Always wondered... how many starts should one get a year?

[Seamus11]

I’ve never owned... but my family had them for years. (grandfather mostly) his theory was never more than once a week and never more than 20-25 starts a year.  Never raced them on the frozen surfaces as he wouldn’t give them starts until mid April earliest, later if it was a late spring because New York/New Jersey was mostly where he raced.  They’d get turned out right after they raced, for two full days... back to the track for jogging, then trained them for a couple more... then back in to race.  These 35-40-45 start animals must be so drugged up to just keep pounding away.  Thoughts on number of starts?

[lesstired]

Not at all...


A good older horse can race more often...especiall y if not raced


hard at 2, 3, 4 and 5.....


I see many with 30, 35 and 40 starts....still going well.


also the ones that race that many....have a lesser training regimen


in between starts.

[Fatboy]

IF THEY COME OUT OF IT GOOD THEY CAN GO BACK IN GOOD

[spaheaven]

My wife gives me 2 or 3 starts per year, if I'm lucky.