I received the post season summary and accounting from my horse racing club manager. After all expenses, the club made a bit of money with our two horses Merlot and Shooting Jacket. Since I made my original money back and a bit extra I have decided to be an owner again next season. I will have both horses, Merlot and Shooting Jacket, again next season.
My two thoroughbred race horses, Shooting Jacket and Merlot, are finished racing at Hastings Racecourse for this season. They are wintering in Aldergrove, BC. Merlot will be back in 2017 but not sure about Shooting Jacket.
Shooting Jacket had 9 starts. Finished first twice, second three times and third twice. Finishing top 3 in 7 of 9 starts. Pretty good if you ask me.
Merlot had 9 starts. Finished first once, second three times and third four times. Finished top 3 in 8 of 9 starts. Again, pretty good if you ask me.
It was a lot of fun being a race horse owner. Seeing a bit of what happens behind the scenes, talking with jockeys and trainers, visiting the paddock area and getting into the winners circle a few times was a lot of fun. I am not sure if I will sign up as an owner again next season but I have a few weeks to make that decision and will let you know what I decide to do going forward.
One of my two horses Merlot, number 3 in the photos, ran this past holiday Monday. It didn’t start as a close race with the field strung out in a line, but the end of the race added some excitement in seeing who would come in 3rd and 4th. A win would elude us this day and we would finish a very close 4th. That’s racing.
Watched Shooting Jacket workout…
I went to Hastings Racecourse early Wednesday morning to watch one of my two horses, Shooting Jacket, workout. Trackside, the smell of coffee and hay were in the air along with the occasional whiff of horse poop. When you are this close to the action you get all the sights and smells. There were more owners horses trainers and agents of different horses at this workout session compared to the last session I attended a few weeks back. Everyone seems to know everyone and is very friendly. I am still getting to know people but it’s all good.
Shooting Jacket ran a few slow laps or parts of laps around the track, then did at least one flying lap at a good clip. Then it was back into the paddock and barns and the word is he is in good shape. I think Shooting Jacket and Merlot are both running on Canada Day but need to confirm that.
Below are a few photos of Shooting Jacket working out Wednesday morning. This was the first time using the new Sony A77ii at the track. It was a good real world test to help me get used to the new equipment and I am fairly happy with these early images..
For more on how I got involved with horse racing check my previous post here:
https://creativescans.wordpress.com/2016/05/24/so-i-bought-a-race-horse/
For more information about Hastings Racecourse visit their website:
http://www.hastingsracecourse.com
One of my two horses, Merlot, ran in the 2nd race at Hastings Racecourse this past Saturday and placed 2nd in the race. It was a busy day at the track due to the Belmont Stakes being run in the USA but being shown live on the big screen at Hastings. A had a friend with me on this day but I still followed my race day routine. I get to the track early enough to pick up my free program and sign up for paddock access and chat with a few people I have met at the track. We then went inside and had a sit down lunch at Jerome’s where there is pub style seating. After lunch we walked around a bit, placed a small wager or two for a few races (including the Belmont) then watched the first race.
After the first race was over we made our way to the paddock along with several other owners to watch the horses get ready for the 2nd race… me with camera in hand of course. Merlot was looking good pre-race so hopes were high for a good strong finish and Jockey Ruben Lara and Merlot delivered. After the horses left the paddock to go on the track we made our way to the finish line area to try and get a good spot near the finish line and near the winners circle just in case Merlot had won the race. Merlot didnt win the race but finished a good 2nd place and came away in good shape.
I won’t be able to make it to the track this weekend due to other commitments but plan to be there next weekend where both of my horses, Merlot and Shooting Jacket, are scheduled to be running in the same race! Should be a very exciting day!
For more information about what is happening at Hastings Racecourse visit their website:
http://www.hastingsracecourse.com/
Sunday morning was the first day I watched one of my two race horses work out live and in person at the track.
First I had to check in with security at the “Horseman’s” entrance to get into the property. (The entrance for the general public is not open this early.) The stables were bustling with all kinds of activity as I made way through the stables to one of the viewing platforms track side used by owners trainers and other track personnel. Horses were being fed or groomed and some horses were being kitted out for training sessions. Two horses were behaving badly as was evident by one horse repeatedly kicking at a wooden fence while being led back to the stables and the other horse that was not listening to its rider and was galloping through the stables erratically causing me to give it a wide berth just to be safe.
