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Run annually over nine furlongs on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket in late September, the Cambridgeshire Handicap is the first of two historic, late-season handicap races run at “Headquarters”. Together with the Cesarewitch Handicap, which is run over two and a quarter miles two weeks later, the Cambridgeshire Handicap constitutes the traditional “Autumn Double”, once so beloved of ante-post punters. With a safety limit of 35, the Cambridgeshire is no friend of favourite-backers, but occasionally features a progressive three-year-old, brimming with potential and, effectively, a “Group” horse in the making.

Since the turn of the twenty-first century, a total of half a dozen three-year-olds have won the Cambridgeshire. The first of them was Formal Decree, trained by the late Alan Swinbank and ridden by Jamie Spencer, in 2006 and the last Lord North, trained by John Gosden and ridden by Lanfranco “Frankie” Dettori, in 2019. Indeed, Lord North was the most recent of five winners, in total, for the now six-time champion trainer, who also saddled the three-year-old winners Pipedreamer, ridden by Jimmy Fortune, in 2007 and Wissahickon, also ridden by Dettori, in 2018.

The sextet of three-year-old winners of the Cambridgeshire since 2000 is completed by Bronze Angel, trained by Marcus Tregoning and ridden by William Buick, in 2012 and Third Time Lucky, trained by Richard Fahey and ridden by Adam Beschizza, in 2015. It is worth noting that the former returned to Newmarket to win the Cambridgeshire again, as a five-year-old, in 2014, in the hands of Louis Steward.

Of course, nowadays, no-one under the age of 16 is permitted to ride in public, but it wasn’t always that way. The legendary Lester Piggott, for example, famously had his first ride on The Chase, for his father, Keith, at Salisbury on April 7, 1948, having turned 12 on November 5, 1947.

However, the ‘Long Fella’, who went on to ride 4,493 winners in Britain in a career spanning six decades, was not the youngest-ever professional jockey. Details from a century, or longer, ago are understandably sketchy, but certainly one of the youngest, if not the youngest, professional jockey was George Hoy Booth, who was born in Wigan, Lancashire on May 26, 1904. Booth never rode a winner but, as a teenager, took his stage name from his father, George Formby Snr., and would later win global acclaim as a cheeky, ukulele-playing singer, actor and comedian. Yes, it really was that George Formby!

Remarkable though it may seem, George Formby Jnr. was apprenticed to Epsom trainer Thomas Schofield, for whom he had his first ride in public, on the three-year-old filly Eliza, owned by his father and named after his mother, in an apprentices’ race over a mile at Lingfield Park on April 6, 1915; he 10 years, 10 months and 11 months old at the time. Weighing just 3st 13lb and with his face still swollen from a recent bout of mumps, Formby missed the break and finished unplaced. Schofield, though, reportedly had no complaints about young George other than his ‘ fondness for sweets and pastry’.

Later the same year, with the Flat season in England curtailed by World War I, George Formby Snr. sent a handful of his horses, Eliza included, across the Irish Sea to Naas trainer Johnny Burns, so that George Jr. could continue his riding career. That he did, in Ireland until November, 1918, and in England until the premature death of his father in February, 1921.

Horse riding is the second most popular sport in the UK, following football, but it’s not just about watching the sport for Brits. According to a 2022-2023 survey, about 322 million people had ridden a horse in Britain during the previous year, and although fox hunting was officially banned in 2004, many still enjoy trail hunting with hounds, an activity that uses an artificial scent. Data shows that people are increasingly interested in horse riding, but the number of houses that own a horse or participate in the upkeep of one has been experiencing a slight decline. Both the sport and the industry remain popular among members of the general public, and if you’re thinking about giving it a try yourself, you may have been wondering about what type of equipment you should get.

After all, while riding is an incredibly rewarding sport, it can also be quite dangerous, considering how tall and powerful horses are. Making sense of all the equipment available on the market can be pretty difficult, and you might end up scrolling endlessly on online shopping pages or spending hours in a specialised shop. Here is a comprehensive list of the items you should make sure to get.

Helmet

The helmet is one of the most essential items you need to wear. The injuries that can happen if you fall or are thrown off can be quite catastrophic, requiring hospitalisation and with the potential to result in lifelong disability. Becoming injured can cause people to become afraid of trying the sport ever again, and even the most minor injuries can be enough to necessitate taking time off daily activities and postponing any plans you may have had until a later date. For it to be effective, the helmet you choose must be specifically designed for horse riding. The features of this model include an adjustable chin strap that fits snugly but not so tight to feel uncomfortable. Your helmet should also have adequate padding and ventilation, and remember that you shouldn’t hold onto yours forever.

As a rule, you also shouldn’t go for longer than five years before updating your helmet to a newer one, even if you weren’t involved in an accident, since they lose their effectiveness by that point. The helmets can be expensive, so it is tempting to go to second-hand markets to look for one, but this is something you should avoid since it isn’t safe. There’s no way of knowing what kind of structural damage the helmet sustained with its previous owner, and it may not be able to provide you with adequate protection in case you become injured.

Equipment

If you’re a fan of horse riding, you already know that you need to wear suitable clothing that allows you to be comfortable and perform to the best of your abilities. Riding trousers, also known as jodhpurs, are tight-fitting and go down all the way to the ankles, where they end in a snug cuff. The jodhpurs have been adapted for riding through the integration of a pattern cut that keeps all leg seams to the outside of the leg, including a leather patch inside of the knee and sometimes even an additional panel that allows you to feel more comfortable in the saddle.

