TRAINING EUT Webmaster TRAINING EUT Webmaster

Keeping it in the family - can a horse's family traits be used to a trainer's advantage?

thumb_195.jpg

It’s the same story at every dinner party, writes Frances J. Karon. A stranger will invariably ask, “What do you do?”, as if the response will somehow explain the very essence of one’s being. Similarly, the first question we have for the owner or trainer who tells us he has a nice yearling on the farm is, “What’s it by?”

The question is multifunctional. First, it enables us to gauge how seriously we can take this person. We will immediately discount the proud owner's opinion if the horse is by a bad stallion. Second, we make a generalisation based on the reply. If, for instance, the yearling's sire is Theatrical, we tell ourselves that it will obviously be a slow maturing turf horse who will want a route of ground.

Frances J Karon (European Trainer - issue 29 - Spring 2010)

 

Read More
RACING EUT Webmaster RACING EUT Webmaster

Swedish Racing - the head of Taby Galopp suggests inner-city racing

thumb_68.jpg

Imagine a handful of race meetings every summer in Richmond Park in London or Central Park in New York, writes Geir Stabell, on turf strips that have simply been rented by the racing authorities, to show off the sport to a wider audience. A sort of a science fiction idea, far removed from the realities of horseracing? Not necessarily. 

Täby Galopp, the principal of three racecourses in Sweden, sits less than 20km from the centre of the capital Stockholm, and is thus closer to the heart of the nation than most other racecourses in Europe. Still, plans are in motion to move the racecourse. There are both fascinating and interesting plans, based on new ideas, as Täby Galopp's new managing Director Dag Johansson explains: "We may one day have one venue right in the middle of the city, for three to four big events per year, supported by a 'bread and butter' venue further away from the city.

Geir Stabell (European Trainer - issue 29 - Spring 2010)

Read More