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SARGA.CO—The glory days of a racehorse on the track are relatively brief, as performance declines with age. Therefore, the decision to retire from racing not only depends on ability but is also part of a strategy to maximize commercial value.
This raises the question: when is the ideal time for a racehorse to retire and begin a career as a stallion or a broodmare? Here is the explanation.
Internationally, there are many studies and data that show a Thoroughbred's peak performance occurs between the ages of four and five years old.
According to a study titled The Effect of Age on Thoroughbred Racing Performance conducted in the United States, the average peak performance age is 4.45 years.
Generally, racehorses start their careers at two to three years old. They usually retire around the age of five, depending on their physical condition and the level of competition they participate in.
Meanwhile, research in Australia titled Drivers of exit and outcomes for Thoroughbred racehorses participating in the 2017–2018 Australian racing season also mentions that many horses stop racing around five years of age.
Regulations in some countries set a maximum age limit for racing. In Australia, for instance, horses over the age of 12 are no longer allowed to enter official races.
Quoting the AQHA, the factors influencing retirement timing are diverse, ranging from health, future career opportunities to breeding strategy. It is not uncommon for a male horse with exceptional performance to be retired earlier to preserve its reproductive value.
In general, it can be said that racehorses usually retire between the ages of four and six if everything goes normally.
Once their racing career is over, most male and female horses transition to the breeding stage.
For stallions, this phase can arrive very quickly. According to Racing Guide, many horses with outstanding track records are retired early to become stallions, sometimes as young as three or four years old.
Mares, on the other hand, can generally continue to foal until they are 15 to 20 years old, although reproductive success rates decrease as they age.
The decision to begin a breeding career is typically based on track performance, genetic lineage, physical condition, and the economic opportunities available to the stable owner.
In Indonesia, official data regarding the retirement age of racehorses has not been widely published. Furthermore, the breeding system in Indonesia is still developing.
The decision for a racehorse's retirement in the country heavily depends on the owner's decision, market potential, and the condition of each horse.
Some racehorses in Indonesia still compete at an older age due to the existence of competition classes based on the horse's height. These classes allow horses over three years old to continue participating.
However, the direction of equestrian development in Indonesia is becoming clearer, with high-performing horses being prepared to sire or dam the next generation of racers.
As explained by the AQHA, the decision to retire and enter the breeding world should not be based solely on age. Other crucial factors to consider are the horse's performance, health, and genetic value.
When a horse's performance on the track begins to decline, recovery time lengthens, or wins become increasingly rare, it can be a signal to retire and enter the breeding phase.
For a stallion with a high reputation, the decision for an earlier retirement is often beneficial, as it preserves its physical condition and genetic value in the breeding market.
Meanwhile, a mare's productive period usually ends after producing several foals and showing signs of decreased fertility.
So, when should a racehorse truly stop being a stallion or broodmare? Summarized from Kick Up, there is no definite rule on when a stallion or mare must completely 'retire.'
This decision also depends on health, age, fertility, commercial value, and the well-being of the horse itself.
According to the same source, stallions can remain active into their 20s. However, many also retire earlier due to declining sperm quality, failing physical condition, or reduced market demand.
With the decision to leave the track and enter the breeding phase as a stallion or mare, each racehorse can pass on champion genes and bloodlines to the next generation. This, of course, is achieved through good management.
Thus, the retirement phase of a racehorse becomes a meaningful and still highly contributory stage.
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