The trainer has one of the principal roles in horse racing. Winning is the name of the training game and though the complicated means of achieving success require specific expertise, the trainers’ core task is to send out a fit thoroughbred primed to race competitively in an event where it has a realistic chance of doing well for the fee-paying owners.
Currently there are around 150 active trainers in South Africa. Those at the top of their profession typically have more than 120 horses in their care, employ a diverse labour force from grooms to admin assistants, whilst constantly networking with wealthy patrons who pay for the stock at auctions and then cover training fees of around R10 000 per month. Trainers at the apex of the competitive racing pyramid are amply rewarded, earning a commission on stakes as well as making a profit on training fees. They are also party to deals when horses are bought and sold.
For many trainers in the lower ranks though, it is an ongoing battle to find people able to afford racehorses and the monthly stabling fees plus, inevitably, vet bills. Unfashionably related horses or those with physical faults may still run fast, but the odds are stacked in favour of those that look good and sport superior pedigrees. So, it can be a vicious circle keeping those with fewer resources at the pit of the performance heap. Yet, talented and determined conditioners have a way of rising above such hindrances by proving their worth even when working with cheap and infirm beasts.
Training obviously requires in depth knowledge of horses, so nearly all who move into the profession have an equestrian background of some sort. KZN based James Goodman was a polo player, Chris Snaith a provincial level show-jumper, Mike de Kock had a spell in the equestrian unit in the military and Geoff Woodruff was a jump jockey in the UK. Others like the Laird, Greef and Marcus family dynasties have racing links stretching across generations, which seems a popular way to pass on accumulated wisdom and also helps overcome barriers to entering such a niche business. It’s somewhat easier taking over an existing operation, as recent champion Justin Snaith did from his respected father, Chris, rather than trying to build things up from scratch.
Nevertheless, current champ Sean Tarry has done exceptionally well to make an impact in racing. He did have some family connection to the game, labouring initially as an assistant trainer and soaking up trade knowledge from different sources. Tarry is a hard-working, strategic thinker with a winning edge – last year he managed 164 wins from 1064 runners at a strike rate of 15%. He has risen to the pinnacle of his craft by constantly adding to the trophy haul of powerful patrons with big buying power. He has maintained that excellent record into 2016, with his 1129 runners earning an average of 20K each time they step onto the track. Whilst those battling conditioners struggling to achieve even a meagre 5% winning strike rate find it hard to survive at the bottom rungs of the rickety racing ladder, success can be self-perpetuating at the top. Tarry’s elite equine athletes receive five star treatment and are placed in the right races – they responded by bringing in nearly R26 million in total stake cheques last season.
Of all the jobs in racing – training is perhaps the most multi-facetted. Sourcing quality stock, getting horses in prime shape for competition and placing them in suitable races are key factors. Racing is also about people though, and a trainer looks after owners, manages a staff of stable hands and deals with, amongst others, farriers, feed merchants and bloodstock agents. The trainer also attends to the business side of running a racing barn, keeping track of income and expenditure. Nowadays, that task is often outsourced to equine management companies to enable the trainer to focus on horses and patrons. Marketing is an important aspect too – websites and social media are used to promote successes and communicate stable news.
Most trainers are early- risers, up before sunrise to prepare for dawn workouts, tailoring exercise schedules based on the needs of each horse in their yard. They interact with vets doing routine vaccinations or handling more serious interventions for horses with physical problems. Part of the daily routine is plotting future engagements for each horse. This depends on their ability, shifting physical condition and special preferences for a certain distance or style of running. Decisions are made usually after consulting with jockeys and work riders.
Visits to stud farms, socializing with owners, attending yearling sales and going to the races all form part of a trainer’s professional life. It’s a consuming occupation requiring passion and dedication. The motivation lies in doing a difficult job as well as possible, while working with flesh and blood creatures. The extrinsic rewards are the status and big monetary incentives that characterise modern era, professional sport. However, the demands are taxing and can take their toll. Many smaller trainers have called it quits in recent times, finding it not financially viable for all the effort and stress.
Trainers need to be licensed with the National Horseracing Authority of South Africa. Those eager to pursue a career as a trainer would do best to initially learn the basics of horse care and stable management by working hands-on for a registered trainer with a sound reputation. All of our best trainers have gained experience working around the world and learning effective, and increasingly scientific, methods from considerate equine gurus willing to share their knowledge.
Some recruits to the industry will be happy to continue working as assistants. Powerful stables employ large teams to run their satellite operations around the country, with the “boss” co-ordinating operations like a military general. The decision to go it alone and set up your own racing stable requires a big leap of faith. License conditions must be met, undertakings of support are essential and having considerable start- up capital sure helps. That may seem daunting and few have attempted it in recent years. But that did not stop Sean Tarry from leaving the juice bar business, pursuing his training ambitions, then experiencing a major transformation to his life and realising his dreams !