The shirt you wear must be made of comfortable, breathable fabrics and appropriate for the weather conditions in which you’re riding. When you’re riding in warmer weather, the fabric of your shirt should have moisture-wicking properties and UV protection, while in colder weather, you will need thermal layers that can help you stay warm without feeling like they’re reducing your ability for normal movement. The riding boots are one of the most iconic pieces of equipment. Much like the clothing, they have a distinct heel that will prevent your foot from sliding through the stirrup. The classic boots come high up enough to prevent the saddle from pinching your leg, have sturdy toe areas, and are made from smooth leather.

If you want to be extra safe, there is also the option of adding a special safety vest to your equipment. This piece protects your torso and chest if you happen to fall and can also ensure that your injuries are not so severe if you come into contact with the horse’s hooves.

For the horse

You won’t be riding on your own, so you must remember that your horse also requires equipment to ensure it is safe and protected. The saddle will most likely be the most significant investment you have to make in this regard, as they are designed to fit both the rider and the horse. That means your measurements must be perfect in order to ensure comfort. Caring for your saddle is also paramount so that it lasts longer, and using pads underneath can provide some extra cushioning, prevent heat build-up and ensure the saddle is not chafing your horse’s skin. The bridle, reins and bit are essential communication tools you will need anytime you’re riding a horse.

There are many options out there, and choosing which one you should get depends on your riding style. Stirrup irons are attached to the leather to ensure your foot has a sturdy support base while riding and a stable area when mounting the horse. You will also need to invest in grooming tools that ensure your horse’s health and well-being. Regular grooming is important for coat shine and circulation, and it can also serve as a great way to bond with the horse and get them to trust you.

Having fly spray readily available ensures that these pesky insects won’t become a nuisance and a safety hazard for your horse. Depending on the climate, you might also want to invest in a horse blanket. Having a first aid kit can also be a lifesaver, even in the more serious cases when you still require a vet’s assistance, as it allows you to stabilise your horse and ensure their condition doesn’t worsen.

When you’re just getting started, and it’s your first time getting in the saddle, you will naturally feel excited and want to get everything just right. But since there’s so much equipment and gear you need to buy, the best thing is to prioritise and focus on the essentials first. There’ll be plenty of time to acquire everything else over time.

If you want to maximize the chances that your horse wins the race and brings the victory home, you must ensure you take good care of it. Otherwise, your horse might not become the best in this game because no one can do that without the right preparation. So, you must take good care of your horse to win a race.

And let’s say the truth: horses deal with an intense effort in a race, so it is primordial to prepare them before this important event. A horse is a real athlete, and what needs a sportsman the most? Well, a healthy diet and constant movement. Keep reading to discover everything you need to offer the proper care for your horse before a race.

Ensure you offer the right daily care

You won’t be able to prepare your horse for a race if you start a day before this event, so you must ensure you groom your horse daily. This way, you won’t stress that your horse is not in its best condition when race day gets closer. So, groom your horses daily, and not just because they participate in a race. Grooming will help your horse look fabulous, as it offers everything it needs to make the coat shiny and neat.

Plus, you should also perceive grooming as an amazing time to bone better with your horse and make the connection between your two stronger. When grooming your horse, it is good to pay attention to small details that can pose problems to their health. For example, you should look at their eyes and hoofs, which help them give their best in a race.

If you constantly track the small changes that can appear in your horse’s body, you can reduce the chances that they will experience an injury. Moreover, if your horse hurts itself  during the race, this can also mean that you could become injured, which will make you pause your career as a jockey. Unfortunately, horses hurt themselves during races, which can be because they are not adequately cared for or because there are no proper conditions for horses to race. When you want to compete, looking for a reliable horse racing company that puts the safety of anyone above, including their employees, is essential. According to https://www.accidentclaims.co.uk/, employees can claim compensation if they have an accident at work, but they need to prove that someone else is responsible for the cause of it.

Provide good nutrition

When you want to increase the chances that your horse wins races, you need to provide a good diet full of all the nutrients they need. This will help your horse be the best when the race starts. To maximize the chances of offering your horse the nutrition it needs, it would be great to consult a veterinarian to discover everything your horse’s diet must contain. If you don’t feed your horse what it needs, the chances are that it will experience overweight or underweight issues, which will also pose problems when the horse is performing in a race.

However, in more serious cases, this can also lead to other complications, like severe illnesses. But, with the right diet and nutritional supplements, you can boost your horse’s health and be one step closer to winning the race.

Keep your horse in a large paddock

You should also keep your horse in a large paddock to ensure it has room to move around freely. In this way, your horse can feel happier as it has access to an area with more space to gallop. Your horse should have at least one acre of space, so keep this information in mind when finding a paddock for your horse.

Besides this, you also need to consider whether your horse will have a companion. Horses prefer to have someone by their side, so if you want your horse to have a friend, you should look for a larger space suitable for both.

Terrain is also something you should remember when choosing the right paddock for your horse. Flatter land is always a better alternative. Why? A steep hill can be harder to access and liable to flooding.

Bath your horse before the race

To make your horse look stunning and prepare it better for the race, you should also bathe it a few days before the big moment. Bathing your horse will improve its appearance, and you can also see all the parts that might need checking, like trimming and brushing. In this way, you can keep all the obstacles away from keeping your horse performing well in the race.

Wrap the horse’s legs

To prevent your horse from experiencing injuries, you must also wrap its legs with a bandage, as this is an essential step to avoid leg injuries. You surely don’t want something terrible to happen to your horse’s leg, as this will minimize the chances that your horse will perform well during the race. And the good news is that a wrap can prevent your horse from experiencing injuries.

The bottom line

As you can see, there are many factors to consider when you want your horse to perform well in a race. You won’t ever be able to prepare your horse a day before the race, so you must consider this a continuous process and take constant care. You can compare racehorses with athletes, who must train and prepare themselves before the competition to have better chances of winning. So, ensure you provide the right nutrition, daily grooming, and all the other factors that can help your horse come home with a medal.