When picking a thoroughbred horse trainer, what criteria would you look for ?

Question

Trainer for racing.

Answer 1

I own 8 thoroughbreds and they are trained by several different individuals.  So here are my thoughts and what I take into consideration when choosing who trains my horses

1. What track do I want my horses to run at?  Unless you are running "homerun" horses, most trainers prefer to have a home base and stick with running their horses there.

2.What class of horse will I be owning?  Many trainers have a much better record with a certain class of horse.  These statistics can be found on most track websites or from equibase.  In other words...why would you want to hire a trainer who excells at Stakes turf horses, when your horse will be a claiming, dirt sprinter?

3. Integrity!!!!  Has this trainer been suspended before?  If so, what for?  And who took over for him or her when they were away from the track?

4. Personality!  Do you get along with this trainer...do you like his or her style of training, does he or she seem interested in your horse and your questions?

5.  Avalability.....This is two fold...first is the trainer looking to add new horses to his barn?  Second...do you want a trainer who is in constant contact with you?  Many trainer only contact the owner when their horse is ready to run, or is in need of attention that requires your knowledge.  Others are willing to let you tag along for the ride, giving you play by play  of your horses training.

6.  Remember that statistics can be misleading...the top level trainers often are given the best horses to train...thereby making their job easier and swaying the percentages in their favor.  

7. Where will my horse rank in the barn of this trainer?  A good trainer will get the best out of each of the horses in their care, but if your horse is running in the claiming ranks, and the trainer has 5 Stakes horses, 3 graded stakes horses and 2 claimers.....well you can see what I mean!

Good luck to you and welcome to "The Greatest Game"!

Also please check out the TOBA website at  www.toba.org for great information on all aspects of Thoroughbred Ownership!

Answer 2

It comes down to one.......Honesty.

You can look that person in the face and feel confident that you are getting a straight answer, that the person is doing the best for the horse - no matter the competitive level - and that the individual runs a clean barn....the only juice is orange and is served in glasses for the staff.

Answer 3

I would look at his results , and what type horse's he has in his barn

Reason is some trainers love claiming horses' for owners tough Job that is ,

Also ask questions about them to other people, like other owners !



Most important in my book is how Long has they been training,  and who they worked for before they went to training on their own ,,

Look at their horses in the morning work outs , are they clean do they look good

Watch the gallop person what type of rider are they ?

It will be hard to go into the barn area,, But you might get a quest pass from someone that  can get you in ,,

Look at their barn is it clean ?Look at other barns !

do the horse's look happy ?

Do the workers look like they are doing and liking their work?

Look at his records on winning races and what other owners he has ?

Also, where he runs his horses,, will tell you allot of what type of horses he has in his barn.

Ask,, look ,,listen  ,,and do not let them give you lots of bragging

Look who's in the lead as money won and Jockeys they ride!

How many horse's he has in his barn ,, If he has to many asst, trainers and horse's everywhere , Beware !

Good luck

These are thing I would look for,, since I have trained ,,

what goes on on the back side !!



Take your time in choosing one .



If you edit on where you live?  I can give you some very trustful people I know that are still training !!

HOW MUCH DO THEY CHARGE ?

What is the going rate in your area ?

Compare that to other trainers !!