Horse College Archives - Page 2 of 3

February 2, 2015June 22, 2015

Like Super Bowl For Thoroughbreds

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Super Bowl 2015 is now just a fading memory. All of those weeks spent cheering on the best teams in professional football came to an end last night. It was the most-watched American television program of all time, with 114.4 million viewers. Thank goodness, our four legged 3 year old athletes are hard at it now, preparing for what we can only hope for, a Triple Crown victory.

Currently, we are 16 races in on determining who will compete in the Kentucky Derby. The Triple Crown is comprised of the Kentucky Derby, The Preakness Stakes, and The Belmont Stakes. The “Test of the Champion” race will take place on June 6, 2015. The last horse to win the Triple Crown was Affirmed in 1978. There were 10 other prior winners, the first horse won in 1919. 22 other horses have won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, and 29 horse have won 2 of the 3 races. Secretariat won all 3 races in 1973. He holds the world record for the fastest 1 and 1/2 mile dirt race at 2 minutes and 24 seconds, which he earned while winning the Triple Crown. The highest TV rating for The Belmont Stakes was 21.9 million viewers in 2004.

The Kentucky Derby will be run on May 2, 2015. It is a dirt race of 10 furlongs (1 and 1/4 mile). The “Run for the Roses” began in 1875. The winning horse is blanketed in red roses at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Only 20 horses will qualify to run this race. These horses are three year olds that earned the highest point value in the 35 preceding qualified races. The first of theses races was held September 6, 2014. It was the Iroquois Stakes, a Grade 3, race on dirt and 1 and 1/16 miles. That race originated in 1976 and is run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY. LuckyPlayer won the race. He is a colt trained by Steven M. Asmussen, riden by Ricardo Santa Jr. and owned by Jerry Durant. His sire was Lookin at Lucky and his dam was Janetstickettocats by Stormcat. My tip: when all else doesn’t work, pick a horse with cat or kitten in its name or the name of its parents. The 19 races of the prep season end on February 16, 2015. That is the Southwest race atOakland Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Then on February 21st the first of the 16 championship series races begin with the Fountain of Youth race at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida and end with the Lexington race in Lexington, Kentucky on April 18th, at Keeneland. The prep races give a score of 10 to the winner, 4 to the horse placing, 2 to the showing horse, and 1 to fourth place. The championship races score’s range from 100 points down to one point depending on the race.

Horses that earned purse money in the Kentucky Derby or otherwise qualify may run in the Preakness Stakes. This is a Grade 1 race, on dirt at 9.5 furlongs (1 and 3/16 miles). This race, for 3 year olds, is at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. “The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans” began in 1873. Black-Eyed Susans are the state’s flower. The winning horse’s blanket is made of yellow flowers that are altered to appear as Maryland’s flower. Just 2 weeks after Derby, on May 16, 2015, fourteen horses will compete in this race. Kentucky Derby purse money winners and horses with the highest lifetime earnings in graded stakes will make up the first 7 entries. The next 4 horses have the highest earnings in all non-restricted stakes. The final 5, which included the also-eligibles, have the highest lifetime earnings in all races. If there are too many qualifying horse then determination is made by lot. If a horse is scratched before the deadline the next most eligible horse takes its place.

Thoroughbreds that earned purse money in the Derby or Preakness as well as other qualified horses will compete in the “Run for the Carnations”. The winning horse will receive a blanket made of white carnations. This is the oldest of the three races beginning in June 1867. This race takes place 5 weeks after the Derby on June 6, 2015. 3 year olds will run on the 12 furlong (1 and 1/2 mile) dirt track. 16 horses will start. The first 8 will be chosen from Derby and Preakness purse money earners and the horses with the highest earnings in graded sweepstakes of a mile or longer in length. The next 5 horses will come from those with the highest earnings in all non-restricted sweepstakes. The final 3 horses are those with the highest earnings in all races. Ties will be settled by lot.

It is time to start following the qualifying horses now. 429 horses have already been selected as early nominations for the Triple Crown. Early nominees were due January 17th for a $600 fee. Waiting until March 23rd will cost $6,000. If the horse is not nominated until the Derby, Preakness or Belmont it costs $200,00 or $150,000 or $75,000 respectively. I hope we see a Triple Crown winner in 2015!

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January 29, 2015January 29, 2015

Pony Pub

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Yes, another field trip! Following my morning workout today I visited the Coffee Pub, with a friend, for a smoothie. The smoothie was delicious but I was so much more surprised by the history of this place, and the dedication the owner has towards honoring the building’s equestrian past.

