Jun 2017
The Ownership Roller Coaster and its Ups and Downs!
Updates:
The adrenaline is rising as you feel the energy jolting through your body. Your mind sharpens its focus and clears away any pesky outside world distractions. You dare to consider the possibilities if things somehow unfold in your favor over the next couple of moments. Superstitions begin to surface. Can’t walk over there but should I stand right here or is way over there? Am I wearing my lucky shirt? The buildup started slowly after entries were posted a few days back and then it amped-up when looking through past performances and making the case she could win. Now, it’s Post Time and the anxiety and intensity is peaking as the horses prepare to break from the gate.
You quickly glance at the betting odds and scoff at her high odds and wonder why the gamblers can’t envision her winning or perhaps they made your horse the post-time favorite and you hope they'll be rewarded for their keen senses. Those last few seconds before they break from the starting gate is such a special and wonderful moment. You are now strapped in, braced and prepared for whatever is about to transpire….or so you think. What happens over the next few minutes will determine those future emotions. Will it be elation and a hoarse voice after winning or disappointment when she doesn’t compete or perhaps a bittersweet mix of encouragement and frustration for a good effort but falling short of victory? As a racehorse owner, you will surely feel all of these emotions and more.
When your horse turns for home and has a chance, you rise from your seat, raise your voice and pump your fists to encourage her home. The crescendo of the crowd as backdrop enhances the enormous thrill and gushing adrenaline that is unique to this sport and your status as an owner. If you win, you are walking on air to the winners circle. You greet the now dirt soaked jockey in a celebratory manner and sidle up to your trainer with a self-satisfying confidence that solicits high-fives, fist pumps, chest thumps and congratulatory hugs. Afterwards, you proudly display your Winners Circle photo and take every opportunity to replay the race and share how you confidently predicted victory as friends intently hang to your every word. You find yourself watching that race replay again and again and again! It was a moment of pride and accomplishment. You are high with happiness. This is good.
Of course, for every upside, there is also a downside and for every winner, there are several losers as most races average between seven and eight horses. Thus, you will statistically lose more times than win and this equalizing statistic serves to amplify the importance of your accomplishment when you finish in the Winners Circle! You admiringly appreciate the talented horse that is able to win often and runs hard every time as a rare and special competitor.
No matter your odds or statistics, whenever your horse fails to meet your personal expectation, it's difficult to mask your disappointment. You waited weeks since his last race and studied the racing form like a final exam and were so ready, amped and fired up for this race. Then, he loses a shoe, gets bumped or simply doesn’t compete and finishes out of the money. No winners circle. No purse money. No celebration. You want to know what the <bleep> just happened. Hopefully, he's not injured and thus it’s time for critical observations. Jockeys are easy scapegoats and they are making split second decisions while controlling a 1,200 pound animal, but sometimes, the horse just wasn’t good enough on that day. The question you and especially your trainer will then need to answer is why?
Every win is enthralling and every loss is humbling and navigating between these extremes is where you learn about your fortitude and disposition as a racehorse owner. There will be other times when your horse fails to win but runs well enough to encourages you going forward. It's most humbling when anticipating a strong performance but he fails to run well, thus preempting your opportunity to stand and scream for him as the field rumbles home. Even after a rough day on the track, you still were able to play owner and go the paddock, meet the jockey, trainer and carry more than just a simple rooting interest and this alone is a victory! It may not be the glory of the Winners Circle but you are in the game as a participant and thus both wins and losses are going to be a just little more personal!
Win or lose, after about 24 hours, the thrill of the win or sting of the loss will start to turn towards his next race. It may be several more weeks, but you already start to feel that tingle of excitement in anticipation of that next race. You’ll continue to make observations about that last race and your trainer may adjust some tactics to improve his chances next time out. You’re once again ready to strap in for another ride that has every chance to take you to the stars or back down to earth but nonetheless, you’ve got a ticket for the next ride!