In the forum today, Mike Noble mentioned that there appeared to be fewer sprinters than normal produced in the 2013 foal crop.
He's probably right.
The fact is, most PF trainers are disappointed when they see the infamous "This horse appears to be a sprinter" at the end of their new AR.
The reason is pretty simple. Money.
The amount of career earnings that a sprinter can hope to earn is a fraction of what a comparably talented stayer can earn. Just take a look at the top 25 Photo-Finish money earners. Not a sprinter to be seen. As close as you come is the super-miler Scenic Sheba and she checks in at the bottom of the current list in spot 25.
I've geared my own breeding operation primarily to 10-16 furlongs, even adopting the motto of "Otsego Stud - We think 16". War Machine and Nightwing both have AR's that stipulate their best distance as 16 furlongs and Union Jack set a world record at 14 furlongs and ran successfully at 16 furlongs many times.
In the past three breeding seasons, Otsego Farms has produced just one sprinter in 24 foals. We've had 5 milers, 7 classics, and 11 long distance foals.
Bottom line? The only way that sprinters will cease being the virtual pariah's that they have become will be if the racing schedule is modified to include some big money sprinting races.
He's probably right.
The fact is, most PF trainers are disappointed when they see the infamous "This horse appears to be a sprinter" at the end of their new AR.
The reason is pretty simple. Money.
The amount of career earnings that a sprinter can hope to earn is a fraction of what a comparably talented stayer can earn. Just take a look at the top 25 Photo-Finish money earners. Not a sprinter to be seen. As close as you come is the super-miler Scenic Sheba and she checks in at the bottom of the current list in spot 25.
I've geared my own breeding operation primarily to 10-16 furlongs, even adopting the motto of "Otsego Stud - We think 16". War Machine and Nightwing both have AR's that stipulate their best distance as 16 furlongs and Union Jack set a world record at 14 furlongs and ran successfully at 16 furlongs many times.
In the past three breeding seasons, Otsego Farms has produced just one sprinter in 24 foals. We've had 5 milers, 7 classics, and 11 long distance foals.
Bottom line? The only way that sprinters will cease being the virtual pariah's that they have become will be if the racing schedule is modified to include some big money sprinting races.
4 comments:
Yeah their ARs might say distance - and might be accurate according to the HRF figures. But just because their "best distance" is "long" doesn't mean that will relate to success on the tracks.
I know a lot of very good sprinters that have "distance" in their ARs. A lot of other factors go into where a horse will be find its winning niche.
My guess is that many of those so-called distance horses will find success at 8 furlongs and under (if placed correctly, of course, my their owners)
But agreed that breeders are breeding for classic/distance horses rather than sprinters/milers
You are correct. There is alot more to a distance horse than just his stamina.
Doomsday was a classic example. His best distance was 12 furlongs! Unfortunately, he was a front-running type who simply had to try for the lead. The result? He'd be out of stamina in no time and quickly faded.
I had to race him in sprints even though his HRF stamina rating was VG. The same rating as Nightwing!
I guess if the sprinters had biger $$ races i wouldnt be so pissed when i get them ... Also when has a sprinter won HOTY there is just so many reason why sprinters suck to own ... I will still kepp my sprinters for now just till i get me a sprinter eclipse then i neva want them again
Foxie
Post a Comment