How many years do race horses actually race?

Question

I know enough for the elite horses race at the top level at 3 years old. How often do they race at say the top 3 races; after 3 years old. Are there any that race at 5 or 6 years old?

Answer 1

A lot of the top ones get sold to breeding operations after their third year.  However, the less expensive horses can race as long as they are healthy enough to do so.  As Sandra noted Evening Attire is now ten years old and is still running in and getting on the board in Stakes races.  In fact, he just ran the Grade 2 Brooklyn Handicap a few days ago. He beat the favorite and came in second place.

Answer 2

I am so glad you know so much But not all horses that are ELITE run as 3 yr olds

there are many horses that run as 4,5.6.yrs old  and are very ELITE

Their are many races for older horses But since your a expert at it why are you asking ?

Answer 3

Yes...Some race for 10 years.  Evening Attire is close to that.  Great stamina horse, always in the money. Check him out.

Answer 4

it depends of the type of racing the horse is doing.  the horses that go on to stand at stud tend to retire at 3 years old  and are usually run on the flat.

the national hunt ( jump) racing , horses don't mature as fast and they usually don't race until they are about 3 years old ,so it takes longer to establish if they are any good.

there isnt any legal age limit for horses , a good colt or filly will usually retire early so stud , since thats were the owners will make money.

Answer 5

Not that many horses retire at 3. Maybe a Derby winner or the Breeders Cup Classic winner - possibly an elite mare would be sent to the breeding shed at 3.

Horse are generally still maturing at 3. Late summer or fall the good ones sometimes 'step up' to face older horses - 4 year olds and up.

Really they are probably at their peaks from  4-6, but many run until they are 10 or 11.

Answer 6

It depends on the horse.  Here in Europe it is becoming more and more common to keep a good horse in training longer, rather than sending him/her off to stud at the end of their 3 year old career.

In National Hunt (jump) racing, most of the horses that race are gelded males and they therefore cannot go to stud.  Therefore they race till a much older age - sometimes as much as 14 or 15, but they tend not to start racing till they are 4 or 5 as they mature slower than "flat" racehorses.