Have you ever wondered what makes a champion thoroughbred racehorse?" The answer to this question is based on many factors, which include: 1) the breeding of the horse; 2) the care and training of the horse; and 3) the horse itself.
Most horsepeople only consider breeding when choosing a race horse for competition races. Clearly breeding is a factor to consider in selecting a racehorse to win races. I have observed thoroughbred owners who owned quality bred horses with strong pedigrees which won only their maiden (first race) races, but no other. I have also observed thoroughbred horses with no significant pedigrees and which regularily won races. This leads to the logical conclusion that breeding, by itself, may not result in a champion racehorse.
Many horsepeople also consider training of a thoroughbred racehorse important to the development of a champion racehorse. One can not carry on a conversation in the barns and stables without mentioning some of the top trainers. Unfortnuately, many of these conversations are not always complementary of the top trainers, for reasons such as personality clashes, overbilling, improper handling of the racehorse, poor care of the racehorse, inappropriate bills, bad advice regarding race selection, and / or the prospects of a racehorse. Before a trainer is selected, a thoroughbred racehorse owner should take the time to check references for the trainer, make spot checks on the trainer's stable to check on the quality of care the horses receive in the stable, check on the trainer's statistics, and after selecting a trainer, continue to check on their racehorse. Owner's of racehorses should thoroughly check out trainers before hiring the trainer.
Last, the horse itself needs to be considered. Racehorses seem to know if they have the ability to win. For example, John Henry, knew he was a champion. For those who did not know John Henry, he was an undersized thoroughbred racehorse with a flawed conformation known as being back at the knee, had no significant pedigree, and was difficult to handle. Yet this thoroughbred had an iron constitution which drove him to win. He also perked up and appeared to pose whenever he heard a camera click or heard the horn signalling an upcoming race. Jean Isaacs, dubbed by local Lexington Kentucky trainers and grooms as a Horse Whisperer, states that some racehorses know that they are destined to win. She calls this a strong heart. Jean Isaacs further states that horses which are well cared for and are happy tend to have a stronger desire to win.
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