Charles Trent
Q- Robert N asked, “where is the best place to train a horse for the races: a farm, training center or the track.?”
A- Robert, it all depends on age and where the horse is at in its training. It’s great to break the young ones at the farm. Remember, they are scared babies, so you don’t want to change their environment too much.
When I trained, I had them at a training center for at least three weeks before I broke them if they hadn’t been broken already. After being broken and ready to train, I would most likely give them at least a month or more to relax at the farm before I continued with them. This gives them time to relax from the stress they may have experienced.
When I get them back as two-year-olds, I believe a training center is the best place for them until they are about four works away from a race. Then I would train them at the track so they can get used to all that action. If I have an older or an experienced horse, I love training at the center for a couple of reasons: they stay comfortable, and I love swimming them as part of their training. So, all three places are fine depending on the horse.
Q- Robert N question two asked, “is it bad to train or race on a muddy track?”
A- I believe it can be dangerous, but every day is dangerous in this sport. Remember, during a race an ambulance follows jockeys and horses around the track. Personally, I try to avoid a race if I know it’s supposed to rain, but sometimes that’s the only race for that horse for a while.
I do train them on a muddy track to see how they do. You can’t take too many days off from training or they will never be ready. But if I have a fit horse in training at the center, I can swim them on the days it’s raining and on the track when it’s not. One thing for sure is that you should not run one on a muddy track if they don’t like it, but most horses don’t care.
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 Bigcasinoracing@gmail.com
