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When Should Thoroughbreds Start Racing?

June 20, 2018
Posted by Alan Ruggles, VMD, Dipl. ACVS

Many Thoroughbreds start racing at 2, but Justify didn’t make his first start until he was 3 and won the Triple Crown. Does this mean we shouldn’t start racing horses until they’re older? An equine surgeon and lameness specialist weighs in.

Topics: Article, Horse Care, Injuries & Lameness, Lameness, Musculoskeletal System, Sports Medicine, Thoroughbred Racing, Thoroughbreds

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Although Justify didn't make his first race start until he was 3, he trained as a 2-year-old. And, research suggests that training the horse’s skeleton to race speeds at the age of two may lead to less injury than starting as an older horse. | Photo: Adam Mooshian/NYRA

Q. I know it’s common practice to start Thoroughbreds racing at 2. But Justify didn’t make his first start until he was 3 and won the Triple Crown. Does this mean we shouldn’t start racing horses until they’re older?

—Tina, via e-mail

A. There are many factors which influence when a horse is started in training. These include date of birth, degree of skeletal maturity, athletic ability, as well as the preferences of the owner or trainer

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Written by:

Alan Ruggles, VMD, Dipl. ACVS

Alan Ruggles, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, is a surgeon and partner at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, in Lexington, Kentucky, where he specializes in orthopedic surgery and lameness. He also serves as an American Association of Equine Practitioners On-Call Spokesman. Previously he taught at the New Bolton Center at the University of Pennsylvania and The Ohio State University.