Misplaced Pages

#144855

64-550: Trotting races were held in the Balearic Islands from the latter part of the nineteenth century. Trotting horses were bred by putting local Mallorquín and Menorquín mares to imported stallions , usually of French Trotter or Orlov Trotter origin. Some Anglo-Norman mares and stallions were imported from France in about 1920. Breeding is now usually by artificial insemination with semen from French Trotter or American Standardbred stallions. A breeders' association ,

128-459: A computer system, which takes control of the vehicle and provides a printout at the end of the score up. Some harness racing clubs have been granted additional funds for the installation of the AVA computerised mobile barriers. In Australia and New Zealand, harness racing is conducted both on smaller rural tracks and at major city venues, creating the opportunity for even the hobby-trainer to make it into

192-406: A difficult position); or to race with "cover" on the outside. On the rail behind the leader is a choice spot, known as the "pocket", and a horse in that position is said to have a "garden trip". Third on the rail is an undesirable spot, known on small tracks as the "death hole". As the race nears the three-quarter mile mark, the drivers implement their tactics for advancing their positions – going to

256-519: A point of argument between many industry participants. Modern Starting gates used in Australia now include Auto start. This innovation allows the starter to concentrate on the actual horse's positioning during the "score up". The modern Starting gates use only a driver for steering the vehicle and a starter in the rear to observe the race and call a false start if required. The start speed, acceleration, score up distance, and gate closing are controlled via

320-671: A race could be Silver division against Class II. In such a case the Silver Division horses must run 60 m behind the less experienced Class II horses. Some races use the mobile starting gate as seen in the United States. Other races (for up to 16 horses) use a circular starting system. Horses with post positions 1 to 5 are in the first wave, 6-12 or 15 are in the second wave. In volt start good starting numbers (which automatically turn in to certain positions) are 1, 3 and 5 (slightly better than 2 and 4). But numbers 6 and 7 (who start in

384-600: A small yearling out of a not particularly successful mare. He was bought privately by Peter Bagrie for $ 13,000. Racing in New Zealand at ages two and three he had limited success including a win in the Northern Stakes and a third in the Harness Jewels. He faced tough competition including Auckland Reactor . He was then sold to clients of Western Australian trainer Gary Hall Sr for $ 180,000. At age four Im Themightyquinn

448-432: A specific pattern to hit the starting line as a group. This enables handicaps to be placed on horses (according to class) with several tapes, usually with 10 or 20 meters between tapes. Many European – and some Australian and New Zealand – races use a standing start, although this increases the chance of a 'false start' where one or a number of horses commence 'off-stride' and gallop. The race must then be brought back to

512-521: A track record mile rate of 1:56 for 2506 metres and a win in the Fremantle Cup where he destroyed his rivals winning by 14 metres in a mile rate of 1:56.5 over 2906 metres. In 2012 the Inter Dominion was contested at Gloucester Park, Perth where Im Themightyquinn swept his three heats before a last to first win in the final. He recovered from a fever on the morning of the day before the final. For

576-511: Is 1000 meters (inner track) with two long sides and two curves. Horses run counterclockwise. The horses are classified by how much prize money they have gained through the entire career of the horse. The classifications are from the lowest and upwards: Stallions (and castrated geldings) are considered a little better in general. In pure mare horse races, horses from higher classification get 20, 40 or up to 60 meter extra to run. Distance addition occurs also in races between classes. An example of such

640-1071: Is 69.15 seconds. The horses are obedient and manageable, and are also suitable for recreational riding . Trotting race Harness racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait (a trot or a pace ). They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky , spider, or chariot occupied by a driver. In Europe, and less frequently in Australia and New Zealand, races with jockeys riding directly on saddled trotters ( trot monté in French) are also conducted. In North America, harness races are restricted to Standardbred horses, although European racehorses may also be French Trotters or Russian Trotters , or have mixed ancestry with lineages from multiple breeds. Orlov Trotters race separately in Russia . The light cold-blooded Coldblood trotters and Finnhorses race separately in Finland , Norway and Sweden . Standardbreds are so named because in

