Originally Published: July 29, 2010, 05:09 AM

Horse Racing: Rearing a Champion

Posted By Diego | Horse-Racing News | July 29, 2010, 05:09 AM |

Horse racing is a sport that has been practised for centuries. Thoroughbred horse racing, or flat racing as it is known in the UK, is the most popular form of horse racing in the world. Gambling or betting on horse races always seems to accompany the sport and generates more than $100 billion in the world market. Breeding and training champion horses is serious business.





Trainer Sonny Johnson, although recently retired, has won hundreds of races all over North America. Bob Baffert, who has won the Preakness five times, is another top trainer. Johnson says good hay, oats, mineral salts and vitamins are the most important elements of a horse’s diet. Horses are very big, and hay doesn't have very many calories. Therefore, they spend a lot of time eating. To prepare for a race, a horse needs about 90 days of daily galloping and training. Johnson explains that it is important for a horse to have the right jockey and race within its appropriate class.


Because horses are so big and yet have relatively thin legs and ankles, they often suffer injuries or soreness. Depending on the type of soreness or injury, trainers may ice the horse’s legs or use blankets to keep the horse’s body warm. Trainers often become aware of their horses’ specific needs and can determine the appropriate remedies.





For events such as the Kentucky Derby, horse racing tickets can cost anywhere from $325 to as much as $4,000. For concert tickets Take That and other popular groups command much less expensive prices than these superstar horses. Horse racing is indeed big business.

Embed Horse racing is a sport that has been practised for centuries. Thoroughbred horse racing, or flat racing as it is known in the UK, is the most popular form of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_racing/">horse racing</a> in the world. Gambling or betting on horse races always seems to accompany the sport and generates more than $100 billion in the world market. Breeding and training champion horses is serious business.<br /> <br><br /> <div align="center"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3642/3431708779_1aaae72a2f.jpg" alt="Horse Racing" title="Horse Racing"></div><br /> <br><br /> Trainer Sonny Johnson, although recently retired, has won hundreds of races all over North America. Bob Baffert, who has won the Preakness five times, is another top trainer. Johnson says good hay, oats, mineral salts and vitamins are the most important elements of a <a href="http://horseracing.suite101.com/article.cfm/horse-racing-how-a-racehorse-makes-it-to-the-winners-circle/">horse’s diet</a>. Horses are very big, and hay doesn't have very many calories. Therefore, they spend a lot of time eating. To prepare for a race, a horse needs about 90 days of daily galloping and training. Johnson explains that it is important for a horse to have the right jockey and race within its appropriate class.<br /> <br><br /> Because horses are so big and yet have relatively thin legs and ankles, they often suffer injuries or soreness. Depending on the type of soreness or injury, trainers may ice the horse’s legs or use blankets to keep the horse’s body warm. Trainers often become aware of their horses’ specific needs and can determine the appropriate remedies.<br /> <br><br /> <div align="center"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3507/3310046320_f08835c755.jpg" alt="Horse Racing" title="Horse Racing"></div><br /> <br><br /> For events such as the Kentucky Derby, <a href="http://www.viagogo.co.uk/Sports-Tickets/Horse-Racing/">horse racing tickets</a> can cost anywhere from $325 to as much as $4,000. For concert <a href="http://www.viagogo.co.uk/Concert-Tickets/Rock-and-Pop/Take-That-Tickets/">tickets Take That</a> and other popular groups command much less expensive prices than these superstar horses. Horse racing is indeed big business.<br /><a href='http://www.speed-videos.com'>Speed Videos</a> | <a href='http://www.speed-videos.com/Horse-Racing/Horse-Racing-Rearing-a-Champion'>Horse Racing: Rearing a Champion</a>