The majority of horses are bought privately. You could contact a blood stock agency who will look for and arrange the sale of horses for you. If you want to find a horse yourself, you could look in magazines and newspapers for horses for sale. You could also contact your state association for breeders in your area. A second way to purchase a horse is through a public auction. You can get a catalogue of horses to find the ones you are interested in and then inspect them at the open barns before the sale. The horses are sold one at a time to the highest bidder. The third way to acquire a horse is in a claiming race. Horses entered into this kind of race can be purchased for the price stated in the race conditions. After filing a claim, the horse is yours once it leaves the starting gate, but any money won in that race goes to the previous owner. One final way of acquiring a horse is by breeding your own. By doing this, you can select the specific blood lines you want and you raise the horse yourself. However, breeding and raising your own horse takes a tremendous amount of time, money, and commitment. From the time you breed the mare until the horse is old enough to race, you have already spent four years, and a lot can happen in that time.

If you are not quite ready to commit to sole ownership of a horse, you could lease a horse. Here you pay all the expenses, but you also reap all the rewards. You do not officially own the horse, so it is not as great a commitment. Another great way to get involved is through a partnership with an experienced owner. That way, you can get your feet wet by sharing expenses and revenues, learn about the business, and still have the thrill of victory.

With a race horse, it is important to have correct conformation, but it is possible to have Arabian breed characteristics along with an athletic build. Overall balance is very important, and when you look at the horse, all the "pieces" should fit together proportionally. Ideally, the horse will have a prominent wither with a long, angular shoulder which allows for more freedom of movement and a longer stride. The forearm should be long and muscular in relation to a short, flat cannon bone. The pastern should not be too long or too short and have an angle similar to the shoulder. When viewed from the front, the legs should be parallel, and when viewed from the side, they should be relatively straight. The horse should have a wide chest and deep heart girth to allow room for greater heart and lung capacity. The horse's back should be short in relation to a longer underline. The point of croup should be level with the withers, and it's natural for an Arabian to have a high tail set and tail carriage. The hip should be long, but not flat, and the hindquarters should be well muscled. The hind leg should be similar to the front with a muscular gaskin, short, flat cannon bone, and properly angled pasterns.

A wide variety of blood lines have been successful on the racetrack. Polish, Russian, and French bred horses have been successful because these countries have been breeding for racing for over 100 years. Crabbet line horses (bred by the Crabbet Stud in England) have also been successful, and some Egyptian lines have proved themselves as well. Often, people breed a combination of lines.

Unfortunately, there is no 100% accurate test to see if your horse is racing material. However, it would be helpful to contact an experienced owner or trainer to come evaluate your horse's conformation and movement. If a trainer can't come to you, make a video of your horse, and send it out. If you choose to put your horse in training, usually a trainer will have an idea of his ability within about 90 days.

No, only registered purebred Arabians are eligible to race in the United States.

See Race Meets

See Track Records

Arabians typically race distances from 4 furlongs to 1 ¾ miles. The majority of Arabian races are 6 furlongs. See Track Records

No, purebred registered Arabians only run against themselves in AJC sanctioned races.

The number of times a horse races varies with the individual animal, but often a trainer will try to race a horse once every 14 days.

Arabian racing in North America was organized around 1959. However, it's really been in the past 10 years that Arabian racing has flourished. See History of the Arabian Racehorse

The Darley Awards were founded ten years ago to honor the best in Arabian horse racing. This distinguished ceremony recognizes the most outstanding race horses, jockeys, trainers and breeders of the Arabian community. Award ceremonies present an opportunity for those involved in Arabian racing to celebrate its virtues and award its best.

The Arabian Cup Championships are a series of six graded stakes races created as a showcase event for the Arabian racing industry. Held annually in the fall, the Championships consist of two races for 3-year-olds (one for fillies and one for colts and geldings), a distaff sprint, an open sprint, a distaff distance and an open distance race. Additional activities are held to allow owners, trainers, and fans to further celebrate the sport. The event is held at different racetracks throughout the country.

Begin by reading or visiting industry websites and trade publications. Much of this information is available on www.arabianracing.org. In addition, individual farms, state racing commissions and tracks have valuable information.

