The Emperor’s New Clothes

We all want to be fashionable at the races but, come to think of it, so do the horses and jockeys. So, what is all that stuff they are wearing?  There is a pretty specific uniform for both the jockey and the Thoroughbred.

The jockey will wear an outfit that is suitable for safety, sport, identification, and fashion. The basic uniform consists of a helmet, goggles, underclothing, vest, silks, pants, boots, and riding crop. The helmet is required for safety. It must protect the jockey from injury during a fall. It will be fitted with a cover to match the particular silks worn. The jockey may wear multiple layers of goggles, to easily switch out, for a clear view on a muddy track. Underpants are optional and even carry a great deal of superstition for some riders. Ladies stockings may be worn to protect against cooler weather as well. The vest is vented for cooling and padded for safety. It is worn under the silks. The silks are also known as the colours. This article of clothing is a fitted jacket. The horse owner must design and register the appearance of the silks with the National Jockey Club, in the United States. This silk is recognized as belonging to that owner. The registration may be kept for varied time frames. Other countries have their own registration organizations. For over a hundred years the National Jockey Club has been approving, or disapproving if distasteful, the silks for each horse owner. Originally, these jackets were made of silk. Mostly, other lightweight fabrics such as Lycra, nylon, synthetics and polyester are used today. The jockey must be kept comfortable. The pants are white breeches. Riding boots are worn on the jockey’s feet. The jockey may or may not choose to carry a riding crop.

The horse too wears a particular set of gear, more commonly known as tack. Typically, the horse wears various shoes, a blanket or saddle cloth, saddle pad, a saddle, a girth and surcingle, stirrup irons, a bridle with a yoke and fork, a martingale, a numbered saddle cloth and sometimes a tongue strap/tie and blinkers. Each track has rules on the horse shoes. The saddle pad and blanket keep the saddle comfy and in place. The girth and surcingle attach between the yoke and the horses front legs and then all under the saddle to keep it from slipping. The martingale goes over the neck and to the girth. The numbered saddle cloth may be color coded to match the number the horse is racing under.  Stirrup irons are where the jockey’s feet go. The bridle fits over the horses head and has a whole range of parts. The bridle is attached to the reins. The bit, and maybe a tongue strap, fit in the horses mouth. These elements help with control of the horse. Blinkers may be worn over the eyes to limit the horses range of vision so it does not get spooked.

So now we know a little more about the emperor’s new clothes.  Holy Roman Emperor wore this tack. He is a stallion at Coolmore Stud in Ireland. Born in 2004 he was sired by L’On Vite and his dam was Danehill whose damsire was the great Secretariat.  Check out this great beauty on YouTube below.