704-559: Is a combined thoroughbred and standardbred track, while another is only used once every year. So the only "pure" thoroughbred track in Sweden is Bro Park . At Solvalla in the suburbs of Stockholm the premier Standardbred mile race is held in late May every year, Elitloppet ( the Elite race ). Other important annual races are Svenskt travkriterium , a race restricted to three-year-olds, also hosted at Solvalla and Swedish Trotting Derby (open for

SECTION 10

#1732884067145

768-542: Is an Australasian champion Standardbred notable for being a three-time Australian Harness Horse of the Year and three-time winner of the Inter Dominion (2011 - 2013). I'm Themightyquinn won over AUD 4.5 million in its career. Races can be conducted in two differing gaits: trotting and pacing. The difference is that a trotter moves its legs forward in diagonal pairs (right front and left hind, then left front and right hind striking

832-460: Is an Australian champion Standardbred race horse notable for being a three time Australian Harness Horse of the Year and three time winner of the Inter Dominion . He was inducted into the Inter Dominion Hall of Fame . Im Themightyquinn was entered into the 2006 Premier Sale in New Zealand where he was bred but was withdrawn from the sale likely due to lack of commercial appeal as he was

896-421: Is important, while the longer stretch run of a mile track favors horses with late speed for come-from-behind wins. Usually, several drivers will contend for the lead away from the gate. They then try to avoid getting "boxed in" as the horses form into two lines – one on the rail and the other outside – in the second quarter-mile. They may decide to go to the front; to race on the front on the outside ("first over",

960-432: Is not universal.). An additional lane is available to the inside of where the rail would have been. If the race leader is positioned on the rail at the top of the homestretch, that leader is required by rule to maintain that line (or move further out), while horses behind the leader can move into the open lane with room to pass the leader if possible. This solves a common problem, in which trailing horses are "boxed in" (behind

1024-750: Is part of the Pacing Triple Crown . Important Canadian races include the North America Cup , the Canadian Pacing Derby , the Maple Leaf Trot , the Gold Cup and Saucer, and the Mohawk Million. The harness racing industry conducts an annual Grand Circuit , which includes many of the most prestigious races for both pacers and trotters. Founded in 1871 and first conducted in 1873 at four tracks,

1088-414: Is that they often wear hobbles (straps connecting the legs on each of the horse's sides). The pace is an unnatural gait for horses, and hobbles are used to maintain the gait at top speed; trotting hobbles (which employ a different design, due to the difference in the gait) are becoming increasingly popular for the same reason. Most harness races start from behind a motorized starting gate , also known as

1152-476: Is the number one game to bet on. The winner of seven (pre-decided) races (with 12 or 15 horses) is to be picked. One single "row" is very cheap to play, but people usually play large systems, picking the winner in one or two of the races and several horses in the other races. The price for a system grows rapidly if many horses are picked in a race. Price for one "row" is 1/2 SEK (approximately 0,05 euro) but if, for instance, betting on 2, 5, 1, 7, 7, 1 and 4 horses in

1216-423: Is the richest Standardbred horse in the world. Foiled Again retired on January 1, 2019, but the then 15-year-old gelding left an indelible mark in harness racing annals. He compiled a 331/109–70–46 record and earned an all-time record US$ 7,635,588 in purse money. In one of his last races at Rosecroft Raceway, he beat the then 10 year old career winner of over $ 600,000, Real Flight. I'm Themightyquinn (foaled 2004)

1280-425: Is their fastest winning time at that distance. Harness races involve a good deal of strategy. Though the vast majority of races are one mile, races are contested on several different size tracks. The most common are 1/2 mile, 5/8 mile, and 1-mile tracks. Certain horses are better on the smaller tracks and others are better on the 1-mile tracks because there are fewer turns. Also, on the shorter tracks, early speed

1344-510: The Asociación de Criadores y Propietarios de Caballos Trotadores , was formed in 1970. A stud-book was started in 1980, and an official breed standard was approved in 2011. In 2005 there were approximately 15,500 horses recorded in the stud-book. About 85% of all Spanish Trotters are in the island of Mallorca. Genetic study has found little recent influence of the Mallorquín and Menorquín on

