RacingBetter News
	Tuesday 26th April 2022

What Makes a Champion Racehorse?

Racehorses are getting faster. Data shows that UK racehorses have continually achieved faster times in races since 1850, and this is likely to be the case in other countries too. Thoroughbreds, the most common breed of racehorse, are faster over all distances, although more so over shorter sprint distances.

Most experts believe this trend will likely continue; just as human athletes continue to break new records. But what makes a champion racehorse? Is it genetics, evolution, training, diet, or the jockey?

Well, there are a lot of factors that go into producing a champion racehorse. Read on to learn more.

Conformation

Top racehorses have an optimal conformation. Their legs are clean, they don’t have weak joints or misaligned hocks. Poor conformation puts a horse at risk of injury, which will end a racehorse’s career before it even starts.

Racehorses are worked very hard for a few short years. They need to be able to cope well with the demands of training, so when a coach assesses a horse for its potential, the first thing they will look at is its conformation and how sound it is. Any problems, present or potential, means a horse won’t make the grade.

A Passion for Racing

No matter how sound or well-trained a horse is unless it has a desire to race, it won’t ever be a winner on the track. Champion racehorses have a huge enthusiasm for racing. They enjoy racing and love nothing better than to be on the track. Without this quality, a horse can’t succeed in the cut-throat world of horse racing.

Training

The right trainer is important. A good trainer will spot the potential in an untested horse and help them achieve that potential via a rigorous training program. The very best racehorse trainers have an exemplary reputation and are in demand. The current top three trainers are Charlie Appleby from the UK; Chad Brown and Bob Baffert from the US.

Good Genes

It’s no accident that champion racehorses command huge stud fees. Research published in Nature shows that genetics plays a role in whether a horse will become a champion on the track. It isn’t guaranteed, as many other factors are highly influential in a horse’s racetrack earnings, but 8.5 percent is genetic. The takeaway here is that breeding a good mare to a champion stallion can help improve your odds of breeding a winner – if you can afford the stud fees.

Nutrition

Don’t underestimate the importance of good nutrition either. A horse that has access to the very best nutrition money can buy has an advantage, as horses need the right nutrition to perform at a high level in horse racing.

Make the Right Pick

Choosing the right horse when placing a bet is not an exact science, but it helps if you understand what makes a champion. If you’re new to sports betting, visit bestusaonlinecasinos.com to search for an online casino that has a sportsbook.

Very little separates winners from losers on the track, but if you hope to back a winner, it helps to understand what those differences are!