Not to far from my favorite racetrack in Lexington, KY sits this breakfast and lunch restaurant. It is located in South Elkhorn Village, named for a nearby creek. The old stone building became The Coffee Pub in 2005. The stone house was constructed in the late 1800s. The former occupant used this building as a tack shop business. The shop carried all the various gear needed for horses from 1985 until the early 2000s.

The restaurant is best noted for its breakfast menu. I was excited by the sandwiches. They are called Thorough-Breads. Most are named for famous race horses. They offer the Seattle Slew-Rueben, the Sea Biscuit, the Ruffian, the Secretariat, the Funnycide, the Big Brown, the Mr. Prospector, and the Easy Goer. The interior is very shabby chic with a lot of horse decorations. My curiosity was peaked and I had to dig deeper.

The South Elkhorn Village was a community that started in 1783 around the end of the Revolutionary War. At the time, it was part of Virginia. The city became Lexington in 1775. The name, Lexington, came following The Battle of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. In 1792, this area was no longer part of Virginia when it became the state of Kentucky. Shortly after that, this stone building was erected here.

It is so nice to see a place rich in heritage find modern purpose and still remember and share its place in Thoroughbred history.

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January 28, 2015January 29, 2015

Horse Health 101

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Just like people, Thoroughbreds have to be maintained in tip top shape to be the superior athletes that they are. Horses are cared for by their owners, trainers, handlers, licensed veterinarians, and rules established by many organizations. The United States Department of Agriculture, state regulations, federal and state veterinary offices, sales auctions, and racetracks all have a responsibility for caring for the horses, and they have varied rules for achieving adequate care.

To become an equine veterinarian in the Unites States, generally a person must first obtain a bachelor’s degree that includes a good scientific background. After that, they may sit for the Graduate Record Examination or the Veterinary or Medical College Administration Test. Once admitted to an approved school they will study about 4 years to receive a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. At this point they will take the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam, and upon passing they will likely do a year of internship.

Horses take all kinds of medicine for many problems, just like we humans do. Some of the medicines are purely therapeutic, but some are utilized with a bit of controversy, because they may be performance enhancing drugs. The medications you will likely see or hear about on race day are Lasix and Bute. In the racing program, and over the intercom system, there is usually some announcement referring to the use of these medications in particular horses. Lasix is the brand name for furosemide. This drug is administered to a horse generally to prevent exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage. In stage four of this problem bleeding is visible thru the horse’s nose. The horses bleed because when they race they might have a four times increase in blood pressure that may cause the small capillaries in the lungs to burst. Giving the horse Lasix may decrease the blood pressure and the blood pH and will cause the horse to urinate a good percentage of body weight. Most other countries have banned the use of this drug on race day. Many American tracks have also banned this medications use, but at Keeneland racetrack in Lexington, KY a Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approved veterinarian may administer the drug. You can see if the drug is in use by the letter l (L) right next to the horses name in the program. Bute is an abbreviation for phenylbutazone. It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. This drug is a good pain killer. It is also subject to controversy since some think this may help a horse push through it’s pain when it really needs rest.

Thoroughbreds receive vaccinations as well. Most races and sales will have a horse take a Coggins test annually. This test looks for equine infectious anemia (swamp fever). There is a vaccination to assist with prevention. Horses also suffer from strangles. This is the term for an infectious and contagious abscess of the lymphoid tissue in the upper respiratory tract. It is streptococcal in nature and only found in donkeys, mules and horses. This too has an available vaccine. In order to race at Keeneland a horse must be approved by the Kentucky State Veterinary office and found to have a current negative Coggins test, a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection performed by a licensed vet within the last 72 hours, and a record of vaccination against Equine Herpes Virus Type 1 within the period of the former 14 to 120 days. The horse must have a rectal temperature log maintained during its stay. Any reading over 102 degrees fahrenheit is to be reported immediately. If a horse is to be sold at Keeneland, it must pass a Certified Veterinary Inspection showing all tests and vaccines. Also, it must meet the USDA requirement of a negative equine infectious anemia test (AGID) and there may be no infectious, contagious, or communicable diseases present or a history of exposure. A Federal Veterinarian is kept present throughout the sales meet.

Horses need proper health care and fortunately there is a lot of discussion, legislation and rules that guide the correct and ethical treatment for these animals. Be on the lookout for updates to theses current standards.

