Horses come in all shapes and sizes and are used for many different purposes. Yet few horses have the grit and tenacity required to be a National Hunt runner. Over long distances and obstacles, these fine creatures need to dig deep into their reserves of stamina to succeed. So how can you tell a potential National Hunt winner from any other horse?
Sireage
Your first stop must lie in the horse’s genetics. The chances are that if it is sired by a horse that has produced several great National Hunt runners, the horse in question may have what it takes as well. It is not always the case: Great horses have come from seemingly unknown stock. Yet it is great parentage that wins most times. The more famous the sire and dam, and the more winning young it produces, the more the price will go up.
The parentage of a horse is one of the key factors you should consider if you are looking at horse racing syndicates. The digital landscape has opened up the chance for people to buy shares in racehorses for relatively low entry prices, and quality ones at that. Keeping track of them is easy using handy web browsers and apps. The only real test is trying to pick out a potential future winner from the horses available.
Physique
The physique of a horse is also a huge factor. Just because it has great genetics does not always mean the horse will have the mind and body to be a runner. National Hunt horses are not dainty sprinters, so you need horses that are big, strong, and sturdy. However, some horses can be too big, so you need to find the perfect sweet spot.
A deeper analysis of this can even go down to looking at a horse’s bone structure. Like humans, horses have an anatomically precise bone structure, which is always slightly different due to a range of birth factors. Thus, you need a horse that is known to have “plenty of bone.” While lighter horses may seem the same size in younger years, they will quickly get overtaken in size and stamina when they hit the age of five or six.
Stamina
Stamina is a horse’s ability to run over long distances. If you want the best of the best and a potential Grand National winner, that is going to be a long way. These horses can be expected to run from anywhere between 2m to over 4m. Deep statistical analysis has shown that sires that have done well in 1m 4f flat races tend to produce National Hunt offspring brimming with the constitution needed.
The horse’s movement is also vital. A good trainer will be able to spot how agile and dexterous a horse is from an early age. A large, lengthy stride is preferred as this can cover ground quicker. However, if this translates to clumsiness, it is not a virtue. This can result in unseated riders and erratic jumping.
All of this should be taken with a pinch of salt. Horses have come from nowhere in the past. While others with the best parentage and training have come to nothing. The best way to spot a good National Hunt horse is to follow its progress and career. Done right, you may just be able to spot the next Grand National winner.