Not raced at two results

[letswastemoney]

Why aren't geldings supposed to win the Derby again?? I mean aren't they the same thing as male horses except without the thingamadobber.

I guess it's because there are less geldings out there? If it was 50 percent geldings, then they'd probably win about half of the Derbys.

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by letswastemoney

I guess it's because there are less geldings out there? If it was 50 percent geldings, then they'd probably win about half of the Derbys.

Your point seems very obvious, but people seem to have forgetten some fairly obvious points around here. A lot of horses that win the Derby were very good 2yo colts. Very good 2yo colts aren't often gelded. That probably has more to do with it than the fact that geldings are somehow mysteriously jinxed.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by miraja2

Your point seems very obvious, but people seem to have forgetten some fairly obvious points around here. A lot of horses that win the Derby were very good 2yo colts. Very good 2yo colts aren't often gelded. That probably has more to do with it than the fact that geldings are somehow mysteriously jinxed.

Again, these angles all have a defendable explanation...they aren't "curses" or "jinxs" I agree that colts that show early promise aren't gelded unless there are physical problems.

[somerfrost]

Also, and Brock can probably help here, but it wasn't that long ago that geldings weren't allowed to enter major stake races in Europe (don't recall exactly when that changed or whether it applied to all graded stakes or just group ones)....they were thought to be unable to compete against colts/horses.

[brockguy]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

Also, and Brock can probably help here, but it wasn't that long ago that geldings weren't allowed to enter major stake races in Europe (don't recall exactly when that changed or whether it applied to all graded stakes or just group ones)....they were thought to be unable to compete against colts/horses.

Somer, thats STILL the case for our classics, the 2000 Guineas, Derby and St.Leger - only Entire Colts and Fillies allowed.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by letswastemoney

Why aren't geldings supposed to win the Derby again?? I mean aren't they the same thing as male horses except without the thingamadobber.

I guess it's because there are less geldings out there? If it was 50 percent geldings, then they'd probably win about half of the Derbys.

There have been studies which indicate that a colt gelded early in life will develop physically a bit slower than one not gelded...if true, this would put the gelded horse at a physical disadvantage early in the 3yo season at a distance....but probably the main reason is that well-bred colts and those that show early promise aren't gelded as this would cost the owner potentially millions in stud fees. Look at the famous geldings...the ones that excelled on the track...most ran their best races well after their 3yo season...Kelso, Forego, John Henry as examples.