The Kentucky Derby is one of the most popular sporting events of the year. While it may not be seen as one that is as widely known and understood as the World Series, the Super Bowl, or the NBA Playoffs, it is one of the oldest and most heritage-filled weekends of the year. For those of us who have spent all of our time watching the aforementioned top three sports, it can be unbelievably confusing to just turn on and watch nearly two-dozen two-thousand-pound animals sprint around a track.
To get myself prepared for my first foray into the Derby, I reached out to Cathy Shircliff, who has forgotten more than most people know about horses and the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. She walked me through a day in the life and what I should know and do before jumping in and drowning in mint juleps.
As an owner, there is nothing quite like the time your horse is on that track. As soon as the gate opens, it’s a flood of emotions: excitement, pride, worry, the exuberance of victory or agony of defeat. – Cathy Shircliff, Director of Equine Industry Relations & Experience
A day in the life of a horse at Churchill Downs
When I was a kid, I grew up around horses smack dab in the middle of the state that is smack dab in the middle of the country. I am not UNFAMILIAR with a day in the life of a horse. But these Derby equines are top-tier athletes. They have a much more unique experience than the big drafts I grew up with. Like, two breakfasts. That sounds like a pretty good life. I wouldn’t mind not having to choose between my sausage, egg, and cheese bagel or the pancake breakfast. But, I digress, here is Cathy with more on what they experience.
4:30 AM – 5:30 AM
After a light breakfast, usually a bit of hay and grain, their groom will check their legs and get their tack ready for the exercise rider. The exercise rider rides the horse to the track, where they’ll get a jog, gallop, or breeze, usually within a set with other horses. For background: a jog is an easy pace, just to get some exercise. A gallop is a moderate pace, but not full out. A breeze is closer to racing speed and is usually a timed workout.
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
The horses are done with their work and head back to the barn to cool out. The groom will hand walk the horse around the shedrow of the barn, waiting until their breathing is relaxed and normal. Then it’s pampering time! They get hosed off and bathed, which produces one of my favorite sights on the backside as steam often rises from their warm bodies. It’s magical! Then, particular attention is paid to their moneymakers: the legs. Their legs are checked thoroughly for hot spots that could indicate inflammation. Ice boots, wraps, poultices; each Trainer has their own method.
BREAKFAST!
They get anywhere from 4-8 lbs of grain and a flake of hay. After breakfast, they hang out in their stall and rest. Their groom may clean their stall, or they may get a visit from the vet or farrier; some barns with space turn them out to munch on grass. In the afternoon, they may be hand walked again or taken to graze.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Dinner and breakfast can be a fun time for people to visit – some horses are real characters and get animated when they see the feed bucket coming! I love hearing the whinny of an excited horse when he knows his bucket is about to be full. The grooms check on their equine charges again to make sure they are clean and comfortable, then early to bed to do it all over again in the morning.
Race day at The Downs
Now, a day-to-day routine is fine for most of the year. But this is race day. This is the moment everyone has been waiting for. The tickets are sold. The concessions are prepped, the outfits are on point, and the cameras are trained. But it isn’t just the horses that endure the pressure of the bright lights. They are partnered with the jockey, the trusted partner who teams with them to get across the finish line. Hopefully, before everyone else. Here is what race day looks like for them, according to the Churchill Downs expert.
For the horses
Race day is exhilarating. Pre-race routines are different for everyone involved. For the horse, they usually get a little later wake-up time and a light breakfast. Dependent on their personality and the Trainer’s style, they may take a light jog for a workout. Trainers are designing the horses’ morning with the intention of keeping them calm and comfortable. Mid-morning, they will get a more thorough bath, and depending on the groom and Trainer, they could get styled. Some braid the manes, trim their tails, shine their coats, doll them up. Internationally, it’s more common to see elaborate designs trimmed into the horses’ powerful haunches: diamonds and patterns. The talent and patience of these grooms are unmatched.
For the jockeys
While the horse is getting ready, the Owner and Jockey are doing their own pre-race day routines. For the Owner, this likely involves some version of herding cats if it’s a large partnership. Gathering tickets, getting ready, driving to the track. Some owners take every occasion to dress to the nines, some dress in the same colors as their silks, and some wear the same thing they’d wear every day. I love the variety. Jockeys are more like the horses – they are INCREDIBLE athletes. Just imagine how strong you have to be to guide a 1000lb animal that goes 0 to 40 in about 10 seconds. Jockeys tend to be of a smaller stature, as each race condition has a different weight the horses carry at a minimum. The jockey plus saddle for the Kentucky Derby is 126 lbs for perspective. Jockeys take great care to remain strong, basically blocks of muscle. Jockeys arrive at the track and head to the Jock’s Quarters, where each has a different routine or pre-race ritual.
Here is what YOU should know and do for race day
Ok, you have a bit of an idea about race day and a little bit of a peek inside the goings on. But what do you truly need to know about the race and how to follow along? Obviously, if you are reading this as a jumping-off point, then there is not much you can do about everything that has happened before now, other than recaps. However, Cathy has some resources you can pick up to get yourself up to speed, and also some tips on what to watch for before the horses burst off the starting line.
Disclaimer: this isn’t betting advice. You go with whatever gambling process you want at your own risk. And if you look like Cosmo Kramer whipping himself with a program out of excitement, I will just assume you did well.
Before race day
I’ve been so impressed with the growing presence of horse racing on social media. Churchill Downs and The Kentucky Derby channels do a great job of showcasing the blend of event and race content, with my favorite: THE HORSE. Many trainers and jockeys have accounts that showcase their personalities, and ownership groups are great to watch their experiences.
Reading-wise, Twinspires EDGE (https://www.twinspires.com/edge/), TDN (Thoroughbred Daily News), Bloodhorse, and Paulick Report provide a broad range of topics from breeding to racing to stories about horses beyond the track.
During the race
For me, I like to watch the horse in the paddock – are their eyes calm and alert? Are their ears pricked or relaxed? Are they acting up or cool as a cucumber? Horses are such emotive animals; they speak volumes in how they move and observe.
During the race, I watch the fractions. Can the lead horse hold on if it goes a speedy 20-second first quarter? As they turn for home, a common phrase is “switch the lead!” I love watching as a horse switches its lead; it’s almost like they’re flying for a moment as they quite literally switch their leading leg. It’s basically the horse changing gears, and it can be a signal of whether the horse has more run.
After the race, I like to watch the groom. Whether the horse has won or lost, there is almost always a reassuring pat or nuzzle. The pride of the winning groom as they walk the winning horse out of the winner’s circle radiates and is incredibly heartwarming.
