kimberley, I just don't understand how you could begin to compare NZ training and racing with that in the U.S. I've been going down under since 1987 and from my first visit to my last have never seen or heard of anything that resembles what U.S. trainers do. While they do "trial" their horses (of all ages) before starting them by no means are these exercises conducted at the same early ages or velocity we see in America. Most horsemen there understand that trials are a teaching instrument rather than a fitness test. Believe me, their horses have so much foundation under them that it's rare to see an unfit horse stagger home.
In addition, the NZ annual foal production is only about the size of California's, and without knowing the exact numbers, I would bet the house that most of them dont start until three or older. It is true that some trainers will "give" a 2yo a race late in the race year (June or July) so that it can make the early spring carnivals.
It defies logic to compare New Zealand with the U.S. on much of anything dealing with horses. In my mind their system is far superior to ours, which is one reason why I have bred and raced a few horses there. The purses are miserable, but the better horses are often sold to Hong Kong or Singapore, where soundness and durability is most important. That's where the money is and the kiwi's aren't as stupid as American 2yo trainers who think only about quick ROI.
the 2YO Death Spiral
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