Friday 27 May 2011

The Life of a Thoroughbred - Racing Career

By Ruth Williams


The career of a thoroughbred flat or jump racehorse is similar to other professional athletes, typically lasting about five years. Within that time frame of less than 2,000 days, a top-notch thoroughbred will often rise to prominence and experience an illustrious, memorable, and hopefully profitable career before their skills noticeably taper off and they are ultimately phased out of competitive racing. This article looks at a typical career of a racehorse.

From 2 yrs onwards, a thoroughbred will start training to gain the level of fitness and strength required for competitive racing. Horses begin to run short distances and build up the massive muscle structure that is needed for longer distances. During this process a variety of trainers will be involved, the owner can choose which ever trainer they want to put the horse with for the long term.

Once a racehorse trainer has been decided upon, they begin schooling the horse and getting it ready for racing. Flat racing horses are schooled in running behind a pack, running in the midst of a pack, and in front of a pack. Horses set to run in jump races require more in depth training and will be schooled over a range of different jumps before they are entered into bumper races. Jump horses are guided through their progressions utilizing a diligent and patient approach.

Many trainers have a large fleet of flat and jump horses which they aim on having ready for full-tilt thoroughbred racing by the time the horse turns three. Thus begins the top of a flat and jumping racehorses' life, as they will be paired with a jockey and given a chance to ascend to greatness.

A nutritious, beneficial eating routine together with a regular workout regimen are essentials on any level of racehorse training. Whilst in the midst of their racing years, a horse will normally be worked out two times within a week and raced about thirty times a year. Getting a horse into top running shape without wearing down their legs and knees is a bit of a balancing act. Racehorse trainers of today make use of a range of different training techniques and technology to build racing form with minimal strain on the horse's joints.

Some horses will be able to race for a longer period of time, but most horses with strong builds and some degree of success on the track will be retired before the age of six. When this occurs a seasoned horse will usually become a resident stud at a close by stable where he'll have the opportunity to sire the next generation of winning thoroughbreds.




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