Total removal of 2yo racing for the benefit of the industry

[mightymo]

The ID final is worth 750K, the Miracle Mile 750K, Hunter Cup 400K, Vic Cup 400K.

The biggest 2yo races are APG 300K and Breeders Crown 300K. Both of these are futurity races ie self funded .There is not very much industry money put in 2yos. That is a big misconception.

It really only starts with the various Oaks/Derbies as 3yos

The one area that needs work on is 4yos. Most are not ready to take the step into free for all/grand circuit racing and there is very little around outside of sires stakes. There is nothing at all for mares and only Chariots of Fire for colts unless you go to WA for Golden Nugget

[little fish]

The ID final is worth 750K, the Miracle Mile 750K, Hunter Cup 400K, Vic Cup 400K.

The biggest 2yo races are APG 300K and Breeders Crown 300K. Both of these are futurity races ie self funded .There is not very much industry money put in 2yos. That is a big misconception.

It really only starts with the various Oaks/Derbies as 3yos

The one area that needs work on is 4yos. Most are not ready to take the step into free for all/grand circuit racing and there is very little around outside of sires stakes. There is nothing at all for mares and only Chariots of Fire for colts unless you go to WA for Golden Nugget

I dont think it's that much of a misconception, I definitely know how the funding works with the industry money and various crown, vicbred and gold series races.

My point is I think APG in particular should be spreading the $ more evenly up to their 5yo year. I think it would make a more attractive enticement for buyers to get involved (which would benefit breeders like yourself) and would also help the industry by removing the all or nothing emphasis on getting your 2yo up and going at such an early age.

If the 2yo race goes from 300k to 125k it wouldn't worry me one iota if the trade off was having a 3yo 100k, 4yo 100k and a 5yo 100k. Funding could come from re-jigging the sustainer amounts or adding a small extra sustainer for the 3yo 4yo and 5yo years.

They have changed the APG structure that many times already, they are obviously willing to look at better ways of doing it.

I was genuine in my comment that I seriously considered not paying up for the gold this year. My thinking was that I wanted to relieve the pressure from my trainers to be pushing the 2yos before they were ready. I trust my trainers, but the industry does it hard, and it is 300 grand after all.

[Danno]

I dont think it's that much of a misconception, I definitely know how the funding works with the industry money and various crown, vicbred and gold series races.

My point is I think APG in particular should be spreading the $ more evenly up to their 5yo year. I think it would make a more attractive enticement for buyers to get involved (which would benefit breeders like yourself) and would also help the industry by removing the all or nothing emphasis on getting your 2yo up and going at such an early age.

If the 2yo race goes from 300k to 125k it wouldn't worry me one iota if the trade off was having a 3yo 100k, 4yo 100k and a 5yo 100k. Funding could come from re-jigging the sustainer amounts or adding a small extra sustainer for the 3yo 4yo and 5yo years.

They have changed the APG structure that many times already, they are obviously willing to look at better ways of doing it.

I was genuine in my comment that I seriously considered not paying up for the gold this year. My thinking was that I wanted to relieve the pressure from my trainers to be pushing the 2yos before they were ready. I trust my trainers, but the industry does it hard, and it is 300 grand after all.

Barry I think your ideas are very close to what our game needs, the commercial breeders will need to adjust their approach to the marketing of their product and the whole industry will need to make similarly sized adjustments, but if our game is going to survive in the longer term, the types of changes you are proposing are IMO, going to improve the returns and aspirations for the people who attend the yearling sales and also encourage the hobby breeder(s) to continue in a similar vein.

The sooner we stop people relying on "winning the lottery" and instead allow their horse to develop without undue pressure the more owners will see a positive result from their faith in our game.

Thanks ,
Dan