Racing's Future: Julia Ferreira

I became interested, honestly, through turning the TV on one day, and it instantly became an obsession that hasn't gone away since. My interest grew as I started studying bloodlines, horses, trainers, jockeys, etc.

I love pretty much anything and everything to do with this sport. I'm particularly fond of turf horses, and European horses that race in the U.S. and Canada. Overall, I love seeing these amazing animals give it their all on the track; something about a Thoroughbred galloping at top speed sends energy and adrenaline through my veins and I get the chills of excitement when they turn for home!

There's a few amazing people I admire in this industry. Firstly, I admire a man named Tom Cosgrove. He picked me out of all the people at Woodbine on Mile day 2013 and asked me, "Do you have all your jockey signatures?" I didn't have Garrett "Go-Go" Gomez's so he brought me to him. He gave me his business card and I got to meet Forte Dei Marmi the following year, as well as the Attfield team, which has expanded into yearly visits so far to the barns.

I admire photographer Jose Paye, for not only his amazing photos, but for the fact that he's taken a picture of Meri Shika upon request when he was at Keeneland last year. He didn't have to, but I'm so glad he did!

I admire Sarah Suilivan because she has invited me multiple times to the Roger Attfield barn and arranged for me to visit Meri Shika this past Saturday. Also, she's a very kindhearted lady who puts the horses' health before the races.

I admire Linda Mason, whom I just met recently. She takes care of the horses that are on break from racing, as well as about 20 other horses, all by herself! Linda owns a racehorse who's story is so inspirational; his name is Believe N Miracles. Linda also book-keeps for several trainers, and breeds her own horses. Talk about multitasking!

Finally, I admire jockeys Ramon Dominguez, Patrick Husbands, Tommy Wong and Johnny V. They're all amazing riders who are so caring, and even if their mounts don't get in the money, they come back and pat their horses, with a smile on their faces.

I wish to know more about the training process from when the babies are broken, to gate training, and overall all aspects of training. I also want to learn how to twirl a whip, as in the long run I want to be an exercise rider. I also wish I knew more about what goes on behind the scenes, i.e. vet checks, shots, general horse care, horse meds, etc.

I've only been to Woodbine Racetrack, but I would love to check out Keeneland, Ascot, and would love to go to Dubai to see their track!

I'm biased to say Woodbine, because it's the only track I've been to, but it's such an amazing track! I love the E.P. Taylor turf course, and the fact that the turf is right on the rail rather than what most tracks have (turf as the inner-track). I'm also super happy that Woodbine switched the Polytrack to Tapeta. My favorite trainer also has his main barn at Woodbine, too.

My favourite moments were definitely when I was on the rail as "Forte" won the Northern Dancer, then again right on the rail as Wise Dan won the Mile. Then the following year when I got to visit "Forte" in the Attfield barn and watch workouts from the backside.

My favourite all-time racehorse is Musketier, who's currently part of Calumet Farm's stallion barn. This horse is simply the best; I cannot put it into words how much he means to me! My other two favourites are Forte Dei Marmi and Meri Shika. Forte recently retired, and is now happily enjoying retirement at Old Friends, while Meri Shika is still an active racehorse who will resume training soon.

Before my lifetime, I'll have to say Man O' War and Northern Dancer. I believe Man O' War was the greatest horse to ever step foot on the racetrack, which people may agree/disagree with, but it's just my opinion. As for Northern Dancer, he really put Canadian racehorses on the map being the first Canadian to win the Kentucky Derby, and his legacy lives on through his countless descendants, as he was a remarkable sire!

If I could, I would change the whole weight thing jockeys have to go through. I don't believe it's fair that they risk being fired by trainers if they're a pound heavier than they should be. I also don't like how if they don't keep their weight that they have to sit in a sweat box, or gag themselves. Finally, I don't like hearing that they have issues later in life because of keeping their weight so low as jockeys.

Honestly, I have no clue why horse racing isn't getting the attention it deserves. Perhaps it's because so many people are against horses being run, or potential gambling issues it may start. I do believe that since American Pharoah captured the Grand Slam, horse racing has brought in a bigger audience, so maybe it's because nothing major in racing has caught the media until last year. Also, racing doesn't get the television time it deserves. I can only watch certain grade one races like the Triple Crown and Travers Stakes on TV now, whereas with any other sport, the games are looped and looped, which makes me upset.

A big misconception that I find with horse racing is that "the horse is being pushed too hard, he doesn't want to run under pressure like that," which is false! The Thoroughbred is bred to run; most love it, in fact! The horse in general does all to please it's owners. Another misconception is regarding the "poor care" racehorses get, causing them to have "aggressive attitudes," which again is so false! These guys are athletes; their care is like royalty, trust me. Sometimes, Thoroughbreds may have attitude problems, but that could be in any breed or any discipline. Also, Thoroughbreds have been misconceived for being way too high-strung, which is only partly true. Sure, on the track they are because that's their job (to run), but I show an OTTB in hunter-jumpers and she's not high-strung at all! There's an OTTB at my barn who is the laziest thing ever.

I would show them the video of Secretariat winning the Belmont, and if that doesn't amaze them to become a fan, I'm not sure what will. It's their loss if they're unamused, really.

I plan on one day being an exercise rider, and maybe even a trainer. The exercise riding would be more of a short-term goal and the training would be long-term.

I don't contribute as much as I'd like to as of now to this sport, but I get to help foal next month to a future racehorse, and I may start at the track soon. If not, I'll be most likely work with the racehorses on break, and the yearlings to prep them for sales.

I've deleted much of my posts, but I used to post a bit about racing once in a while on my Instagram (@mysignaturem0ve). I still follow many racing accounts and try to stay active in that sense. I guess this is also promoting the sport in a way. Because not a lot of us young people are interested in the sport, which is honestly a shame; they don't know what they're missing. Hopefully "Racing's Future" will bring that attention in!

One day, as previously stated, I want to be an exercise rider, followed by a trainer.