How to Train a Racehorse to Compete in the Kentucky Derby

Nothing beats the excitement of racing a horse in the Kentucky Derby.  This race is called the most exciting two minutes in sports for good reason: horses glide past spectators, pounding their hooves along the track while jockeys yell out commands to accelerate.  These amazing animals take it to the max in the home stretch, giving their all to cross the finish line first.  This is precisely why true sports fans like Richard Schibell understand horse racing provides an adrenaline kick unlike any other form of competition.

Preparing a Horse for the Kentucky Derby

The process of preparing a horse for a race in the Kentucky Derby is easier said than done.  Plenty of casual sports fans are unaware of just how young the colts competing in this race are.  In order to qualify to race in the Kentucky Derby, your thoroughbred has to be three years of age.  The challenge lies in preparing a horse of this age for such a competitive race.  After all, colts racing in the Kentucky Derby typically have merely a year or possibly even less of racing experience.

Your young horse’s lack of experience makes horse racing somewhat dangerous for the jockeys as well as the horse.  The danger is heightened if training is not completed in the proper manner.  The question begs: how, exactly, should a horse trainer prepare a horse to compete in a race like the Kentucky Derby?  We have the answers.

How to Properly Raise a Race Horse

The first challenge in training a race horse is to get the animal comfortable with handling and being tacked up.  The horse must become accustomed to the saddle weight, girth tightening, the bit’s feel in the mouth and the rider’s weight.  This is the time for your young horse to start loading into the gates, remaining still as the gate shuts and breaking away from the gate.  This learning process will take some time for the horse as well as the trainer.

It is important to view your horse as you would a human being in that both are unique with distinct personalities and motivations.  No single training program will suffice for every single horse.  A certain colt might require more of a gentle touch while others might need more of a firm approach rife with challenges.

As your horse matures, do your best to analyze its behavior.  Pay attention to the horse’s mannerisms to get a sense of what the animal is picking up.  This is your opportunity to ensure the animal does not pick up bad habits.  It is inexcusable for the animal to be spooked when at the track.   Your horse must be alert and ready to work.

The Second and Third Years

Colts are ready to hit the race track once they reach two or three years in age.  Most trainers get their colt or filly out onto the track between the hours of 6 and 10 in the morning with the assistance of an exercise rider.  This is the horse’s opportunity to engage in a routine daily gallop or jog.  It is up to the trainer to ultimately determine the length the horse will run as well as the speed the animal should be worked at.

Sessions designed to bring horses to a rapid gallop and test its fitness and speed are known as breezes or works.  Such workouts are often timed by the official track clocker.  In fact, the results of these workouts can be published in track programs as well as industry newspapers.  The purpose of publishing this information is to empower prospective buyers and those placing wagers to determine if the horse has been performing up to par before the race.

The level of work and speed the rider demands of the horse should be shaped by the nuances of upcoming races.  As an example, if you are planning on putting your horse in the Kentucky Derby that is 1.25 miles in length, you should work the animal up to this distance in training sessions.

Aside from timing and conditioning,  it is also important for horses to become accustomed to racing against one another.  After all, these animals will be in close proximity on the race track.  Consider training your horse with others on the track in the mornings to increase their comfort level.  Such training gives the horses the opportunity to bump into one another, have the dirt kicked up to their face and get a sense of what it is like to be guided to the rail by a jockey.

Entering the Kentucky Derby

If your horse turns three-years-old after January 1, the animal is eligible to race in the Kentucky Derby.  However, in order for the horse to gain entry into the Kentucky Derby, it must be entered in several qualifying races known as the Road to the Kentucky Derby.  If your horse emerges as a top qualifier in this series, you will earn a spot at the Kentucky Derby starting gate.

Richard Schibell has been breeding thoroughbred horses and racing them for well over 35 years. Stay up to date with our content by following the blog at Richardschibellracing.com!

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