Cover Stories
Off to the Races!
by Amy Blackwood and Karen Pickering
July 30, 2005

Horseracing is an ancient sport, with roots spanning back to 4500 B.C in Central Asia. For generations, this exciting sport was a favorite with a variety of groups from noble families to the public masses. Today, horseracing still draws a crowd as a major spectator sport in the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South America.

The Modern Racetrack

If you have only experienced horseracing from movies and pop culture, you may hold the common misconception that it’s an adults-only atmosphere focused on gambling, drinking and smoking cigars. The truth is, modern horseracing brings in people from all walks of life – from seasoned spectators to business professionals to family parties. Ralph Vacca, general manager of the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association, has vast experience with horses throughout his life and career. At a recent interview at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Wash. he explains why the racetrack is a comfortable place for everyone.

“It’s a marvelous experience. There’s always a lot of excitement – people love horses,” says Vacca. “The environment is friendly, there’s good food, it’s very clean and inexpensive to get in – on weekends they even have pony rides and face painting for the kids (at Emerald Downs). It can be a very exhilarating experience for people.”

Betting Basics

Another draw to the track is, of course, the thrill of a big win. The horseracing industry survives financially on bets placed by their visitors, however, the set up is different from gambling in casinos. It is based on pari-mutuel wagering (French for “amongst ourselves”). When you wager, you are betting not against the track but against everyone who is making that type of wager in a particular race. Based on how much is wagered, the odds will change accordingly. In effect, the track has no interest in the results of a race – it simply deducts a percentage from each dollar wagered for payment of purses, state taxes and expenses. The remainder of the pool is returned proportionally to the winners.

“With other sports you’re an observer; you’re a bystander. (With horseracing) you are a participant – you get into the action, you get to pick a horse and have a vested interest,” Vacca says.

The level at which one bets varies extremely. However, the simplicity of the process makes it easy for anyone to throw a few bucks into the purse.

“You can come out and have a really good experience by betting on the pretty grey horse or the one named Matilda, like your great aunt. For whatever reason – you like the trainer, the way the horse looks, the horse winks at you, whatever.”

The Players

Besides the spectators, there are many individuals involved in Thoroughbred horseracing. The horse, of course, is the heart of the sport. Many people attend horse races just to see these majestic animals gallop around the track at top speed. It takes a special horse to compete at these strenuous events.

“It’s a combination (that makes up a quality Thoroughbred) – genetics, conformation and the spirit, or the heart, and the determination. To qualify that, you can have a gorgeous, beautifully well-bred horse with good conformation, and if that horse doesn’t have the desire to be competitive – and some aren’t – that’s not going to make a good (race)horse,” says Vacca. “Not everyone that’s 7-feet tall can be a good basketball player – you might be pretty good if you’re playing against high-school students, but probably all wouldn’t do in the NBA against the pros.”

Another key player in the horseracing industry is the owner. This individual invests the money to purchase and maintain the thoroughbred in a variety of ways. Some people buy a horse outright in a private transaction, then personally fund all the expenses for maintenance. Others “claim” a horse by finding a trainer and then putting a set amount of money on a horse at the racetrack. Still others go into partnership with another person or persons to buy and keep a horse as a group investment.

Trainers are an integral part of horseracing. The trainer is responsible for the care of the animal – exercise, training, feeding, health, etc. “The trainer’s job is to get the horse ready and fit, bring them up to peak performance, as well as purchasing the horse initially” Vacca says. Grooms assist the trainer with the brushing and cleaning responsibilities of caring for the horse.

There are many aspects to the Thoroughbred industry beyond racing. From Eventing, Steeplechase, Jumping, Trail riding, even the Olympics, these magnificent animals have made wonderful mounts and friends to many horse owners. There is life after the track for many of these horses.

Additional Information

For more information, please visit the following websites:
Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association – http://www.washingtonthoroughbred.com/
Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (by state) – http://www.toba.org/state/index.html
Emerald Downs - http://www.emdowns.com
To contact Ralph Vacca, Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association, please call (253) 288-7891.

Copyright © 2008 The NW Horse Source