Starting Gates

Each horse racing stall is built for reliability, safety, low maintenance and stress-free starts for horses, jockeys, and assistant starters and starters. Whether you're equipping a training facility or a competitive track, Equinox provides customizable starting stalls, schooling gates and gate systems tailored to your exact needs. We understand how critical the start is — and our racing gates deliver performance you can count on. Explore our product specifications or speak with a specialist today to configure your ideal setup.

What is a horse starting gate and how does it work? 

A horse starting gate is a crucial piece of equipment in gallop racing, ensuring that competitors get a fair start. At Equinox for Horses, we design and manufacture this type of stalls in our design office in-house, just like our stabilization slabs and racecourse running rails. Our new generation of starting gates ensures safe starts and easy maintenance, thanks to a robust structure and stainless steel mechanical systems. 

The allocation of racehorse places is generally managed by the event organizers, such as the horse racing institutions. Numbers are often allocated randomly or according to a predetermined system, based on various factors such as horse entries, a draw or past performance. Competitors' positions in the stalls are assigned the day before the competition. 

In some cases, a starter's place may be allocated according to the order in which they entered the competition, while in other cases a draw is made to determine the allocation of numbers. This system makes competition conditions fair for all participants and helps to better identify the horses.

The operation of our starting stalls is simple: once the horses and riders are in position and the start is given, the doors open simultaneously to release the competitors, under the supervision of the race officials. Our starting gates, available in capacities ranging from 2 to 20 stalls, offer advanced features including reinforced doors, secure partitions and simplified maintenance procedures for exceptional longevity. 

In addition to manufacturing, we can provide the following services:

• Delivery and unloading on site in the presence of a Equinox engineer and senior technician, 
• Supervision of the installation for 2 to 4 days, in collaboration with site personnel,
• Commissioning with a half-day staff training session, including the use of the boxes during a meeting,
• Provision of a comprehensive maintenance guide to ensure that the horse starting gates work properly.

As a manufacturer of starting gates, we are proud of our reputation as a world leader, with our stall designs installed at racecourses around the world. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our innovative and reliable equipment, designed to ensure fair and safe starts.

At Equinox for Horses, we are determined to provide top-quality solutions to meet the needs of our customers and the requirements of professionals in the equestrian industry, whether they are racing rails or stabilization slabs.

What are the criteria for choosing the right starting gates for my racecourse or training center? 

When selecting starting stalls for your racecourse or training center, there are a number of criteria that need to be taken into account to ensure optimum operation and the safety of participants.

Firstly, the size of the starting gates is crucial. It must correspond to the capacity of the horses you usually accommodate at your events or training sessions. Make sure you have enough space for each horse and its jockey, while leaving a comfortable and secure area for the starters. Equinox starting stalls are available in a range of sizes to suit your needs.

The durability and weather resistance of  Equinox starting stalls are also important factors. Made from quality materials, they can withstand frequent use and a variety of weather conditions. This guarantees their longevity and long-term reliability.

Our starting gates are equipped with secure locking systems to prevent any incidents during starts. The doors open synchronously and without risk of malfunction, ensuring the safety of horses, jockeys and staff. They are also lighter than competing products: no need for force, the effort required to move them is minimal.  

Ease of maintenance is an essential aspect. Our starting gates are easy to maintain to help you in your day-to-day work.

Finally, consider additional features that could enhance the overall experience. This may include premium equipment, suggested when you need to move the stalls. If you're a trainer, the 'young horses' option is ideal for first runs through the gates. 

In summary, Equinox starting gates are adaptable to your racetrack or training center, depending on the size you require and the additional options you choose.  

Their durability, safety and ease of maintenance have been tried and tested at numerous racecourses everywhere in the world. For personalized advice and to find out more about our range of starting gates, don't hesitate to contact us. 

What are the key steps in installing horse starting stalls? 

Once the starting gates leave our workshops, where they are entirely manufactured by our staff, Equinox is committed to providing a comprehensive service to ensure the successful installation and optimal operation of our equipment on your site.

Our process comprises several stages:

• Delivery and unloading: we deliver and unload the gates on site in the presence of a Equinox engineer and senior technician, to ensure that the starting stalls arrive in perfect condition and are placed correctly.
• Supervised installation: our staff supervise the installation for 2 to 4 days, in collaboration with the racecourse staff, to ensure that each component is fitted correctly and functions as intended.
• Commissioning and training: we commission the equipment and provide a half-day training session for the racetrack staff, using the starting stalls at a meeting to ensure optimum and safe use.
• Maintenance guide: we provide a maintenance guide, including images and diagrams, to help you keep the stalls running smoothly. In addition, an annual maintenance contract can be offered, including preventive checks before major events.

What's more, if you need help, we provide troubleshooting and after-sales service to resolve any problems efficiently and within an extremely tight timescale.

We understand that every customer has specific needs, which is why we offer the option of installing the starting gates yourself, with an installation guide provided. Our dedicated experts are also at your side, remotely, to guide you through the assembly of the structure, ensuring a personalized experience tailored to your needs. 

At Equinox, we are committed to providing a comprehensive and personalized service to ensure your satisfaction and the optimum performance of our starting stalls on your site.

What's the difference between stalls and starting gates? 

The terms starting stalls and starting gates refer to the same equipment. They are the equivalent, for gallop races (held at Churchill Downs, Belmont Park or Santa Anita Park, for example), of the autostart, used only in trotting, whose wings spread out around a car. For jumps, a rubber band is used to give the start, as the distances are longer (up to 2.5 miles) and the start is less decisive at the finish.

At Equinox, we design our starting gates in our own design office. This approach allows us to control every aspect of the design process, ensuring that our products meet the highest standards in terms of performance, safety and durability. Thanks to our team of experienced engineers and the use of the latest technology, we are able to create innovative and efficient starting stalls tailored to our customers' specific needs.

What's more, we're proud to manufacture our starting gates in our own workshops. This proximity to production means that we can maintain rigorous quality standards throughout the manufacturing process. Our skilled craftsmen use top-quality materials and state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques to ensure robust, reliable products designed to withstand the rigors of everyday use on racecourses and training centers.

At Equinox, we are committed to offering our customers exceptional products, manufactured with care and expertise. We are convinced that our starting stalls are the ideal choice for professionals looking for high quality equipment and superior performance on the track. To find out more about our products and services, please contact us.