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January 24, 2015January 24, 2015

Wondering about Wagering

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Next weekend is Superbowl XLIX. I watch the game for the commercials and a good time with my friends, but it is generally a day I can make a little dough too. Sporting events lead to some fun betting for sure. Sometimes, I like to gamble at the races.

I absolutely love to go to the track for live racing. I can not get enough of the people, the horses, and the food. I like to check out everyone’s fashion, meet new folks, catch up with old friends. The horses are simply amazing to take in, I am in awe with their strength and beauty. They are true athletes. The edibles are delicious and irresistible. Then, there is the gift shop. Oh my, I want just about everything in there. One way to limit my spending, at the track stores, is to try to win the money I use there. It is pretty cool to fund a new piece of equestrian jewelry with the reward of placing the right bet. How does one make a good bet? Well, there is no easy answer for that, bummer. The good news is you do not have to spend a lot or be an expert to take a chance. There are many strategies and superstitions to choosing the winner.

First off, pick a track. In the United States there are Thoroughbred racetracks in 29 states. In Kentucky alone we have 5 tracks. It seems no two organizations agree on the number of tracks currently being utilized. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association reports 55. I enjoy live meets best but off-site betting is hugely popular as well. You can go to the track or drive-thru site or casino, use your smart phone or tablet and other computer devices, befriend a bookie, get an account with Television Games Network or a similar site, or all of the above to get your wagers in.

Next, pick the race number. Simply put, you are just choosing the particular race you wish to wager on. Superstition plays heavily here. You may have a tip to bet $5 on the #5 horse in the 5th race., 5 on the 5 in the 5, etc. Other factors that need looking at are: the purse for that race, the length of the race, how many horses are running that race, is it the feature race, does that race have a special wager type, what surface are the horses running on, what is the condition of the track, etc.

Then choose how much to spend and the type of bet. I am a cheap bettor. Most of my bets are $6 or less. Because, too often I go for a horse with good odds I don’t get a lot of return on my money but I don’t lose much either. I am working on becoming a smarter bettor. I still want to minimize the cost of my bet but I need to work on maximizing my potential payoff. This is where you need to decide if you expect the horse to win (be the 1st to finish), place (the 1st or 2nd horse to cross the finish line) or show (the first thru third horse to finish). You can also choose “across the board” which will allow you to collect if your horse shows at the rate for which it finished. Getting fancier, you can choose to exacta which is to pick the 1st and 2nd winner of any race. Choosing trifecta will let you choose the first 3 horses in correct order. If you pick the 1st four, in the right order, it is a superfecta. Any of these options from exacta to superfecta can be boxed because that allows you to pick the correct horses but not the correct order. There are more options like the daily double, pick three, pick four, or pick 5 that allow you to choose the winners of consecutive races. Occasionally, there are special options too like a super high five (and a box option) that will let you pick the first five horses to finish in one particular race. Wheels and keys are options too. Wheels let you pick more horses. Keys let you pick more orders. Watch the math here, you might start with a inexpensive minimum but the number of horses and different winning combinations actually cause the bet to be multiplied to a higher cost. Be sure to check the program for each venues options.

Finally, pick the number of the horse. Are you picking because you like the name, number, the saddle cloth color assigned to the number, the horse, the jockey, the trainer, the breeder, the location the horse was bred? Arghhhh, so many choices! Do you like the name? Does the name give you a gut feeling of being lucky or speaking to you? Numbers and colors may be a feeling of luck. However, it also determines what position the horse gets at the gate. Considering the horse, color can be a big factor. You will often hear people pulling for a grey. You may be interested in looking at the horses behavior in the paddock or before it reaches the gate. Feeling frisky? Pedigree is an important consideration. Does the horse come from a long line of winners? What medications does the horse take and how or why should you care about that? How much weight is the horse carrying? What is the horse’s age and gender? What are all of the former lifetime records? How about the workout record? What is the jockey’s name and what do we know about him or her? What is their weight and what equipment are they carrying? Who trained the horse and do we know anything about their winning history and other biographical information? What about the breeder, and where did the breeding take place? All of these considerations and more come into play. This is why it is important to learn how to read the program. A good program will have a breakdown of a sample entry with explanations of the information and abbreviations used. However, don’t blow off tips and gut feelings. All the handicapping skills you develop still don’t lead to fail proof betting. Long shots can lead to great payouts.

