Page 23 - March 2007 The Game
P. 23

Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper The Game, March 2007 23
The Strategies of Race Riding
In my first year of riding I
had many successes and
learned valuable lessons from my failures. So much of race riding is judge- ment, knowing when to sit still, when to slip through the field, when to close on the leaders. Unlike the jump course or dressage ring, you’re never alone on the racetrack. You must anticipate the strategy of others, all the while expecting the unexpected.
I galloped my horses in the morning and knew their quirks and how they wanted to run. The trainer and I would discuss our strategy, make a plan, and have an alternate in mind. It all made sense in the saddling paddock but didn’t always play out on the track. Eleven other jockeys and horses were
involved in the race and Paddy Head & Miss Lili Marlene several of them were
A Head at the Wire
The tenth in a series of real life stories by Paddy Head majeek05@hotmail.com
after each race, more than willing to share his knowledge and experience and his wonderful sense of humour. His older brother, John, trained a barn of about 10 horses and chose me to ride a filly named Miss Lili Marlene. At 850 pounds soaking wet, the filly needed a low weight. The first time I galloped her, I sensed determination in the way she
given the same instructions; save ground on the rail, stay within striking distance, and make your move at the 3/16ths pole. Usually there’s only room for one horse on the rail two lengths off the pace and at least 6 of us wanted it. Rarely did a trainer tell me; sit in last position and then circle the field. Unless of course it was The Heckler, who loved that style.
There are many imponderables that can happen in a race. Sometimes it’s the jockey’s own mount causing the problem.
Knowing the styles and strategies of the jockeys was as important as studying the past performance of the horses. The body language of a jockey will tell you if he still has horse left and is going to give you a run. At this point, I could identify riders by looking at their rear ends but I hadn’t refined the ability any further. I was about to get a lesson.
The Kelly family continued to make a contribution to my career. Jackpot Kelly, the half-retired agent, still put in a good word for me whenever he could. Eddie Kelly, the jockey, gave me riding tips
carried herself, her stride strong and sure, her head looking straight down the track. This horse knew where she was going.
With number 4 post position, my instructions once again were to save ground, stay within striking distance, and make my move in the stretch. All worked according to plan until the turn. Lili and I were snuggled in
on the rail in third place. Without warning, the second place horse dropped in on the rail with basically no clearance. Heels clipped and I held my breath. Lili jumped the horse’s hocks and stumbled. Miraculously, she landed on all fours. Her stride was interrupted for barely a second as the little filly galloped into the turn, head and head with her unruly opponent. I had to literally swallow my anger to keep myself from screaming at the jockey who had come within a hair’s breadth of sending me cartwheeling. At the head of the stretch, Lili and I focused with deter- mination on the finish wire. We breezed in by 2 lengths.
I was so thrilled with Lili’s performance, I ignored Gary Mineau as he spit dirt in my direction. Whether he meant to add insult to injury after shutting me off, I can’t say for certain. It was the first of many times that Gary would cause interference, but as long as I ended up in the winner’s circle, and not the ambulance, I was smiling.
Olds College Certified Exercise Rider and Jockey Program
By Michele Brewster
Olds College, established in 1913, is one of Canada’s elite agriculture institutes, and has a history of providing innovative post secondary agriculture programs.
The Certified Exercise Rider and Jockey Training Program, a partnership of Olds College, Horseman’s Benevolent Protective Association of Alberta and Horse Racing Alberta has inspired fifteen people to learn the theory and practices to develop riding skills needed at the race track. A sister course, Certified Groom Training is also offered at the College. Grooms are significant people in the lives of racehorses, even though they remain underestimated by fans, handicappers and media.
Real Simard and Nancy Wrayton provide riding instruction, Theresa Sealy is the head instructor for the Certified Groom Training Program and the team is assisted by Alex Ferris. Real and Nancy are journeyman jockeys and are highly qualified to teach riding. Real has a successful career on the Alberta tracks during racing season. Theresa is an assistant trainer with the Deryle Mullaney racing stable, also working as administrative support to the H.B.P.A. of Alberta. Knowledge and dedication are required to deliver the curriculum of this
unique program, with emphasis on personal physical conditioning, classroom, and riding instruction. Strong work ethic is required for success as an exercise rider or jockey.
Participants are required to research a topic relative to the racing industry, and then present their reports to an audience.
This year the students presented a range of interesting topics which included information on the following people and places:
The Shoe, Biography of Bill Shoemaker; Frank Stronach, Founder of Magna Entertainment Corporation; Del Mar Racetrack; Churchill Downs Racetrack; Heavy Weight Horse, Phar Lap; Santa Anita Racecourse: The Triple Crown Racing Series; Canada’s Hall of Fame Jockey, Sandy Hawley; The Great Secretariat; The Dubai World Cup of Racing; The Infamous Cigar & Triple Crown winners Affirmed & Northern Dancer; Australia’s Melbourne Cup; and everyone’s favourite Seabiscuit.
Sharing of knowledge, whether it is about the achievements of people, places or equine athletes reflects the vision of a program dedicated to the success of participants.
For more information on the Olds College Equine Short Courses call 1-800-661-OLDS, ext. 4767
Olds College Certified Exercise Rider and Jockey Program Instructors Real Simard and Theresa Sealy, with program participants Amie Pooli, Meaghan Kennedy, Shanti Heywood, Angie Barron, Colleen Ellefson, Sarita McCann,
Joe Basque, Melony Stieben, Omar Moreno, Corrado Spataro, Donavon Buchanan, Janine Smith, Alexandra Schymizek, Stephanie Erickson, Kelsie Timmons.
Promoting the Thoroughbred Industry at The Can-Am Emporium
By Barbara Sheridan
The Ontario and National CTHS will be jointly hosting an information booth and showcasing a Grand Champion stallion at this year’s Can-Am Equine Emporium which takes place March 15 to 17 at the Western Event Centre in London, Ontario. The CTHS is pleased to have Stephanie Cook and her thoroughbred stallion, Half Moon Romance, represent the CTHS at the Can-Am, both at their booth and during the informative Breed demonstrations.
After racing successfully for six years,
“Romeo” retired sound with earnings of over $77,000 (US). The 11-year-old bay has since gone on to win at his first line show this year at the Royal Winter Fair and was also the recipient of the Jockey Club Challenge trophy.
“I look forward to showing everyone what an intelligent and well-rounded athlete Romeo has become,” said Cook from Corunna, Ontario. “Not only has this guy got the conformation and pedigree of a top thoroughbred stallion, he has the movement, temperament and brains as well.”
Jockey Club New Owner Seminars
To assist those interested in learning more about racehorse ownership, this year the Jockey Club of Canada in association with the HBPA and the CTHS (Ontario Division) will once again be offering a lineup of information- packed New Owner Seminars.
Unless otherwise noted, New Owner Seminars are scheduled to take place at
the Woodbine Racetrack Sales Pavilion on the following Saturdays: April 28, May 26, July 21, August 25, and September22.
For more information regarding the New Owner Seminars, please call the Jockey Club of Canada at (416) 675-7756 or email at jockeyclub@bellnet.ca.
Bennetts Earn Breeding Title
R.J. and Lois Bennett will once again be awarded top honour as British Columbia’s leading breeders during the annual industry awards for 2006. The awards night is scheduled for March 16 at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond. The Bennett’s operation was represented by 53 starters in 2006 whose earnings totalled more than $574,000 in 2006.


































































































   21   22   23   24   25