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The world of horse racing is a fast-paced adrenalin sport that brings the inevitable highs and lows as well as thrills to spectators, jockeys, trainers, and horse owners alike.
But behind the scenes, what lessons can we learn from the planning and preparation that goes into every race day?
Irish jockey turned leading horse trainer Ross O’Sullivan gives Betway his unique insights into how to deal with the pressure of success when it comes to the racetrack.
Being a horse trainer is very full-on, and you get zoned into it seven days a week, so you have to love it.
Like any other sport, there is also an expectancy in horse racing. If you have had a great year and finished in the top four, and then you don’t do the same the following year, people want to know what has happened.
So, you need to be prepared. And, when you fancy a horse and think you have a chance, then you are always looking at where the chase is going to come from.
In many ways, horses are very similar to humans in that you want them to be confident. When they walk out into the paddock, they should do it with a stride and with their chest out; this confidence is key.
But when training a horse, you should always let them work at their own level, and not over-face them. We prepare the horse for a race, but you can’t talk them through it, so it is also about confidence in the jockey. And that means not giving the jockey too many instructions about how to run the race but trusting them to ride with their instincts.
When it comes to the actual race, I’d say it is 95% horse, but you need a jockey who is going to get the job done. The standard of jockeys today is at a different level, and fitness is high as they need to be in prime condition.
But just like a sport such as football, teamwork is also essential. We have the horses, we have the jockey, but it is also the staff behind the scenes that means you can deal with the pressure. And it is a major thing for any trainer to keep the whole team wanting success.
Despite being prepared, it is still an anxious time when you see your horse start, it always gets the heart pumping just that little bit faster. And that’s just the pressure of hoping that it is all going to work out.
The bigger the race, the bigger the occasion, hopefully the bigger the celebration. And that hour after a win, when the phone is ringing, everyone is saying well done, it is something else. It is why you do it, and you come back for more. So, even when you have a bad run, you are still looking for that good day again. And that feeling when a plan all comes together.
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