, a maiden race is only for horses that have never won a race before. Most horses start in a maiden race and owners and trainers must also determine if they want to run their horse in a maiden claiming or maiden special weight race. The maiden claiming race will be easier competition but you take the risk of letting another thoroughbred partnership, owner, or trainer claim your horse away from you. But at the same time you don’t want to run your horse in a maiden special weight race if they won’t be competitive because this race will be tougher.

Finally, the last component is determining the best distance and surface for the horse to run on. This can be a difficult decision at times especially with young horses because you may not know what the horse likes to run on or how far they want to run. Typically, the majority of horses will begin their careers running in 5 to 6.5 furlong races on dirt or synthetic tracks. Horses that start on the turf usually have a proven pedigree of turf horses in their family or may have certain conformation, like the shape of their hooves that leads a trainer and owner to want to start a horse on the grass first time out. In the same way, a horse with proven pedigree of distance horses in their family may start at lengths of a 1 mile or 1 1/16^th miles. Yet, the majority of horses will make their debuts in sprint races at under 1 mile.

The key to reading a condition book is reading each condition of each race in detail, and also learning from someone who has been doing it for a long time and understands that to be successful you must put the horse in the best spot to win. It may not always be the spot you want to put the horse in because it’s a lower level race or a claiming race, but in the end to be competitive in this game you must be able to spot a horse where they best fit at that specific time and not where you wish they could be.  In addition, it is best to consult with your trainer and other partners to talk through the potential races and get one another’s perspectives. At Blinkers On Racing Stable we make it a priority to understand how to read a condition book and consult with our trainers before a race is decided on. In addition, we know that we need to put each horse in a spot where they can be competitive for the horse racing partnership to be successful.

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!

 

Thoroughbred Partnerships Analyze Pedigree at 2 year Old In Training Sales

Thoroughbred Syndicates Study Pedigree At Thoroughbred Auctions

The thoroughbred is known as one of the most beautiful and powerful animals in the world. They are coveted for their speed and athleticism on the race track. But the thoroughbred is not a breed that has been around as long as many other horse breeds. It wasn’t until the 17^th and 18^th centuries that the thoroughbred was bred by English horsemen. From that time on they have been known as the breed with the best mix of speed and stamina in the world.

All thoroughbreds can be traced back to three stallions from the Middles East that were brought to England as gifts or even spoils of war. The first was the Byerly Turk, who was captured by Captain Robert Byerly in a battle in 1686. Captain Byerly brought the horse back with him to Ireland and maintained him as his war horse. Byerly eventually moved to England and the horse was at that point retired to stud.

The next stallion was the Darley Arabian who was purchased by Thomas Darley in Syria in 1704 and shipped back to England to stand at stud. He stood about 15 hands and was the great-great-great grandsire of the Champion Eclipse. In addition, recent research shows that 95% of thoroughbreds today can be traced back to the Darley Arabian who has proven to be extremely influential.

The Godolphin Arabian, the last of the original thoroughbred stallions, was given as a gift in France to a Duke and later purchased by Edward Coke who brought the stallion to stand in England in 1729. After Mr. Coke’s death the stallion was left to Francis the second Earl of Godolphin in 1733. The Godolphin Arabian also sired Regulus who was the sire of Eclipse’s dam. The Godolphin Arabian also went on to have a very influential career at stud, only breeding to the best English mares.

By the end of the 18^th century horseracing was off and running in England and Classic races like the St. Leger Stakes, the Epsom Derby, and Epsom Oaks were established. With the creation of these races came more selective breeding for speed and stamina. By the 19^th century size in thoroughbreds also began to increase, where the winner of the Epsom Derby, Bay Middleton, stood over 16 hands high, a full hand higher than the Darley Arabian.

Breeding continued to evolve especially with the importing of thoroughbreds to the United States. The first thoroughbreds were imported in 1730 and the original breeding grounds were mainly Virginia, Maryland, and South Carolina. But after the American Civil War and a larger amount of thoroughbreds were being imported and bred in the U.S., racing evolved into shorter races from 5 furlongs up to 1.5 miles instead of 4 mile races that were ran in heats. With the change in racing distances also came a change in breeding practices and breeding locations. Kentucky became the heartland for thoroughbred breeding as it remains today mainly because of its fertile land that is full of nutrients from the natural limestone that lies beneath the grass.

As Kentucky remains the heart of thoroughbred country today, it also has evolved into holding the largest thoroughbred sales year in and year out. So, when thoroughbred partnerships are looking to purchase new horses each year they undoubtedly are reminded of the history of the thoroughbred as pour over the pedigree pages of each potential thoroughbred prospect. And thanks to the establishment of the Jockey Club and their excellent records we can trace all thoroughbreds today back to the foundation stallions that began their stud careers in England. Buying thoroughbred as part of a thoroughbred partnership, one gains a sense of pride in the history that is our sport of thoroughbred racing and should always remember and respect the beautiful animals that give us such great memories and enjoyment.