Attend the races. Attend the sales. Join your local racing organization. Observe owners, trainers, consignors, buyers, veterinarians, and other professionals in action. Ask for their help and suggestions.

Contact the owners and breeders organization in your state. Inquire about services offered and membership benefits. Become involved with the organizations and make personal contact with local horsemen. Participate in a racing partnership.

Inquire of owners, trainers, and other industry insiders if you may speak with them regarding how you might get involved in the business. You will be pleasantly surprised at the number of insiders who are willing to assist those seriously considering investing in the industry, regardless of the level of investment.

Locate a consultant or more experienced owner who is willing to serve as a mentor. Be discriminating, and in the case of professional consultants, check references. Remember that the objective here is to identify someone you can trust. Listen to the advice given, but don't feel obligated to follow it, as ultimately every decision you make should be your own.

Participate in industry-sponsored events and educational programs.

Contact the local race organization for a list of trainers, talk to others owners and refer to the AJC website. Once you have identified potential trainers, contact the trainer and do not hesitate to visit the training center and interview the trainer to clarify your expectations and working arrangement. Trainers' standings are frequently published in track programs and on the official track website.

Generally the trainer recommends and contacts the jockey. An owner or trainer can find a list of jockeys and jockey's agents in the track condition book. Tracks frequently publish the current jockey standings for each meet in the daily program or on the track's website.

Contact the racing office of the track where you plan to run. In most states log onto the State Racing Commission website, where instructions are readily available. Owners pay a fee, complete necessary information, have a photo taken and are fingerprinted. Many states now recognize a multi-state license or extended-year license for convenience.

Owners typically design their own silks. One can purchase silks through the racetrack tack shop or racing silks vendors who advertise their services throughout the industry.

Private treaty, magazine ads, auction/sales and claiming races. While interviewing trainers, or after you have selected a trainer, consult with him or her regarding what they have found to be a good race prospect. Investigate bloodstock agents. The Arabian Finish Line publishes an annual farm directory. Plan to attend the next Arabian racehorse auction. Claiming offers a ready-made candidate. Identify and participate with partnerships that claim racing prospects until you have gained the knowledge and confidence to manage your own racing program

Use the help of your trainer, trusted friend or mentor. Look for basic correct conformation as you would any horse you are buying. Give special attention to good straight legs with, preferably short pastern, short cannon, and long forearm; well laid-back shoulder; deep hip with sloping croup; good width between jaws. A pre-purchase exam is often money well spent.

Generally there are no entry fees for overnight races, although some tracks have a start fee.

The majority of races pay: 1st (60%), 2nd (20%), 3rd (11%), 4th (6%), 5th (3%). However, this can vary from State to State. Payout percentages are identified in condition books and or stakes books.

Training costs can vary widely depending on the trainer, part of the country, and whether the horse is at the track or on a farm. Generally, costs will be less on the farm. Included in the daily training fee are feed, bedding, grooming, and exercise. Fees for the farrier and veterinarian can vary dramatically.

The American Horse Council publishes two very good reference books dealing with taxes. They are: "Tax Tips for Horse Owners" and "The Horse Owners Tax Manual". These publications are the tax references for the equine industry. If you are seriously considering becoming an owner, acquire these publications for your library. For more information, visit the American Horse Council's web site at www.HorseCouncil.org.

Every horse is different. For a mature, healthy horse in its prime you can expect to try to run every 2-3 weeks.

Your trainer generally enters your horse. However, an owner can also enter his or her own horse. Information is contained in the condition book or stakes information on when to enter a horse for a specific race.

Each stakes race has its own conditions that govern the entrants of the race. The Organization sponsoring the stakes race will advertise and publish information one can obtain, in order to plan and nominate horses.

The owner pays to ship the horse with the trainer or a third party hauler. You always have the option to haul the horse yourself.

It is a race where all horses entered into the race are for sale for a tag (claiming price set by the racing secretary). Any licensed owner who has sufficient money deposited in the track account where the claim is made may claim (buy) a horse in the race prior to the start of the race. If more than one claim is submitted on the same horse, then the buyer is chosen at random. The entering owner takes any purse money won in the race. The new owner is responsible for the horse immediately after the start of the race. An owner cannot claim a horse and return it to the same barn/trainer.

