Getting Involved in the Alberta Thoroughbred Industry : simplebooklet.com

Anyone that has been a newcomer to the world ofThoroughbreds knows there is a lot to take in at thebeginning. WELCOMEThis how to guide will serve as a brief introduction to theAlberta Thoroughbred Industry. Use it as a source for basic information, a place to takenotes, or as an inspiration for future conversations asyou begin your adventure with the Thoroughbred breed,the sport of horse racing and the industry that we alllove.Long time supporters and professionals within theindustry can provide valuable insight, but it can bedifficult to know where to start.CTHS - How to Guide.indd 2 23-03-10 12:04 PM

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LEARN ABOUTTHE BUSINESSOBTAIN SOUND, HONEST ADVICEIn most provinces, there areseveral organizationsrepresenting owners, breeders,trainers and others in theindustry. The contacts for the Albertaindustry are listed in the back ofthis guidebook. Any one of thesepeople would be happy to talk toyou about your interests!Consider the costs and risks verycarefully before you start aserious investigation intoThoroughbred ownership. Many people believe that racing is the most exciting and rewarding prospect.For others, breeding offers greater personal challenge and perhaps less risk.WORK OUT APLAN FOR YOURINVESTMENTBE PATIENTCarefully estimate the probablecosts. If you do this, andownership still looks attractive,then investigate further. Decide whether racing orbreeding Thoroughbreds mostappeals to your interests orwhether you wish to participate inboth. The rewards that come withbreeding or owning a winningThoroughbred racehorse requirea significant contribution of time,effort, planning and money. Select a person you can talk toabout your interest inThoroughbreds and the racingindustry that is an acknowledgedprofessional, capable of giving anexperienced perspective.REMEMBER! Commitment andpatience will let you followthrough with your plan and enjoythe success.STEP ONEWhether you view the venturepurely as a diversion, or largely asan investment, there are financialimplications.3OUTUTCTHS - How to Guide.indd 5 23-03-10 12:04 PM

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You can choose betweenSole Ownership Partnerships SyndicatesWAYS OFOWNING A RACINGTHOROUGHBREDThere's no better feeling thanwatching your horse competeand carry your colors into thewinner's circle.There are a number of waysto achieve ownership.Remember to consider thescope of your involvementbefore committing to yourracehorse investment.STEP TWOOwning a Thoroughbred racehorsecan lead to one of the most thrillingexperiences of your life!4CTHS - How to Guide.indd 6 23-03-10 12:04 PM

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Two or more registered owners who run a racehorse undertheir own names or a partnership name. Partnerships offer anopportunity to enjoy the thrills of thoroughbred racing withfriends, family or associates while making it more affordablethrough the division of costs. It is especially suitable for a newThoroughbred investor just starting out and it lets you gainknowledge and experience while sharing the risks andresponsibilities.Syndicates / ClubsPartnershipA group of like minded individuals who all own a share or multipleshares in one or more racehorses. You can either join an existingsyndicate or create a new one with your family and/or friends.Syndicates are always available for new owners so make sure tochoose the right one to match your needs.Make sure to obtain INDEPENDENT, EDUCATED advice on themarket value of the horses owned by the syndicate or clubpartnership. Have a full understanding of the fees andcommissions charged by the management. Sole OwnershipOWNERSHIPHOW TO BUY YOUR TEAMA single person is the owner of the racehorse. The horse runs inyour name, stable or company name established for your racingventures. You make all the decisions and benefit from all therewards but are also responsible for all the associated costs.5Partnerships, clubs and syndicates offer an affordableway to share in the fun of racehorse ownership!CTHS - How to Guide.indd 7 23-03-10 12:04 PM

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PURCHASINGGETTING INTO THE GAMEThere are THREE MAIN METHODS to purchasing a racehorsePublic Auction - Claiming Races - Private SalesNGAMGMEThe bidding begins, our hearts are thumping, the pressuregrows... will we get the horse of our dreams?An auction sale is an exciting place to look at a lot of prospects!Establish your budget and don't get carried away with the thrill ofbidding and the energy of the sale environment. A trusted advisorcan guide you in the sale process or do the bidding for you.Establish credit with the sales company and review the saleconditions well ahead of time.These sales offer two year oldThoroughbreds that havealready been training,galloping or breezing and areclose to being race ready.Such horses will topically costmore than yearlings sincemoney and time has beenspent on training.YEARLING SALESIN TRAINING SALESYearlings offer the chanceto buy a prospect that justmay fulfill your dreams of awinning racehorse in thefuture. It can be one of theleast expensive ways ofacquiring a Thoroughbredas you are buying purely onpedigree and conformation. Method One - Public Auction Sales6CTHS - How to Guide.indd 8 23-03-10 12:04 PM

