Max age of race horses

Question
I now horse racing starts at 2 yrs but wonder how long a healthy horse can go on racing?  Thanks

Answer
There are healthy horses running and winning well past ten years old. Most horses will earn the bulk of their life time earnings before five years old. Many horses retire simply because they are costing more than they are earning. The really talented horses are retired to stud or they made enough money where the owner decides they deserve a retirement. Some retire because of joint wear and other possible athletic injuries. Most horses have a certain amount of races in them and a good trainer will know when the horse is beginning to fall off it's form. When a horse's performance starts to decline, it's time to stop and evaluate the horse's future earning potential. The cost of time off and putting the horse back in training may be more than worth it. If it cost more to give the horse time off than it is expected to earn, then it may be time to move on and give that animal a career change. So the answer is that there is no max age. It all depends on the individual horse.

Christopher Crocker

Crocker Racing Stable Inc.

http://CrockerRacingStable.com