Timing can be everything when it comes to Thoroughbred racehorses. Because the registration rules of American and British Jockey Clubs mandate that all Thoroughbreds share Jan. 1 as their “official” birthdays, that can mean some foals had better arrive as scheduled, and not beforehand. Otherwise they end up racing against peers that may be the same age, race-wise, but are actually months more mature.
A case in point is the tale of a filly from a mare by the winsome name of Magical Romance. The stellar broodmare was purchased for a world-record $9.3 million last Nov. 28. She was in-foal to a renowned Thoroughbred stallion named Pivotal. Unfortunately, Magical Romance was in a bit of a hurry to deliver her foal, presenting the world with a filly on Wednesday, Dec. 20. That’s 24 days premature. While the filly is doing just fine, she officially turns into a yearling on January 1, less than two weeks after her birth. When she begins her racing career, if she does so in the Northern Hemisphere, she will compete against horses that are six to 11 months older. The only recourse is to perhaps race her in the Southern Hemisphere, where rules about birthdates are less stringent.
Wow. That really is a young yearling. I had not heard of a horse delivering a foal in December before. That is amazing.
One wonders about the rationale for this rule in this day and age, when record-keeping has become much easier…
“The only recourse is to perhaps race her in the Southern Hemisphere, where rules about birthdates are less stringent.” …Or simply not race her at all. I’m not a big fan of racing to begin with because how how unfair it is to the horses. However, horses with racing bloodlines often do well in Eventing, Dressage, and jumping, so frankly, I don’t see why the owners of this horse wouldn’t just write her off as a race horse and let her grow up and go on to a different career. Really, fillies don’t even bring all that much money on the track anyway, at least not compared to the colts.
wow! 9.3 million for a horse
I really like this article!! it is facinating definitly to me because i especially like thoroughbreds and racing and i am happy that the people did not stop racing but instead might race somewhere else!! who knows maybe the little filly will be really good and will be able to race here!! Give her a challenge!!!!!!!!!
Doesn’t it strain a horse badly if it is raced too young?