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.
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I was looking at the entries for this years Derby & noticed a lot of geldings. Since when did they become eligible again? I know they originally were but I thought they had been excluded since about 1900.
If this isn’t a misprint it looks as if the Epsom Derby’s status has plummeted further than I thought. Any thoughts from others?I’m not sure whether this is true or not, but if it were to be true why on earth would this indicate that the status of the race has "plummetted"?
A complete non sequitor.
Geldings are not eligible, race conditions clearly state ‘entire colts and fillies only’.
So either an error in whatever you’re looking at, or perhaps colts that have been gelded since they were entered and which will be dropped from the list at the next declaration stage on March 6th.
AP
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Funniest thing i’ve read in a while, a gelding running in the Derby lol!
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colts that have been gelded since they were entered and which will be dropped from the list at the next declaration stage on March 6th.
Absolutely correct. The geldings drop out on March 6th.
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Because
The Derby
has always been viewed as the supreme test for three year olds with a view to establishing their credentials for stallion careers.
The British Pattern is based around the good of the Breed, which is why geldings are not allowed in any of the Classics.
The rules regarding the most important all-age races, such as
The Eclipse
and
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes
have been relaxed in the last few years to allow geldings to participate, but the classics – well never in your lifetime,
Miss Woodford
, let alone mine!
Because
The Derby
has always been viewed as the supreme test for three year olds with a view to establishing their credentials for stallion careers.
The British Pattern is based around the good of the Breed, which is why geldings are not allowed in any of the Classics.
The rules regarding the most important all-age races, such as
The Eclipse
and
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes
have been relaxed in the last few years to allow geldings to participate, but the classics – well never in your lifetime,
Miss Woodford
, let alone mine!
Then why are fillies allowed?
From the 1920s to the 1950s, most of the major stakes at Belmont Park barred geldings from competing. Thank goodness this was changed before Kelso and Forego came along.
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-fr … 5B888DF1D3The ban came into force in 1904.
The last gelding to be placed in the race was Curzon, who was second to Sir Visto in 1995.
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Even if it was allowed I don’t see how it effects the Derbys status as a race. It’s produced the Arc winner for the last 2 years and it’s the race I look forward to more than any other.
Because
The Derby
has always been viewed as the supreme test for three year olds with a view to establishing their credentials for stallion careers.
The British Pattern is based around the good of the Breed, which is why geldings are not allowed in any of the Classics.
It has never seemed logical to bar geldings from big races.
How does having geldings in the race stop it being the supreme test of stallion prospects? It can hardly be a supreme test if certain horses are not allowed to run. A gelding might finish eighth, fifth, third or even first, but the “best” stallion prospect will beat all the other stallion prospects. Is it just because the geldings do not have to carry a couple of small extra weights? Why is it not “good for the breed” for stallion prospect to be tested against geldings as well as entire horses?
In the times when colts were rushed off to stud at the end of their three year old careers, it would have been helpful in the test of future stallions to have geldings running in all the big races because they tend to stay in training for many years and create reliable links between generations.
The Epsom Derby winner is almost certain to forge a career as a stallion once his racing career has ended, which for the larger stables/breeding operations is the main aim for the Derby winner is to be a stallion.
Because
The Derby
has always been viewed as the supreme test for three year olds with a view to establishing their credentials for stallion careers.
The British Pattern is based around the good of the Breed, which is why geldings are not allowed in any of the Classics.
It has never seemed logical to bar geldings from big races.
How does having geldings in the race stop it being the supreme test of stallion prospects? It can hardly be a supreme test if certain horses are not allowed to run. A gelding might finish eighth, fifth, third or even first, but the “best” stallion prospect will beat all the other stallion prospects. Is it just because the geldings do not have to carry a couple of small extra weights? Why is it not “good for the breed” for stallion prospect to be tested against geldings as well as entire horses?
.
Because geldings would enjoy a possible adavantage in the Derby. The Epsom classic looks to test speed, stamina and temperament.
The natural state for a 3yo colt is to be interested in fillies and mares and must overcome these and other distractions to win the race.
Gelding a horse is often done to pacify and control temperament therefore a gelded 3yo in the Derby has less to overcome…therefore theremay
be a potential advantage.
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In the times when colts were rushed off to stud at the end of their three year old careers, it would have been helpful in the test of future stallions to have geldings running in all the big races because they tend to stay in training for many years and create reliable links between generations.
Shabby
addresses your other points very well, MV.
As to this one, most of the horses who run in the Derby will end up as geldings in the short to medium term anyway, so we are going to get those reliable links in the fullness of time.
And as geldings can run in the major all-aged races, even as 3yo’s, from late June (the Eclipse) onwards, if any of them were that good that early on they can be measured against the Derby winner before the end of the 3yo season.
Meanwhile, the Derby and other Classics are placed in a special bracket, for the good of the breed.
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