'You can tell what the sport of racing means to this city'

Our latest Flying Start blog comes from Elinor Wolf. From Louisville, she studied advertising and communications at the University of Colorado and has always loved racing. A career that allows her to experience the sport in various jurisdictions around the world, while trying to help increase global interest and participation, is the goal.

After completing the first year on the Godolphin Flying Start course, we now are embarking on our second year of the programme, which began recently on August 15.

All 12 of us have made our way from across the world to begin our Australian phase in the Hunter Valley. We have been able to visit some of the most prominent stud farms throughout New South Wales, along with attending the races at Royal Randwick last weekend.

However, prior to beginning our Australian phase, we had a summer break where we had the opportunity to have some free time.

During this time off I decided to head to Saratoga Springs. The lovely little city is home to one of the most iconic racetracks located within the United States.

Saratoga Springs was first put on the map for its natural spring water that flows beneath the town. Back in the day, this water was famous for the minerals that it contained and people believed that these natural springs held special healing properties, which in turn attracted people from far and wide to this small town in upstate New York. However, it was not the water that summoned me to Saratoga this summer, it was the horseracing.

Saratoga racecourse first opened its doors in 1863, all thanks to John Morrissey. A competitive bare-knuckled boxer at the beginning of his career, you could imagine he had a rough and tough life, which is indeed true. However, with a lot of hard work, and a little bit of luck, he eventually became a State Senator and U.S. Congressman. Today, however, he is most remembered as the man who opened the oldest and most historic racetrack in America.

The competitive edge, work ethic and luck that Morrissey had are all elements that I believe make horseracing so intriguing. There is a lot of hard work and dedication that goes into rearing a thoroughbred racehorse, and, at the end of the day, there has to be a little bit of luck involved throughout it all to win a race. Not to mention the added challenge of winning at the 'graveyard of champions', Saratoga.

Saratoga racecourse: often referred to as the 'graveyard of champions'

This nickname originates from the major upsets that have occurred throughout its racing history. Beginning with Man o’War losing to Upset in the 1919 Sanford Memorial Stakes and more recently when American Pharoah lost to Keen Ice in the 2015 Travers Stakes. If it’s so hard for a champion thoroughbred to win here, then why do owners, trainers and jockeys keep coming back?

I think the answer is that it is a test of a champion against that fiercest of opposition and the prestige that it holds when your horse crosses the wire first. Even as a fan, those are some of the main reasons as to why I come back year after year.

It also helps that the city of Saratoga truly embraces the thoroughbred. As you wander the streets and see the lit-up porches with photos of newly born foals, horseshoes embedded in the pavement, and the main road lined with lawn jockeys dawning the silks of owners in front of the National Museum of Racing, you can tell what the sport of racing means to this city.

You can feel it in the air when the opening weekend is on the horizon, the excitement that is bubbling within the city between the locals and the newcomers, like an approaching storm the atmosphere is built up with electricity in a way that the whole town embraces.

Similar to when the horses are loading into the gate, that brief moment of silence and unity shared among the crowd before the announcer blares into the distance “and they’re off!”

Saratoga is rooted in history and horseracing, it is a town that I, along with many others, love. It was an honour to spend my break between the USA and Australian phases of the Godolphin Flying Start there and I would highly recommend a visit.

Now we shall see if the nickname 'graveyard of champions' continues in this year's 2022 Travers Stakes on Saturday. Best of luck to all of the connections involved!

Read more

Latest Flying Start graduates take up residence at Kildangan

'I'm overwhelmed' - £230,000 Night Of Thunder colt tops day one in Doncaster

'There’s been good profit all round' - Kent on the mark with pinhooking success

'It seems to be a recession-proof market' - Premier Sale ends on £240,000 high