If you follow thoroughbred racing you understand it’s a Gypsy lifestyle. As racing concludes in one location, it begins in another. The thoroughbred racing year in New York shifts between Aqueduct Racetrack (Winter), Belmont Park (Spring), Saratoga Racetrack (Summer) and Belmont Park (Fall). Belmont Park’s Spring Racing Meet concluded on Sunday, July 11 and Saratoga Racetrack’s Summer Meet begins on Thursday, July 15.
As racing moves throughout the year, so do the horses, trainers, stable workers and items required to train and race. I watched one of our (Woodford Racing) trainer’s (Shug McGaughey) move his operation from Belmont Park to Saratoga Racetrack this morning and it’s a supply chain feat.
The thirty equine athletes were loaded onto three horse trailers Saturday morning at Belmont Park for the 4-5 hour ride North to Saratoga. As each trailer arrived, McGaughey’s staff was prepared to welcome the horses to their home for the next eight weeks. One by one, each trailer pulled up to the barn area and was positioned to allow the horses to walk down a sloped grass ramp with their grooms. As each horse got to ground level, Shug’s Coordinator Carol confirmed the name of the horse and conveyed their stall number in the barn. Before placing them in their stall, the grooms walked the horses around the barn to allow them to stretch their legs. After stretching their legs they were placed in their assigned stalls which had fresh straw bedding, a fan for air circulation, feed and water.
Our three year old colt First Captain was on the second trailer and arrived in good order. Like humans arriving somewhere after a 4-5 hour drive, the horses were anxious to look around, settle in and enjoy the surroundings.
First Captain
Thoroughbred Daily News article on First Captain.
It was interesting to see all the “non equine” items that had to be unloaded as well. Horse blankets, stall fans, wash buckets, rakes, stall grates, bath supplies, etc. The gray stable cat made the trip as well in a travel pet kennel!
Now that the “stars of the show” have arrived, McGaughey and his team can turn their attention to training and preparing for racing at the 2021 Saratoga Meet.