At the break of dawn, the Royal Calcutta Turf Club transforms into a magical space where majestic horses are walked from their stables to the track, framed by the rising sun. With the racing season in full swing, we spent a Saturday afternoon with trainers and horses like Voice of a Dream, Salvador, and Italian Gold to get a glimpse of the love and dedication that goes into preparing these equines for the races.
The relationship between a horse, its owner, trainer, and jockey is something beyond words, as noted by trainer Rutherford Alford. “The bond is indescribable,” he says. Smita Bajoria, a lifelong horse owner, echoes this sentiment: “Horses understand impulse. They are like my babies, and choosing one to love most is like asking a mother to choose her favorite child.”
A Structured Routine
Horses begin their day at 5:45 am, warming up for their training sessions. From 7:30 am to 9 am, they enjoy a relaxing sand bath to calm their muscles. Afterward, they are rubbed down, hosed, and fed, with their nutrients replenished through saline drips and medicines. At 3:30 pm, the horses take a swim in a deep pool, reinforcing their natural ability as swimmers.
Training and Conditioning
To prepare horses for races, trainers condition them for specific tasks, like gate jumping. Some horses struggle at the start of a race, so trainers use gate training to help them get used to the environment and signals. This mental conditioning is essential for getting the horse to behave on race day.
Rehabilitation and Relaxation
After an intense workout, horses head to the sand pit, where they can roll freely in the sand. This relaxation ritual helps to soothe their muscles and treat minor injuries. The rolling motion is a natural way for horses to unwind and recover from exertion.
Swimming for Healing and Fitness
Christopher Alford, a trainer at the club, shares that swimming is an excellent way to get a lazy horse to move. Horses can swim in depths of up to 15 meters, and swimming aids in recovery from injuries, promoting healing and fitness.
The Story of Rutherford Alford
Rutherford Alford’s story is one of resilience and passion. After an accident in 2006, he shifted focus to training, carrying forward a family legacy of horse riding and training. Now, as the trainer of 53 horses at the club, he says, “I dream of horses. They are my lifeline.”
At the Turf Club, every day is a blend of love, hard work, and dedication, where the horses not only compete to win but also to steal our hearts.
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