SECTION 20

#1732884067145

1408-784: The Australian Pacing Championship . The most prestigious events for three-year-olds including the Victoria Derby , the New South Wales Derby and the Australian Derby . For the younger horses there are series that stem from yearling sales including the Australian Pacing Gold and an Australasian Breeders Crown . In New Zealand the major races include the New Zealand Cup and Auckland Cup as well as

1472-474: The Netherlands , Malta , Russia , United Kingdom and Estonia . In Italy "trotto" is as popular as "galoppo". Almost all North American races are at a distance of one mile (1,609 m). Most races are run on tracks constructed solely for harness racing (some with banked turns), but a few tracks conduct both harness and Thoroughbred flat racing. North American harness horses earn a "mark" (a record), which

1536-953: The New Zealand Free For All , Noel J Taylor Memorial Mile and the New Zealand Messenger Championship . There are also the New Zealand Derby and the Great Northern Derby for three-year-olds, and the Dominion Handicap and Rowe Cup for trotters. The Harness Jewels raceday (the end-of-year championships for two-, three- and four-year-olds) takes place in late May/early June The major open races in Australia and New Zealand are brought together in an Australasian Pacers Grand Circuit . The leading harness racing nations in Europe are France, Italy and Sweden, and

1600-588: The Victoria Cup at Melton. Back in Perth Im Themightyquinn won a third Western Australian Pacing Cup , one less than the record of four Cup wins by Pure Steel and Village Kid . The win came a week after he had beaten at Gloucester Park after 18 consecutive wins there. After a heat win at Gloucester Park Im Themightyquinn travelled to Menangle Park Paceway for the Inter Dominion Final. He won

1664-777: The " Harness Horse of the Year ." The marquee event of Australasian racing is the Inter Dominion Series, which includes a pacing series and a trotting series. The series is held yearly and rotated around the Australian State Controlling Bodies and once every four years the Inter Dominion Championships are held in New Zealand. The major events for open age pacers in Australia are the Miracle Mile Pace , A.G. Hunter Cup , Victoria Cup and

1728-420: The "running tracks" the horse must be "a fast starter". The start of the races and the starting position (which equals a certain number as explained previously) are indeed important, independent of the start method. A very good horse in a race with weak opponents but with a bad start number (like 12 or higher) may not become the prime favorite due to the bad starting position, especially at short distance. After

1792-787: The Grand Circuit now visits 20 tracks as of the most recent 2021 season. The most notable harness tracks in North America are the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, New Jersey , Yonkers Raceway in Yonkers, New York , The Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky , and Mohawk Park in Campbellville, Ontario . Since 1947, the "United States Harness Writers" Association annually votes for

1856-582: The Inter Dominion for a third time with a last to first finish beating Mah Sish and Excel Stride after being 10 lengths from the leaders with 800 metres to run. It was his ninth consecutive win in Inter Dominion competition. Shortly after the Inter Dominion Im Themightyquinn travelled to New Zealand and won the Auckland Trotting Cup for a second time defeating triple New Zealand Trotting Cup winner Terror To Love by 2 ¾ lengths. He

1920-463: The Spanish Trotter,.despite their contribution to its early development. The Spanish Trotter is bred for performance in trotting races. There are three hippodromes in the islands. Races are almost invariably in harness to a sulky , with the horse performing an ordinary diagonal trot ; occasionally the horses may instead be raced under saddle . The fastest time for the breed over 1 kilometre

1984-679: The best four-year-old horses) hosted in September at Jägersro in Malmö . The latter race track also hosts the Hugo Åbergs Memorial , which is an international race open for all horses. Other important harness racing arenas in Scandinavia are Åby outside Gothenburg , Mantorp , Axevalla , Bergsåker , Boden (almost at the polar circle ) and Charlottenlund in Danish capital Copenhagen . A betting game called V75

Spanish Trotter - Misplaced Pages Continue

2048-404: The big-time if they have an exceptional horse. The major tracks include Gloucester Park (Perth), Globe Derby Park (Adelaide) Albion Park (Brisbane), Menangle Park Paceway (Sydney), Melton Entertainment Park (Melbourne), Alexandra Park (Auckland) and Addington Raceway (Christchurch). The breeding and racing of standardbred horses is both a dedicated pastime and profession for participants in

