I want to be born a thoroughbred racehorse

Thursday, 18 August 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Cyrus Madan, Consultant, Royal

Turf Club

If I am reborn, I would probably like to return as a thoroughbred racehorse. You are born into the lap of luxury.

The stud farm, which is your first home for over two years, has vast expanses of open fields and paddocks to romp about and play in. You have a number of buddies (foals of the same age) for company and that means fun, frolic and games. You have a home and roof over your head and you get fed every day. When you get a little older you leave home and go out into the world of horseracing. You are brought up to be an athlete from the time you are born and once you get to the racetrack, you are groomed to become the next Usain Bolt or Emil Zatopek.

In locations where it’s hot and oppressive you live in air-conditioned comfort. You train every morning and then lounge around in your stable where you have great company and you are fed three times a day. There’s a doctor on call in case you fall ill and he pays you house visits and then in the evening the people whom you race for come by to see how you’re doing and feed you carrots, lumps of sugar and other treats.

It’s a good life and the best part of it is that you love the work because horses were born to run and that’s what racing is all about.

On 20 August 2016 the racecourse in Nuwara Eliya which is steeped in history, will be scripting an entirely new chapter in its history. It will be hosting the first auction sale of thoroughbred racehorses and it promises to be something really special.

The horses for sale are all seasoned campaigners so you have a huge advantage in that you will have the opportunity to buy a ‘readymade racehorse’ or one that is ready to race and earn its keep.

It’s the beginning of a new era in the history of the Sri Lankan Turf and the Royal Turf Club is set to go even further after this innovative and imaginative step to encourage and popularise a truly magnificent sport.