Parade Ring
Approximately 15 minutes before the start of their race, horses are led from the Day Stalls to the trackside Parade Ring. Racegoers can watch the horses parade, see the jockeys mount up and become familiar with race numbers and silks colours. Look for a combination of important traits in choosing your horse. Factors such as stamina, strength, speed and competitive nature all need to be considered when picking a winner. A shiny dappled coat often translates as a healthy horse. Is the horse calm and alert? If the horse’s head is up and they are looking around it means that they are alert and ready to race. Another positive indicator of alertness is if the horse’s ears are facing forward. A defined muscle tone over the horse’s buttocks and behind its rib cage points to a strong and healthy horse.