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You can acquire an 'INSTANT RACEHORSE' by purchasing ahorse that is already racing in a claiming race. This type of race makes up about three quarters of all races.Method Two - Claiming RacesClaiming may be a good strategy for new owners to gainexperience and acquire an athlete READY TO RUN without waitingtoo long for the horse to generate income.Method Three - Private SaleA private purchase of a Thoroughbred can be done on or off the track. Owners can purchase a horseprivately from the breedingfarm, farm owners or trainingbarns (race track backstretch). Owners and/or trainers canreceive tips on specific horsesfor purchase or they can havespecial relationships with thefarms themselves which leadsto acquisitions.Make sure you obtain aformal Bill of Sale andtransfer of registrationpapers for any horsespurchased privately beforefinalizing the transaction. YOU, YOUR TRAINER ANDVET can take all the timeyou need to considerpotential horses andresearch bloodlineshowever the owner willhave a set price.Unlike a yearling or in training sale, no veterinary inspection ispermitted prior to your claim and the ownership change.ALL horses in a claiming race are for sale!7CTHS - How to Guide.indd 9 23-03-10 12:04 PM

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FOR A RACEPREPARINGWhen stabled at the track, racehorses arenormally managed by a trainer who is responsiblefor the day to day care, training and raceschedule.STEP THREEWho Cares for the HorseThe main role of the trainer isto prepare your horses for therace but also to advise you onownership and selection of thehorse.As an owner, choosing a Trainer is the mostIMPORTANT decision you have to make. The TRAINER is the COACH of the Team!Choosing a Trainer8The trainer will have theresponsibility of ensuring yourhorse is cared for on a dailybasis with feed, exercise,veterinary care, farrierappointments and alternativetreatments such aschiropractic or massage.CTHS - How to Guide.indd 10 23-03-10 12:04 PM

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Trainer's Day RateThe cost of owning a racehorse varies depending uponwhere you race and the extent of your involvement. In Western Canada, race meets are typically heldbetween April and November each year. Most horses willbe in training for about 8-12 weeks before being raceready.While at the track, your major expense will be yourtrainer's day rate. This cost varies according to theexperience of your trainer and where you are racing.Other costs typicallyincurred in addition tothe trainer's day rate arefarrier work, veterinariancosts, jockey fees, raceentry fees, licensing fees,shipping fees andinsurance costs. What are the Costs?The day rate is charged for each day that the trainer hasyour horse in their barn and usually covers the expensesof training, stall, feed, bedding, hay, and staff costs. You will also need toplan for race day feeswhich will include apercent of earningspaid to the trainerfrom races where yourhorse places. 9CTHS - How to Guide.indd 11 23-03-10 12:04 PM

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Questions to ask a TRAINERHow long have you been a full timetrainer?What other trainers have you workedwith in the past?What success have you had in the past?How many horses do you currently train?How will you communicate and howoften? Select a trainer you can depend on tomake the following important decisions inalignment with your own values!GET REFERENCES FROM OTHER OWNERSHow much do you charge and what doesthis fee include?CTHS - How to Guide.indd 12 23-03-10 12:04 PM

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An investment in breedingstock usually starts with thepurchase of a pregnantbroodmare from a breedingstock sale.Look for a broodmare with good conformationand the PRICE, PEDIGREE and BACKGROUNDmost suited to the market in which you as abreeder intend to sell her foals.Purchasing a broodmare whohas had previous offspringmay offer more certainty thana mare having her first foal.The selling price of the marewill vary with the success ofher previous foals, her age,the success of her family andher race record.The mare's price will alsoreflect the commercialpopularity of the stallion shewas bred to and the successof his progeny.A good mare is the life blood of the industryPURCHASING A BROODMARE11GETTINGINVOLVED INBREEDINGCTHS - How to Guide.indd 13 23-03-10 12:04 PM

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Provide farrier and veterinary care. These expenses willgenerally be higher for your broodmare than a racingThoroughbred as both mare and foal will need regularattention to their health. If you don't wish to race yourmare's progeny, you canchoose to sell the foal privatelyor at public auction, usually asa yearling.COSTS TO EXPECT AFTERPURCHASING YOURBROODMARETransport your new broodmare to her new home.Make boarding arrangements with a farm where themanager is experienced in the handling of breeding stock.Carefully consider the many factors in making a breedingdecision with your mare each year. Selling Your Mare's ProgenyCosts of selling includetransporting the yearling, saleentry fees, boarding & salespreparation until sale time.12Your costs begin at the moment you purchase your mare. You will need to:DOES your mare have the right quality, temperament, ageto achieve your breeding goals?WHAT qualities does the stallion offer and what isthe cost of the stud fee?CTHS - How to Guide.indd 14 23-03-10 12:04 PM