2112-648: The biggest races. Trot racing as a sport is often considered dull, but when combined with betting it can rapidly get interesting. The huge popularity of trot betting in Sweden "spills over" to the neighboring Norway (11 racing tracks), Finland (43) and Denmark (9). In Ireland, sulky racing is today associated with the Traveller community , and some with criminal associations, whereby illegal racing takes place on public roads. Trotting sport and betting also exist in Austria , Belgium , Germany , Hungary , Serbia , Italy ,

2176-590: The breed. The founding sire of today's Standardbred horse was Messenger , a gray Thoroughbred brought to America in 1788 and purchased by Henry Astor, brother of John Jacob Astor . Astor had the horse for two years on Long Island and then sold him to C.W. Van Rantz. From Messenger came a great-grandson, Hambletonian 10 (1849–1876), a horse who gained a wide following for his racing prowess and successful offspring. The lineage of virtually all North American Standardbred race horses can be traced from four of Hambletonian 10's sons. As of January 1, 2019, Foiled Again

2240-418: The clear majority of harness racing in Australia and New Zealand are also now for pacers, even though the sport is colloquially still known as 'the trots.' Pacing horses are faster and (most important to the bettor) less likely to break stride (a horse that starts to gallop must be slowed down and taken to the outside until it resumes trotting or pacing). One of the reasons pacers are less likely to break stride

2304-456: The early years of the Standardbred stud book , only horses who could trot or pace a mile in a standard time (or whose progeny could do so) of no more than 2 minutes, 30 seconds were admitted to the book. The horses have proportionally shorter legs than Thoroughbreds , and longer bodies. Standardbreds generally have a more placid disposition, due to the admixture of non-Thoroughbred blood in

2368-519: The field gets the bell at signal their final lap. New Zealand racing is quite similar to that of Australia. Many horses are able to easily "cross the Tasman " and compete as well on either side of the sea that separates Australia and New Zealand. In both New Zealand and Australia the same system of an 'open lane' operates, although in Australia it is called a 'sprint lane' and in New Zealand a 'passing lane'. These lanes do not operate on all tracks and have been

2432-423: The first turn. After the initial fight for a good running position, the horses usually form two rows or tracks. Good running positions are the leading position of the inner track or the second (or third) place in the outer track. This is explained by the fact that the outer track is close to 15 meters longer per lap, front running is always heavier compared with just follow behind (just like in cycling). Positions in

2496-477: The ground simultaneously), whereas a pacer moves its legs laterally (right front and right hind together, then left front and left hind). In continental Europe, races are conducted exclusively among trotters, whereas in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States races are also held for pacers. Pacing races constitute 80% to 90% of the harness races conducted in North America - while

2560-416: The industry. The premier events can now have prizemoney exceeding AUD 1 million and recent upgrades to some venues has created world-class facilities for harness racing. Betting revenues have come under pressure from both thoroughbred racing and from expanding opportunities in greyhound racing - however 'the trots' still has a dedicated following and a rich history to enjoy. Friday night is generally regarded as

2624-429: The inner track behind the leader may appear the best. But as described before, overtaking is not an easy manoeuver. And horses in the inner track may very well be trapped all the way to the finish, due to the horses and sulkies in the outer track. On the other hand, if an opening in the outer track appears close to the finish line, such a horse has had "an easy ride" with much strength left to give. The leading position of

Spanish Trotter - Misplaced Pages Continue

2688-414: The lead early; circling the field; moving up an open rail; advancing behind a horse expected to tire and so on. Harness horses accelerate during the final quarter-mile of a race. The finish of a harness race is exciting, and often extremely close. The judges have a photo-finish camera to help them determine the order of finish if needed. Until the 1990s harness tracks featured a rail on the inside, much like

2752-457: The lead to any horse that challenges, often leaving a horse parked outside the leader in the " death seat " or simply "the death" (known as "facing the breeze" in New Zealand), as this horse covers more ground than the leader. Australian racing generally has more horses in each race; a field of 12 or 13 is not uncommon. This generally means that with the smaller tracks a "three-wide train" starts as

