Selecting a trainer is one of the most important decisions that a Thoroughbred owner has to make. In fact, your level of enjoyment of the sport and the success that you experience are very often dependent on a strong owner/trainer relationship. Good chemistry between owner and trainer is vital, as is good communication, honesty and integrity and a set of guidelines that all parties understand and adhere to.

In selecting a trainer there are three basic factors you will need to weigh:

• How much will your budget allow (a trainer's success rate raises or lowers his "day rate" or price). On the top circuits such as Southern California and New York, day rates run $75 per day and up. Day rates vary by region and can be drastically affected by local workers compensation laws, costs of feed/labor etc. Day rates at training centers and farms tend to be considerably less than at a racetrack.

• How much hands-on participation you want and expect.

• Picking the trainer that best suits your own taste and philosophy (especially on medication issues).
  

1. What is your philosophy of training? (listen well)
   
2. How much contact do you think is appropriate between an owner and trainer?
   
3. Who should call whom and at what times of day?
   
4. Will you automatically call me if the horse is going to work, or is sick, or if something is developing with its physical condition or training program?
   
5. Are you likely to include me, or consult with me on the selection of races for my horse?
   
6. What is your "day rate" per horse? (The day rate is a necessity as each horse requires hours of attention daily from a variety of staff members. Please remember that it costs as much, if not more to condition and train a "cheap" horse as an expensive one.)
   
7. What does your day rate include? (Items usually covered are feed; grooming; exercise riders; ponies for workout, paddock and gate schooling; hotwalking; vitamins; bandaging and similar "supplies"; the assistant trainer's fee and your share of Worker's Compensation Insurance for every employee in the barn. The day rate DOES NOT include: farrier (shoeing) expenses, veterinarian costs and transport.
   
8. What is your average vet bill per horse per month? Will you call/warn/consult with me on major veterinarian expenses?
   
9. What is your background; how much hands on experience have you had and who "taught" you?
   
10. What percentage do you charge on winning horses? (The usual charge is 10% share for the trainer plus 1-3% for the barn help, or a flat percentage of 12-13% which includes everyone.)
    
11. Am I invited to visit the barn and see my horse at will or am I restricted?
    

A few simple "wisdoms" which will help you with your all-important relationship with your trainer are:

• Be honest to the point of bluntness.

• Remember "luck" and avoid the temptation to blame.

• When in doubt, don't suspect....ask.

• When you ask, listen.

• Be open about your intentions; i.e., if you plan to enlist other trainers for your horses, SAY SO.

• If at any point you find you don't trust your trainer, you should, both for the trainer's sake and yours, GET ANOTHER.

For another listing of suggested questions to ask a trainer, check out TOBA's comprehensive web site, in particular the section on selecting agents, trainers and other professionals. This section is contained in the general category "Horse Ownership," www.toba.org/owner.html, which includes valuable information about how to buy your first racehorse, ownership seminars and answers to questions about ownership.