When does a layoff become a probable end-of-career?

Toccet02 · Postby **Toccet02** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 1:11 pm

Hi guys,

Because there is no such thing as a central database that tells the status of every registered t-bred, I have to guess when a horse that I can get no info on has stopped racing.
I've been playing the Virtual Stable game, with spreadsheets of winning, starts, costs, etc., and at some point I need to decide when to remove a horse from my roster. We've all heard of the occasional horse that takes a year off---and comes back---but, if you had to draw the line somewhere, where would it be?
6 months on no activity? 9? a full year? When do you assume they're done?
Opinions! And I'll probably take the most common opinion as my "rule".
Thanks

Crystal · Postby **Crystal** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 2:18 pm

I hope you mean "lay up"..LLOL

a layoff could just mean you need a new career..

6 months would be the extent of the time on the DL in my stable.

Toccet02 · Postby **Toccet02** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 2:29 pm

?? Don't track announcers usually say "layoff" or am I economy-infected?

Hold Your Peace · Postby **Hold Your Peace** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 2:56 pm

Toccet02 wrote:?? Don't track announcers usually say "layoff" or am I economy-infected?

They do indeed say things like "This is his third start off the layoff".

To be safe I would say two years. Look at a bottom level "not won one in a year" $5,000 claimer on many circuits and you're likely to see a couple coming off layoffs of more than a year. I've also seen some top level horses from operations like Godolphin come back from awful long layoffs. Two years would be rare, but 13 or 14 months isn't all that rare, so that's why I say to be safe two years.

Lucy · Postby **Lucy** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 4:13 pm

I usually wait two years, as well (which is why I have three virtual stables, two of them jammed full :roll:

). Sometimes fillies will make it easy on you - if they've been off a year, check at Equibase to see if they've had a foal. :lol:

Toccet02 · Postby **Toccet02** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 9:24 am

Lucy wrote:I usually wait two years, as well (which is why I have three virtual stables, two of them jammed full ). Sometimes fillies will make it easy on you - if they've been off a year, check at Equibase to see if they've had a foal.

Oh yes...good point. Much easier than checking to see if a gelding is in a pony club or working with an outrider!
Feel free to share your Virt. stable stats, Lucy! (if you keep them)

Toccet02 · Postby **Toccet02** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:36 pm

funny coincidence---just now Fiji Boy popped back up with a workout--after 6 months of no word. So at least 6 mos. shall I wait!

Lucy · Postby **Lucy** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 3:45 pm

Toccet02 wrote:Feel free to share your Virt. stable stats, Lucy! (if you keep them)

Gak, I have no idea! :shock:

However many you can cram in at Equibase, plus however many you can cram in at BRIS, plus a whole lot over at DRF.

Sadly, very few of them are horses I'm tracking for my own pleasure; most of them are horses on this site that I've had to lock for various reasons. :roll:

griff · Postby **griff** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 5:50 pm

I'd think it happens about age 50

griff

Toccet02 · Postby **Toccet02** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 5:42 am

griff--? huh?

NorthStar · Postby **NorthStar** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 3:31 pm

Toccet02 wrote:?? Don't track announcers usually say "layoff" or am I economy-infected?

I've heard both but "on layup" is usually the term used when a horse is recovering from an injury. Handicapping terms usually call it "coming back off a layoff". "Turned out" is a term they use when just needs a rest or to drop their heads. Now with hookers "turned out" means they be gettin' busy! :wink:

But the original question has no real answer. These days a horse can be off for two years and still make it back to the races. If you are concerned about a certain horse, try to track down the last connections to see if the horse is coming back, retired or the dreaded give away horse.