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Originally Posted by Danzig188
there are many reasons why horses don't run as much as in the 'good old days'.
breeding practices for one--commercial breeders imo are hurting the breed, going after speed regardless of the horse who carries that speed. way back when, breeders were in the sport due to love of the horse, and love of sport. they bred looking for the best representatives of the breed, now it's who will fetch the biggest price at auction. it's the equivalent of puppy mills anymore. many aren't in it to improve the breed, but only to improve their bottom line. it's why i have respect for dinny phipps, and the few others like him. they are in it for love of the horse, and for the horse.
also, regarding tracks..i've always seen that the tracks today are deeper, slower, and safer than in the past. it explains why horses may have gotten faster, yet records don't fall.
as for running more often.... no one wants to take a chance anymore on a loss, so the horses are brought along easily until in peak condition when they're at their very best, ready to fire big. of course there are so many tracks with top races, it's a lot easier to find a good, lucrative, and no doubt easier spot to go after big bucks and a graded race. a lot more tracks than in the past, easy to avoid other top comp--don't like the weight assigned? threated to pull out, or pull out...next track down the road will hook you right up.
also, everyone wants a bull lea now--not the citation. don't run often, you may not be at your best and might lose and cost some stud fees.....
it's a breeding game right now. not a racing game.
it's funny, back then, horses got a lot of respect when they carried a mound of weight and still fought hard. might get nipped at the wire by some pretender, but everyone knew they had seen a true champ--horses like citation for example.
look at dr fager. set a mile record that stood for years while carrying weight no horse sees these days. najran tied it. you think anyone gives a rats butt about najran? nope. the good dr is the one who will be revered for years to come, he was the real racehorse.
so, you want to place blame? put it squarely on the breeders shoulders. that's where it belongs. owners pretty much want to buy the best looking one out there. the breeders are the ones who are supposed to be the knowledgable people, selecting the best to breed. they call all the shots, from beginning to end.
it's a breeders sport. they need to change the title from thoroughbred racehorse to breedhorse. that's all anyone seems interested in anymore. big fees, big syndication deals.
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