A Racehorse Trainer's Day Starts

A Purposeful Walk

Sun, 12 Aug 2018 22:07:55 GMT

Do you ever people watch and notice the different ways people walk? If you do, you’ll see that walks can vary hugely between people…how they move their arms, if they’re one-sided, or how much up and down motion there is! Us equine professionals may be more guilty of this than most – after all, we’re used to assessing gaits for soundness and so on.

In a gait where there are so many variations in movement, one thing I always look for, in both humans and horses – is a purposeful walk. I believe it conveys a lot about the individual and so here are my thoughts on a purposeful walk in humans and horses…

Humans

There is one situation where a purposeful walk is a great indicator to me – conducting job interviews.

As an employer, one of the main characteristics I’m looking for is enthusiasm. So much can be taught, but attitude and enthusiasm have to be there already. When a candidate walks into the yard, they should be seeking to make a good first impression and having a purposeful walk is one thing that can make an immediate difference to the candidate’s body language and how they come across.

There’s no disputing that working in a racing yard is hard work and so you’ve got to have enthusiasm. If a candidate can’t muster that in a basic walk, at the point at which they’re trying to impress at interview – I’d be surprised to see any purpose or enthusiasm when they’re mucking out! There’s much to gain from a life in racing, it’s interesting, varied, exciting and there’s always plenty to learn. The prospect of landing a job in your chosen industry really should put a little bit of a spring in your step. I can understand nerves are a hindrance to many aspects of interview technique and I make allowances for that, but I do not believe nerves give you a lacklustre walk!

So, give me a purposeful walk and you’re halfway to the job. I need workers who see work as an opportunity, those who want to take work on, people I can delegate to confidently, who’ve got a sense of urgency about getting things done. I’m looking for people who show initiative and work well with the team. You don’t need to know everything, but you do need enthusiasm, a good attitude and to be willing to learn.

Horses

To some extent horses can be easier to read than humans! We’re well used to observing and making our own minds up in regards to how fit and well they might be feeling. You can use your instinct a lot more clearly with horses, whereas humans can alter your first impression or perspective with words!

In horses, the walk is very important. I believe an active purposeful walk demonstrates that the horse has the attitude to take things on and will ultimately be more enthusiastic about their day-to-day work. I usually assess the walk at three distinct stages where it’s of particular importance – purchase, training and at the racecourse.

When purchasing at the sales, the way the horse walks is one of the key factors for consideration and assessment. Large sums of money are invested and so assessing the walk properly is critical. Fortunately, a walk can tell you a great deal and is a very good indication of the way the horse will move in the other gaits. As a vet, I have an advanced awareness of gait analysis and personally, I look at the way the horse uses himself, his natural biomechanics, for fluidity of movement, good use of the back muscles and the hind legs coming through underneath with properly engaged hindquarters. Just some of the observations I make are – the natural nodding of the head, the carriage of the head, the swing through the body, the length of the stride (particularly the back feet), the range of movement in the shoulder, how level the hips are, muscle tone and development and the tightness of the muscles; and again I like the horse to look like he’s walking with some purpose.

I like to leave no stone unturned and for me, a purposeful walk is part of the day-to-day training of the horse. It’s part of the daily exercise routine and I assess the walk whenever possible. By this, I don’t mean just putting them on the horse-walker I mean using the walk to and from the gallops as part of the training. I like to see the horses with a strong, fluid, purposeful walk, with some urgency yet moving in a relaxed way. They need to be actively walking on, with engaged hindquarters and stretching the head down and using the back muscles properly. To train winners, you need horses that want to go forward, that want to take the work on, and a good marching purposeful walk in training reflects a good attitude to work in the horse.

Once at the racecourse – I make a brief assessment of whether the horse travelled well and how he’s feeling. In the parade ring, you obviously get a clear indication as to how on their toes they are and I’d be very surprised to see a horse that doesn’t have a purposeful walk with all the added excitement of the racecourse.

So, a purposeful walk is the main thing I look out for in horses and humans – and there’s a big tip for anyone interviewing with me! Like Bill O’Gorman says “this is not a rehearsal!”

I’m heading to the Guineas Breeze Up & Horses in Training Sale later this week on 3rd and 4th May. If you’re thinking of purchasing a horse and require any assistance from either a Trainer or Veterinarian perspective I’d be happy to assist you .

The Risks and Responsibilities in Preventing Naturally Occurring Prohibited Substances in Equine Feed

Sun, 12 Aug 2018 22:04:58 GMT

Guest Post

Guest post by: Dr. Cath Dunnett of Independent Equine Nutrition (IEN).

There are intrinsic contamination risks associated with horse feed and supplements which have in recent years been responsible for a series of post-race positives. Contamination of feed principally occurs due to the accidental introduction of an ingredient containing a naturally occurring prohibited substance. There are many stages in feed production and accidental contamination could happen at several stages, for example, contamination with weeds containing prohibited substances during the growth of cereal or other ingredients. Inadvertent contamination could also occur during harvest through the sharing of equipment or storage, or during cross-contamination during shipping or transport to the mill. There is potentially an increased risk of such contamination as a larger number of ingredients are sourced from across the globe and feed and supplement production becomes a worldwide operation.

Naturally Active Compounds

The feed industry takes the risk of contamination incredibly seriously and strategies have been implemented to reduce contamination risks from ingredients both produced at home and imported. Broadly the feed industry has a very good knowledge where the risks for contamination with prohibited substances lie, however, these can be complicated when additives such as herbs, spices, or plant extracts are used in feed or supplements. Here there are two key considerations – firstly, many plants naturally contain pharmacologically active compounds that could be considered as prohibited substances. Secondly, the country of origin may lack sufficiently thorough quality control systems.

The post-race positives due to morphine contamination of feed were reportedly due to poppy seed contamination of one or more ingredients. It may be a surprise to many that morphine-containing poppies had until recently been harvested in various locations around the UK, under a specific license and strict control and management, for the production of pharmaceuticals. A greater amount of morphine is found within the poppy seed head, whereas the seeds themselves contain only a very low level of morphine. It’s worth mentioning that the commonly seen red field poppies do not present a notable contamination risk, as they contain very low levels of morphine, if any at all.

Interestingly, in human food production, fragments of poppy seeds and heads do infiltrate the food chain. Yet, the European Food Standards Agency (EFSA) does not list morphine as an undesirable substance and there remains no minimum legal limit for morphine in human food.

Significant Physiological Levels In Racehorses

Whilst the potential for low residual levels of morphine in the food chain may be physiologically inconsequential to humans, it remains extremely problematic to trainers. Morphine is a significant analgesic and therefore must be regulated in a way that prevents its potential for abuse. Investigations into contamination might successfully conclude that any post-race positive test was as a result of feed contamination, however, it remains the case, that the horse has raced with a level of the ‘drug’ in its system.

Prohibited substance testing is incredibly accurate and a positive post-race result will be returned on minute levels. Whilst regulatory bodies over the world may choose to take a pragmatic view, nevertheless, there is no ‘official’ threshold for morphine in post-race samples in racehorses, therefore, a line must be drawn. For welfare reasons, there is no scientific evidence to allow us to determine an acceptable level where no physiological effect is confirmed.

Scheme Accreditation

The UK feed industry developed a quality assurance code as a risk management measure to reduce the risk of prohibited substances entering equine feed and to safeguard the interests of consumers and feed producers and suppliers.

The aim of any such quality assurance scheme is to understand where the risks lie within each part of the supply chain and then how to mitigate those risks. Here are a few areas where such a scheme can assist:

Ensuring a long-term relationship with suppliers.
Using an appropriately accredited manufacturing facility.
Ensuring that everyone involved in the supply and manufacturing chain, including, farmers, harvest contractors, processors, hauliers, storage suppliers, trainers and stable staff understand the importance and the risks posed by prohibited substances and the consequences of minute levels of contamination.
Encouraging collaboration between different manufacturers, so that concerns regarding ingredients or products, can be shared following analysis.
Ensuring that marketing claims regarding prohibited substances are factual and not misleading.

Accredited companies are likely to be audited annually, to ensure their compliance with the scheme and that robust quality control systems remain in place to reduce the risk of contamination by prohibited substances.

Gathering Information

In addition to the efforts made by the equine feed industry, trainers themselves have a responsibility to understand the contamination risks and actively manage them. After all, it’s the trainer’s reputation and livelihood that is at stake. Trainers may receive some advice on this from their regulatory bodies and in the UK whilst attending the BHA trainer licensing course and any NTF seminars on the subject.

