Juvenile racing is an integral part of the Australian racing landscape. However, statistics indicate the hype around the first 2YO trials of the season is disproportionate to the future success of its participants.
Take the 2020 official 2YO trials for example, which featured 64 juveniles. These horses are now deemed to have reached full maturation, being recently turned 5YOs.
- 86% (55) are now retired or banished to a regional stable.
- 78% (50) couldn’t win beyond country/provincial company
- 75% (48) haven’t won more than $100,000 in prizemoney in 3 years of racing
- 22% (14) remain winless
The latest edition of Sydney’s official 2YO trials was held at Randwick on Monday. The average yearling price of the placegetters was a cool $460,000.
Whilst this costly, non-sensical trend continues, the Proven Thoroughbreds default model is to err on the side of patience.
Look at the results on Saturday where the virtues of patience were there for all to see, in the shape of 6YO PRIVATE EYE (Joe Pride), 8YO THINK IT OVER (Kerry Parker) and 5YO CANADIAN DANCER (Steve O’Dea/Matt Hoysted).