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Darley Arabian, the Godolphin Arabian and the Byerly to local mares. The result was an animal that could The thoroughbred Turk. These stallions were brought to England from the carry weight with sustained speed over extended dis- The term “thoroughbred” describes a breed of horse Mediterranean Middle East around the turn of the tances. The breed brought a new dimension to horse whose ancestry traces back to three stallions, the 17th century by their respective owners and were bred racing.

Saddle cloth The tack Displays the gate number of Bridle the horse (chosen by lottery) Nose band for a particular race. The name when in two of the horse is also displayed parts; crossed Crown piece in a stakes race. over nose it Neck piece is called a Lead pad Blinkers UNION ALBANY, NEW YORK SUNDAY, JULYTIMES 25, 2004 figure 8. Head piece Heavy pad sometimes worn Fitted with cups to limit under saddle with pockets on horse’s rear, side vision. Bugler Sam Grossman,Saratoga Race Course each side to hold weights “leads” Braid used to adjust race weight. Decorative when top Race day personalities braid; full braid worn Jockey tied up in “Mud A jockey may ride for a number of different owners knot” for foul track on a given day. The jockey wears the silks of the conditions. owner for whom he or she is racing. Ring style bit Trainer Saddle Makes all decisions on the “tack” and adjusts the Reins bridle. Changes made by the trainer to the horse’s Shadow roll normal tack must be listed in program or Made of lambs wool and Stirrup announced. worn over nose to restrict leather Valet horses forward view. Performs professional and personal services for any Stirrup number of jockeys on a given day. iron Groom Surcingle Caretaker for horse — walking, bathing, feeding etc. Made of a soft material, it Hot walker protects horse from the girth. Walks horses in stable area, normally after work- outs. Girth Bugler Strap that affixes Pictured above, calls the horses to the track. Tongue tie saddle to horse. Wrapping Outrider Made of cloth, it holds tongue The groom or Rides other horses (referred to as ponies) on track, fast to lower jaw, to keep trainer may escorting and policing the Racing plates horse from resisting the bit. wrap the thoroughbreds etc. Aluminum shoes weighing lower leg 3 ounces applied by farrier for support, ? 1978 Triple Crown winner with “cold shoeing” method. protection or Affirmed pictured here in 1978 during therapy with Hall of Fame jockey Steve Cauthen. Coloration to tan to a dark brown. Mane, tail and Age lower portion of the legs always black.* Three-Year-Old —A colt, filly or Bay — Yellow-tan to a bright auburn. Foal —A young horse of either gelding in its fourth calendar year Mane, tail and lower portion of legs are Gray — Mixture of black and white hair. sex in its first year of life. of life. At 3, a colt or filly may run black.* Mane, tail and legs are black or gray.* Yearling —A colt, filly or gelding in classic races such as the Black — Coat is black Roan — Mixture of red and white hair in its second calendar year of life. Kentucky Derby. or brown and white hair Mane, tail and Chestnut — Coat varies from a Two-Year-Old —A colt, filly or A horse’s age is counted as legs are black, chestnut or roan. red-yellow to a golden-yellow.* gelding in its third calendar year beginning Jan. 1 of the year of life. A horse begins racing at 2. following its birth. Dark Bay/Brown — Varies from brown *unless white markings are present

More thoroughbred facts Jockey facts Weigh out — weigh in Average boot size: 5 Average race-horse Coming out of the start- The jockey is “weighed out” on the scale located weight: 1,000 lbs. ing gate, a horse will Average weight: 110 lbs. at the “jocks’ room.” “Weighing in” takes place on the trackside scale just after the race. Horses carry Average race speed is reach 40 mph in six Average height: 5’4” equal weights in plenty of races, such as the Triple 35 miles per hour, the strides, 42 mph in 2.5 Crown races where 126 pounds are on all the fastest race speed ever seconds. animals. This weight includes the jockey, his attire, recorded is 43 mph. From rest to top speed, saddle and tack. In events such as handicap races, a horse’s heart-rate The average stride of horses are weighted according to age increases by a factor of horse is 23” to 25”. and ability. Man O’War’s stride 10; a man’s increases Detail was 28”. by only four. of two riding The force on a horse’s A horse inhales and bats front hoof is at its exhales once every showing greatest as it hits the stride, or 0.42 sec- poppers track, about 2,500 onds. Thus, it com- and pletes 2.5 breathing feathers. pounds. Jockey Jean-Luc Samyn cycles a second. Arm number and goggles on the weigh-in scales. Source: The Jockey Club / National Museum of Racing / Times Union photo files RICHARD LOVRICH/TIMES UNION