Now, go have some fun! Remember to gamble responsibly if you choose to gamble at all. If it seems like a problem it probably is. Call 1-800-522-4700 for the National Gamblers Helpline if needed. Have a blast at the gift shop rewarding yourself for your skills and/or luck. Or, go straight to the gift shop and get a return on your money dollar per dollar. If you avoid both, you can go have a great time from free to a minimal entry fee. Love the races. Good luck to you all!

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January 19, 2015January 19, 2015

Hamburg Place Horse Cemetery

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Today’s field trip took me to Hamburg Place Horse Cemetery. This is perhaps the final resting place of 18 great horses. I say perhaps, because the horses were buried between 1908 through 1995, but they were moved to the current location in the summer of 2005. These horses belonged to the Madden family. The property where they are now buried stands where the great farm Hamburg Place in Lexington, KY once was, and within view of the former cemetery, where there is now a Wal-Mart.

John Edward Madden was born in 1856. He made his way to Lexington in 1889. By 1896 he had a great Thoroughbred named Hamburg. He sold that horse a year later and with that profit he bought the farm which he named Hamburg Place in 1898. He was a top trainer and breeder from 1901 thru 1928. Madden had many fine horses including Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds. He had 5 Kentucky Derby winners, including 1 Triple Crown Winner, 4 Belmont Stakes winners and many other famous winning horses. Sir Barton was the first ever Triple Crown winner. He created his horse cemetery in a horse shoe shape in 1908. In my opinion the current layout is more beautiful. Madden died in 1929.

The 5 Standarbreds on the property are: Nancy Hanks, Silicon, Major Delmar, Hamburg Belle, and Siliko. Nancy Hanks is the horse buried in the center with the large horse moment marking her grave. She was a Harness Racing Hall of Fame horse that ran undefeated and carried a record for speed. Hamburg Belle held several world records herself.

The 13 Thoroughbreds on the grounds are: Ida Pickwick, Ogden, Imp, Plaudit, Star Shoot, Lady Sterling, Sir Martin, Miss Kearney, Princess Mary, Springtime, T.V. Lark, Pink Pigeon, and Bel Sheba. Plaudit was a Kentucky Derby winner. Madden’s grandson bred a Derby winner, Alysheba, using his grandfather’s dam, Bel Sheba. Each of these horses were great.

If you are local to Lexington, or if you are lucky enough to visit, come see the horse cemetery. It is free and quite peaceful. A small park with stone walls, a lighted path, and a bridge over a creek surrounds the graveyard. You will recognize that many of the roads, in the area, are named for the property and the horses. It is nice to have such a sweet little sanctuary in the middle of a shopping center to take us back to where the great bloodlines once grazed.

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January 19, 2015January 19, 2015

The Emperor’s New Clothes

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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.

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January 15, 2015January 19, 2015

Luck O’ The Irish

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This week I made some field trips to Keeneland. This is my field trip follow-UP. I was present for the 57th annual January Horses of All Ages Sale. The event ran from Monday thru Thursday (the 12th thru the 15th). 1,610 Thoroughbreds went up for auction. Historically, Keeneland is the world leader auction house for Thoroughbred sales. The January Sale is one of three sales held there annually.

The weather was cold, the horses were beautiful. Hot chocolate and burgoo , as well as layers of clothing, kept me warm as I walked among the stables and paddock. I encountered some fine horses. Surprisingly, I did not spy any celebrities. However, the people were pretty amazing. It was a diverse crowd of local, national and international buyers and sellers. I had the privilege of speaking with some experienced and knowledgeable Thoroughbred experts.

Each day featured about 400 horses. Of all these horses, 948 sold. The price ranged from eight horses going at $1,000 each to one selling at 2.2 million dollars. The gross amount generated was $35,305,500. The average price was $37,242. The big seller was Up, an Irish filly. She wore hip #537. Her first foal was sold next for $800,000, the highest price of this session for a yearling. Up is a Grade 2 winner. Her sire is Galileo, also Irish. Up is pregnant by War Front. Her yearling was the only foal of War Front at the auction. War Front lives at Claiborne Farm in Paris, KY. He was ranked the #44 sire by earnings last year. Galileo was ranked #1. Both sires have multiple stakes winnings. Up and her foal were sold by Four Star Sales. Up went to a married couple in California with Ran Jan Racing. The yearling went to LNJ Foxwoods.

Keep a look out for this bloodline. It will be interesting to watch the foals race. Will big money mean big winners?

I am looking forward to my next sale field trip on February 8th and 9th at Fasig-Tipton. Hope to see you there.

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January 11, 2015January 19, 2015

What To Wear?

