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Getting Started in Arabian Racing
READ! Begin by reading racing publications or visiting industry websites
OBSERVE! Attend the races. Join your state racing organization. Observe owners,
trainers, veterinarians, and other professionals in action. Ask for their help and suggestions.
NETWORK! Attend racing functions. Become involved with racing organizations
Participate in a racing partnership.
COMMUNICATE! Speak to owners, trainers, and other industry participants about how
you might get involved in Arabian racing. You will be pleasantly surprised at the number of people who are willing to assist those seriously considering investing in the industry, regardless of the level of investment.
CONSULT! Locate an experienced owner or trainer who is willing to serve as a mentor.
Remember that the objective here is to identify someone you can trust. Listen to the advice given, but don't feel obligated to follow it, as ultimately every decision you make should be your own.
PARTICIPATE! Participate in industry-sponsored events and educational programs.
Q. How do I find a trainer?
A. Contact the National Arabian Racehorse Association for a list of trainers, talk to other
owners and refer to the NARA website. Once you have identified potential trainers, contact the trainer and ask if you can visit the stable. Take note of the condition of the horses, are they happy and contented, are the stables clean. If you are happy with what you see then talk to the trainer to clarify your expectations and working arrangement.
Q. How do I find a jockey?
A. Generally the trainer recommends and contacts the jockey.
Q. How do I get licensed?
A. Contact the National Arabian Racehorse Association. They will be happy to supply
you with the information you require to apply for a trainer, jockey or strappers licence.
Q. How do I get silks/colors?
A. Owners typically design their own silks. Silks can be ordered through Racing Supply
organizations who frequently advertise through the Thoroughbred Racing industry publications.
Q. How do I pick out a race prospect?
A. Look for basic correct conformation as you would any horse you are buying. Give
special attention to good straight legs with, preferably short pastern, short cannon, and long forearm; well laid- back shoulder; deep hip with sloping croup; good width between jaws. A pre-purchase exam is often money well spent.
Q. How much does it cost to enter a race?
A. Nomination fees are generally advertised with the race conditions.
Q. What are the payout percentages for a race (how much do I win)?
A. If prize money is paid to the first five (5) place-getters it is according to the following
scale: 1st (65%), 2nd (20%), 3rd (9%), 4th (4%), 5th (2%). When prize money is paid to the first four (4) place-getters it is according to the following scale. 1st (65%), 2nd (20%), 3rd (10%), 4th (5%). Depending on the number of starters, prize money is sometimes paid to the first three (3) place-getters and the percentage adjusted accordingly.
Q. How much does it cost to keep a horse in race training?
A. Training costs can vary depending on the trainer. Included in the daily training fee are
feed, bedding, grooming, and exercise. Fees for the farrier and veterinarian can vary dramatically. Training fees can be reduced if you train your own horse.
Q. How often can my horse run?
A. Every horse is different. For a mature, healthy horse in its prime you can expect to try
to run every 2-3 weeks.
Q. Who enters my horse?
A. Your trainer generally enters your horse. However, an owner can also enter his or her
own horse.
Q. Who takes my horse to the race track ?
A. The owner pays to transport the horse with the trainer or a racehorse transport
company. You always have the option to transport the horse yourself.
Q. What is a Handicap?
A. A handicap race is designed to level the playing field by giving higher caliber horses
more weight and lesser caliber horses less weight. The handicapper determines the weights.
Q. At what age can my horse run?
A. Arabians can run from the January of their three-year-old year.
Q. Can all Arabian bloodlines run?
A. While in many countries there are preferred, proven bloodlines for racing, Australia
has a totally untapped pool of bloodlines.
Q. What does the word "conditions" mean as regards to a race?
A. The "conditions" say who may run in the race, the weight they will carry and the
distance of the race.
Q. Can I bet on my horse?
A. This depends on the state the race is conducted in. Check with the National Arabian
Racehorse Assoc. for up-to-date information on state requirements.