2816-471: The leader, with another horse outside). It makes races more wide-open, with potentially higher payoffs — and more attractive to bettors. Australian racing differs from North American racing in that metric distances are used, generally above the equivalent of one mile and horses are classed by how many wins they have. Another large difference is that in Australian racing the leader does not have to hand up

2880-451: The mobile barrier. The horses commence pacing or trotting and line up behind a hinged gate mounted on a moving motor vehicle, which then leads them to the starting line. At the line, the wings of the gate are folded up and the vehicle accelerates away from the horses. Another kind of start is a standing start, where there are tapes or imaginary lines across the track behind which the horses either stand stationary or trot in circles in pairs in

2944-542: The one at Thoroughbred tracks. This "hub rail" was replaced with a row of short pylons (usually of a flexible material), which mark the inside boundary of the course. This change was mainly for safety reasons; it allows a driver to pull off to the inside of the course if necessary, such as when their horse breaks stride but they cannot move to the outside due to being boxed in, thus avoiding injury to himself, his horse, and other competitors. This change allowed another innovation, "open-stretch racing". (As of 2011 open-lane racing

3008-445: The outer track, also known as the position of "death", is a very hard position to run and only very strong horses can win from this position. If a horse completes the race from the "death" position, commentators often point that out when announcing the KM pace of the horse. On short distances (1640 meters), the horse that gets the leading position of the inner track has a very good chance to be

3072-634: The premier trotting night although key events will enjoy broader weekend billing. Important annual races include the Hambletonian for 3-year-old trotters, the Little Brown Jug for 3-year-old pacers, and the Breeders Crown series of twelve races covering each of the traditional categories of age, gait and sex. The Hambletonian is part of the Trotting Triple Crown and the Little Brown Jug

3136-540: The race in 2016 was 1 million euros, with approximately half of that to the winner. The horses are entered in the race based on lifetime earnings, unless they have qualified by performing well in the preceding six qualifying races. Sweden is "the locomotive" of harness racing in Scandinavia. It is a professional all-year event, even at very high latitudes during the winter. In Sweden there are 33 racing tracks, and in Finland 43. For comparison, there are only three thoroughbred racetracks in Sweden. One of them ( Jägersro )

3200-542: The season and was the Australian Harness Horse of the Year and Australasian Pacers Grand Circuit Champion. Early in the 2011–12 season Im Themightyquinn travelled to New South Wales and Victoria but was defeated in the Miracle Mile and Victoria Cup after becoming dehydrated. However back in his home state he recorded eleven consecutive wins. Included in the sequence was another Western Australian Pacing Cup in

3264-470: The season he started 13 times for 9 wins and $ 1.25m in stakes. For the second consecutive year he was awarded the Australian Harness Horse of the Year title. Im Themightyquinn’s start to the 2012–13 season was delayed by an attack of atrial fibrillation however he won first up in the Mount Eden Sprint before recording a record fifteenth consecutive Gloucester Park win. In Victoria he finished third in

SECTION 50

#1732884067145

3328-542: The second volt together with number 8 and higher) may get up a better speed after the turn-around but before the starting whistle sounds. Horses may have different initial speed, but must not exceed the starting line before the start signal sounds. Horses number 6 and 7 can both get a better speed at the starting line, and there are no horses in front of them. Due to this number 6 and number 7 are known as "running tracks" at volt starting. Horses 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, 14, 15 have all horses in front of them. But to get advantage of

3392-466: The seven races the price multiplies as 0.5 × 2 × 5 × 1 × 7 × 7 × 1 × 4 = 980 SEK (approximately 92 euro). The bettors win money if they get all seven, six or five horses right within the system. But the difference between picking all 7 winners and just five is huge, in terms of money to win. V75 races are of distances 1640 m ("short"), 2140 m ("normal"), 2640 m ("long") and rarely 3140 m ("extra long"). The race track's length most usually

3456-465: The slow pace of the race after he settled near the rear of the field. In Victoria he won the Cranbourne Cup and was third in both the Victoria Cup and A G Hunter Cup . Taken to New Zealand Im Themightyquinn won the Auckland Trotting Cup defeating Mr Feelgood . The 2011 Inter Dominion had been scheduled to be run at Addington, Christchurch but after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake the series

