GENERAL QUESTIONS

How do you enter a race?
In order to enter any race or stakes race, a licensed trainer must contact the track at which he would like to enter a horse. Stakes races usually have a schedule of payments (including nomination, sustaining and entry fees) which must be met in order for a horse to remain eligible to participate in that race.

Where are American Quarter Horse racetracks located and when do they run?
Look for a racetrack and race date near you.

How do I become a jockey?
For information concerning how to become a jockey, contact:
Jockey's Guild, Inc.,
P.O. Box 150, Monrovia, CA 91017
Phone: (626) 305-5605; Fax: (626) 305-5615

How do I become a race trainer?
Race horse trainers must qualify for licensing under each state's racing commission. Generally they are tested for their knowledge of horsemanship and racing rules and regulations. Contact the racetrack licensing office or the state racing commission for testing and licensing information.

Race training knowledge and experience is often gained through an internship with an established trainer. Contact your state racing affiliate or state American Quarter Horse association for referrals to trainers in your area who may be willing to offer such an internship, or use AQHA's 4aHorse Referral Service.

How do I locate a trainer for my horse?
Contact your state racing affiliate or state American Quarter Horse association for referrals to trainers in your area or use AQHA's 4aHorse Referral Service.

How do I get a jockey or trainer's record?
The leading jockeys and trainers by money earned and wins can be found by clicking here. Specific jockey and trainer's records may be requested through the AQHA Racing Department.

Who are the race leaders, leading jockey, trainer, owner, breeder, leading sires, dams, broodmare sires (maternal grandsires), Regional High-Point Leaders and Divisional Leaders?

Leaders lists can be found by clicking here.

Who must be licensed to race? How do I obtain a racing license?
All individuals working at a racetrack, including jockeys, trainers, owners, grooms, stable employees, track employees, etc., are required to be licensed. Licenses are purchased at the individual racetracks. Background information is researched on all applicants. License fees vary from state to state, depending upon the type of license requested. Contact the racetrack or state racing commission for specific information.

If the horse is owned by a partnership or syndication, how is the owner licensed?
Partnerships and/or syndications owning racehorses may experience problems with licensing regulations. Some tracks require each partner to obtain a license, while others will allow an authorized agent to purchase a license. Information should be obtained from each racetrack at which the horse is to be raced. Depending upon each state's rules regarding licensing, it could be advantageous to transfer a horse into one person's name, or lease the horses to an individual with a contract between all partners detailing the terms of the partnership agreement. For more information, check out the AQHA First Timer's Guide.

How are racing points awarded?
Racing points will be awarded according to order of finish, type of race and purse amounts for the race. Claiming prices are also considered in determining the classification for point distribution. A racing points chart appears in AQHA's Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations.

How does a horse earn a Racing Register of Merit (ROM)?
A racing Register of Merit is earned when a horse runs a speed index of 80 or better for the first time in its career. The race must be electric-timed and run at an official distance for which AQHA has a survey on file. Certificates are available to the owner of record upon request. The owner must be a current AQHA member.

How is a speed index calculated?
A speed index rating is calculated by averaging the three fastest winning times for three consecutive years at each distance at each track. This average is equal to a 100 speed index. If any of the fastest times averages are slower than the minimum standard time, the minimum standard is used to determine speed indexes at that distance. Speed index points vary according to the distance of the race. (For example, each speed index point at 440 yards varies from the 100 speed index time by .044 forty four-thousandths of a second.) A chart defining these variances appears in the AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations. For a list of the current 100 speed index times by track, click here.

How does a horse get registered as accredited state bred?
In order to receive incentives for accredited state bred programs, horses must be registered through the state racing association. The state racing association is responsible for paying these incentives, either directly or through the racetracks. Get more information from your local affiliate.

What is the Superior Race Horse award?
A race horse is awarded a Superior Race Horse title when he has earned 200 or more racing points. (Prior to 1977, this honor was awarded for 50 or more points earned.) Since 1997, a silver plated brandy snifter is engraved and shipped to each owner of record as well as the breeder of a Superior Racing American Quarter Horse. The owner must be an AQHA Member to receive the award. Certificates were awarded prior to 1997 to the owner of record.

What is the MBNA America Racing Challenge?
The MBNA America Racing Challenge is a program established by AQHA to provide more racing opportunities, added money for races and less money deducted from nomination races, especially for the older horses.

How much does it cost to nominate to the Challenge program?
Horses are nominated to the program for a one-time fee. The enrollment fees are $260 for weanlings, $560 for yearlings, $7,800 for two-year-olds and $20,000 for older horses. No other payments are due to participate, except for race entry fees.

What does MBNA in MBNA America stand for?
MBNA America became a sponsor for the Racing Challenge in 1994. MBNA is simply a logo for the credit card company, MBNA America. The initials do not stand for specific words.

How do I get more information about the Challenge?
For more information, visit the MBNA Challenge section, or call 1-877-AAA-RACE

What are other benefits of the Challenge program?
The person nominating the horse to the Challenge and the sire's owner at the time of the races will be entitled to bonus awards paid to the top five finalists in each of the Challenge races.

How do I get my horse in a Challenge race? What are the race entry fees?
Payments for each race are a $200 nominating fee and $600 sustaining fee made to AQHA, except for the claiming and juvenile races which have a $100 nominating fee and a $400 sustaining fee. In addition, each horse must be entered into the race through the normal entry process at the racetrack on entry day.

Why are horses tattooed?
Tattoos are an additional means of identification of a race horse. They are used along with the horse's markings, color, age and sex. The horse identifier at the racetrack verifies that each horse entered in a race matches this information as recorded on its official AQHA registration certificate.

Which horses are required to be tattooed?
Prior to race entry all American Quarter Horses must be tattooed by an AQHA representative.

Are there any requirements that must be met before I can have my horse tattooed?
Beginning with all 1992 foals, American Quarter Horses must be DNA genotyped and parentage verified before it can be tattooed.

Which horses are required to be tattooed?
Prior to race entry all American Quarter Horses must be tattooed by an AQHA representative.

How do I find or contact a tattooer?
Many of the tattooers provide the racetracks with a schedule of when and where they will be tattooing. A tentative schedule is also available on this AQHA under the Calendars/Schedules heading. Some of the tattooers will make appointments to meet the customer at a farm or ranch, providing there are enough horses available to be tattooed. Travel time, distance and the expense of setting up and cleaning his equipment will determine if the tattooer will decide to meet the customer at a location other than the racetrack where he normally tattoos. You may also contact the AQHA Racing Department at (806)378-4713. Click here for a current list of tattooers.