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I am so excited that the Keeneland Sale starts tomorrow. This will be the 57th January sale for horses of all ages at Keeneland. There are 1,610 horses up for auction. I can not wait to see all the beautiful horses and furthermore all the people who travel worldwide to come to this 4 day event. Keeneland has the world’s largest Thoroughbred auction house that sells more winners than any other company. There will be all sorts of people there including celebrities. Some people are there strictly for business and others for pleasure. I will be there for both. I need a lot of pictures for this blog and I’m hoping for more insider information from all of the experts that will be there. That brings me to the question, what to wear?

It is going to be a cold week in Lexington, KY. When I say cold, I mean the high temperatures are still freezing. While it is easy enough to make a day at the sales pavilion’s bar area, if you want to be in the action, it is better to go walk around through the stalls and paddocks leading up to the pavilion. This complicates the selection of attire. To be fashionable and weather ready can take some planning.

At the races, I generally chose to dress up a bit, especially if I score access to a preferred room or box seat. The sales are a little different. I need shoes that look good but can handle dirt, mud, manure, snow, straw, etc. Fortunately, equestrian boots must have been the ladies shoe of Christmas 2014. Boots were everywhere, even in grocery stores. A place at the mall was even monogramming beautiful boots. As for clothes, I will see the celebrity wives in cute skirts but I blend in a bit better in pants, even jeans. The January sale is probably best dressed for with accessories. Scarves are wonderful. My favorite designer, by far, is Ralph Lauren. Laurel Burch and Mudpie make some great equestrian pieces too. Who is your favorite designer?

I think Maxwell the pig for GEICO said it best, “boots and pants”! See if this doesn’t get stuck in your head every time you dress! Have fun at the sale. Share your stories with me.

http://youtu.be/6BPbjC47GwM

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January 5, 2015January 10, 2015

Whip It Good! Well, Maybe Bad…

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Tonight I am looking into a controversial topic that is surely worthy of exploration. Why do Thoroughbred horses get whipped at races and even training? Do the whips hurt? Is whipping a horse necessary?

I am a huge animal lover. Anything that brings harm to an animal is offensive to me. Despite my affection for horses I do not ride them. At a young age I was overwhelmed with compassion for the horses I had the opportunity to ride. My young mind could not grasp that a horse could or should carry the weight of a human. I would not put the saddle on tightly either. No way was I going to give a horse a belly jab to get a better fit, so off to the side I slid. I prefer to watch. There are few other thrills more exciting than viewing a live horse race. When the weather is right I walk right up to the finish line, at my favorite track, and wait there. Then, I hear the frightening crack of the whip and I cringe a little. So I must know, what is all the whipping about?

It seems horses have always been whipped from the time man first started domesticating the animal. I do not know when the public began to balk, but by 1980, in England, there became a large demand for change. That sentiment was felt in many countries worldwide including the United States. By 2007, in this country, padding the whip became a requirement. It is interesting that many of these changes are driven by public opinion. This public has two opinions however. One group feels that if a jockey does not whip the horse that they are not really trying hard enough to win. The opposing public feel it is unnecessary, even abusive. It seems from the jockey’s prospective that most enjoy having an option. Great races are won both ways. For the jockey, it may be a matter of protecting the horse and rider.

Because some horses wear blinders, or due to the adrenaline and crowding on the track, many Thoroughbreds may need a little help from the riders. The jockey may need to steer the horse away from running straight on a turn, into a rail, or colliding with another horse and rider. Whipping is one way to cue a horse. However, there are other ways to cue a Thoroughbred too. Verbal clicking and coaching is one method to directing a horse. Some horses respond well to nudges. Often a change of posture in the saddle can be a useful alert. Shaking on the reins can make the horse aware. Note that some horses do not respond to whipping anyways.

Probably to soften the blow, poor choice of phrase, the industry has started to stray from the word whip. Alternative names are sticks, encouragers, ticklers, feather dusters, persuaders and more commonly, riding crops.

Apparently, apprentice jockeys use the whip more than seasoned jockeys. One of the most famous jockeys, Pat Day rarely whipped a horse. Gabriel Saez whipped Eight Belles 10 times in the 2008 Kentucky Derby where she placed and then immediately broke both ankles and was euthanized on the spot. That event initiated an all time low in moral for the American public towards the racing industry.

