The beauty of harness horses is that they can race 20 to 40 times a year, whereas you might get 10 to 12 starts out of a thoroughbred. The training fees are also far more manageable although that can be offset by lower prize money levels. There also seems to be a far more equitable and fairer grading system for harness horses, thus giving them more chances to win races and earn prize money.
syddiggers said:
The article touches on all of this. It makes the point a horse has to win once a month to make nice profits and this is possible it implies. The funny business that goes on in the harness world wasn't really addressed though. Very interesting stuff though, might consider it in the future to have the same thrill GD gets now.
Also the trainers are far more flexible when it comes to the rates they charge owners. Unlike a lot of their thoroughbred counterparts, harness trainers are open to training on a percentage of prize money earned basis instead of a flat X amount of dollars per day.
Its a shame thay they didnt touch on the funny/shady business aspect, but that side of the business seems to be well known, yet never discussed. It is a fun sport ( shady business aside ) and appeals more to the average punter with its reasonable costs and low expectations.
Its a shame thay they didnt touch on the funny/shady business aspect, but that side of the business seems to be well known, yet never discussed. It is a fun sport ( shady business aside ) and appeals more to the average punter with its reasonable costs and low expectations.
