Starting yearlings

[mary]

What is the best time to start late April yearlings?

[myoldkyfarm]

I got my 2006 April foals broke in December, back in real training in May and had one win in first start last week.

[LB]

It really varies depending on the maturity--both physical and emotional--of the individual yearling. Generally speaking, we usually start ours in December or January.

[mary]

Thanks for this information MYKF and LB!

[bfinellc]

Mike should start breaking his yearlings now. It will take them a good three months or so to get a good foundation. Then they should take a month off or so in January and get back into some heavier training in February so by the time Stan gets them to the track they are ready to put in more work getting them track ready. It will probably take them another three months or so on the track before they are ready to start racing (especially since Stan will just have them in a round pen or his equicizer).

What you have to realize from the previous responders is that they have Fall and Winter two-year old racing, we don't. Mike wants his horses ready for the PrM meet and if they start getting broke in December or January you won't have them ready in time and might as well wait until their three year old seasons to race them. I think that Mike believes three months is all they need and, for a baby, they need much more time!

Most of the big operations in Ocala or South Carolina have already started breaking their yearlings. The McKathan Brothers, in Ocala, started theirs in August. You may have heard of some of their program graduates: Silver Charm, Real Quiet, Free At Last, Silverbulletday, Chilukki, Captain Steve, Forestry, El Corredor, etc. You might advise Mike to start a little later...but starting now gives them more time if he does have to stop on them for any reason. My filly got started on Labor Day-September 1st. I will be giving her December off and then I will start back up with her in January and intend on having her ready for the 1st meet two year old races (late June-July). And by starting her early this will give her time to go slow so she has time to develop and avoid injury.

[KMO_racing]

I have 2 views. When ia am selling at 2 yo in training sales I start no later than September I do have 1 starting in Oct cause she didn't sell at FT MD> So i am late. I also give them a month off in Dec.

When I race one I will start in Oct or Nov, give just a short 6-8 weeks then turn out until March of the 2 yo year then take it easy but steady. Before we put any speed on them we xray the knees.