That same year, Ellis Park in Western Kentucky started using new whips. Later that fall, Keeneland in Lexington, KY, started to experiment with 30 different whips. In America the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) and the Jockey Club create the design for whip rules but they leave each racing jurisdiction to set their own guidelines. The ARCI chose to use trimmed fiberglass rods taped with duct tape, wrapped in fabric , weighing under 8 ounces with a minimum shaft of 0.5 inches in diameter and the flap may be 0.8 to 1.6 inches wide. The handle is rubber and the popper is applied with glue. Kentucky Regulatory Statutes have the same specifications and a maximum length of 30 inches, a flap max of 1/2 inch wide, no binding allowed within 7 inches, use of shock absorbing material is required, and stingers/projections and metal is prohibited. Keeneland makes a Condition Book for each meet. They have the same requirements and they insist that inspections may be made by stewards or scale clerks.

Other ARCI rules are that jockeys have the choice to use the whip or not. If they choose not to use it, that choice will be announced prior to the race. They must first show the horse the whip and give the animal response time before using it, they may only use it again if the horse responds. The whip is to be used in rhythm with the stride. The shoulders or hind should only be struck if for safety. No whipping may occur after the race unless it is used for safety. The whip is not to be used excessively or to cause breaks in the skin or welts. If the horse is not in contention to show or already at its maximum speed it should not be whipped. Finally, a jockey may not whip another jockey or the horse the other jockey is riding, duh.

Many other countries have their own rules too. Some have maximum consecutive whip counts. Many require stride breaks between whips. Frequently the jockey is only permitted to raise their arm so far. Others chose to only allow whipping in certain stages on the race. Also, it is not uncommon to have a veterinarian examine a horse post race for marks and bleeding.

Australia did a widely shared retrospective study in 2011. Five races were watched with 48 Thoroughbreds participating. The study was funded by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The conclusion was that increased whip was not associated with a significant variation in velocity as a predictor of superior placing at the finish ( see An Investigation of Racing Performance and Whip Use by Jockeys in Thoroughbred Races 1/2011 for full disclosure ). This study was applauded by many and equally rebuked by others. The Jockey’s Guild of Nicholasville, KY sent an e-mail that was not in approval. Some think the sample size was too small, that a retrospective study is not proper and that the funding was from a biased organization.

For certain changes are still in the making. The new whips make an impressive popping sound but supposedly do not inflict pain. That makes some jockeys whip even more and harder. If whips were banned by all in training and racing it would level the playing field but often a jockey does not practice with a horse prior to a race so they do not have the relationship to maximize alternative cueing methods and find the whip the best way to keep horse and self safe. California is awaiting final approval in early 2015 to disqualify a horse if it receives more than 3 consecutive whips in a race.

To whip or not to whip? That is the question.

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January 4, 2015January 10, 2015

Who’s Your Daddy?

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What makes a horse a Thoroughbred? It is all about the breeding. Every single horse of this breed is a descendant of 3 original sires (male parents) and a selection of dams (female parents). The stallions (fertile male horses) were the Godolphin Arabian/ Barb, the Darley Arabian, and the Byerly Turk. The Godolphin was named for a Lord of the same name and was from Yemen. The Darley was named for Thomas Darley and was purchased in Syria. The Byerly got his name from Captain Robert Byerly, both horse and rider were from Ireland but the horse may have originated from Turkmenistan. These horses were brought to England between 1689 and 1730.

Early efforts to pedigree and keep books were not sophisticated. By 1791 the first General Stud book was created for Thoroughbreds in England. The first breeding of the Thoroughbred in America took place in both Maryland and Virginia. American horse racing dates back to 1665 but Thoroughbred racing started in the U.S. in 1745. It wasn’t until 1873 that The American Stud book was developed. This was created by Kentucky native Colonel Sanders D. Bruce, not to be confused with another Colonel Sanders of the same state, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken. In 1986 The Jockey Club replaced The American Stud book. Blood typing began in 1977. Currently, the United States is the leader in having the most Thoroughbred races.

There are fairly standard characteristics of the breed. These are the fastest of all horses. They are known for their strength. Horses are measured in hands. A Thoroughbred stands at 15 to 17 hands. Each hand is a unit of 4 inches. They have a face in the style of Arabian horses that may or may not be marked with a star, snip or a blaze. The neck is long and the body is muscular. The fur may be colored bay, brown, chestnut, black, gray, roan, palomino or white. The legs are long and lean with possible stockings or socks. Thoroughbreds are certainly beautiful!

Who’s your daddy? It is one of the most important questions to ask about a Thoroughbred. Knowing the sire and dam is the basis for all breeding, sales and racing but it is real easy to find the answer. Just check the pedigree and be certain it started with just three daddies.

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