Once alongside the track at the viewing platform I watched as several horses made their way onto the track. At first I was the only person at the viewing platform but soon there were than a half dozen people watching the horses “breeze” (work out but not at full speed or intensity). I met the trainer of our horses, a jockey agent and a few other owners.
It was interesting to see my horse work out and see the differences in how the different horses went through their work outs. Some ran faster than others some slower than others. Some horses ran in pairs some alone. I learned that horses going at a slow pace do not stay close along the rail because the faster horses are usually running close to the rail. And photographically it was nice to get some images of the horses and the track from a new perspective.
After the workout was over I walked over to New Brighten Park to look around and get some waterfront photos then it was back to the track at Hastings Racecourse to take in the afternoon racing. I will be writing about and sharing some photos of New Brighten Park soon.
Below are a few photos of one of my horses, Shooting Jacket, “Breezing” on the track.
Ok, I bought a 1/200th share in 2 race horses, but still.
At Hastings Racecourse you are able to buy into ownership of a horse (or horses) for one year in a club type setting. There are a set number of people in a club, in my case 200, and our club owns two horses for one year.
Each member pays a one-time set amount to be in the club. Food for the horse, veterinary care, training etc. are all included in the one-time fee. There are no more costs to incur during the year. Each member shares equally in any winnings the horse may produce and if the horse is sold each member shares in that as well.
There are a few other perks of owning a race horse through the club; free parking in the horse man’s lot, a free program on days your horse is racing, seating in the owners area of the grand stand, attending a training session to watch your horse train and inside access to the paddock area when your horse is in a race.
The club setup is a low cost, low risk way for people to be more involved in and enjoy horse racing and adds to the excitement. So stay tuned for more posts and photos about the world of horse racing, horse ownership and tips for photographing horse racing.
You can get more information from the Hastings Racecourse website: http://www.hastingsracecourse.com/
Preakness Stakes race day proved to be a popular and exciting event at Vancouver’s live horse racing venue, Hastings Racecourse. The Preakness Stakes is the 2nd leg of the Triple Crown of horse racing and is run in Baltimore, Maryland. The ladies and many gents had their best hats and attire on for what was a nice spring day in Vancouver. There were several food trucks and other food vendors doing a brisk business on the outdoor tarmac track side and at the concessions and restaurants inside. Henry’s Chicken was a popular choice for many and is what I chose to have for a quick lunch track side between races. Adding to the excitement was that Mario Gutierrez, a jockey who has raced at Hastings Racecourse in the past, was riding Nyquist, the favorite to win the Preakness Stakes race. There was some exciting horse racing to watch live before and after the Preakness Stakes race and excitement was building as the time for the Preakness Stakes race approached. All eyes were on the big screen TV in the infield as the big race got underway but unfortunately, Mario and Nyquist did not win, finishing a close 3rd. First place went to Exaggerator and 2nd place in a photo finish went to Cherry Wine.
Saturday June 11, 2016 when the Belmont Stakes race takes place, the third race in the triple crown, will be another busy day at the races if the Preakness was any indication, even if there won’t be a triple crown winner.
Hastings Racecourse is the place to be to enjoy live horse racing action in the Vancouver and Lower Mainland area. You can watch the racing from several different areas on the property. I prefer to watch at the fence at track level mainly because I am photographing the action and like to be as close as possible to the action. You can also watch the action from outdoor covered grandstands and box seats as well as from inside Silks Restaurant. Silks has floor to ceiling windows giving great views of the track and the North Shore mountains. There are closed circuit TV’s throughout as well, so you won’t miss a minute of the action. It is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening that doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.
Saturday May 21, 2016 is the Preakness Stakes race from Baltimore MD. First Post of live racing at Hastings Racecourse is at 1:50PM, and the Preakness Stakes will be shown live on the Big Screen at 3:30PM.
Admission is free. Parking is $12 at gate 6 or 9. There is a free shuttle that runs every half hour to and from Renfrew Skytrain Station on live racing days. More info can be found at their website: http://www.hastingsracecourse.com/
There are lots of interesting aspects to Hastings Racecourse and I will be writing about them in the future!
Creativescans 