Behind every great racehorse is a great trainer.
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| Image via Dustin Orona Photography |
And after
last year’s $300,000 Springboard Mile, this couldn't be any more apparent.
Trainer Danele Durham’s horse Texas Bling concluded the unforgettable evening with
a major against-the-odds victory at 128-1.
So as the Thoroughbred season approaches Remington Park on
August 16th, we wanted to take a look behind the scenes and learn a
little bit about the historically refined art of race horse training. So we
sat down for an interview with one of Remington Park’s most respected race
horse trainers, Danele Durham.
When does training begin for a horse?
“Training begins at birth. We halter our foals at birth and
begin handling them so the humans are a part of their world. I think that there
is less trauma involved this way. The are never a problem to start under tack
when they are handled correctly as youngsters.”
What are some of the first things
you work on with a horse?
“I handle a lot of the horses from birth but when I get a
new horse, maybe one from a sale, or one we've claimed, I like to take a few
days to get inside its head, see what makes that individual tick. They are all
different, just like children.”
When do you start to get a feel for
a horse’s personality?
“From day one every horse has its own personality, just like
we do. Some are easy going, some spirited, some hard headed. Patience and
understanding go a long way with horses.”
What are some things you look for
early on to gauge a horse’s personality?
“Early on when gauging an individual’s personality I like to
look in their eyes, you can see their soul through their eyes. The way they
walk, their eating habits, the way they interact with their groom all tell me
how the individual is going to perform on the racetrack.”
What makes a good trainer?
“I good trainer is not only a true horseman but a business
manager, human relations director, head coach type of person.”
Do you think this sort of training
prevents a horse from being able to perform in other competitive horse sports
later in life?
“I personally have had retired racehorses or off the track thoroughbreds
perform and compete at high levels of competition in dressage hunter and jumper
events. I have reschooled several into successful lead ponies, or pony horses
as we call them. With many who were winners or very competitive it takes time
to teach them that their days of racing are over, but it most definitely can be
done.”
What is the most rewarding part of
being a trainer?
“I think I'm rewarded on a daily basis in the fact that I'm
doing what I was doing as a little girl. Loving horses on a daily basis and
calling it my job. A trip to the winners circle is just icing on the cake!!”
What is the most difficult part of
being a trainer?
"I
wouldn't say that I find being a trainer anymore difficult than I found the
development and home building business! But if I had to point at a
less desirable part of the business I would say the time spent away from my
children although they are older and travel to the races regularly. They spend
a lot of time on the backside when school allows. They are the reason I took a
leave in the early 90's I wanted to raise them before I returned to my passion
of training.”
What tips would you offer
up-and-coming trainers?
“I would suggest future trainers have a love of the sport
and be willing to sacrifice their personal life before they take on the
commitment of full time head coach with no days off!”
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| Image via Dustin Orona Photography |
RemingtonPark is Oklahoma's #1 sporting entertainment destination. Unlike any other casino in the area, we offer a unique blend of continually-updated casino
games, live music, fine dining and both live and simulcast horse racing.
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