You must have the claiming money in your purse account. You enter the claim in the racing office prior to the start of the race. After the race has been run, a track official meets the claimed horse on the track and transfers the horse to the new training barn representative.

A handicap race is designed to level the playing field by giving higher caliber horses more weight and lesser caliber horses less weight. The racing secretary generally determines the weights. The weights are added to the saddle blanket of the racing horse to reach the accorded handicap weight.

How young, how old? Arabians can run as three-year-olds and typically cannot run after age eleven. It is best to verify racing ages with the track's racing office.

While there are preferred, proven bloodlines for racing, there are still many unproven bloodlines.

The "conditions" say who may run in the race, the weight they will carry and the distance of the race. The types of race offered are described on the AJC website.

Yes.

Purebred Arabians run only against other Purebred Arabians.

One eighth of a mile.

Depends on the track, many are 1 mile.

Arabians are smaller and slower that Thoroughbreds. An Arabian will run six furlongs 5-6 seconds slower than a Thoroughbred.

Through the racing office at the track.

In the United States, horses run counterclockwise.

Retired racehorses can be used for breeding, showing, endurance and pleasure riding.

EIPH (exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage) is prevalent (75%+) in all horses competing at high levels. Lasix is a diuretic that is generally used to prevent this bleeding in the lungs.

A horse with no previous training will take anywhere from five to six months or more for proper conditioning. Starting and conditioning a racehorse varies with the individual horse and it's foundation, early training, soundness, confidence and maturity. Once a horse is under saddle and has built a solid foundation (adjustment to training, walk, trot and canter, changing leads, building bone and muscle and a cardiovascular system- which will enable it to run at it's potential), a racehorse will move into speed, increasing distances on the track and further training including gate work and paddock training. After accomplishing these goals, the trainer can best determine the average time your racehorse will run his or her first race. On average, this event occurs between the 4th and 8th month.

Opinions vary but often a racehorse is started just as you would any riding horse. The horse will not race forever and it is easier to use them for other disciplines if the basics are already there. Start with basic groundwork, breaking to saddle and begin trotting and galloping. Gradually increase the time you trot and gallop until the horse is very fit.

Yes, periodically each state will hold new owners seminars. Additionally, other breed organizations, tracks and Schools of Veterinary Medicine have seminars that Arabian owners, trainers and staff attend for continuing education.

The Arabian Racing Cup Championships are held each year at a designated track, typically in the fall. Additionally, at the beginning of each year, the Arabian Racing Cup sponsors and hosts the "Darley Awards", a black-tie event that honors the top horses, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys. This is a great weekend of racing and camaraderie.

Partnerships can be created in various forms.

In the US, Arabians currently run in TX, DE, CA, CO, MI, WA. Check with the specific organization for the meet schedules.

The organizations that are dedicated to Arabian Racing are; the Arabian Jockey Club (AJC), the Arabian Racing Cup (ARC), the Arabian Horse Association (AHA), the Eastern Arabian Racing Association (EARA), the Arabian Racing Association of Florida (ARAF), the Texas Arabian Breeders Association (TABA), the Arabian Racing Association of California (ARAC), the Colorado Owners and Breeders of Racing Arabians (COBRA), the Association of Racing Arabian Breeders of Michigan (ARAB) and the Arabian Racing Association of Minnesota (ARAM).

The horse market fluctuates with the economy, time of year, part of the country, age and pedigree of the horse, etc. However, it is possible to find a quality horse for $5,000 to $10,000. Typically, for $10,000 to $20,000, you could purchase a racing prospect with outstanding blood lines, conformation, and potential. Even on the high end, investing in a quality Arabian race horse costs much less than a quality Thoroughbred.

Training costs can vary widely depending on the trainer, part of the country, and whether the horse is at the track or on a farm. Generally, costs will be less on the farm. Included in the daily training fee are feed, bedding, grooming, and exercise. Fees for the farrier and veterinarian can vary dramatically. The following estimates are meant only as a guideline.

Racing is a gamble, but with ever increasing purses, there is also an increased opportunity to make money. If you are getting involved in racing only to make money, you would be wise to invest your money elsewhere. Most people are involved in racing because they love Arabian horses and the sport, and they enjoy the thrill of watching their own horses compete.