How to obtain all the proper paperwork to become a thoroughbred racehorse trainer
Question
Hello,
I recently passed by thoroughbred trainer's exam by the Kentucky chief state steward. I have a horse which I have lined up for training.(he is out of Star Programmer, which is a son of Storm Cat)
However, I want to make sure that I have all my "I's" dotted and "T's" crossed before I go diving in. Could you please help me by telling me what legal paperwork needs to be filled out to be a thoroughbred racehorse trainer ?
Also, I would like your opinion and advice regarding finding owners for forming a racing partnership. So far, I've had difficulty locating owners.
Your help would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thanks,
Tim
Answer
Tim,
Congratulations on your new career!
I'm guessing that you have passed your trainer's test in Kentucky, by what you posted. Generally the trainer's test is a combination of a barn test and a written test, and you have to be passed by a panel of three stewards, one of which is the state steward, so when you say that you passed the "exam by the Kentucky chief state steward", I guess that was just a difference in reference.
If you have indeed passed the trainers test, then you are a licensed trainer in Kentucky. Most other states have a reciprocal agreement with Kentucky, so in theory, you are actually a licensed trainer anywhere else, too. You will have to fill out a fingerprint card and a questionnaire for every state that you want to race in, and also a questionnaire for every racetrack that you want to race at, in order to get a badge to get on the backside of the racetrack.
A word of advice, though. If you want people to take you seriously as a trainer, learn the proper terminology. A horse is "out of" a mare, not a stallion. The proper way to phrase your horse's breeding would be that he is "by" Star Programmer, not "out of" Star Programmer.
Owners are the hardest part of being a trainer. Getting the license is the easy part. Most partnerships choose horses with very strong pedigrees and have them trained by very successful trainers. It will be very difficult to find partners for a horse by a little known sire, who is trained by an unknown trainer.
Your best bet is to train your own horses for a few years, and when you have solid credentials and a good win record behind you, you'll have much better luck finding people willing to invest in you and your horses.
Best of Luck to you,
Stephanie Frost
www.alchemybloodstock.com
Finding information on our old race horse.
Finding a licensed groom