What's your favorite time of year in the thoroughbred world?

Toccet02 · Postby **Toccet02** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:12 pm

I was thinking that this (Feb-April)is mine---(I'm a fan, a "student" of pedigrees, breeding, etc, and I own tiny shares of 3 racehorses).

the 2YO sales, foals hitting the ground, looking forward to seeing the first 2YOs run, first crop stallions . . .and of course the Derby preps. Great time of year.

Interested to know your favorite time and your corresponding involvement or interest in the sport.

LB · Postby LB » Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:51 pm

Foaling season is easily my favorite time. There's nothing else like it. I spend months planning matings--and I love seeing how it all turned out. Plus, the new babies are so darn cute.

My involvement: breeder/racehorse owner

nferro9925 · Postby **nferro9925** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:11 pm

I do like the earlier part of the year - Feb thru May/June.

I love seeing the pictures of the new babies - new hopes for the 2 year-olds -
Seeing how the 3 year-olds look and then older handicap horses beginning their training again.

Strategic Maneuver · Postby **Strategic Maneuver** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 4:07 pm

Spring for sure. Trees leaving out, grass turning green, and newborn foals trying out their legs in a big pasture for the first time.

Bid · Postby **Bid** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 4:10 pm

Any sale that I have the money to play. It's like draft day in Football. They're all stars until they prove otherwise. Enjoy pouring over the peds, checking out the horses and the excitement of the auction. I start as soon as the book hits the net and still never seem to get enough research in.
I have the good fortune to have a filly I bred making her first start this weekend. So, that day will be my best time of this year regardless of the outcome.

LB · Postby LB » Thu Mar 27, 2008 4:27 pm

Good luck, Bid! Where is she running?

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 4:34 pm

Hm. Love foaling season.. love the spring meets, love the summer with foals growing strong and learning lessons and playing in the fields, love the fall meets... HATE winter.. so My Favorite I guess is from about Jan 15th to Thanksgiving :lol:

except I HATE it right now with a busted leg because I can't do ANYTHING to have any FUN.

Lisann · Postby **Lisann** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 4:48 pm

I like the spring, like most others - Road to the Triple Crown is hard to beat for exciting racing. Looking forward to the arrival of my first homebred TB foal this spring.

I am just starting out as a breeder, and have been a fan of horse racing since I was a young girl.

Mood Swings · Postby **Mood Swings** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 6:29 pm

I adore watching the newborn foals develop their personalities and play

I love summer evenings when the mares and foals are grazing contently in the fields and I really love the fall when the weanlings become independent and confident and the yearlings look their best as they go to sales. Madelyn - I agree that there is not much to enjoy about the winter except when Spring starts to approach :lol:

Prairie · Postby **Prairie** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 7:02 pm

Taking a trip to Keeneland in the Spring and Fall is wonderful, but my absolutely favorite time of year is summer. There's nothing like watching early morning workouts at Arlington. Seeing the sun come up over the track, listening to the sound of hoofbeats, and hearing the exercise riders sing to and encourage their horses--there's almost a meditative quality to those mornings. I can't wait!

Cree · Postby **Cree** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:45 pm

I like the late summer, early fall.

Gerry · Postby **Gerry** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:03 am

Any season/day when the hoses dont freeze and the horses arent covered in mud! Spring is foaling and breeding season so I hardly can catch my breath but late spring, early summer is fantastic watching the babies play and late summer with the annual trip to Saratoga is wonderful. I would say May - September is my favorite...I can relax, play with the babies, go to the races and get a tan!

RuffianT21 · Postby **RuffianT21** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 8:29 am

Strategic Maneuver wrote:Spring for sure. Trees leaving out, grass turning green, and newborn foals trying out their legs in a big pasture for the first time.

Ah, spring... How I wish it would actually come. Anyone else from Chicago here absolutely loving these March snow storms??? :evil:

Triple Crown trail for sure is my favorite time. There's so much hope and promise in the air. Every horse could be the big one.

Least favorite time is November, when everyone retires.

BELLARINA · Postby **BELLARINA** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 9:49 am

I want some snow! I am tired of running my A/C all day.

RuffianT21 · Postby **RuffianT21** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 12:04 pm

Oh please, take some of our snow!!! It's beautiful, but I'm ready for spring. Actually, much of the snow has melted since last night's storm. The sun is out and our purple and yellow crocuses are open, so there is still hope!