Articles from the European Trainer Magazine archive - available to read online.
A harmonised rulebook across the globe would benefit racing, writes Katie Roebuck, but with the world unable to agree on more pressing issues such as climate change or the economic crisis, how easy would it be to implement?
Katie Roebuck (European Trainer - issue 29 - Spring 2010)
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)
After winning more than 100 races as an amateur and then as an apprentice jockey, Nina Bach set up as a trainer in 2004 in the Rhineland-Palatine in Germany. Through hard work and a level head she has had an upward curve of success ever since.
David Connolly-Smith (European Trainer - issue 29 - Spring 2010)
The 2009 AGM was held at The Churchill Hotel in Portman Square, London in December. As always the AGM proved to be a useful forum to discuss issues from across Europe which affect trainers.
The second ITBA Expo took place in Ireland at Kildare’s Goffs Sales Complex in January and the bi-annual event looks certain to establish itself as a major part of the European calendar.
Lissa Oliver (European Trainer - issue 29 - Spring 2010)
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)
