Horse Racing Question.

Question

I have recently started watching a little bit of horse racing. Never really watched much in the past, but with the Big Brown stuff going on I have gained a bit of interest in the sport. My question is this, how long do horses typically race? Just one year of their life? I have read about handicapping and stuff like that, but as far as the Triple Crown goes. Are horses only able to compete for the Triple Crown only once? I know this is an easy question to answer for horse racing enthusiasts but I am new to following the sport. Are 4 year old horses too old to race? Feel free to give any extra details. Thanks.

Answer 1

If your new to the sport, as you say you are, then your only watching the "big" races on TV. These horses will be worth more in the breeding shed than on the track. Hence, all the two and three year olds.

If you ever go to your local racetrack, say on a Wednesday, you'll see plenty of 5 and 6 years olds in thoroughbred racing, and plenty of 9,10,11 year olds in standardbred "harness" racing. You see, there are plenty of owners who are not involved with the breeding aspect of the game. And for those owners, in order to even be in the game, the horse must race and make money on the track.

Getting back to the "big" races that your are watching on television, this is the best way I can sum it up. Those horses are bred to be great, and the owners look to breed future great horses, hence only racing young.  

Answer 2

No I have won races with 10 year olds. Horse can start racing at two(which is too young). The big races for two year olds are called a futurity. Three year old races (the Big ones) are called Derbys. The Stakes races are a name for the biggest races and Grade 1 is the best, Grade 2 a step down, Grade 3 a step down from 2. It is a little more complicated but this is the basics. Educate yourself about racing it is a wonderful sport with beautiful athletes. Enjoy!

http://www.saferhorseracing.com/gpage17....

Answer 3

I think it's much different in America than England.I assume more horses are protected in America and quit while their ahead to protect their value at stud.

As we have jump racing here in the UK most if not all the horses are gelded so they keep racing.

The longest race 'The Grand National' is for 6 year olds and above,the last few winners have mostly been 9-12 year olds.

In 1980  a horse called Sonny Sommers won two Chases (jump races) aged 18.

I read this yesterday and was reminded by your question.

Apparently the world record is 19.

Answer 4

A racehorse usually starts running around 3-4, mind you some owners and trainers run horses from the age of 2 but this is on the Flat.(to me that is far to young) The horses that are National Hunt (jumpers) usually dont start their racing career until 4. All racehorse can carry on to what ever age.

My 1st horse i retired at 9years old and he is now doing well eventing.  

Answer 5

The Triple Crown of Racing is specifically for three year olds.

A horse can and most of the time will start racing at the age of two.

No, a 4 year old is NOT to old to race.  Commentator just won the Whitney Stakes at the age of 7 years old.

Answer 6

Some claimers (horses that you can buy for between 10k-100k) can run until they are ten or so, but that is pretty much unheard of for top calibur horses nowadays. Horses are simply worth too much as breeding interests to risk injury on the track. That's why horses that win big races typically retire soon after. They are at the peak of their value and can only lose value if it becomes evident that their generation catches up to them, or if they are not as good as the hype. The exceptions are geldings (castrated horses), such as Funny Cide, that race for much longer because they cannot be bred.

A lot of great older horses do stick around for the Breeder's Cup, though.  

Answer 7

I SAW A 12 YEAR OLD GELDING WIN THE A RACE LAST WEEK...

THEY PEAK AT 4 OR 5......AND I THINK CURLIN MIGHT RUN NEXT YEAR AS A 5 YEAR OLD...THAT IS RARE, BUT WELCOME

Answer 8

it depends on a few things really, but TB horses can race on...... a couple of examples are:

KARASI... he was a jumper who won the richest jumps race in the world (nakyama grand jump) last year for the 3rd year in a row (he was 10)

TAKEOVER TARGET..... he's now a 9YO just returned from a campain overseas were he had 3 runs all at group 1 level for (1 win, 1 2nd, and a 4th)

ive even seen standard bred (harness races) race as 12YO's.

the american triple crown is exclusively for 3yo's!

Answer 9

The Triple Crown is for 3yos, only.

Horses can continue to race for most of their life, but tend to slow down as they get up in age. It's pretty rare to see a 6+yo out there.