Horse racing is a very complex sport with various plots and subplots. It is very much like life in many ways. Horses are like people in many ways. Every horse has its own unique personality. I’ve learned a lot of things from thoroughbred racing that can be applied in real life situations. Let’s take a look at a few.

#1) Horses that break poorly are often eliminated at the start; but not always. A bad start in a horse race and a bad start in life will not prevent those with supreme determination from finding the winners circle. Whether Rags to Riches in the Belmont Stakes or projected first round pick Mardy Gilyard who was homeless at one point in his collegiate career, getting back on track is possible for those with the spirit and grit.

#2) No matter how great the odds, everyone has a shot. Mine That Bird shocked the world when he slipped up the rail to a powerful win in the Kentucky Derby. Giacomo also won the Run for the Roses at impossibly long odds. The same holds true in everyday life. Who would’ve ever thought that a black man named  Barack Obama would be President of the United States of America? Love him or hate him, the odds were a million to one.

#3) Age takes its toll on all of us. There is no avoiding father time. However, just because your old doesn’t mean you can’t do great things! Look at John Henry. The famous gelding won the Arlington Million and was Horse of the Year at the ripe old age of 9. Cloudy’s Knight was a desperately close second in the Breeders Cup Marathon last year at the age of 9. Brett Favre is having the season of his life. He won the Super Bowl when I  was in kindergarten. Who would’ve thought his next Super Bowl triumph might possibly come when I was in college? Certainly not I. While I’m sure most of us would prefer to be in our prime, it is still possible to do very great things in the latter stages of life.

#4) Sometimes making a few changes is all that is need to do your best. Many horses can’t run a lick on dirt but are lights out when you put them on the grass. Others can’t run well over long distances, but are speed demons at sprint distances. Furthermore some horses aren’t using the most optimal running style or equipment. We all remember what happened when Calvin Borel took Mine That Bird off the lead and decided to close in the Kentucky Derby. The next time you encounter trouble try and think objectively about what you can do differently to solve the problem.

#5) The people you surround yourself with are very important. Many horses have done poorly for one trainer or jockey but for some reason respond very well to another jockey or trainer. I hate to keep coming back to the same example, but this is very true for Calvin Borel and Mine That Bird.

Can you think of any lessons that horse racing has taught you which can be applied in everyday situations? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.