So far as is possible, trainers must be totally aware of the constituent parts of everything that is fed to their horses. This information is readily available, as it’s a legal requirement for companies to provide such details on the packaging.

Trainers would also be advised to enquire about the quality control systems that their manufacturer has in place to reduce the risk of contamination with prohibited substances. This could involve comprehensive risk assessments, raw material traceability and testing of both the ingredients and the finished product in some cases. Regardless of the size of the business, or their supply structure, all companies should have a robust system of traceability and quality control. For instance, my own company Racing Blue, follow a thorough quality control program in the manufacture of STORM ® Equus that includes every batch of each raw material and finished product being tested for a wide range of prohibited substances prior to release for sale.

Where a trainer uses a product manufactured abroad, sufficient questions of the importer/marketer should be asked, to ensure their processes match those in the home country. For instance, certain substances that are allowable in agricultural feed production in other countries, may be regarded a prohibited under the Rules of Racing in the home country.

Daily Management Procedures

It’s advisable for trainers to implement additional feed procedures in the yard, such as maintaining a comprehensive list of feedstuffs given to individual horses. This proves extremely useful should a post-race sample return as positive. Further to this, keeping an accurate record of delivery dates, batch numbers and invoices, as well as retaining a copy of all associated delivery notes and other paperwork, provides further evidence, if needed, to establish the route of contamination. Better still, retaining samples of each batch of feed and supplement for about 3 months is an excellent process to implement, as this is the period of time over which a post-race positive is possible and the consequent regulatory process will last. Representative samples of feed (500g) and a supplement (100g) should be stored in a sealed plastic bag and labelled with the product name, batch code and purchase date. Should an investigation be necessary, the record keeping along with the feed samples will provide vital evidence. Feed or supplement manufacturers should also retain samples for re-examination if a problem arises, however, it’s a sensible precaution for trainers to do the same.

Quality control processes and accreditation schemes have brought considerable benefit to the racing industry, however, historical positive cases with morphine and other substances demonstrate that accidental contamination can still happen, and there are always further improvements that can be made. Equally however, trainers have a pivotal role and must ensure they keep informed and up to date, so that they’re able to make the best possible feeding and feed management choices.

You can find out more about feed analysis on the IEN website.

The USP And Uniqueness Of IGL Racing

Sun, 12 Aug 2018 22:02:33 GMT

Why We’re Different

All businesses want a unique selling point (USP). However, with around 400 licensed flat trainers in the UK and as with market competition in any industry – finding, retaining or even explaining a USP can be tough!

IGL Racing has an immediate USP – that I’m the only female trainer that’s also a qualified vet in the UK. Horses under my training and subsequently their owners, benefit from having a vet on site 24/7. Through my veterinary experience, I’ve developed an advanced knowledge and awareness of soundness and wellbeing; which means I can often prevent an injury by spotting a potential problem in the early stages. This has obvious immediate benefits to the welfare of the horse, along with benefits to the owner both financially in reduced vets bills and in terms of their enjoyment; as their horse stays fit and well and able to race more regularly.

Having an obvious USP is quite rare in today’s competitive marketplace; yet being unique is about more than just one statement of fact – it goes beyond that. We’ve all taken a unique course and have grown through a unique set of experiences to get to who we are and where we are today. Uniqueness as a racehorse trainer is really about the combination of your skills, knowledge and experience and how this distils down into your approach to training.

Here are 6 points that I believe combine to make IGL Racing unique…

#1 Innovation

In both training and business, I believe in marginal gains, taking every opportunity, evolving and innovating. I’m driven to think differently, cover all the bases and experiment with new methods. The marginal gains approach looks at making constant improvements, however small, across every element of training. It’s often the little things that make a big difference with racehorses, particularly to how they feel within themselves, for example, some fresh grass or a bit of freedom in the paddock. We look at every element of training, nutrition, stabling, equipment, air quality, transportation and more!

#2 Ambition

OK, so having ambition is not unique, particularly in racing! However, I have big ambitions and from my early days as an apprentice jockey in Germany, my aim was always to become a trainer. Over the years, I’ve purposefully gained a wide range of experiences, knowledge and qualifications, including working as a vet and learning natural horsemanship, in order to develop a deep understanding of the horse and provide a solid foundation as a trainer.

My mission now is to train winners. The horses I have in training at the moment are a solid start to this ambition. I have the capacity at Saint Wendred’s and look forward to growing the number of horses in training and gaining momentum on the racecourse with an increase in runners.

#3 Excellence

Racing itself is the pursuit of excellence. The thoroughbred racehorse is a result of centuries of breeding and can be thought of as the ultimate pursuit of excellence. I have always striven for excellence, for both myself and my training operation. I’m determined to continue going that extra mile in the pursuit of excellence.

#4 Approach

My training approach combines both tradition and innovation, veterinary science and natural horsemanship. I incorporate diagnostics and scientific measurements to support my horsemanship knowledge and of course am always on-hand with veterinary knowledge when needed. The horses benefit from this, as it ensures they are monitored at every possible point. Here’s just some of the science supporting my training… cryotherapy, pulsmagnetic therapy, GPS, nutritional supplements, hay steamer and the new ComfortStall rubber matting system.

#5 Welfare

Saint Wendred’s is a bespoke, purpose-built yard, with excellent training facilities in Newmarket. It allows me to fulfil my first and foremost priority – the horse’s welfare. I’m dedicated to the wellbeing of the horses in my training and make sure each one is cared for and trained as an individual, with a routine tailored to them. There’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach here. I think it’s really important that they get time to “be a horse” and so make sure they have time in the paddock whenever possible. I’ve even been known to hand-pick and deliver grass to the stable door!

#6 Communication

Training isn’t just about the horses, it’s a business venture that relies on relationships both horses and humans! Our relationship with owners and potential owners is pivotal to success and owner experience is of paramount importance to us. We’re a small, dedicated team and we welcome owners wholeheartedly and look forward to them quickly become part of our team. We do our utmost to offer the personal touch and place great importance on communication to ensure our owners are fully involved and up to date with their horse’s development, training and racing career.

Find Out More…

If you’d like to find out more about IGL Racing, or how to become a racehorse owner, feel free to contact me today, I’d be more than happy to have a chat. Meanwhile, I’ve composed a comprehensive guide on becoming a racehorse owner which is available for download below…just click on the image and enter your name and email address and I’ll send it straight to your inbox.

Considerations and Decisions

Sun, 12 Aug 2018 21:57:53 GMT

When Entering Horse Ownership

Racing is a dynamic sport and a vibrant industry and there can be a lot to get to grips with, ranging from equine knowledge, to an understanding of the sport itself, and commercial opportunities and connections. So if, like many people, you’re dreaming of owning a racehorse or even a string of racehorses, there are a few important considerations and decisions to work through as you get underway and take your first steps towards ownership.

Average Costs

Firstly, you need to understand the average costs of keeping a racehorse in training, so that you don’t have any surprises and you can make ownership decisions in accordance with your financial situation.

An ROA survey of ownership costs in 2015 found that the annual average cost of a Flat horse in training was £22,595. This included costs, such as, training fees, gallops, farrier, transport, vets, entries, jockeys and registration fees.

Ownership Type

With these average costs in mind, you need to consider the type of ownership that’s most suitable to your financial circumstances and the ownership experience you’re seeking. There are a number of different ownership options available, where you either own as an individual, company or group. Each type of ownership is different in numerous ways and here’s a quick run-down of the main options…

Sole Ownership

This is where you purchase and own a horse outright and are responsible for the associated administration. You’re also liable for all the costs and will receive all of the owner’s share of prize-money.

Company Ownership

Registering your company as an owner allows you to take advantage of unique branding opportunities – your silks can match your brand colours and you can sponsor your horse, so that your logo is displayed on your silks. With company ownership you purchase your horse, retain full ownership, your company is responsible for all the costs and receives all of the owner’s share of prize-money.

Group Ownership

As a co-owner you’ll share your horse with a group of like-minded people whilst significantly reducing the expenses associated with ownership, as all costs are divided amongst the owners. There are three main types of group ownership…

#1 Partnership

All partners are registered owners with the BHA and have a percentage share of the horse. On sale of the horse, you’d receive proceeds equivalent to your percentage share. You’re responsible for your percentage of the costs and will receive your percentage of the owner’s prize-money.

