The following links may be helpful in finding information about thoroughbreds including aftercare, training and care discussions, showing, news, history and those available in New York State.
Thoroughbreds Available in New York:
Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds, Inc. – Website
Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds, Inc. – Facebook
Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program, FLTAP
Take The Lead Program
Thoroughbred Discussion Forums:
Chronicle of the Horse – Finger Lakes Finest Roll Call
Facebook – OTTB Connect
Thoroughbred Shows and Expos:
The Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Incentive Program, T. I. P.
Retired Racehorse Training Program, RRTP
Thoroughbred Alliance Show Series, TASS
Thoroughbred Jubilee Benefit Horse Show, TJBHS – our show!
Thoroughbred Information and History:
Pedigrees
Racing Statistics
Bloodline Brag
Auction Results
Stallion Information
The Jockey Club Registry
Breeders’ Cup Nominations
Thoroughbred-Related News and Stories:
Bloodhorse
Paulick Report
Daily Racing Form
Thoroughbred Daily News
Off-Track Thoroughbreds
Thoroughbred Aftercare:
Thoroughbred Connect
Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, TAA
NYS Taskforce on Retired Racehorses
Thoroughbred Health:
TheHorse
Unwanted Horse Coalition
One Horse At A Time, Inc.
American Association of Equine Practitioners, AAEP
Miscellaneous:
A Home For Every Horse
The Homes for Horses Coalition
Fleet of Angels
Frankie Lovato’s 365 Days of Racing Terms Series
A Brief History of the Thoroughbred:
The thoroughbred is a breed of horse dating back to the 17th- and 18th- century England and is a result of three imported stallions from the Middle East. Any modern thoroughbred can be traced back to these three stallions – Byerley Turk, Darley Arabian, and Godolphin Arabian. A number of foundation mares were used to start the breed although the exact number of mare “families” is argued and further mitochondrial DNA analysis will decide the true number. Thoroughbreds were originally bred for racing, which today includes flat racing and hunt racing (steeplechase and hurdling). The first thoroughbred to be imported to America from England was Bulle Rock in 1730. Today, approximately 25,000 foals are registered with The Jockey Club (the keeper of The American Stud Book, formed in 1894) annually. To be registered as a thoroughbred, the dam and sire must be thoroughbreds registered with The Jockey Club and the foal must be conceived using live cover. (About The Registry. The Jockey Club, 2012. Web. 11 Sept. 2012)
Thoroughbred Characteristics:
The thoroughbred horse is around 16 hands on average but can range from 15 to 17 hands.The Jockey Club recognizes bay, black, dark bay/brown, chestnut, grey/roan, palomino, and white as colors for registered thoroughbreds. To ease in determining the age of a thoroughbred, the date of birth for all thoroughbreds is January 1st of the year of foaling. A thoroughbred’s registered name can be up to 18 characters long and cannot contain horse-related terms. They are considered to be hot-blooded horses, meaning they are bred for agility and speed, but every thoroughbred has his/her own unique personality, temperament, ability, and strengths/weaknesses. They are however, smart, willing, and great at transitioning to new careers post-racing! (Rule Book. The Jockey Club, 2012. Web. 11 Sept. 2012)
Terms:
Finger Lakes Finest (FLF): Any thoroughbred whose last race before retirement took place at Finger Lakes Race Track in Farmington, NY or who was otherwise listed through the Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds, Inc. listing service.
War Horse: A thoroughbred with 50+ lifetime starts and/or $100,000+ in lifetime earnings.
NYRA: The New York Racing Association is the governing body for Belmont Park, Saratoga and Aqueduct race tracks. Finger Lakes Race Track is not part of the NYRA.
Sexing Terms in Horses:
Colt – an intact male horse, typically less than four years old.
Stallion – an intact male horse, typically over four years old.
Gelding – a castrated male horse at any age.
Ridgeling/Cryptorchid – a male horse with one or more undescended testicles.
Filly – a female horse, typically less than four years old.
Mare – a female horse, typically over four years old.
Racing Terms:
Maiden – a term used to describe a thoroughbred who has not won a race. “Breaking your maiden” refers to a thoroughbred winning its first race ever.
Claiming – a type of race in which thoroughbreds entered can be purchased prior to the start of the race for a set price. Thoroughbreds claimed before a race are not announced till they cross the finish line. Any money made during the race goes to the previous owner of the horse.