Q. Do Arabians run against Thoroughbreds or Quarter Horses?
A. Purebred Arabians run only against other Purebred Arabians.
Q. How long is a furlong?
A. Two hundred metres (200m) - One eighth of a mile
Q. How long is the track?
A. Depends on the track. Most are at least 1600m.
Q. Do Arabians run faster or slower than Thoroughbreds?
A. Arabians are smaller and slower that Thoroughbreds. An Arabian will run six furlongs
(1200m) 5-6 seconds slower than a Thoroughbred.
Q. Which direction do the horses run?
A. In Australia, horses run both clockwise and counter clockwise, depending on the state.
Q. What happens when the horse finishes racing?
A. Retired racehorses can be used for breeding, showing, endurance and pleasure riding.
Q. How long does it take to condition a horse before its first race?
A. An unbroken horse will take anywhere from five to six months or more for proper
conditioning. Starting and conditioning a racehorse varies with the individual horse and it's foundation, early training, soundness, confidence and maturity. Once a horse is under saddle and has built a solid foundation (adjustment to training, walk, trot and canter, changing leads, building bone and muscle and a cardiovascular system- which will enable it to run at it's potential), a racehorse will move into speed, increasing distances on the track and further training including barrier education.. After accomplishing these goals, the trainer can best determine the average time your racehorse will run his or her first race.
Q. How do you start a young horse?
A. Usually a racehorse is started just as you would any riding horse. As horses don't race
forever, it is to your benefit to teach them all the basics of a good saddle horse. Start with good groundwork, breaking to saddle and begin trotting and galloping. It is also a good idea to give the horse some basic dressage training to teach it balance, etc. Gradually increase the time you trot and gallop until the horse is very fit.
Q. Are there clinics and seminars available to help new owners?
A. Yes, periodically each state will hold new owners seminars. Additionally, other breed
organizations will have seminars that Arabian owners, trainers and breeders can attend for continuing education.
Q. Where do Arabians race?
A. In Australia, Arabians currently race in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
Q. What type of conformation should a race horse have?
A. The Arabian Jockey Club provides the following information on conformation of an
Arabian Racehorse. With a race horse, it is important to have correct conformation, but it is possible to have Arabian breed characteristics along with an athletic build. Overall balance is very important, and when you look at the horse, all the "pieces" should fit together proportionally. Ideally, the horse will have a prominent wither with a long, angular shoulder which allows for more freedom of movement and a longer stride. The forearm should be long and muscular in relation to a short, flat cannon bone. The pastern should not be too long or too short and have an angle similar to the shoulder. When viewed from the front, the legs should be parallel, and when viewed from the side, they should be relatively straight. The horse should have a wide chest and deep heart girth to allow room for greater heart and lung capacity. The horse's back should be short in relation to a longer underline. The point of croup should be level with the withers, and it's natural for an Arabian to have a high tail set and tail carriage. The hip should be long, but not flat, and the hindquarters should be well muscled. The hind leg should be similar to the front with a muscular gaskin, short, flat cannon bone, and properly angled pasterns.
Q. What blood lines have been successful at the race track?
A. Polish, Russian, and French bred horses have been successful because these countries
have been breeding for racing for over 100 years. Crabbet line horses have also been very successful, and some Egyptian lines have proved themselves as well. Often, people breed a combination of lines.
Q. How do I find out if my horse has any racing ability?
A. Unfortunately, there is no 100% accurate test to see if your horse is racing material.
However, it would be helpful to contact an experienced owner or trainer to come evaluate your horse's conformation and movement. If a trainer can't come to you, make a video of your horse, and send it out. If you choose to put your horse in training, usually a trainer will have an idea of his ability within about 90 days.
Q. Do Anglo-Arabians or part-bred Arabians race?
A. Yes, but not in the same races as the Purebreds.
Q. What do I need to do to get permission to race my horse?
A. Horses must be registered in the Stud book of the Arabian Horse Society of Australia
Ltd. and have a Racehorse Document of Identification issued by the National Arabian Racehorse Assoc.Ltd. |
