National Hunt racing is an extreme test of basic physical qualities in a horse – soundness, endurance and durability. Although speed and jumping ability are essential requirements of any winning performance, these talents will never be fully realised unless a horse has the ability to withstand the constant rigours inherent in this code of racing.
The ever present unpredictable element posed in a race by obstacles and injury conspires to make National Hunt racing a powerful leveller of horses and men. This ensures it retains its original sporting flavour, attracting many supporters, owners, etc, from farming and country communities where there is an appreciation of the difficulties, uncertainties and patience required to bring a National Hunt horse to full racing maturity. Many successful National Hunt horses have bred and reared by their owners, whose sympathetic interest and involvement have made certain the horse has been given unhurried consideration to establish a racing career. Success emanating from such an approach cannot be simply bought, and this aspect of the National Hunt horse has less attraction for the sometimes business-minded Flat race owner who looks for a faster return on investment.
Whilst the racing life of a flat racehorse may be short, The National Hunt horse avoiding serious injury can expect five or six seasons, involving a two part career. First as a hurdler and then as a chaser.
The length of time a horse spends as a hurdler or chaser will be determined by the age at which it embarked on a National Hunt career and what was considered initially as its possible forte. A hurdler is considered to be at its peak at six or seven years of age and a chaser is thought normally to be at the height of its powers at nine or ten years of age.
We will continue to look at National Hunt horses in the next part of this article which will appear here soon.
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