Olympics vs. Horseracing

[BlueShoe]

While viewing the Olympics was struck by by a rather odd thought comparing Olympic athletes vs. racehorses.In many events there were qualifying heats leading up to the finals.Therefore many athletes competed more than once and often several times in the space of just a few days.Example,Michael Phelps and many track medal winners.Now,compared to animals,humans are very slow and very weak.A world class sprinter only is going about 23mph.Today racehorses often only compete perhaps once a month,and often trainers will say something like,'three weeks is too soon to bring him back,etc.".So,if a weak human can race several times within a week,why cant a powerful horse compete more often?Answer;in the old days they often did.A more recent example was in a tiny Northern California town.During the Ferndale meeting many horses(and mules) raced every 3 or 4 days and repeaters were common.These were very cheap bottom level animals,many of them unable to win even at the California fair meetings.So,guess that humans are getting stronger and racehorses are getting weaker.

[cj's dad]

Timonium- home of the cheap horses- with a few exceptions- some will race 3 times during an 8 day meet- not at all uncommon. Then again, typical race is 4 to 4 1/2 f. a few 6f and longer mixed in.

[Tom]

A friend of mine claimed ( his trainer did) a horse at FL back in the 70's.
After being in the money 23 out of 24 times, he did not do so good with him and eventually leased him and the guy ran him at the NE Fair circuit. The sucker won Monday at 5-1/2, Wednesday at a mile-1/16, Friday at 5-1/2, and Monday at a mile-70. 4 wins in 7 days!

[raybo]

I doubt there are too many players who would argue against horses being sturdier animals in years past compared to those running today. Today's horses are bred for too much speed, IMO, which usually means more muscle on smaller bones, a bad combination. Meds and other things also contribute to today's horses being unable to compete safely and competitively on a more frequent basis.

[ALostTexan]

Of course you have to limit the discussion to Thoroughbred racehorses, because Standardbreds are still going once a week, and in the case of the Little Brown Jug, have to go 2 or even 3 heats in a single day. The best part of it is that after running their asses off, then taking an hour or so break, they generally run times very close to the first mile. Still the true workhorses in the game...

[Tom Barrister]

In fairness, the Standardbred's legs are a little sturdier than those of the thoroughbred, they race at a fixed gait, and they don't put as much stress on each leg by trotting/pacing as a throughbred does at a full gallop.

[KMS]

Perhaps a better analogy would be boxing or football, both of which require a considerable amount of recuperation.

[SMOO]

Of course you have to limit the discussion to Thoroughbred racehorses, because Standardbreds are still going once a week, and in the case of the Little Brown Jug, have to go 2 or even 3 heats in a single day. The best part of it is that after running their asses off, then taking an hour or so break, they generally run times very close to the first mile. Still the true workhorses in the game...
Some of them even have to drive the owner & his wagon back to the farm, then work the fields the next morning.

[jotb]

A friend of mine claimed ( his trainer did) a horse at FL back in the 70's.
After being in the money 23 out of 24 times, he did not do so good with him and eventually leased him and the guy ran him at the NE Fair circuit. The sucker won Monday at 5-1/2, Wednesday at a mile-1/16, Friday at 5-1/2, and Monday at a mile-70. 4 wins in 7 days!


I would think winning 4 races in 7 days has to be a record. I was wondering if you have some type of evidence to prove this claim.

Joe