Career Opportunities Horse Racing Click mouse button for next slide

A Visit to Santa Anita Racetrack

A Special “Thank You” to Darrell Vienna of Silver Fox Farms

Groom –Is responsible for 2 – 4 horses –In the morning (4:00 am): removes leg wraps takes horse’s temperature checks for any problems –tacks up the horse for morning workout –gets the horse back after it is walked –mucks out stall twice a day –feeds horse three times a day according to directions

Hot Walker –Walks each horse after a workout until cool –About 45 minutes per horse –Match horse’s personality to walker’s –Provides fresh water in a clean bucket for each horse

The best way to walk a horse to cool it

The lazy way to walk horses

Exercise Rider –checks the workout schedule in the morning –gets horse already tacked up –takes horse through the workout walk or jog light gallop (1/8 mile in more than 15 seconds) gallop (1/8 mile in 14 – 15 seconds) work (1/8 mile in 13 seconds or less) –hands horse over to Hot Walker and gets another –can ride as many as 16 horses a morning

How can I become an exercise rider? –a background in formal show training –English riding (hunter/jumper) preferably –ability to adapt to the trainer’s style –control the horse by technique not force

Assistant Trainer –has taken the “Trainer’s Test” thus can legally do anything the trainer does –can use his/her judgment to lower the level of work but not raise it –is accountable for his/her decisions –arranges the workout “sets” times, riders, grooms, walkers, etc. –enters the horse in the race –contracts the jockeys –keeps veterinary records (esp. medications)

Trainer –Is the legally responsible party –stalls at the racetrack are free but trainer must run horses in races horse owners pay for care & feeding, labor, insurance, etc. (~$120/day at Silver Fox) –sets workout schedule for each horse –determines what races a horse will run in

Jockey –starts at a young age –usually has little education –represented by an agent –earns a fixed fee of about $100 per ride –in Stakes races – earns 10% if 1 st, 2 nd, or 3 rd –agent gets 25% usually –weight very important especially in “handicapped” races

Other employees of a training stable: –Night/Day Watchman responsible for watching the horses in the barn –water, health, safety, etc. –Assistants

Race Track Employees Board of Stewards –enforce rules and settle disputes Horse Identifier –keeps a notebook of all horses running that day horse name, color markings, lip tattoo, hair swirls –determines that it is the correct horse

Track Veterinarian –tracks medications given to horses –pulls pre and post race samples (blood and urine) –checks each horse before the race for soundness –carries a euthanasia kit in case of an accident The veterinarian or the jockey can pull a horse from a race if the horse is not right (lame, crashes into the gate, etc.)

The Day of the Race Horse entered in a race is quarantined

“Vote” 4 yr. old dark bay gelding by Valid Expectations - Rayofsunshine entered in the 6 th race