All about the Thoroughbred

As with humans, some horses are just naturally better suited to running; some are built to be sprinters, with bulging muscles and a rapid stride, others are long distance athletes, lean and supple with an long stride – not unlike the differences you would see between human sprinters and marathon runners.

Flat racehorses can start their racing career at just two years old – and some of them retire by the age of four, although many can go on racing much longer, until they are ten or older. Although some of the most prestigious races are confined to three year olds, generally flat racehorses tend to be at their peak aged four or five.

Jump racehorses generally don’t start racing until they are four, and their careers tend to go on much longer, until they are twelve or sometimes older. Most jump racehorses are at the peak of their ability between the ages of seven and ten.

• Racehorses are allowed to race from the age of two years old. Often these are called Juvenile races.
• All horses born in the same year share their official birthday as the 1st January. When racing as two-year-olds, a horse born in the early months of the year is likely to be more mature than one born later, despite officially being the same age.
• A racehorse weighs around 500kg (half a tonne!)
• The average heart of a racehorse weighs the same as four bags of sugar
• A racehorse drinks up to 10 gallons of water a day