Charles Trent
Q- Phil H. asked Why do trainers clip their horses?
A – Most of the time a trainer will do special clippings on their horses for spring and early winter racing. Most of the cuts are called the blanket cut. There are many different varietiesbut the blanket, The Scottish blanket or the blanket with half face are the most common. It’s for horses that are working or training. These cuts help keep them cooler when they are working. These cuts are also good for their health. It helps them stay cool and not overheat. Now, if a horse goes out to pasture for rest during the cold months, then they leave their coats alone. In the summer months they get a full body clipping.
Q- Mary E. asked Does it matter who the jockey is on any given horse?
A – Yes, Mary it does. With that being said, it depends on which track we are talking about. The first thing is that you need to know if your horse needs a specific type of rider. Examples are on a speed horse you need a jockey that is known for getting a horse out of the gate fast but strong enough to make sure they have something in the tank in the end. Some horses need a patient rider that needs to encourage them when it’s needed, and the list goes on. Some jockeys that can do it all.
Every track has these types of riders and most of the time the trainer knows who they are. Remember, even the well-known jockeys can make a mistake or things happen which no one can control. If the horse is good enough, then the jockey doesn’t need to do much. And
Q- Greg M asked Is it bad for horses to race at two-years-old?
A – This question is tricky. It depends on the owner and the trainer. Just like humans, there are horses that develops faster than others, which doesn’t mean that they are stronger or better than others. If you have a horse that is bred to run early and at a short distance, plus has the bone and muscle structure, then you can train and race them.
There are trainers that are known for getting young horses ready to race at two-years-old. Most trainers will have a horse broke and ridden for a month or so, then rest them for a couple months, and bring them back for their late two-year-old racing or early three-year-old racing. Most trainers, like myself, let the horse tell us on what kind of horse they are and if they need rest or can move on.
About Charles Trent
Charles Trent started going to the races when he was 10 years old and bought his first racehorse when he was 18 years old. He’s been involved in the sport of Kings since. Charles understands both the gambling and training part of the sport.
He has owned horses on and off since 1985, trained horses from 1999 to 2008 and every horse that he purchased as a trainer got to the winner circle. Charles worked with top trainers and jockeys as an owner along with many great grooms, jockeys, jockey agents and even racing office personal as a trainer. Now, Charles is a Bloodstock Agent helping people start their journey in this Great Sport.
Charles will take your questions taking questions about horseracing from buying horses for racing to pinhooking, breeding, the ins and outs of the backside from a trainer’s point of view and even about gambling.
Send Charles Trent, Bloodstock Agent and Racing Manager of Big Casino Racing, your questions to [email protected]