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!

 

Life Of A Jockey

The Hard Work Jockey’s Put In For A Racing Partnership

As the sun rises you blow by the 1/8th pole at 35mph on a 2 year old colt that after weeks of breezing is finally showing he can focus. This is the 5^th worker of the morning already and its only just now 6:30am. But you know that working horses every day in the morning will get you the respect and good reputation with both thoroughbred partnerships and trainers. And not to mention the fulfillment of watching a young horse grow and mature into a top class athlete down the line.

The life of a jockey is one that is constant with few off days. Mornings are spent on the track breezing and jogging horses. When the track is closed for training at about 9:30am, its then time to hit the gym and make sure that their strength and weight is under control. For some jockeys it’s a constant struggle to maintain the appropriate weight and fitness, and for others is can be a daily battle. The pressures of the game are demanding, but can be very rewarding for those who make it to the highest levels.

Furthermore, regulations restrain jockey’s to maintain a weight of 125 pounds or less to be licensed as a jockey.  In addition, apprentice riders also known as bug boys gain a 5 pound weight advantage when first starting out as a rider. The name “bug boy” comes from the bug shaped asterisk that denotes the weight difference in the program. With such tight weight restrictions and regulations it can be a challenging task for a new rider to the area or a bug boy to break through the ranks.

When it’s time for racing, Jockeys can have a mount in almost every race on the days card if they are popular enough among racehorse partnerships and trainers. This means that after an early morning of working 5 horses then a couple hours at the gym, a jockey must be able to compete at his highest level in 5 to 8 races that are only thirty minutes apart. Not only must a jockey be physically fit, they must also be mentally fit. Countless quick decisions must be made over the course of a race that lasts less than 2 minutes, and traveling at speeds of up to 40 mph on a thoroughbred. So much is riding on each race. From the hopes and dreams of the horse racing partnerships to the trainer to the jockey who are all trying to win each race, and for the jockey, earn a living along the way.

For jockeys they are compensated small flat fees for training horses in the mornings but they really only get paid substantially if they win. They receive 10% of the winning purse from each race they win. Running second and third also gets them 5% of the second and third place purse earnings. And finally if the jockey fails to run in the money they receive a small fee for riding in the race. Ultimately, a jockey must perform in order to succeed financially, which is a tough balancing act to maintain throughout a season which for most in the horse racing industry has no off season.

At Blinkers On Racing Stable, our dedication and work ethic are second to none among thoroughbred horse racing partnerships. And because of this, we aim to ride jockeys who share in our dedication for the sport. We value a jockey’s honesty and hard work ethic that eventually lead him to become the best prepared for each race he rides for us.

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!

 

Naming A Horse

How a Racing Partnership Names a Horse

Naming a horse, like most aspects of horse racing is based on tradition. Names are traditionally created by using a combination of the sire and dam’s name. Usually the name will play off both and sometimes just one of the names and have a creative or witty play on them.  But of course not all names use this form. Sometimes names can be representative of a specific trait of the horse or an experience the horse may have had, or even something that has meaning to the owners. In any case naming can be a very fun experience.

Before you have your heart set on a specific name you must first visit The Jockey Club website to ensure that your name is acceptable and approved. Like anything, there are rules and regulations that you must abide by when naming a horse. For example a horse’s name may not contain more than 18 characters including spaces. In addition, names cannot have commercial or artistic value, and cannot be suggestive or offensive. Furthermore, names cannot be used if another horse that is currently running is using that name. At the end of the day, the Jockey Club has the final say, and a complete list of the naming rules and regulations can be found at http://www.jockeyclub.com/registry.asp?section=3#six.

At Blinkers On Racing Stable, our horse racing partnership likes to come up with creative names that are either a play on the dam and sire’s names or are reflective of a horse’s attributes or experiences. For example, our multiple G1 winner, Turbulent Descent, is by Congrats out of Roger’s Sue. Clearly, her name has nothing to do with her dam and sire’s names, but rather an unfortunate plane flight on her way to California. After Turbulent Descent was purchased at the OBS sale in Ocala Florida she was flown out to Southern California to race. During her flight here, the plane experienced a good amount of turbulence and Turbulent Descent cut her ankle in the midst of all the turbulence. Luckily, the cut was superficial and turned out not be an issue. Since then Turbulent Descent has gone on to win three G1 races and her name has become popular across the country. Another horse for Blinkers On Racing Stable, Clearly a Cowboy, got his name the more traditional way. By With Distinction out of Cowgirl Lucky, Clearly a Cowboy is a perfect play on both his sire and dam’s names.

At the end of the day naming a horse is a personal decision made by the thoroughbred partnership or sole owner. There is no exact method you have to follow. Sometimes a name will come to you and just fit a horse and other times it may take a little longer and require some clever thinking. If you ever have a hard time naming a horse or are questioning the names you have come up with, watch this video of two horses with very clever names, I’m sure it will make you laugh! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgSZL63VoPs

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!