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Our most popular questions and answers
Question: Ok, so myself and friends have hired Marv and claimed a horse. How often/soon will it get to run and hopefully win for the new owners?
Answer: That depends. Races are listed on a daily basis in a condition book that gives trainers an idea of what type of races will be run when. Unfortunately, not every horse fits every condition. Some races are restricted to females only. Others may be limited to horses bred in Indiana. And still others may only be available to horses that have won a certain number of races, usually 4 or less.
Conditions, or race restrictions, keep racing even. Without them, someone could claim a high-priced horse and run it against the weakest competition possible knowing that they're going to win virtually every time. Claiming prices also help prevent this from happening. Owners who claim a horse for $20,000 will likely be reluctant to run the same horse back for a $10,000 claiming price knowing that they will likely lose it through the claiming box.
Horses that are claimed must be turned over to the new owners/trainers. Claims can't be refused.
Question: How often does a horse race. Assuming a horse meets the race conditions, or restrictions, mentioned above, could it run several times a week?
Answer: No. Thoroughbreds in training generally receive 10-to-14 days between starts, although there are rare exceptions. Owners should expect to see their horse race no more than 2-to-3 times per month.
The health and well being of the horse is always priority one in Johnson's barn. For this reason, horses are carefully monitored and are not asked to task so much that they risk injury.
Question: Running only 2-to-3 times per month, if that, doesn't sound like a whole lot when you consider there are daily expenses to keep a horse in training. How do I cover the costs?
Answer: In Indiana, owners are fortunate because race purses, or the total amount of money that horses compete for, are supplemented by slot machine revenues, which greatly increases their value. Johnson regularly wins races with a purse of $36,000. Sixty-percent of that purse goes to the owners, who earn $21,600.
The top five finishers in a race split the purse. The winner gets 60 percent. Second place is worth 20 percent. Third earns 12 percent. Fourth place takes home 5 percent. The fifth place finisher earns 3 percent of the purse.
Purses in Nebraska, where Johnson starts his racing year before moving to Indiana, are not supplemented by slot machine revenues and are not nearly as lucrative. For that reason, owners have the option of racing in Nebraska on a limited basis and mainly focusing on Indiana.
Question: Can I tell Marv when I want my horse to run, assuming the horse meets the race conditions?
Answer: There has to be a certain trust between a trainer and his owners, who are paying him to do a job that hopefully results in a profit. For that reason, it is important the owners let the trainer make most of the race-day decisions.
If an owner runs a tax service and Marv hires them, he is not going to stand over their shoulder and tell them how to get the most for his return. Owners should realize that they pay a trainer to get the maximum potential out of their horses.
Of course, owners are always free to make suggestions, but Marv is under no obligation to follow through on them. Any and all final decisions regarding racing will be made by Marv.
Owners will be given at least a 48-hour notice that their horse is going to race.
The Look of Winners
Marvin Johnson's longtime clients include Lou Gibler, who knows all about her trainer's success. Lou is pictured with Chablack, a former competitor on the Nebraska and Indiana circuits who is now a broodmare.
Question: Once I own a horse, will I receive daily updates on how it is doing? I'm a new owner and I'm excited about learning all I can.
Answer: No. Many days, horses in training simply exercise on a walking wheel or go to the track and jog. There really is nothing to tell owners about a horse on many days because not much goes on. On these days, not hearing from a trainer is actually good, as it means the horse is doing well and there's no news to report.
Question: I've heard you acquire a number of your horses by claiming them. What does this mean?
Answer: Horses entered in claiming races can be purchased for a set price. All claims at Indiana Grand Racing must be submitted 15 minutes before the race is run and there are no refunds. What you claim, or purchase, is what you get.
Question: Since I own the horse, can I stop by the barn and see it when it's not racing?
Answer: Yes, owners are always welcome to stop by and see their horses.
Question: On race days, what happens when a horse I own is running?
Answer: You'll have to battle your nerves as race time approaches. Owners are allowed to join Marv in the paddock, or horse saddling area, prior to the start of a race and listen to any last-minute instructions the trainer gives to a jockey.
If the horse wins, all owners and their friends are invited to meet in the winner's circle for a photo with the winning horse and trainer. These photos can be purchased approximately 30 minutes after a race from the track photographer.
Question: What type of monetary returns can I expect on my horse investment?
Answer: Owning a racehorse is a high-risk proposition that can offer very lucrative financial rewards or one big tax write off.
Think of your horse as a high-risk stock that could crash at any time. Enjoy the ride while it lasts, savoring each and every moment.
Question: What type of horse will I own if I hire Marv as my trainer?
Answer: Although Indiana Grand Racing runs both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, Marv trains Thoroughbreds only.
Question: Live racing at Indiana Grand runs from April to Nov. 1. What happens to my horse after the race meet ends?
Answer: Johnson offers winter boarding services at his farm in Central Nebraska. The costs associated with winter boarding is much cheaper than having a horse in training.
Once Johnson puts a horse back into training, the daily training fee applies.
Question: This all sounds good, and I'd like to meet with Marv. How do I go about contacting him?
Answer: Marv Johnson can always be reached by email at marvjohnsonracing@gmail.com Trainers have a very busy schedule, so he may not be able to get back to you right away. Mornings are especially busy for trainers, so give him time. He will respond.
