What are the statistics on racing life vs. stud years.
It would seem that the life expectancy of horses might factor into this speculation.
1994 to 2009 is only 15 years and the chart shown is exceptionally volatile for the period.
Just curious - I have no exposure to racing - just love horses and hate that the ‘lower end’ of these magnificent animals will be slaughtered so carelessly when they good be so appreciated by young riders.
Unfortunately, because of the recession, many equine sanctuaries are pack-full. And, Asian brokers will pay top-dollar for horses, sad but true.
Racing vs. Stud Life can vary greatly, depending on the success of the horse. Top performers will only race a season or perhaps two, and then spend the rest of their life at stud. But, stallions that don't have an exceptional racing record, don't have much value at stud, so they're the most likely to end up on someone's plate - or worse.
Life for mares can be a little easier as there's more demand for them in retirement by recreational riders, and they have the possibility of being a brood-mare if they had even limited success on the track.
It’s very optimistic to hope that many off-the-track Thoroughbreds could find homes with young riders. In general they are not desirable as riding horses for kids (though there are exceptions, and Thoroughbreds are among my favorite horses to ride, as you can tell from my screen name). Retraining OTTBs is not for the faint of heart and generally not for kids. Some of us love the Thoroughbreds, but most people prefer something quieter so that they don’t feel they’re taking their lives in their hands every time they get on.
BTW, the life expectancy of most horses is around 30, though some can die of old age as young as 24, and I knew one Thoroughbred who lived to 46, as documented by the US Jockey Club.
Very true. Fasig Tipton's major auction a Saratoga this summer was up over last year.
ML/NJ