#2 Syndicate

Shared ownership where only the syndicate manager needs to be a registered owner with the BHA. They also handle all the administration. Check each agreement for details, such as:

- Who owns the horse (and receives any proceeds of sale).
- How prize-money is distributed, who to and when.
- The length of the agreement.

#3 Racing Club

Run by racing managers, clubs are monthly or annual subscriptions offering shared ownership. These are different to partnerships and syndicates in that the club itself owns the horse, not the members and therefore the club managers receive any proceeds from the sale of the horse. There are often many members, sometimes hundreds, if not thousands. You may get a proportion of the prize-money, but do not expect it to cover your costs.

Make sure you check the details in each agreement for group ownership as they do vary.

Your Trainer

Your choice of trainer is pivotal. They can make the whole experience for you. If you’re new to horseracing you’ll need the support and guidance of your trainer on certain matters throughout the whole experience. So you need someone you can go to, who’s got time for you and who’s happy to help.

Communication is essential. Beyond the day-to-day training of your horse, which is of course the central role of a trainer, their communications to you are paramount to your enjoyment and to making you feel a valued part of the team. If you try and find someone you personally like, you’ll naturally appreciate their communication style.

Further to communication style, you need to consider any other attributes you’d like in a trainer…are you looking for someone innovative? Maybe, someone with varied experience and depth of equine and racing knowledge? Perhaps, someone with a particularly strong equine welfare focus? Most trainers have a website which enable you to get a very clear idea of this kind of information in order to create a short list. After which, the best way to get your questions answered and to get a feel for whether you like them (or not!), is to get in touch and arrange to have a chat.

Your Horse

When joining a partnership or syndicate, the trainer and horse often come as a package. As your trainer will already have a selection of horses with shares available and you can choose the one that appeals to you the most.

As a sole owner you may already have a horse, or you might like to go to the sales with your trainer and experience the unprecedented thrill of purchasing your horse at auction. Your trainer would be more than happy to attend with you, view horses and offer their wealth of advice and knowledge on how the whole process works, the attributes of each horse, and help you make the right decision, at the right price.

Administration of Your Ownership

There’s a quite a bit of administration involved in ownership and if you’re new to racing it can take some time to work through. To give you an idea of the basic admin involved, you need to – register as an owner, register your colours, set-up your racing account, name your horse (if not already named) and register an authority to act. You should also – register sponsorship and register to reclaim VAT.

Therefore, it’s worth considering the extent to which you’d like to be involved in the administration side of ownership. By opting for a partnership, syndicate or racing club, you can avoid the majority of the administration as it’s handled by the trainer or manager, removing the hassle and freeing you up to enjoy your ownership that much more.

Get In Touch

Here at Gansera-Lévêque Racing your experience of racehorse ownership is central to us. We offer both sole and group ownership options to allow you the most freedom possible in choosing the best ownership option for you. We do our utmost to offer the personal touch, ensuring each owner is fully involved and up to date with their horse’s development, training and racing career.

If you have any questions at all on racehorse ownership or would like to discuss how to go about becoming an owner, please feel free to contact me – I’d be more than happy to talk it through. Alternatively, you can find out more by downloading my ‘Guide to Becoming a Racehorse Owner’ below…

Big or Bespoke?

Sun, 12 Aug 2018 21:53:12 GMT

11 Reasons To Choose A Bespoke Trainer

Selecting a trainer is one of the most important decisions you can make as a racehorse owner, right up there with choosing your horse. There are a number of factors you might take into consideration as you ponder your choice:

Location – you’ll be visiting the yard often, so you might like to consider where’s easiest for you to get travel to, or which area you’d enjoy visiting the most.
Personality – you’ve got to ‘gel’ with your trainer, if you don’t ‘get’ them, it’ll be less enjoyable and eventually you may rub each other up the wrong way!
Communication – each trainer communicates differently and it’s important you find someone that communicates well and makes you feel part of the team.

One other crucial factor to consider is the ownership experience you’re looking for and often the size of the yard can have a strong bearing on this.

Should you choose a big yard or a bespoke yard?

It depends on your personal preferences – do you want to be a vital part of a focussed hard-working team striving for success, or do you want to be a small part of a big machine?

People sometimes gravitate towards the bigger trainers due to their well-established record, or due to the prestige associated with them – but here are 11 reasons to choose a bespoke training yard over a big operation…

#1 It’s A Journey!

It could be said that choosing a bespoke trainer is really immersing yourself in horseracing. You can experience the highs and lows of racing with a bespoke trainer who’s truly with you every step of the way.

#2 Sense Of Achievement

Much like working your way up in life, you feel a greater sense of achievement if you’ve done it on your own efforts and achievements, rather than getting a leg-up from someone else.

Sending your horse to a bespoke yard, gives you the immense pleasure of working your way up with them, the achievements you attain together are deserved, cherished and reached through teamwork and dedication. This gives you, as the owner, a greater degree of satisfaction as you’ve had a greater input into the success of your horse and the yard.

#3 Personal Service

Aside from the training of your horse, bespoke yards are able to absolutely ensure that you get a personal service. Even tailoring the way they communicate with you and making sure you’ve got all the information you need in a way that works for you. You receive more one-on-one contact and an all-around more personalised service.

#4 Bespoke Training

As a lean operation bespoke yards are able to swiftly tailor the training method around each horse’s individual needs, to get the best out of them and to ensure soundness and wellbeing of your horse as a priority. With bespoke trainers each horse is given the same care, consideration and importance, after all losing a horse means losing an owner which is critical to the bespoke trainer’s business.

#5 Enhance Your Experience

With a horse in training with a bespoke trainer you’ll experience the thrill of attending the racecourse to watch your horse run more often. Bespoke trainers work to ensure that your horse reaches his potential through planning the best possible racing career, whereas, unfortunately the big trainers aren’t always able to do this, as it’s just not really practical or possible to do so. Bespoke trainers are ultimately in a better position to be able to manage your horse’s career and provide you with a more fulfilling, immersive and varied experience.

#6 Join A Team

As an owner in a bespoke yard you really do become a fundamental part of the team. You strive for success and excellence together. Your support and the decisions you take together on the career of your horse contribute greatly to your achievements and success as an owner and that of the yard.

#7 Become A Friend

You walk into a bespoke yard and the whole team knows who you are and how you like your tea, you’re welcomed as a friend. Bespoke trainers are naturally closer to their owners, whereas often it’s just not practical for big trainers to deal with everyone and so you get delegated out to someone else.

#8 Make A Difference

As an owner in a bespoke yard you can make a real difference to the lives and fortunes of other people. Everyone in racing works hard, no one is looking for a free ride, however, all yards need owners to send them horses to survive as a business. Without you, businesses fail, dreams are broken and unemployment rises. Sending your horse or horses to a bespoke yard makes a massive difference to very hard-working people in the industry. You are the pivotal factor that turns the team’s fortunes on its head. This might sound a little dramatic, but it’s true!

#9 Support The Industry And Encourage Diversity

Sending your horses to a bespoke yard is beneficial for the industry and the sport as a whole. There needs to be diversity to even make it a sport! It would be less of a sport with only a few large training operations competing against each other. Much like the supermarkets and the independent shops on the high-street, if owners don’t use bespoke trainers, they’ll disappear.

As often is the case, horseracing operates a few years behind the trends – local is the new global has been a trend for a long time…it’s time it came to racing. The proven method of reviving local communities is to encourage and support small independently run businesses and shops, and this seems to apply perfectly to the sport of horseracing.

The industry and the sport wouldn’t want to lose the diverse personalities and inspirational stories wrapped up in the strivings of the bespoke training operations and so the diversity of the trainers needs to be supported and preserved. Owners who send their horses to bespoke trainers are imperative to the sport.

#10 Support Ambition

Bespoke yards are never lacking in character or ambition. They’re driven by the same competitive spirit as any of the larger operations. Everyone started somewhere and bespoke yards continually look for every opportunity and work hard to get ahead. But like any business, they cannot do it alone and require the support of owners to fulfil their ambitions.

#11 Quality Over Quantity

Racing is clearly a numbers game in many ways and anyone could do well with hundreds of horses! Maths would suggest that a certain amount of them would be good horses. However, bespoke trainers keep their numbers low and endeavour to improve the quality of their horses over time.

