aging

[Prozac]

I have about a dozen or so horses that are 3yo this season that I owned as 2yo. Every single one of them runs slower times then last season. Is it safe to say that all horses run worse from age 2 to 3 or do so few actually run better at 3 and I don't have any?

[Statik Stables]

Well one thing you have to remember is that new 3yo's have to run in open company against older horses so you have a much wider pool of horses to beat.
As for horses improving, my horse Sir Henry improved drastically from 2 to 3 so yes is does happen. But not very often I suppose.

[Prozac]

I understand they are racing in a bigger catagory of horse. But their times are way worse. Very discouraging. They should be even worse when their 4 with the extra weight. Oh well.

[Thunder Downunder]

Having experienced a few more seasons than most, I have noticed that most 2yo's seem to slump as 3yo's. Most not all. If you had a good 2yo, try to keep it exclusively in 3yo races. These aren't as abundant as Open races but at least you will get an even result. As far as "so-so" 2yo's, it may be a good time to experiment with different set-ups via workouts. Patience is a virtue in this game. When they turn 4yo, most seem to carry the extra weight better than they did as a 3yo. It would be nice if the SSS heats or something similar led to a Derby at the end of each season for the 3yo's. It could be possible that a very good 3yo could win both a Derby and an Open SSS Final.

There are different hidden numbers in the creation/breeding of a horse and there is no set formula for all horses when they will peak or how long they maintain good form (if ever). That is the attraction of the game or sometimes the frustration of it.

All I can suggest is to persevere with the promising ones. Bite the bullet on non-performers depending how much time/money you have available.

Norm

[Getting Lucky Lodge]

I also have an exception to the ageing rule in my 3yo filly ELASTOPLAST. She was a 20/30k claimer as a 2yo and consistently rated about the 95 mark. Since she turned 3, she is now one of the hottest fillies in the game and rates 98/99 for distances from 5f up to 7f. I can't explain why she improved what seems like about 5length's this season from last, i just wish more of last seasons 2yo's had done the same thing!!!!

Nigel

[Aspen Farms]

I hate to say it but in the real world most horses hit their best at around 5 or 6 yrs. I have not kept one to run at that age to check this game as to the real effect of age so I don't know.

[Ginkamo Stables]

I've kept my older horses but they don't seem to have kept up with all the changes. Maybe the newer generations are just faster???