There are potentially few other sports that require a greater psychological wellbeing than horse racing. A battle of the minds is typically the fascinating back drop that has a determining effect on every race across the world.
The will to win of a rider will ensure that they are prepared to make potentially dangerous moves in the hope that it could be the difference between gaining a win or losing.
Therefore, it is no surprise that only the top jockeys will feature among the winners of the Breeders’ Cup prep races ahead of the season-ending race later this year. You can find more information here: twinspires.com/breeders-cup/prep-races/
But, what does the sport teach us about mental strength?
Confidence Is Vital
Horse racing is a sport that is all about confidence. Riders and horses that are performing confidently will always stand the best chance of gaining wins, and this is typically reflected by the weakness in the betting of riders that have poor recent strike-rates.
Jockeys that have a proven winning record behind them will typically be more likely to make bold decisions that could ultimately be the difference between winning and losing races.
Meanwhile, those that are riding with limited confidence may look to play it too safe when they are assessing their in-race options. Therefore, having confidence is essentially important when it comes to the chances of a rider that is most likely to win a race.
Strength Beyond The Track
Mental toughness is far more than just what happens on track in racing, as jockeys will also need to be mentally sound away from the track. This includes putting the sport and their book of rides ahead of social activities.
Making weight is constantly a battle that jockeys need to win, which brings with it it’s own challenges. Trying to make weight can be a stressful period for jockeys, as they will need to be careful when it comes to what they eat and drink after and before a day at the track.
These stress levels typically reach new heights when a major event on the diary is coming up, as riders will need to ensure that they are at a sensible rate that will enable their performance to peak.
That means balancing the weight that they need to carry while also taking into account the strength work that they must complete to ensure that they can give their ride the best chance of winning. Stress levels among jockeys struggling to make weight can have an adverse impact on performance, meaning that many riders typically attempt to remain within the same weight throughout the season.
Read More: 9 Signs You Are A Mentally Strong Person
Horses Also Need to be Mentally Tough
It isn’t just the riders that need to be mentally tough, as a horse’s resilience will also have a direct impact on the outcome of a race. Mental toughness is essentially important within racing, as a healthy equine that is aware of their job will constantly have good gate behaviour.
This is important when it comes to keeping a runner under control, as negative behaviour at the gates could see a race lost before the stalls have even opened. Meanwhile, a positive mental toughness will also ensure that horses settle quicker in races and save their energy for the important stages later in the contest.
The constant need of some horses to want to fight their rider will leave them with little energy to compete in the finish, and will be detrimental to their finishing effort. However, it could be argued that the biggest sign of mental toughness in a horse comes in their finishing effort and what they are able to find in the stretch after being eyeballed by rivals.
Horses with sound mental toughness will always find more, as they refuse to get beaten. This is a hall mark of all leading equines across the world, including Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty.
Why is Mental Strength So Important?
Just as it is in every sport, part of the battle before even starting a race is in the mind. Therefore, while a race can’t be won before the stalls open, it can be lost. Horses and riders that are able to show the best mental strength in the prelims will typically ensure that they stand the best chance of gaining a win.
Equines that are calm and are able to take everything in their stride will also have a better chance of gaining victory than those that get worked up and want to fight their rider. Some of the best racehorses throughout history have also benefitted by having riders that are able to compete at the highest level as if its second nature.
These riders will understand the importance of mental strength, and quickly putting aside disappointments that they have experienced, whether it be injury or a poor ride.
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