An onlooker looking into the world of horse racing will believe that throwing money at the very best horse is the best route to gaining sustained returns on an investment.
However, there is so much more work that goes on behind the scenes that contributes to whether a horse can be a success story or not. That includes the research team that examines potential horses at a sale, while the staff working day-to-day, getting a runner ready for competition, is also vitally important to a runner reaching their potential.
But, what can the sport teach its fans about the importance of being patient and the power that you can expect to engage if you stick to a plan that you have pre-determined?
Gradual Progress
Paying big money for a horse is one route into the sport, but even those who pay small fees to buy horses have to follow a similar route. Patience is required with every horse in training, especially if you’re buying an aspiring star as a yearling.
This could mean that owners may have to wait up to two years before seeing their star on track, and the process of getting a runner ready for a race is no straightforward challenge.
Some horses will be ready quicker than others, meaning that owners will need to trust the judgment of their trainers and follow their path in determining whether their runner is ready.
Sending out horses too quickly for a run will mean that they are underdeveloped, while a lack of fitness could also ensure that they aren’t fit enough to compete on the track. Getting a horse to their peak is a gradual process, especially when it comes to their first ever start on a racecourse.
Avoid Rushing
Rushing horses into action is a big concern for trainers, as a run of two or more starts in the space of a month could leave a negative impact on the runner, both physically and mentally.
Therefore, patience is required to ensure that an owner and yard is able to get the very best out of their runner. For that reason, it is often seen as a negative when assessing horses at TwinSpires.com if they have made two quick starts, as a burnout could be likely.
This is something that the Goldolphin operation were praised for earlier this year, as they defied the wishes of neutral fans for the interest of their horse after bypassing the Preakness Stakes in favour of a run in the Belmont Stakes. That decision was vindicated after Sovereignty landed the spoils in the final Triple Crown race of the U.S. season.
Be Prepared to Pivot
Setbacks are part and parcel of the sport, and the best connections often deal with setbacks to the best degree. Issues can typically arise, leaving owners with questions to ponder whether they should seek out medical advice or give their runner’s time off the track.
Trainers ultimately have the right answers at this stage, but there is always room to pivot to new plans to order to accomplish goals for the season. Problem-solving is one of the main traits that all the best trainers and owners posses, and there have been countless occasions where this has been shown throughout racing history.
However, none were as iconic as Nicky Henderson’s plan to get Sprinter Sacre back to the top of jumps racing in 2016. Following a series of health and injury concerns, connections opted against running their star regularly throughout the season before he was back to his best. That decision was vindicated with a stunning victory in the Champion Chase in 2016.
Knowing When to Use Power
Horses have great levels of power, but knowing when to use this strength is often a question that jockeys must ponder during races. Some will look to unleash the power early in the race to set off at a quick speed and hope that the chasing pack can’t close the gap.
However, this could leave a runner vulnerable in the closing stages, as they will have no power left to make a finishing effort. Alternatively, jockeys may ask less of their runner in the opening periods of the race, before stepping on the gas in the final stages to ask for ultimate power to finish strongest to the line.
Both tactics have proven success rates, but like all things in life, the right tactic will be dependent on the race itself. That is a key life skill, as all traits can be important, but knowing when it is best to use them is always the main question. Jockeys also show incredible strategic thinking during races, which can be adopted into day-to-day life to help make better decisions for people on a daily basis.