There are likely many more reasons to choose a bespoke trainer over a large yard, I’d love to hear them if you can think of any more. Meanwhile, if you’d like to find out more about racehorse ownership you can download my comprehensive ‘Guide To Becoming A Racehorse Owner’ below or contact me to arrange a chat.

7 Reasons To Become A Racehorse Owner

Sun, 12 Aug 2018 21:45:11 GMT

There are so many reasons to become a racehorse owner and because of this our unique sport attracts a wide-range of people with different interests, whom all come together to enjoy the extraordinary experience of horse racing. Although often considered a privilege of the very wealthy, racehorse ownership is more affordable and accessible than ever, with a form of racehorse ownership to suit most budgets.

Just some of the more frequent reasons people become involved in racing are:

A love of horses and a desire to learn more about them and their training.
The social aspect – the chance to meet like-minded people, with a shared passion, to enjoy a great day out with new and old friends and to joyfully attend the numerous social events organised by your trainer.
A love of racing – some people love the sport itself, trying to fathom and master the different elements involved in producing a top horse. Ownership provides you with behind the scenes access and the ability to learn much from your trainer, such as the intricacies of racing, breeding, feeding, race tactics, race planning and much more.
Others are drawn to the numbers game – the handicaps, ratings and betting odds.
Some are drawn to the historic nature of the sport and the traditions.
UK racing in particular appeals to people attracted to the prestige, the chance to go to the high-end races, for example, Royal Ascot and rub shoulders with high profile owners such as Her Majesty the Queen.
For some people, it is the business aspect of the horse racing industry which is most intriguing.

Whatever your reason for getting involved, one thing’s for certain…you’ll make memories that will last.

Ownership gives you a wonderful opportunity to not just watch racing, but to participate and to be actively involved with racing, on the inside. It’s a fantastic way to immerse yourself in horse racing. When you become a racehorse owner, you become an extremely important member of a fascinating sport, industry, social network and part of a dedicated team working towards a joint goal and striving for success.

If you want to find out more about how to go about becoming a racehorse owner, I’ve put together a comprehensive and informative guide to help answer your questions and you can download your copy here…

Guest Post: Know Your Odds

Sun, 12 Aug 2018 21:41:47 GMT

by Jonathan Horowitz

The great thing about horse racing is that it will take you all around the world, literally (because sometimes being in the last race at Wolverhampton on an icy January night can feel pretty outlandish). Traveling to the Middle East I became good friends with Arapahoe Park’s track announcer Jonathan Horowitz . I asked Jonathan to write a little something about how maths relate to horse racing being the racing enthusiast that he is. Et voila, it’s all yours.

Know Your Odds

by Jonathan Horowitz

The “win odds” posted by bookmakers or on the tote board are essentially a measure of the probability that a horse will win in the opinion of the bookmakers setting the odds or, in the case of the tote, all those that are wagering on the race. For example, if the posted win odds are 7 to 1 (abbreviated: 7-1 or simply 7), then add these two numbers together to get 7 + 1 = 8 total. Now divide the second number 1 by this total to obtain the probability that this horse will win the race: probability of winning = 1/8 = 12.5%. Similarly, for a horse having odds of 8 to 5 (abbreviated: 8-5) first add 8 + 5 = 13. Then the probability of winning = 5/13 = 38.5%. In general, if the win odds are X to Y then the probably of winning = Y/(X + Y).
When placing a bet with bookmakers, the odds are “fixed,” meaning that the posted odds at which a bettor makes his or her wager will stay the same for him or her regardless of whether the bookmaker subsequently decides to change the posted odds. Betting on other sports and casino games also offers fixed odds.
In response to unscrupulous bookmakers, French horse racing introduced a system in the 1870s whereby bettors would wager against each other instead of with a bookmaker. The money would be pooled together, and, after the racetrack would take out a percentage for operating it, the pool would be divided amongst the winning bettors. The Paris mutuel system became known worldwide as the pari-mutuel system. Pari-mutuel odds are continuously changing as the wagering public places bets. Only after the start of the race are the payoff odds finally fixed.
Calculating the win odds using the pari-mutuel system involves two factors: (i) the amount of money bet to win on that particular horse, and (ii) the total amount of money bet to win on all the horses in the race (the “win pool”). The win odds are completely independent of any money that is bet to place or on any of the exotics (exacta, trifecta, etc.).
The horse with the lowest win odds is known as the “favorite,” or the “chalk” in homage to when bookmakers would have to adjust the most popular horse’s odds on their chalkboard. If a horse has relatively large win odds then it is deemed a “longshot.” Odds of 1 to 1 (abbreviated: 1-1 or simply 1) are called “even money.” A horse with odds of less than 1 (e.g. 1‑2 or 2-5) is said to be running “odds on.”
The payoff for a victorious win ticket is determined by the final win odds and the amount bet on that ticket:
PAYOFF = (AMOUNT BET) + (AMOUNT BET x WIN ODDS)
For example if $10.00 is wagered to win on a horse having win odds of 5-2, then if successful that ticket will pay:
PAYOFF = ($10.00) + ($10.00 x 5/2) = ($10.00) + ($25.00) = $35.00

And now for a money-making quiz…

PROBLEM #1. If the win odds on a horse are 2-1, what is the probability that this horse will win the race?
PROBLEM #2. If a horse has a 5% chance of winning the race, what are its win odds?
PROBLEM #3. If $20.00 is bet to win on a horse with odds of 7-2, what will be the payoff if it wins?
PROBLEM #4. If a $5.00 winning ticket had a payoff of $20.00, what were the win odds on this horse?
PROBLEM #5. A winning ticket on a horse at odds of 1-2 had a total payoff of $30.00. What was the amount bet on that ticket?

Answers to these problems will be posted in a future newsletter. The first reader to send in the correct answers wins an IGL baseball cap

Training The Two Legged Athletes

Sun, 12 Aug 2018 21:38:37 GMT

Last week we were lucky to benefit from on site work rider training for our staff.

The British Racing School Jockey coach Richard Perham came to Saint Wendred's with a specially designed mobile training centre including a racehorse simulator. Mr. Perham rode over 230 winners in his career as a jockey, and has now gone on to coach many of the best jockeys currently riding in England today. He will be joining the very best in the world of horse racing by being a key speaker at the Sheik Mansoor Festival held in Abu Dhabi in November, we are looking forward to hearing his opinions on the future of jockey coaching and race riding.
Mr. Perhams' advice was well received by our new work rider Pauline who despite attending the top racing school in France had never had the benefit of using a moving horse simulator.

Much of the emphasis of the session was on balance and getting the jockey to think about how every tiny movement that they make can be felt by the horse underneath. On the simulator, strength and endurance were worked on with getting the jockey to rest for 30 seconds in a normal cantering position followed by 30 seconds of a lower position like is used to quicken when riding faster work.

For my marginal gains philosophy, the quality and continual training of my riders is extremely important. A good 'pilot' rather than a 'passenger' can make a huge difference in the training and education of our racehorses.

On behalf of all of us at Gansera-Lévêque Racing, thank you to The British Racing School and to Mr. Perham for delivering such great training to our riders on our doorstep.

Click the video below to watch a clip of Pauline's training...

Someone else couldn't resist a go too!... After showing Mr. Perham her vaulting routine Elea got to have a go at riding the simulator with Frankie Dettori's old saddle. This photo will be one for us all to look back on in future!

A New Supporter

Sun, 12 Aug 2018 21:24:30 GMT

Marginal Gains

Gansera-Leveque Racing is proud to announce a new partnership with Haygain . We are now very lucky to be sponsored by two top innovative equestrian companies. Haygain & long term supporters Racing Blue are leaders in their fields for equine health. Their products are invaluable to us in maintaining and improving the overall performance and nutrition of our horses at Saint Wendred’s.
Having companies like Haygain & Racing Blue on board with us fits with my marginal gains philosophy – we pay attention to every detail and always make every small improvement possible to try to achieve the best results…

Haygain : Scientifically proven – the world’s best hay steamer

The benefit of hay steaming

Steaming both hay and haylage in a Haygain steamer is a method of reducing respirable particles, bacteria and mould in forage by up to 99%. The result is a clean, sweet-smelling and highly palatable forage free from potential allergens. Steamed forage retains its digestibility, minerals, protein and fibre. Sugar content (water soluble carbohydrate – WSC) is slightly reduced by steaming, but this is lower than when soaked, meaning steamed hay retains a higher proportion of its nutritional value than soaked hay. Steamed hay also encourages fussy eaters to eat.

