all in Beginner's Guide

Jockeys often are referred to as the best pound-for-pound athletes in the world, and for good reason. Standing little more than 5-feet in height and tipping the scales around 112 pounds, jockeys must control 1,000-pound animals while relying on their instincts and quick reflexes to maneuver through tight quarters and arrive at the finish line first.

Although some aspiring jockeys attend riding schools, most begin by exercising horses in the mornings until they are experienced enough to try race competition.

Thoroughbred racing in the United States has a long association with celebrities and dignitaries, from presidents like Andrew Jackson, who owned and raced horses; to sports icons like Hall of Fame basketball star Michael Jordan, a regular at the Kentucky Derby; to supermodel Kate Upton, a known horse enthusiast and former Breeders’ Cup ambassador.

Celebrities who regularly attend or attended the races, many of whom own and breed Thoroughbreds, include: 

Rauw Alejandro - rapper/hip-hop artist

Burt Bacharach - vocalist, composer, producer

Just like Dante needed Virgil and Beatrice to guide him to paradise, you, too, will want help navigating the complexities of Thoroughbred racing. We’re glad you’ve found America’s Best Racing, which we like to think is the perfect starting point for learning the basics about everything this crazy sport has to offer.

ABR is an industry-supported resource for new fans, especially you enlightened millennials who have identified something special in Thoroughbred racing that perhaps not all of your peers can see.

Thoroughbred racing is a sport steeped in history and tradition, with each horse a story unto itself. These unique accounts of courage, determination and achievement are preserved and celebrated at a number of museums and libraries nationwide, including:

National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Phone: (518) 584-0400

www.racingmuseum.org

Kentucky Derby Museum

Louisville, Ky.

Phone: (502) 637-1111

Want to get paid while surrounding yourself with Thoroughbred racing? Here are brief summaries of some careers in the industry.

Jockey

Jockeys are the most visible professionals in the Thoroughbred racing industry. Many aspiring jockeys begin by exercising horses in the mornings until they are experienced enough to compete.

More information about jockeys is available from the Jockeys’ Guild here.

Trainer

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