I have no issue with racing 2yo's.
As many others have already suggested it's certainly not for every horse. Some are at their best at 2, while many others improve as they get older.
I think it's quite easy to explain why champion 2yo's often don't go on and perform later in their careers. Quite simply, they are early maturing horses and they are at their best at 2yo. Just like a late maturing horse might peak at 6, 7 or even older.
What I think can be improved with juvenile racing is the crazy prize money on offer in the futurities. Whilst futurity series are all self funding via the 'sustaining' fee process I would much prefer to see the APG (now only a 2yo series), Breeders Crown, Breeders Challenge etc have an even spread of prize money across all age groups and like the Jewels in NZ be extended 5yo's as well. The lure of such big prize money forces owners and trainers to make short term decisions which are not in the best interests of horses at times.
If the breeders crown for example was of $150k for 2yo's, 3yo's, 4yo's & 5yo's you would still get the best juvenile horses compete.
It will never be removed and nor should it.
Spot On Mitch,What I think can be improved with juvenile racing is the crazy prize money on offer in the futurities. Whilst futurity series are all self funding via the 'sustaining' fee process I would much prefer to see the APG (now only a 2yo series), Breeders Crown, Breeders Challenge etc have an even spread of prize money across all age groups and like the Jewels in NZ be extended 5yo's as well. The lure of such big prize money forces owners and trainers to make short term decisions which are not in the best interests of horses at times.
If the breeders crown for example was of $150k for 2yo's, 3yo's, 4yo's & 5yo's you would still get the best juvenile horses compete.
I only used the word "ban" in order to get people talking because things have been a bit quiet lately,IMO the big end of town prizemoney can itself lead to some/many young horses being pushed too far too many times because of the temptation, training 2YO's is a balancing act that not everyone gets right all the time and who pays the price when it goes wrong? the horse and the owner.
Thanks for the goodwill messages guys, that mare was never going to be a 2yo as she had a development issue as a baby and I never broke her in til she was a late 2YO, then she cut her tendon almost in half in the paddock 3 years ago when I was about to take her to the trials to qualify, getting her to the races was a good thing in itself but today brought a lump to my throat, her mother was an orphan and didn't race at all due to an injury in the paddock just after I broke her in and her grand dam looked like being a nice mare but stuffed her shoulder in the stable....it's been a long time coming that little R0 at Tamworth...
Cheers guys,
I think the debate is showing many people believe that the level of prizemoney for the major 2 yo races is out of step with what the game needs, which is pretty much my opinion, I've raced a couple of 2yo's myself and one of them won a country classic "Sapling Stakes", but yeah he was really an early comer, not many are and therein lies the problem when there is big money tempting people.
Cheers,
Dan
Congrats on the win Dan, even sweeter when you know the background
Warning: Horses are expensive, addictive, and may impair the ability to use common sense.
Great story Dan. Congratulations.
Great story Dan...congrats mate
Well done Dan. I assume you will be sipping Pino coladas in the Bahamas next week!!
Thanks Luke and Paul,Phil Glen,James and Harvey, Danno is a very happy camper today and Harvey I am definitley sipping cold VB's under the shade of breezy palm in my mind at the moment.
Thanks again guys.