For more information visit their website here – www.haygain.co.uk

Racing Blue (STORM)

“Our background lies in cutting-edge science and here at Racing Blue we pride ourselves on only using the highest quality ingredients to produce our unique products, which have been proven both in our and other laboratories, as well as on international racecourses, tracks and competition circuits.
Racing Blue created STORM® , a revolutionary product that supports training, performance, and recovery and this has been introduced initially into the equestrian world. Our scientists were intimately involved in the research that underpins STORM®; this was carried out in the UK at The Animal Health Trust and the work was subsequently published in the Equine Veterinary Journal. We are proud to say that in this instance the equestrian world led the way, since the research was instigated in equine athletes before being followed up very successfully in humans. Today, the fruits of our scientific discoveries benefit athletes of different species at the highest international levels.”

For more information visit their website here – www.racingblue.com

European Sales

Sun, 12 Aug 2018 21:18:39 GMT

Arqana

Yearling auction catalogue – 14th-16th August 2016

As the Deauville sales are the first major yearling sales in Europe, a large crowd always arrives to see the years offering from some exciting new stallions. This year will be no exception with the first yearlings of Group 1 winning stallion MAXIOS going through the ring. One of his first crop of yearlings to sell will be Ilka and Stéphane’s homebred filly TENACITY (ex. TOSCA ).
It will be exciting to see who her purchaser will be and how she and the other MAXIOS offspring will fare in their racing careers.

BBAG

2nd September 2016 – Yearling auction catalogue online here .

BBAG is home to Germany’s premier yearling sales. Ilka has had some of her best training successes with German bred horses such as Tosca & Force of Destiny .

Her native German language always puts her at a huge advantage with being able to give in depth purchasing advice when owners choose to buy in Baden-Baden.

Tattersalls

Book One yearling auction – 4th-6th October 2016

The first catalogue for the world famous Tattersalls yearling sales has just become available online. C lick here to view .

We are very lucky to be based in the headquarters of British racing and to have Tattersalls on our doorstep. Ilka will be there daily to purchase some nice stock for 2017 racing as well as an advisor to other owners and to carry out vettings.

As last years bonus schemes have been successful, Tattersalls are again running a £25,000 Bonus Scheme exclusively for horses from Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. The Scheme is known as the October ‘Book 1 Bonus’.

Participating owners will receive a £25,000 bonus if their October Book 1 purchase wins a Class 2, 3 or 4 two year old maiden in Britain or equivalent races in Ireland.

So far this year there have been 16 winners of the bonus of an extra £25,000 on top of their prize money… a great incentive for owners to buy from Book One.

Newmarket Open Weekend

Fri, 10 Aug 2018 22:09:03 GMT

17th & 18th September 2016

..Save the date! Ilka and Stéphane will be opening the gates of Saint Wendred’s to the public again this year as part of Newmarket Open Weekend’s charity event . We will be having tours with Ilka from both a veterinary and training perspective. She will answer any questions as well as introducing you to some of the racehorses in training with us.

Inside the yard, we plan to have a screen showing ‘First’ – the beautiful short film mentioned in our last newsletter; as well as exhibitions planned from a local artist.

This week Ilka answered the Newmarket Open Weekend’s QUESTION TIME! to raise publicity for the event and tell people a few different things about her life that most people wouldn’t think of asking!

To view her QUESTION TIME! in your browser on the Newmarket Open Day Website as well as find out more about what else is available over the weekend please click here .

First – A short Film

Fri, 10 Aug 2018 22:06:10 GMT

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Last summer we had the pleasure of opening the gates of Saint Wendred’s to talented young director Alejandro Ahedo Perez and his team. As part of his university degree at the Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, and funded by Channel 4 , Alejandro directed and produced a short film on our philosophy at Gansera-Leveque Racing…
You may have seen a clip of the video, as it will now be featured on our home page of the website for everyone to see the passion and attention to detail that Ilka put’s in to every horse at Saint Wended’s.

FIRST ACTS: Alejandro Ahedo Perez
‘First – Through the eyes of a trainer we see the difficulties in finding the balance between creating the perfect race horse and pushing the animal beyond it’s limits.Behind every victory or defeat, hidden from the crowds and media, there is always the trainer. The person who the horse lives with, grows with and learns from. The trainer is fully responsible for all the preparation: the physical and psychological well being of the animal. This is a delicate and fragile duty where an invisible thin line separates fitness from injury. And this is where Ilka, a Newmarket trainer, is in her element. As both a vet and specialist in caring for traumatised horses that have been pushed too far, she has given rare access to her daily preparation of her race horses.

Summer Succulents

Fri, 10 Aug 2018 22:04:32 GMT

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With the abundance of grass in the paddock, the horses are benefiting from hand cut grass in their stables daily. The wheelbarrow full of grass is now more popular and anticipated than actual lunch time – with the four legged residents at least! … Happy and healthy horses.

Full Circle

Fri, 10 Aug 2018 22:01:53 GMT

At this year’s Arqana August yearling sale Deauville, I will feel pride as well as a little sadness. Here’s the story…

I got my license to train racehorses in August 2012, as a business opportunity I created a shortlist of horses as potential purchases from the BBAG sales . Amongst those was the great walker Tosca.
I vetted her and had my heart set when she entered the sales ring… There was an agreed budget with my husband Stéphane, but that’s another story.

Once we started her education she went from strength to strength and I wasn’t in Stéphane’s bad books for too long!
We took another gamble with TOSCA as a 2 year old by taking her back to Germany for her racecourse debut.

She was my first runner and became my first winner! It was a very proud moment for me, beating Listed placed horses and dead heating with Jean Claude Rouget.

That valuable sales race and her placings back in the UK (again beating Listed company) after that, brought her earnings to just over £31,000 as well as securing her place as a valuable mare for breeding in the future.

The decision came that despite our growing attachment to TOSCA , for our business venture, we sold her after being covered by group 1 winning stallion MAXIOS the second time.

We named her first foal ‘TENACITY’ a meaningful name that suits. She is a very good looking yearling with a professional attitude and a presence about her, who has impressed the professionals at the stud.

On 16th August TENACITY will go through the ring. It completes a full circle for me and TOSCA , from one sales ring in Germany to another in France 5 years later.

My ultimate dream is to one day train one of TOSCA ‘s progeny. Who knows if it will be TENACITY who returns to Saint Wendred’s or one further down the the line, we will have to wait and see who the purchaser will be!

If you need any more information on her, or the sales at Arqana please contact me on 01638-454973 or email office@gansera-leveque.com

An Extra Busy Week

Fri, 10 Aug 2018 21:59:04 GMT

Every day is a busy one at Saint Wendreds’ with each horse being given a tailor made exercise and care regime to allow them to achieve their full potential. However, this week for Ilka has been particularly hectic from Sweden to Lingfield every hour has been full!

Sweden

Last weekend Ilka traveled to Sweden to attend the opening of new national racecourse Bro Park . The course there has been years in the planning and around 10,000 of Europe’s top racing business people and enthusiasts were there to see the first race meeting to be held on the track.
Looking to the future, this was not just a great networking opportunity for Ilka but also provided a chance for her to walk the track and talk to local trainers about racing in Sweden. ‘The Lady Rules’, one of our syndicate horses has an entry in next years Swedish Derby, the knowledge and contacts made at Bro Park will be invaluable if we decide to run her in the race next year. Our thanks to Sportsguide for the kind invitation, and all at Svensk Galopp for the incredible hospitality.

Education

Amongst horses working with jockeys on the gallops in the early hours of the morning, yesterday was a day of education. Admin Assistant Harriet attended a Lloyds Commercial Banking workshop on ‘Steps to achieving your Business Ambitions’ at Bury Golf Club bringing great feedback back for us from top business ‘ Action Coach ‘ Stephen Unwin .

Ilka headed to Tattersalls to the Thoroughbred Breeders Association (TBA) 2016 Newmarket seminar; the day included in depth information on genetics, diseases, and new technologies with presentations from some of the top professionals in the racehorse breeding world…

Lingfield Park

This weekend saw Seprani have her second run at Lingfield Park Racecourse , we have been rather unlucky in finding any suitable races for her as all of the ground with the bizarre English ‘summer’ weather has been soft or heavy. Lingfield Park’s choice to switch the meeting to the All-Weather surface was more in her favour than running on the soft/heavy and she had a nice run before we find her a nice ‘fillies only’ race to suit her perfectly.

