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Will the new synthetic racetracks change the way we classify a true champion in its current context?
Yes, as more racetracks move to these surfaces, we will have to consider the best thoroughbreds on those surfaces as champions.
19%
No, a true champion would perform well on any racing surface, thus the meaning of true champion.
58%
Not sure-it will be hard to compare old-time greats to current greats at least from the standpoint of speed and speed ratings.
22%
Total votes: 36
Jockeys/Trainers
Posted on: Sun, 08/10/2008 - 12:35pm
Jockeys/Trainers
~So, anyone else have a dream of becoming a jockey or horse racing trainer? Or does anyone currently do either of those things?
~In a couple years, I'm going to be going to the North American Racing Academy in Louisville, Kentucky (it's a college), to become a jockey! I'm VERY excited!!
~So, what about you?
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Comments
I think that would be so cool to train horses . What a feeling to see one you care for win a big race. WOW . I am 6' tall so the jockey thing is out of the question .
Yes, it would be awesome to see a horse you've trained, win a race! Luckily, I'm only 5'3" so I'm chasing the jockey career!!
Thanks for commenting,
Kayla
Well I'm 50% owner of thoroughbreds and my grandfathers brothers all train. It's a demanding job...I helped out as an assistant back when I was in school during the summer. I had to get up at 4:30 and be at the track around 5. If we had horses in we sometimes wouldn't get home until 6 at night. It's very demaning but rewarding.
That's cool! But yes, it'd be hard work. I'd be neat to see horses you've put so much time, effort, and money into, go on and win races though!!
Kayla
So, is there anyone else who wants to be or is a jockey or trainer?
My goal in life is to become a racehorse trainer and win the Classic with a filly. =) Even with a colt, that race would be my goal to win, moreso than even a triple crown race.
Cool! That would be pretty awesome!! =D
Kayla
When I was 16, I wanted to be a jockey. But at 5 ft. 8 inches and 130 pounds, it was out of the question. In the seventies, I was a pretty good amature (sp) barrel racer, winning many blue ribbons and trophies.
One of the young girls ( Terresa) training and competing with me became a jockey at Bay Meadows and elsewhere, while her husband became a trainer. I was in my thirties then, while she must have been around seventeen, or thereabouts.
Her married name was, English and she was quite successful. Not sure how her husband did as a trainer, but the two of them went up to Canada, as I recall, and had ex jockey/trainer, Johnny Longden as their mentor.
Anyway, Terresa's horse acted up while being saddled at Bay Meadows one day and she was hurt bad and was off for about a year, or more. I heard she got brain injuries then. She was rapidly becoming one of the top girl riders in California at the time. Perhaps in the United States.
She finally made a comeback and won on her first mount. However, while slowing her horse down after the finish, she passed out and fell off her mount. This is what I heard and recall after all these years. I don't think she ever road after that.
When she was at her peak, I was glad that I planted the seed for her to become interested in becoming a jockey. After she got hurt, I felt bad that I even suggested it to her.
Good luck in becoming a jockey. When I visit my brother in Grants Pass, Oregon, we go to their short summer meeting.It seems to be mostly girls that make up the jockey colony.
Thanks for telling me that story! It was sad that you didn't make it as a jockey and that your friend had some problems at the end. Although that doesn't discourage me! My eyes are set on becoming a jockey and I know nothing will stop me!!
Luckily I'm only 5'3" and weight won't be a problem. Thank you too for the encouragment: I REALLY appreciate it!
Look forward to talking with ya soon,
Kayla
I've been around longer than most, I suppose. Let me tell you another story. I once read many years ago that jockey Eddy Arcaro didn't even know how to ride a horse when he showed up at the track. Think I heard same said about a leading rider in the fifties that gave Shoemaker a run for most winners in America in a single year. I think his name was Desperito (sp). Please excuse me if I'm wrong on name. Many years have passed. LOL I should know this.
Anyway, follow your dream, Kayla and work hard. Practice, practice, practice. This is how I got good at Gymkhana ( barrel racing ) Btw, I'm a male. I say this only, realizing that most barrel racers are females. Like, my two daughters, who were also successful.
Didn't want you to think you came across another female with your dream.
I go to the track as often as possible and consider myself an expert handicapper and I just love playing this game.
Our Bay Meadows racetrack in northern California is going to be demolished soon, if developers have their way. However, I'm part of a group called, " Friends Of Bay Meadows " ( Do a Google search ), who have a big law suit against them for wrong doings. We have California's Secretary of State on our side. Goes to court on 10 October 2008. A recent decision by a local judge might give our group more time to prepare, until December of this year.Wish us luck. I've been going there since, when my dad took us kids in the mid forties.
Thank you for that little story too and for believing in me!!
I also wish you luck in your quest to keep the Bay Meadows racetrack open! That would be very sad if it had to close.
Kayla
How much does it cost to care for a horse yearly ....or even monthly....Just curious...Ruffiano
Kayla nothing is as satisfying as riding or training a winner. You have picked a wonderful profession. I am too big a man to have ever been a jockey, but I have farm schooled many two year olds and several went on and won. I cant tell you how cool it is to see one you brought along go and win. I also want to tell you about a young jockey I met at Canterbury Downs in Minnesota, he was a rookie just starting out , early 80`s. He seemed talented so my partner and me decided to give him a shot and let him ride a couple of two year olds we were racing. He did a pretty good job for us and eventually for a lot of other trainers, that young rookie we thought was a talented rider was none other than Mike Smith. Chase your dream Kayla, with your motivation desire, you`ll get there. Gus
If you mean owning a regular horse and boarding him somewhere else, it costs between $800-$1,200. It just depends on a lot of things.
Kayla
Oh, wow! What a cool story!! That's really neat how things work out like that sometimes. Thank you for your faith in me!
Hope to keep in touch,
Kayla
Kayla, do you have horses? Do you ride often? What breed or breeds have you ridden? If you have training farms near you, they are always happy to have young people around to help out with chores and before you know it you`ll be galloping horses. So check it out and dont be afraid to help out with what ever, once they see your dedication it wont be long before they try you on some horses. Gus
Well, I'm going to be getting my first horse, sometime between this winter and spring. I'm looking for a Quarter Horse/Thoroughbred mix. I take Saddlebred lessons (that's all they have around us and my trainer's awesome) once a week. I've riden different kinds of breeds but the only kind I really know for sure I've riden is American Saddlebreds (that's what I ride for my lessons). We don't have any Thoroughbred farms or racetracks around us, though.
In a year or two, we may get a second home in Flordia, so I'm hoping they'll be tracks around there.
Thanks for all your help and concern,
Kayla