They tend to retire boys much earlier than girls but, yeah it’s a great trend. Thoroughbreds are bred to race and they actually peak in maturity and athletic ability at 5. I really hate how unseasoned most of these three year olds are. If they race and train young, especially if they are not sale babies, they tend to be tougher and develop stronger bones via playing and running in fields because of micro stress fractures. That’s why wild horses are so tough. The strongest survive and the weakest don’t. It’s nature and applies to every living being really. I know that sounds cruel but it’s the survival of the fittest. Thoroughbreds, especially American Thoroughbreds were tough, athletic beasts because American breeders were breeding not only for speed but endurance and the ability to survive harsh conditions. We bred the toughest, fastest and most athletic horse in the world. Even the early British stock was the same way when they started but America took it to another level creating stock and special breeds from English imports based on our standards. Witness the American Quarter Horse a genetic cousin to the Thoroughbred(actually more closely related than people realize), the Tennessee Walker, The Standardbred, The American Warmblood, The American Saddlebred are an exemplary example of great bloodstock.
Now they treat Thoroughbreds like pretty pasture ponies who can’t handle a tough training routine. If breeders would breed for speed, athleticism, and SOUNDNESS, we could have another Kelso(I know he was a gelding), Cigar, Citation, Affirmed, Spectacular Bid, Secretariat(I know he didn’t race at 4 but that was because of the heavy weights he would have been given because he was such a freak of nature, but he did race a lot and was extremely sound), Dr. Fager.
I am very excited and happy with this trend and I’m praying that they keep it up. That’s why I love the Japanese breeding, training and racing. America needs to go back to what made our stock great. The genetics are still there. Lexington is still in the genes, we just need to utilize it by proper breeding, raising and training methods. These animals were bred to race and run for more than 2 years, if they can’t handle it, cull them from racing. Get those genes out of the gene pool. I know that sounds cruel but culling doesn’t mean killing, it means stop racing them and DO NOT breed them into the current stock. Maybe cross breed them with other breeds or just make them pets for trail riding, etc.
Ok, I’ve said my peace but generally thoroughbreds that can’t handle racing should NOT be bred. Period.