Thoroughbred Racing

Took my hand at some thoroughbred racing today. I did the whole standardbred meet earlier this year but this is a bit different. It's actually really nice there is a lot of time in between races to get everything done without having to rush. CC welcomed.

I love racing shots!

I think they look great. Very professional.

Wow those are great. How easy is it to get close enough to get good pics? Did you need to get permission?

dawnkyung wrote in post #8420208
I love racing shots!

I think they look great. Very professional.

Thanks, one day hopefully I can do it as a full time professional, only part time for now though.

butterfly2937 wrote in post #8420231
Wow those are great. How easy is it to get close enough to get good pics? Did you need to get permission?

Hehe, I'm close enough to get run over if they go crazy, I'm on the track standing on the outside rail. I work for the track photog when she needs me right now. I worked the entire Standardbred meet earlier this year, April to July. Lots of fun!

Nates98cbr wrote in post #8420386
Thanks, one day hopefully I can do it as a full time professional, only part time for now though.


Hehe, I'm close enough to get run over if they go crazy, I'm on the track standing on the outside rail. I work for the track photog when she needs me right now. I worked the entire Standardbred meet earlier this year, April to July. Lots of fun!

If someone other than the track photographer wants to take pics is that allowed? Can you get down closer to the track to take pics or does everyone else have to stay in the stands?

butterfly2937 wrote in post #8420612
If someone other than the track photographer wants to take pics is that allowed? Can you get down closer to the track to take pics or does everyone else have to stay in the stands?

There are always people in the spectator area that take photos, but the track, atleast where I'm at is about 2 ft above where they stand. It's essentially the same distance at where I stand but lower. I think most places will let you get closer if you are a photog for an organization or something and you ok it with the track officials first. I had to get a racing commission license in order to work as the track photog, even part time.

Edit: I usually do not want people taking photos in the win circle with their personal cameras. Selling pictures is how we make money. I've had a couple sneak in a shot with their p&s before, not cool, lol.

Here are a few more. CC welcomed again.

Cool pics, I love horse race shots. I stand about the same distance away with 30D and 135mm for approach to finish shots. Good for a couple of horses in the frame.

I like tight racing shots mostly, theres some serious jockey expressions and the horses are just beautiful.

I love to watch the grey horses run, Thats one of the nicest grey's I've seen.

Quarter horse is fun too, 300 yard dash, alot of emotions there. Also, if its muddy, when the jockey is done walkin away from winners circle, get some good shots of their face all mudded up

Thanks for sharing!!

freebird wrote in post #8432703
Cool pics, I love horse race shots. I stand about the same distance away with 30D and 135mm for approach to finish shots. Good for a couple of horses in the frame.

I like tight racing shots mostly, theres some serious jockey expressions and the horses are just beautiful.

I love to watch the grey horses run, Thats one of the nicest grey's I've seen.

Quarter horse is fun too, 300 yard dash, alot of emotions there. Also, if its muddy, when the jockey is done walkin away from winners circle, get some good shots of their face all mudded up

Thanks for sharing!!

So you use a 1.6 crop and a 135mm and you get the whole horse in the frame? I did my first quarter horse race yesterday, definitely different, and a horse and jockey went down right in front of me, I guess I should have snapped some shots but was in such shock that I didn't! I'll keep some of your suggestions in mind though.

I'm sorry, but horse racing is pretty boring to watch! but you have done a nice job with these. I seriously don't get racing on dirt/sand! Haven't the yanks heard of grass? lol

24alpha wrote in post #8437278
I'm sorry, but horse racing is pretty boring to watch! but you have done a nice job with these. I seriously don't get racing on dirt/sand! Haven't the yanks heard of grass? lol

Yeah and they have also heard how much water it takes to keep grass.

Great shots by the way. Love horse racing pics.

24alpha wrote in post #8437278
I'm sorry, but horse racing is pretty boring to watch! but you have done a nice job with these. I seriously don't get racing on dirt/sand! Haven't the yanks heard of grass? lol

I actually agree, when I'm just there to watch thoroughbred I get pretty bored because there is so much time in between races. Shooting them is different though, it's fun, atleast to me it is.

There is a track about an hour away, in my hometown, that has a turf track on the inside of the dirt track, however the track in these photos is just dirt.

Nates98cbr wrote in post #8436751
So you use a 1.6 crop and a 135mm and you get the whole horse in the frame? I did my first quarter horse race yesterday, definitely different, and a horse and jockey went down right in front of me, I guess I should have snapped some shots but was in such shock that I didn't! I'll keep some of your suggestions in mind though.

Yes, I have some horse racing pics on my site that were taken this year with that combo.

On the quarter horses , yes its very dangerous, but if you would have captured that moment of going over the handle bars it would have been awesome. I sure hope everyone was OK tho.

What track was this? Nice shots

ALaS wrote in post #8517591
What track was this? Nice shots

Whoops, missed this one. It's Hoosier Park in Anderson, IN.

Here a couple more from today.