fix to short term racing careers
As we all know racing has come under much scrutiny lately due to some catastrophes on the racetrack when the whole world was watching. A number of people blame the breeding programs and the pressure on winning early.
This seems absurdly simple but:
What if you moved the prestige and of course the same money to 4 year old and up racing? Leave the current 3 year old traditions but offer the commercial breeders an option to breed a sounder horse with like returns. If the money is the same (or better yet significantly more) in 4 year old seasons, more than likely some will develop patience rather than the current breed and rush young horses. I also think it is possible some investors would find sires and mares who get older runners more appealing in the long run.
It would take time, $ and committment but would show good faith and more respect to the animals
|