Quote:
Originally Posted by highnote
How long until thoroughbreds become a breed of quarter horses?
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If more U.S. trainers come from or train to a sprint-oriented quarter-horse circuit, and continue to have a bias toward raw speed in training TBs.......yes. Baffert, Lukas, and those who they mentored (like Pletcher).
And as long as they continue to shorten classic distance races here, and owners want quick winning precocious sprinters, racing secs find it easier to fill races w/sprinters, and commercial breeders having no problem accommodating them........yes.
Something like less than 1% of races here are over 1-1/4 miles. (That is considered "middle distance" in Europe).
This is an oft-remarked upon trend that has been happening.....Or rather, I should say not a trend, but a "mentality".
Personally, I do not think this is the way forward if we want the thoroughbred to evolve in the manner in which I think the breed should be going. I also imagine that is why some are seeking out stock from S.A. and other places.....wanting less "commercial" stock.
Barry Irwin has been talking about this stuff for years.