Bookies on Edge
Fear is gripping bookies ahead of the Cheltenham Festival as trainer Willie Mullins emerges as the dominant force, with six of the seven favorites on day one.
Mullins' Strong Grip
With Mullins in control of the markets, bookies are bracing for a potential 'mauling' as the festival kicks off.
Day One Favourites
Bookies are particularly wary of Mullins' treble favorites for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, Champion Hurdle, and Mares' Hurdle, as well as his strong presence in other races.
Day Two Concerns
The fear extends to day two of the festival, with Mullins also dominating the favorites list for those races.
Bookies' Take
Bookies express their concerns as Mullins' horses continue to rack up the favorites' spots, leaving them anxious about the potential financial implications.
Willie's Favourites
With a formidable lineup of favorites, Mullins poses a significant threat to bookies' profit margins on both days of the festival.
Remember to gamble responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a special shoe required for racehorses?
Racehorses usually wear racing plates which are thinner and lighter than regular horseshoes. These plates offer the necessary grip on the track while minimizing their weight. A racehorse-trained farrier will fit and select the right shoes for each horse based on its hoof shape and the racing surface.
What’s the best kind of diet for racing horses to follow?
Racehorses need a diet that is high quality and perfectly balanced to support their training and racing. The feed is a mix of commercially produced racehorse-specific feed, high-grade hay and grains such as barley or oatmeal. In addition, essential vitamins should be added to the diet in order to maintain peak performance and overall health.
How important is the pedigree of a racehorse for success?
The pedigree of a racing horse can indicate its potential, but it isn’t the only thing that determines their success. Lineage may indicate that a racehorse has inherited an aptitude for speed or durability, but other factors like training, temperament and health are equally important. Training can enhance a horse’s natural abilities, and allow it to perform better than horses with more impressive pedigrees.
What is the first training step for a racehorse?
The initial phase of training a racehorse involves a critical stage known as “breaking,” where the horse becomes accustomed to carrying a saddle, bridle, and the weight of a rider. During these sessions, patience is key to ensuring the horse feels comfortable around humans and with the equipment they will use throughout their racing career.
What age should a race horse start training?
Horses may begin their basic training as yearlings but they will usually begin more rigorous racing training and conditioning at around two years. Their bodies are still young, and can adapt to the learning process. However, timing will vary depending upon the horse’s individual temperament and developmental stage.
There are different race training methods available for different horse types.
The race training methods used for different breeds of horses can vary because the breed characteristics as well as racing distances are different. Thoroughbreds which are associated with long distance flat racing undergo different training to Quarter Horses which specialize in sprinting over short distances. Each breed has unique physical and behavioral traits that require a tailored training approach.
Statistics
- The majority of racehorses in training are subject to an exercise regimen that includes being ridden six days a week.
- The average racehorse reaches its peak physical ability between the ages of four to five, with some variation based on the breed and individual development.
- An extensive survey indicated that over 90% of racehorse trainers utilize swimming as a low-impact exercise in their conditioning routines.
- The Injury Database from The Jockey Club reports that synthetic racing surfaces have a lower horse fatality rate than dirt tracks, with a statistically significant difference of 1.2 fatalities per thousand starts on synthetics compared to 2.0 on dirt tracks.
- Racehorse mortality rates during racing have been observed to be between 1.5 to 2 deaths per thousand starts, depending on the racing jurisdiction.
- Approximately 70% of a racehorse’s diet consists of forage, with the remainder made up of grains and supplements to meet their high-calorie needs.
External Links
jockeyclub.com
keeneland.com
equibase.com
horseracing.com
racingpost.com
thoroughbred-racing.net
How To
How to cool a racehorse down after a work out
Post-exercise, it’s vital to adequately cool down a racehorse to prevent muscle stiffness and support recovery. Start with a slow, long-reined walk to allow the horse’s heart rate and respiration rates to slowly decrease. Use this time for assessing the horse and looking for signs of distress. After a gentle stretch of the limbs, neck and shoulders, continue with another session. To finish, brush the horse to loosen its muscles. Inspect for any cuts and abrasions.