Owners Day

Saturday was the day for all of our shareholders of our two syndicate horses Robbie Roo Roo and The Lady Rules to get together for a social event with breakfast at the yard. We have a limited number of shares available in these two horses so please contact us on 01638 454973 or ilkagansera@gmail.com if you would like any more information.

Stéphane Lévêque the Groundsman!

It isn’t just Ilka who has been busy; Stephane has been working hard as usual, both with the horses and as self appointed Gansera-Leveque Racing gardener and groundsman! The hanging baskets and flowers at Saint Wendred’s look fantastic despite the occasional complaint that the grass keeps growing too quickly with the downpours and sunshine for the lawn mower to keep up!

World Arabian Horseracing Conference

Fri, 10 Aug 2018 21:52:23 GMT

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Earlier in May I was honoured to attend the annual World Arabian Horseracing Conference in Rome, Italy. The Arabian Horse, bringing together 500 guests from 81 countries, as an ambassador of peace is a truly powerful symbol . The visit to the Vatican flying the UAE flag will never be forgotten.
I was invited by the festival organiser Ms. Lara Sawaya to sit on the breeding panel with international experts moderated by the one an only “Tommo” (Derek Thompson).
My thanks goes to Ms. Lara Sawaya and His Highness Sheik Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nayan for the invitation to such a prestigious event. I hope everyone in the audience found my contributions to the conference sessions informative and interesting.

The YouTube video below shows the full session of the Breeding Panel that I contributed to…

Amongst the speakers on the panel with me was Dr. Cath Dunnett from Racing Blue/ STORM .
The advice that she gave during the conference on the differences in the nutrition required for different locations around the world was very helpful to many in the audience.
The horses at Saint Wended’s benefit from STORM on a daily basis and we are proud to be sponsored and associated with Racing Blue.

All of the action was captured live by YAS TV , one of the major sponsors. They took footage of the conference sessions, as well as the gala dinner which was an unforgettable event for all who attended. Each session has now been posted online to the Sheikh Mansoor Festival YouTube page … It is great for us to be able to look back on the advice contributed by the world’s best professionals in the Arabian horse world.

We are 350

Fri, 10 Aug 2018 21:47:27 GMT

by Harriet Jones

It is only natural that history of anything or anyone is gradually lost and diluted over time.

The reality is that it takes the current generation to care about the past in order to preserve the tales to be told in years to come. This year, the Jockey Club Racecourses are bringing the history of our sport into the forefront as 2016 marks the 350th anniversary year of racing in England as we know it today.

The prestige of Newmarket as the headquarters of worldwide thoroughbred racing and breeding is nothing new, it has been known as the ‘home of racing’ since records began here. It was in 1666 that spring and autumn fixtures became annual events on what is now known as the ‘Rowley Mile’ racecourse.

Although the fundamentals of horse racing have remained the same during these 350 years, it is incredible to take a step back and think about the modernization that has occurred. Trainers are now entering and declaring their runners down to the last minute on specialist online systems. It’s astonishing how 350 years ago before any electricity, telephones or even railways it was possible to even begin to organize a race fixture.

It makes you wonder what King James I, (the founder of racing in Newmarket) would think of the many Newmarket equine residents being transported by plane to Dubai for the winter!

With each dawn on the Heath people come to admire the many riders and trainers going about their diligent routines. Whether they realize it or not, each one of them, along with everyone in the town’s many racing offices, still have their part to play in the advancement of the ‘Sport of Kings’.

The common continuation over the centuries for those passionate about our sport is the innate feeling of excitement in the potential of what our racehorses could go on to achieve- that unnamed yearling walking past in the same hoof prints as his ancestors may have the potential to become the next Hyperion, Eclipse or Frankel. However, it is the distractions of our fast paced lives nowadays that leave us little time to think about the foundations of our headquarters and the development of racing here throughout history.

I was pleased to discover recently that there are still people in Newmarket exploring and incorporating the past here into their lives and using it for future chapters of Newmarket history. Of all of the many stables in the town, you wouldn’t think that a stable that was named in 2015 would carry such a historical name linking to an almost forgotten story.

It is one of the newest trainers to join the ranks of Newmarket, German born Mrs. Ilka Gansera-Leveque who decided to look into the archives before naming her new stable.

‘Saint Wendreds’ is a stable half way along the Hamilton Road, and was originally the main yard of the stable ‘Seven Springs’ before being split into two last year.

Renowned trainer Bill O’Gorman built ‘Seven Springs’ in 1990 as his new base. As well as constructing his new yard, and training over 200 runners with a 25% strike rate that year, he too managed to find time to do the research into providing his new yard a purposeful name.

‘Seven Springs’ was named after the seven springs of Newmarket and Exning, thought to have existed long before people ever settled in Newmarket. What remains of the springs now lies in the woodland behind Hamilton Stables, occupied by trainer Michael Wigham.

When moving into her new premises, Ilka was intent on seeking out a similarly unique, thoughtful and most importantly meaningful name for the ex ‘Seven Springs’ property. The most central of the ancient seven springs had a little more symbolism to the town than the others and was named in honor of the 7th centaury princess and nun ‘Saint Wendreda’.

The water from Saint Wendred’s well was used by the saint for its healing properties. Legend has it that Saint Wendreda was capable of performing miracles using the holy water by using it to heal both people and animals long before Newmarket was ever synonymous with horses and racing.

Over time, the importance of Saint Wendred’s well with horse racing grew, archives show that some jockeys would take their horses there before an important race, not just for a drink of water to hydrate them, but also because of its religious association to luck and healing.

As a practicing vet as well as a racehorse trainer, maybe it was fate that Ilka, a little known but incredibly passionate trainer came to train in the central courtyard of stables in the ‘Seven Springs’ yard.

Inspired by this, Ilka has named her stable ‘Saint Wendreds’ as an abbreviation of the name of the lady saint whose story has nearly been forgotten to time.

With different trainers coming and going every season it is hard to keep up with all of the different names and faces, but with the symbolic titles of ‘Seven Springs’ and ‘Saint Wendreds’, these two stables will hopefully remain with their thoughtfully given names to carry on the legend for years to come.

This year brings a new chapter to racing in Newmarket and to the town centre as a whole; ‘Palace House Stables’, part of the original stables to the royal Palace House is being restored and modernized as part of a £16 million redevelopment project to become a National Heritage Centre for horse racing and sporting art .

Whilst we now have a whole world of ‘virtual’ horse racing and online gambling to contend with, the pastime of a day at the races and a fascination with perfecting the thoroughbred racehorse as an athlete is something that will continue to captivate people from royalty to working class families for many more generations.

When racing returns to Newmarket this summer, think about how far this small town and our sport has come, let’s raise a glass for the first 350 years, and here’s to another great 350!

Where are they now?

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 21:45:34 GMT

There are so many topics to write about, I always try to give it a current spin.
One subject that we will always have to think about is: what happens to all the racehorses after their career? The good ones go to the breeding shed of course but what about the geldings or the slow ones?
I think the racing industry has a collective responsibility, a moral obligation to deal with this issue. Some racing jurisdictions are better organised than others. There are charities and rehoming centres etc. The media always does a good job reporting about some high profile success stories, which is great.
The reality that us trainers are faced with is that more often than not the buck stops with the trainer. This can be a heavy burden to say the least.Last year we retired a filly. Before she went to her new home and rider we taught her all the “Riding Horse ABCs” at my yard in Newmarket. We have a decent size school, with some poles etc. Different saddle, different type of mounting (no more legs up), the filly took to it and LOVED her new job. We were able to make the transition as smooth as possible for her. Thoroughbreds are so willing and intelligent, all they need is to be given the chance and they repay you. The proof is in the pictures

Equine Transformers

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 21:43:29 GMT

The great thing about working with young horses , is the change that takes place in front of your very own eyes. It’s so rewarding. When you are caught up in the day to day reality of running a racing operation you don’t always have a camera to hand or think of taking pictures all the time. Below I have some iPhone snapshots that actually do capture the phenomenon that I’m talking about.

The above picture was taken on Nov 12th 2015, the very day we picked this yearling filly up from her owner/breeder. Straight from the field as you can see

And below you now see her, “Cambridge Favorite”, in a picture taken on January 11th 2016. It’s horses like this that make the winter weather bearable . Such a little pro and tons to look forward to!