3520-652: The sport is fairly popular in most northern European countries. Practically all races in Europe are trotting races. The Prix d'Amérique at Vincennes hippodrome near Paris is widely considered to be the most prestigious event of the European racing year. Other notable races include the Elitloppet one-mile race in Solvalla track near Stockholm, Sweden and Gran Premio Lotteria di Agnano in Naples , Italy. A yearly Grand Circuit tour for

3584-402: The start the drivers fight to get a good running position . How well this succeeds depends on the horse, the starting position and how the opponents drive their horses. Due to the sulky width and the oval race track overtaking is a far more difficult manoeuver to achieve, in comparison with gallop racing. The "running position fight" during the start and the beginning of the race usually ends in

3648-436: The starting line for a restart which can cause delays in programming and disrupts betting. The sulky (informally known as a "bike", and also known as a spider) is a light, two-wheeled cart equipped with bicycle wheels. The driver (not a "jockey", as in thoroughbred racing) carries a light whip chiefly used to signal the horse by tapping and to make noise by striking the sulky shaft. There are strict rules as to how and how much

3712-625: The top trotters includes a number of prestigious European races. All notable racing nations also host their own highly regarded premier events for young horses. Monté (races to saddle) have recently been introduced in larger scale in Sweden and Norway , to increase interest and recruitment to the sport. Saddled events are also commonplace in France and though less frequent, they are not considered exceptional in other European trotting nations. Im Themightyquinn Im Themightyquinn (foaled 8 November 2004)

3776-465: The whip may be used; in some jurisdictions (like Norway), whips are forbidden. For exercising or training, the drivers use what is known as a "jog cart", which is a sulky that is heavier and bulkier than a racing unit. The Prix d'Amérique is considered to be the number-one trotting race in the world. It is held annually at the gigantic Vincennes hippodrome in eastern Paris late in January. The purse for

3840-524: The winner. At longer races (with rather even competitors) running positions like second or third in the outer track have good chances, especially if the inner track horses get trapped behind a weakening front horse. Though all kind of trot betting in terms of money, is the most popular type of betting in Sweden, attendances at the races do not correspond to this. Even when "the V75 circuit comes to town" attendance rarely exceeds 5000 people. Larger crowds only gather at

3904-401: Was moved to Alexandra Park, Auckland . Im Themightyquinn won both of his heats in an Australian dominated series. In the final Smoken Up crossed the line first ahead of Im Themightyquinn with Blacks A Fake third. However, when Smoken Up was disqualified after returning a positive swab Im Themightyquinn was promoted to being the 2011 Inter Dominion champion. In Australia he won $ 334,735 for

SECTION 60

#1732884067145

3968-561: Was the Australasian Pacers Grand Circuit Champion and Australian Harness Horse of the Year for the 2012–13 season where he won 12 of 17 starts and $ 1,077,610. Injury and illness then restricted Im Themightyquinn’s career however he did still travel to Brisbane in 2014 and win the Sunshine Sprint and The Blacks A Fake at Albion Park. In the Sunshine Sprint he ran a track record 1:50.4 mile rate. In 2015 he

4032-564: Was third in the A G Hunter Cup behind Bondy. In the Hunter Cup he sprinted quickly from near the rear of the field passing horses such as Smoken Up , Mr Feelgood and Washakie. He won 6 of 12 starts for the season and $ 374,935. He was also named Western Australian Harness Horse of the Year. In 2010–11 he won the Fremantle Cup with a brilliant burst of speed and the Western Australian Pacing Cup despite being disadvantaged by

4096-635: Was third in the Golden Nugget, won the McInerney Ford Classic, finished third in the Fremantle Cup and in Sydney was second in the Chariots Of Fire. He won 8 of his 16 starts for the 2008–09 season. In 2009–10 Im Themightyquinn won the Fremantle Cup and finished second in the Australian Pacing Championship behind Has The Answers and in the Western Australian Pacing Cup to Washakie. In Victoria he

#144855