For owners of Off-The-Track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs), exploring a horse’s past can be an interesting part of the journey. While an OTTB’s new career as a riding horse offers its own rewards, understanding their background as a racehorse can provide insights. If you're curious about your OTTB's race history, this guide will walk you through how to access their race record using Equibase.com. We will follow up with more content about how to read and interpret these results in a future article.
Step 1: Visit Equibase.com
Start by going to Equibase.com, a comprehensive database for Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing in North America. It’s a useful tool for finding detailed information about your horse’s racing history.
Step 2: Enter Your Horse's Registered Name
Once on the Equibase homepage, locate the search bar at the top. Enter your horse’s Jockey Club registered name, rather than any barn names or nicknames. Accuracy is key, as there may be other horses with similar names, so make sure you have it spelled correctly and include any punctuation.
Step 3: Select Your Horse from the Results
After searching, Equibase will generate a list of matching horses. If your horse has a common name, you may need to scroll through the results to find the correct one. Pay attention to details like birth year and color to ensure you select the right horse.
Step 4: Review the Overview Tab
Once you’ve selected your horse, you’ll see a summary of their racing statistics. This includes the total number of starts, wins, placings, earnings, and more. You’ll also find information about tracks and races your horse has participated in.
Step 5: Access Detailed Race Results
To explore specific races in more depth, click the icon under the "Chart" section. This will give you access to individual race data, including race dates, track locations, race types, finishing positions, jockeys, trainers, and race comments. You can gain further insights into your horse's performance trends, such as their preferences for certain tracks or race distances.
Wrapping Up
Uncovering your OTTB’s race record can offer a deeper understanding of their background and help you appreciate their history. Whether they had a standout racing career or weren't fast enough to beat their own shadow, their journey on the track adds another dimension to their story.
Remember, the race record is only one part of your horse's past. Regardless of their performance on the track, they now have a new purpose and future with you! Understanding their racing history is just one way to connect further with your horse’s unique story.