May the Force be with YOU

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 21:40:43 GMT

With horses like Storm Troupour and Force of Destiny under our care , Saint Wendred’s is sporting a Star Wars theme these days.

In weather like todays you definitely need grit , determination and some “Force” on your side. This weekend we spent a lot of time at Chelmsford racecourse ticking all the boxes, a very important exercise for our upcoming debutants.
Yesterday Shirocco Cloud worked form the gate , and today Force of Destiny (in the pictures) came for a day out and a racecourse gallop. It was a big learning curve and this dress rehearsal helped our protégées to mature .
Now, let’s see how they come out of their works and before you know it will be time to make the first entries for 2016!

Season’s Greetings

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 21:38:45 GMT

As the sun comes up on the Newmarket heath it reminds me why I chose this life. Horse racing is not a job, it’s a lifestyle. It is not a game you play once in a while: when you’re in it, you’re in it. And I love it!
On Christmas’ Eve it feels like the world slows down just for a little bit and that is great, it brings back childhood memories. But by Boxing Day it’s all systems go again.
As a trainer I focus and I think forward, ammunition for 2016 is key. First step, fill up every box at Saint Wendred’s , that is my goal that I’m always working on whilst getting some runners ready to debut on the All – Weather.
At the same time getting the yearlings ready to slot into their 2 year-old regime. It’s exciting.
The unseasonably warm weather makes the high tech heated insoles from Santa unnecessary at the moment. Great! The days are getting longer as well, kind of

From our family to yours I wish all readers Peace & Prosperity

Yearling season

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 21:37:31 GMT

Every new arrival at Saint Wendred’s gets their teeth checked right away, regardless of age. This time of the year all trainers are busy getting “their babies” going and cantering on the heath.

So, before bitting a horse, it’s best to get their teeth done. Youngsters often have sharp points needing to be smoothed, and wolf teeth that may need to be extracted. The key is that you don’t want them associating anything unpleasant or painful with having a bit in their mouth. This is why I like to tick this box before we do any serious lunging and long lining with them. It just makes it so much easier in the long run to avoid creating a potential problem.

In the above picture you see one of “my” yearlings being examined after having been sedated (it makes everyone’s life easier this way).

Below is a picture of the same filly, who arrived at Saint Wendred’s straight from the field with marked buccal cuts. This is not an uncommon occurrence and shows how important it is to keep on top of racehorses teeth (any for that matter).

Farrier Friday

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 21:36:10 GMT

Wow, the wonderful time of the year, turned into the manic time of the year, and, before you know it: no blogposts in November…. I’ll have to work on that one!

The next few weeks I will be focusing on feet, because as most of you have probably heard the saying: “No hoof, No horse” there is nothing more true than that.

As a trainer and vet you need to really build a good relationship with your farrier. Things need to be discussed for every individual. As Erasmus said a very long time ago: “Praestat cautela quam medela”.

Foot balance is everything in the equine athlete. Sometimes it takes us months to get the feet “right” or as close as possible.
Every equestrian discipline has it’s own specific challenges and it’s always an ongoing process to keep on top of things, there are so many different factors (multifactorial) that play into it e.g. the weather, the surface, the genetic disposition, nutrition and the day to day care.
A picture of different shoes used for racehorses, so plenty to talk about on the Friday to come

Last but not least, never hang a horse shoe like on that board, the opening should be facing up!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 21:34:52 GMT

It’s sales season, a very busy season

Who doesn’t love the hustle and bustle of this time of year? Stephane and I have been jetting up and down the country and across (the channel) to our homelands to be present at some of Europe’s greatest sales. The best one, of course, is right on our doorstep: Tattersalls. This IS one of the perks of training in Newmarket: being able to be up at the sales ground in the blink of an eye. …..
Last week we were lucky to welcome this new recruit and flag bearer to Saint Wended’s . Exciting times ahead!

Saint Wendred’s Opening

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 21:33:11 GMT

The Newmarket Open Weekend is fast approaching. I hope you can come out and visit us at Saint Wendred’s . Plenty of things to do .

Newmarket Open Weekend

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 21:31:33 GMT

Saintly connection for Newmarket’s newest training yard

A heathen saint associated with healing of horses will be invoked at Newmarket’s Open Day with the official launch of the town’s newest yard.

Saint Wendred’s on Hamilton Road has been named after the little known woman saint by trainers Ilka Gansera Leveque and husband Stephane.

It’s an appropriate association for Ilka, who is also a qualified vet and practices natural horsemanship after time spent with Monty Roberts.

The yard opening on Sunday 20 September will feature displays from sculptress Deborah Burt and artist Michelle McCullagh, both members of the Society of Equestrian Artists.

Deborah will be displaying her acclaimed ‘Equus I’ horse’s head, inspired by the Horse of Selene from the Parthenon frieze and the Arabian racehorse Hidalgo. In advance of her solo exhibition in London in November, Michelle is donating a sketch for a raffle which also includes tickets to the following weekend’s racing.

Ilka will conduct tours of the yard, with demonstrations by a farrier and a physiotherapist.

There will be the opportunity to join a racing syndicate.

Visitors also have the chance to see one of the UK’s top racing Arabian stallions, Storm Troupour, trained by Stephane.

Recently shipped from America, Storm Troupour is being aimed at the Shadwell Arabian Derby in Newmarket on Friday 25 September, part of the DIAR (Dubai International Arabian Races) programme. The UK Arabian Derby is sponsored by Shadwell Stud and supported by HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The UK Arabian Derby is the final race of our UK Arabian race season.

Newly-named Saint Wendred’s is part of the yard previously owned and built by Bill O’Gorman, whose Seven Springs yard name also harked back to the healing springs nearby.

Local history has it that one particular well was an ancient heathen water source which became Christianised into St. Wendred’s well because of the healing power of the water used for walking horses into.

It was also in the holy water of this well that Etheldreda, foundress of E!y Cathedral, was believed to have been baptised after her birth in nearby Exning. St Wendreda’s Church in March, allegedly home to the saint’s relics, is the only church in the UK to ears her name

Exning itself traces its history back to the Celtic Iceni tribe headquartered in Exning. They were noted for the export of horses, the perfect forerunner for Newmarket’s modern role as the global HQ of flat racing.

Saint Wendred’s can be found on the lower part of Hamilton Road, around the bend on the right hand side.

Mission complete – All of the horses settled

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 21:29:51 GMT

It’s been a while since the last post due to “the move”; but in normal Gansera-Leveque fashion the wheels have been in motion.
All of the horses settled in nicely from day one, and now finally all of the moving-boxes (human living quarters) are unpacked as well. Hooray! Pictures are starting to go up on the walls too and it’s as if we have always been here. Well, … kind of.
What a great honour to be neighbours with the living legend Bill O’Gorman. I can not recommend his book enough, have a look online and order it , you will not regret it.

We hope the first Saint Wendred’s winner hits the track soon and the sales season can commence. Bring it on! We are chomping at the bit and rearing to go!

Saint Wendred’s will have a little opening do during the Newmarket Open Weekend for all owners, supporters and friends near and far, so please make sure to drop in if you are about/ in town that weekend .

On my to do list: find a suitable boulder for the Saint Wendred’s sign to be placed next to the entrance on Hamilton Road. Suggestions anyone? I know: it never gets boring……
Oh yeah, and more about the name Saint Wendred’s in future blogs. So stayed tuned!

Gansera-Lévêque jetzt auf Ex Darley Gelände

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 21:28:34 GMT

BORN TO RACE: Ilka Gansera-Lévêque jetzt auf Ex Darley Gelände : Die einzige deutsche Trainerin in England zieht um! Es ist eine vielversprechende neue Adresse, die Ilka Gansera-Lévêque ihren alten und ne…

Nutter Therapy

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 21:27:03 GMT

The great thing about being a Newmarket trainer are the facilities. All you have to do is show up and use them, no maintenance required…..

So, last week we took two different horses (for two different reasons) jumping in the lose school. One enjoyed it , the other one didn’t. Sometimes you have to think outside the box and when it works it pays off.

The filly in the picture has been quite the drama queen from day one. The jumping gave her something to think about and she actually enjoyed it. Horses, just like people are creatures of habit, so routine most of the time is paramount when training racehorses. Every so often, you get a “nutter” that throws you a curve ball and you have to think of ways to get them to engage in the “conversation” i.e. training. Then it’s a good thing to try and experiment with something different. If you are lucky the hysteria turns into contentment

Stephane’s press release

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 21:25:46 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

New Arabian Racehorse Trainer in Newmarket

Newmarket trainer Stephane Lévêque is to become the UK’s newest Arabian racehorse trainer, swapping thoroughbreds for purebred Arabians as an upsurge in the sport gathers pace.

