Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

This is in response to many of you who are not directly involved in breeding or racing thoroughbred horses. They are questions we are most often asked by friends and folks checking out the website.

Q: When is the breeding season for horses?

A: Mares go into heat during the spring. This allows for foaling the following spring as horses have an eleven month gestation period. The long gestation period allows for the foal to develop a much as possible so it can be ready to move with the herd quickly. A "baby" will usually stand within an hour of foaling. Stallions can perform all year and some are shuttled to the Southern Hemisphere for breeding in the spring there. Mares can be bred back again as soon as a few weeks after foaling.

Q. Why are thoroughbreds always designated a "birthday" of January 1?

A. Since each crop of foals comes in the first half of the year for racing purposes all horses from the same crop are identified as the same age as they are considered comparable in competition. For example, the Kentucky Derby in early May is for three-year-olds only but includes horses born after that date three years earlier. The actual date of birth is referred to a the foaling date.

Q: How do you select a stallion for breeding to your mares? Where does it happen?

A: Breeding is based on several factors. Close inbreeding is to be avoided of course and this may eliminate a number of stallion candidates due to the relatively small population of stallions who produce most of each year's crop. A popular stallion may cover more than 100 mares in a season. Next is finding attributes that match up well to the mare which may reflect the stallion's performance as a race horse and the results of his prior breeding seasons. Stallions always stand at a stud farm and the mares travel to them. This allows them to cover several mares in one day.

Q: Why do you breed your mares in New York instead of Kentucky or other states?

A: Breeding in New York results in bonuses when the horse wins a race within the State. The State of New York funds a pool of money to encourage horse farming. New York has races at Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga that are restricted to NY bred horses which usually offer lighter competition than racing against the "big guys" from Kentucky, etc.. In addition the purses for all races in NY are more generous than most states and have increased further with the introduction of slot machines at Aqueduct Race Track in New York City.

Q: Do your horses always stay in New York?

A: No. After they are weaned from the mare at the farm in New York we ship them to Ocala, Florida for their further development. This allows them to stay outdoors for the winter and the limestone in the soil there is good for bone development. Life for the next year is pretty easy while they continue to grow. Then they are moved to a training center (still in Ocala) for breaking and training which continues as they become two-year-olds. When they are ready for racing they return to New York for handling by a trainer at the track.

Q. How do you select a trainer?

A. One of the advantages of initially being in racing partnerships before going it alone is seeing various trainers in action. First and foremost is confidence that the horses will be properly cared for and that good communications will exist. The objective is success at the track and a trainer is usually just as motivated as the owner to get a win since he receives a 10% share of the owner's purse in addition to his daily rate. His ability to grow and maintain his business is based on success. One unusual aspect of the trainer-owner relationship is that there is no written agreement. An unhappy owner can lead his horse out of the trainer's barn at any time.

Q. How is the jockey selected?

A. Jockeys are independent contractors and have their own agents who negotiate with the trainer on each race. The trainer attempts to get the best jockey for the race and the agent is trying to get the best horse for the jockey. The commitment is made not later than 3 days before the race when the post positions are drawn and jockeys named. Assignments are pre-arranged only for the biggest races.

Q. How much does it cost to race a horse?

A. Keeping a horse at the track can cost up to $50,000 a year after factoring in the trainer, veterinarian, farrier and other expenses.

Q. How much does the winner make on a race?

A. Each owner maintains an account at the track. It is used for paying entry fees and is credited for purses won. The purse is usually split 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third and on down from there. In a $100,000 race the winner would receive $60,000 but the trainer and jockey would each take 10% of that ($6,000 each) so the winner ends up with $48,000 or 48% of the purse. Then the track makes some smaller deductions for jockey insurance, etc. before crediting your account. Funds are paid out only on request.

More questions? Email jackcarrothers@gmail.com

Mantra:

Breed

Race

Win

Repeat

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	Frequently Asked Questions This is in response to many of you who are not directly involved in breeding or racing thoroughbred horses. They are questions we are most often asked by friends and folks checking out the website. Q: When is the breeding season for horses? A: Mares go into heat during the spring. This allows for foaling the following spring as horses have an eleven month gestation period. The long gestation period allows for the foal to develop a much as possible so it can be ready to move with the herd quickly. A "baby" will usually stand within an hour of foaling. Stallions can perform all year and some are shuttled to the Southern Hemisphere for breeding in the spring there. Mares can be bred back again as soon as a few weeks after foaling. Q. Why are thoroughbreds always designated a "birthday" of January 1? A. Since each crop of foals comes in the first half of the year for racing purposes all horses from the same crop are identified as the same age as they are considered comparable in competition. For example, the Kentucky Derby in early May is for three-year-olds only but includes horses born after that date three years earlier. The actual date of birth is referred to a the foaling date. Q: How do you select a stallion for breeding to your mares? Where does it happen? A: Breeding is based on several factors. Close inbreeding is to be avoided of course and this may eliminate a number of stallion candidates due to the relatively small population of stallions who produce most of each year's crop. A popular stallion may cover more than 100 mares in a season. Next is finding attributes that match up well to the mare which may reflect the stallion's performance as a race horse and the results of his prior breeding seasons. Stallions always stand at a stud farm and the mares travel to them. This allows them to cover several mares in one day. Q: Why do you breed your mares in New York instead of Kentucky or other states? A: Breeding in New York results in bonuses when the horse wins a race within the State. The State of New York funds a pool of money to encourage horse farming. New York has races at Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga that are restricted to NY bred horses which usually offer lighter competition than racing against the "big guys" from Kentucky, etc.. In addition the purses for all races in NY are more generous than most states and have increased further with the introduction of slot machines at Aqueduct Race Track in New York City. Q: Do your horses always stay in New York? A: No. After they are weaned from the mare at the farm in New York we ship them to Ocala, Florida for their further development. This allows them to stay outdoors for the winter and the limestone in the soil there is good for bone development. Life for the next year is pretty easy while they continue to grow. Then they are moved to a training center (still in Ocala) for breaking and training which continues as they become two-year-olds. When they are ready for racing they return to New York for handling by a trainer at the track. Q. How do you select a trainer? A. One of the advantages of initially being in racing partnerships before going it alone is seeing various trainers in action. First and foremost is confidence that the horses will be properly cared for and that good communications will exist. The objective is success at the track and a trainer is usually just as motivated as the owner to get a win since he receives a 10% share of the owner's purse in addition to his daily rate. His ability to grow and maintain his business is based on success. One unusual aspect of the trainer-owner relationship is that there is no written agreement. An unhappy owner can lead his horse out of the trainer's barn at any time. Q. How is the jockey selected? A. Jockeys are independent contractors and have their own agents who negotiate with the trainer on each race. The trainer attempts to get the best jockey for the race and the agent is trying to get the best horse for the jockey. The commitment is made not later than 3 days before the race when the post positions are drawn and jockeys named. Assignments are pre-arranged only for the biggest races. Q. How much does it cost to race a horse? A. Keeping a horse at the track can cost up to $50,000 a year after factoring in the trainer, veterinarian, farrier and other expenses. Q. How much does the winner make on a race? A. Each owner maintains an account at the track. It is used for paying entry fees and is credited for purses won. The purse is usually split 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third and on down from there. In a $100,000 race the winner would receive $60,000 but the trainer and jockey would each take 10% of that ($6,000 each) so the winner ends up with $48,000 or 48% of the purse. Then the track makes some smaller deductions for jockey insurance, etc. before crediting your account. Funds are paid out only on request. More questions? Email jackcarrothers@gmail.com Mantra: Breed Race Win Repeat