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A number of organizations in Alberta work on finding,retraining and rehoming OTTBs. You can locate thesegroups by checking online or with your trainer who may havecontacts with individuals looking for an OTTB. You may alsocontact any of the following organizations in this booklet forfurther information. OTTBs may be foundcompeting inhunter/jumper, polo, andbarrel racing or as trailriding or pleasure horses.Most Thoroughbreds are atthe track for only up to 5 or6 years so consider whattheir post racing career willinvolve and have a plan inplace to transition themsmoothly to a new career.Your ex-racehorse still has a future career oncethe decision is made to retire it from theracetrack.WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOURTHOROUGHBRED IS READY TORETIRE FROM RACING?13OFF TRACKTHOROUGHBREDSRetired from racingThoroughbreds are calledOff Track Thoroughbredsor OTTBs. Many of these OTTBs havebecome proven stars indifferent equestriandisciplines due to their keycharacteristics ofathleticism, speed, heartand versatility. A number of organizations in Alberta work on finding,retraining and rehoming OTTBs. You can locate thesegroups by checking online or with your trainer who may havecontacts with individuals looking for an OTTB. You may alsocontact any of the following organizations in this booklet forfurther information. OTTBs may be foundcompeting inhunter/jumper, polo, andbarrel racing or as trailriding or pleasure horses.Most Thoroughbreds are atthe track for only up to 5 or6 years so consider whattheir post racing career willinvolve and have a plan inplace to transition themsmoothly to a new career.Your ex-racehorse still has a future career oncethe decision is made to retire it from theracetrack.WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOURTHOROUGHBRED IS READY TORETIRE FROM RACING?13OOOFFFFFFFTRRAAAAAAAAAACCCCCKKKKOFF TRACKTTHHHOOORRROOOOUUUUUUGGGHHBBRREDSTHOROUGHBREDSRetired from racingThoroughbreds are calledOff Track Thoroughbredsor OTTBs. Many of these OTTBs havebecome proven stars indifferent equestriandisciplines due to their keycharacteristics ofathleticism, speed, heartand versatility. CTHS - How to Guide.indd 15 23-03-10 12:04 PM

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The C.T.H.S. National officedetermines the requirements forCanadian bred status of foals,maintains the breeder membershiproster for Canada, completesregistrations, compiles statisticsand represents CanadianThoroughbred breeders nationallyand internationally.INDUSTRYORGANIZATIONSThe C.T.H.S. (Alberta Division)promotes the purchase of AlbertaThoroughbreds, keeps records,organizes sales, disseminatesinformation compiles statistics andassists Alberta members with horseregistration.www.cthsnational.comThe CanadianThoroughbred HorseSociety - Albertawww.cthsalta.comThe C.T.H.S. (Alberta Division) members are thebreeders of Alberta bred Thoroughbreds.14The Canadian ThoroughbredHorse Society - NationalCTHS - How to Guide.indd 16 23-03-10 12:04 PM

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www.thehorses.caHRA was established to lead aracing industrial renewal and tomanage industry self regulation. INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONSHorse Racing AlbertaThe objectives of the HRA are togovern, direct, control, regulateand promote horse racing in any orall of its forms; to protect thehealth, safety and welfare of racingparticipants and racing officials; tosafeguard the interests of thegeneral public in horse racingThe Horsemen's Benevolent &Protective Association(H.B.P.A.) The H.B.P.A. of Alberta provides thehorsemen with an authorative,united voice providingrepresentation in the conduct ofracing.www.hbpaalberta.caThe objectives are to represent andprotect the best interests ofHorsemen; to bring about a closerand more understandingrelationship beween Members;Racetrack Operators; Horse RacingAlberta; other Racing Associationsand the Public.15CTHS - How to Guide.indd 17 23-03-10 12:04 PM

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The Jockey Club is the breedregistry for Thoroughbred horsesin the United States, Canada andPuerto Rico.The Jockey Club (TJC) RegistryThe Jockey Club of Canadapromotes improvements in thebreeding, raising and racing ofThoroughbred horses throughoutCanada. The JCC works toimprove the quality ofThoroughbred racing in Canadafor the benefit of all thoseinterested in the sport.www.jockeyclub.comThe Jockey Club of Canada (JCC)www.jockeyclubofcanada.comThe primary responsibility of theJockey Club is the maintenanceof The American Stud book in amanner that ensures the integrityof the breed.INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS16CTHS - How to Guide.indd 18 23-03-10 12:04 PM

Getting Involved in the Alberta Thoroughbred Industry

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