With just a small number of Arabian trainers in the UK, Stephane will be only the second in Newmarket, offering owners the unrivalled benefits of 2,500 acres of prime racehorse training facilities with 17 miles of artificial gallops and 50 miles of turf.

The trainer, currently working with thoroughbred racehorses, is going back to his early beginnings in racing to set up as the town’s newest Arabian trainer and tap into an international racing network.

His move comes as the sport is set for a major boost in the UK with more races, new races at some of the UK’s top courses, better prize money and a higher profile.

Currently based at stables on Hamilton Road with Stephane’s wife, trainer and practising vet Ilka Gansera Lévêque , the couple’s training partnership is planning a move to a luxurious new yard with scope to expand.

Stephane’s first job was with Arabians when he came to the UK from his native France. He then worked with Arabian horses in Dubai and UAE before moving to Newmarket as a work rider for the Godolphin thoroughbred operation.

“A recent visit to Abu Dhabi identified the need for more Arabian racing trainers in the UK and this is a really exciting move for me,” he said. “I am looking forward to combining my years of experience with both Arabians and thoroughbreds for the best results.

“Arabian horses are a little different. The purebred Arabian is an independent creature, an opinionated horse, and it needs a different approach.

“Arabian stallions like the Darley Arabian, Godolphin Arab and Byerley Turk were the basis for our modern thoroughbred, so an upsurge in Arabian racing in this country brings the story of the racehorse full circle.”

The UK authority for the sport is the Arabian Racing Organisation and its Racing Manager Amanda Smith commented: “I am delighted to welcome Stephane to Arabian Racing in the UK. He is perfectly situated in Newmarket, the home of British racing and I am sure he will be a successful addition to the trainer’s ranks. I look forward to seeing his results on the track this summer”.

Goodwood is staging its first Group One Arabian race in August as part of the new Qatar Goodwood Festival, a £400,000 race as the first leg of the Qatar Arabian Trip Crown. The second leg will be the Qatar Arabian World Cup at Longchamp as part of the Arc festival and the final leg will be the H.H. The Emir’s Sword in Doha in February 2016 with a $1million prize awaiting any horse winning all three races.

In November, the opening meeting of the Abu Dhabi season includes the world’s most expensive Arabian horse race, HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (The Nation Day Cup) with prize money of €1.2million.

The British season opens on May 2 with an Arabian race day at Wolverhampton, followed by summer fixtures and races at Taunton, Lingfield Park, Hereford, Newbury, Chepstow, Bath, Sandown Park, Windsor and Huntingdon.

Essentials, Leg Stretches Before Track Work

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 21:24:28 GMT

I hope the “normal folks” among the readers had some peaceful couple of days. For us race-trackers it was business as usual. Except for maybe trying to squeeze in a church visit….

The racing season is under full swing now and there is no time mosey about.
Before we hit the track for morning workout, each horse gets their legs stretched: in the above picture it looks like Stéphane is stretching himself as well. That can’t hurt! There are a lot of other neck and limb stretches to help activate the horse’s core, which we have found to really make a difference. It’s things like this that make our job so interesting.
Horses are quick learners and they actually enjoy doing their exercises once they figured out what it’s all about.

Racehorses Are Professional Athletes

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 21:22:51 GMT

Racehorses are professional athletes. We do a lot to keep them sound and happy.
In the pictures you see an example of kinesio-taping. This is a sports taping method that promotes the healing of traumatised tissue and muscles.
You may have seen this on TV before (on the sports channel), because it is commonly used in all types of sports: tennis, rugby, soccer etc..

I was first introduced to it (on myself) years ago when I was working in New York. I used to get my left shoulder taped on a regular basis due to an old riding accident: a horse flipped over on top of me causing a dislocated left shoulder. pretty painful…

Now kinesio-taping is getting more and more established in the equine world. I’ve been wanting to do the course for ages, who knows maybe this year I will be able to attend. Time is of the essence!

My friend Jo Gapp, an equine vetphysio and veterinary nurse, who I worked with during my time at Rossdales was one of the very first to tape horses in Newmarket. Of course it was one of MY trainees. Jo offers a variety of different therapies, the taping is used in conjunction with other methods.

In these pictures you see taping of the lumbo-sacral area: the “engine” is behind, so most problems originate there as well… I have found that the kinesio tape sticks best in the summer months, when horses don’t have to wear stable rugs , you usually only leave it on for a few days anyway.

Lamont Racing

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 21:19:24 GMT

Lamont Racing ( www.lamontracing.co.uk ) was one of my biggest supporters last year. I owe more than a thank you and a blog post to Craig and Eilidh McClymont.
It all started with a Sunday morning phone call (around 6 o’clock) with some unknown country code. It was Craig calling from his work in Kazakstan. Between the bad connection and the scottish accent I thought it was a prank. But, it was not candid camera!
To this day I still sometimes have difficulty understanding Craig; that’s easily blamed on me being German…
This year as well as last Lamont Racing has joined up with the London Market Racing Club on a few horses in training with myself in Newmarket. Two very exciting prospects are the french bred fillies we bought at the Osarus sale in La Teste. A flashy bay filly has a phenomenal stride on the racetrack as well as the mind of a racehorse.
A french satellite string is in the works.
A big thank you to LMRC and Lamont for their ongoing support!

Let the racing season begin

It's a Filly!!!

Sat, 04 Aug 2018 19:26:25 GMT

Tosca’s first foal by Maxios is a filly

It’s a Girl!
Tosca, my good filly, had her first foal in the early morning hours of February 21st at Clementine Stud in Normandie France. This is a picture of the filly by Maxios on day 4. She is still unnamed, but a few names starting with T are floating around in the room: Traviata, Tenacity …. .
Tosca was my first runner and first winner on her lifetime debut, she owes us nothing. She beat listed fillies multiple times, she taught me a lot. We put our money where our mouth is: I bought her at the BBAG yearling sale, brought her back to Newmarket and we did all the ground work got her going and sent her all the way back to Baden Baden for her debut in the fillies sales race.
We are very excited to be part of Maxios’ first crop, he is a picture of a racehorse with an unbelievable pedigree. There is a great website just about him: www.maxios.de
More baby pictures to come!

The ultimate fan Michael Smithson

Sat, 04 Aug 2018 19:26:24 GMT

Photographer

Most of the pictures in this blog come from the lens of Michael Smithson, one of the greatest racing fans I know.
To me Michael is the “official” Newmarket photographer, it feels like I’ve known him all my life. Racehorse photography is Michael’s passion, I don’t think there is a yard in Newmarket that he hasn’t taken pictures for. Of course the Simcocks come first!
Michael has been there for all my ups and downs, driven to race meetings with me all across the country , except for Redcar …. ��
Love for horses is what got me into horse racing , from the first time I went racing with my family who are avid racing fans, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. Passion is what keeps us all going in this game, riding out the lows, working long hours, braving the cold and the dark rainy days. Always looking forward, believing in yourself and living your dream.
So, a big thank you to the fans that love this sport for it’s beauty ; not just odds and numbers, because it’s so much more than that.

Unsung Heros in Horse Racing

Sat, 04 Aug 2018 19:26:20 GMT

Angel Rosa

Spring is finally here! The days are getting longer, exactly what we need: the more daylight the sooner we can pull out and train. I love to be the first one on the heath, if I were on the other side of town I would beat Clive Brittain to the punch ��
It’s been a quiet winter racing wise for me. Only Angel Rosa, the filly that I’m riding in the picture above, ran twice for us in 2015 so far.
From the outside looking in one would never know what an accomplishment that actually was. So I figured this blog would be a good venue to tell the readers about the unsung heroes and success stories that don’t necessarily make the headlines.
Angel Rosa changed hands a few times before she was sent down to me in Newmarket by her lovely owners, who basically acquired her out of pity. Their faith and perseverance made it possible for her to run after 462 days off the track.
“Angel” does live up to her name, it was her that “brought back” two of the best and highly respected riders in Newmarket. One had suffered an open fracture of the tibia the other multi knee ligament damage with avulsion fracture of the medial femoral condyle.

As a great horseman in Kentucky once told me:

“If you look after the horse, the horse will look after you”