Which Off-Track Thoroughbreds Are Most Desirable?

An average Thoroughbred’s racing career spans only a few years, yet horses often live well into their 20s and sometimes into their 30s. Successful transition to a second career helps protect and build the Thoroughbred industry, improving the welfare of horses as well as the image of racing in general.

According to a recent study of off-track Thoroughbreds (OTTB) sold through an online auction, some horses are more likely to be adopted than others.^* Here’s why:

Age. A horse’s sale price increases until it peaks at the age of 9 years old when it begins to decrease. The value continues to decrease each additional year. By 19 years old, the horse would probably be given away rather than sold.

Gender. Mares sold for about $924 less than geldings. “In this study, there was a larger number of mares. Of 170 horses included in the study, 63% were mares,” explained Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., of Kentucky Equine Research.

Color. Chestnut, gray, or roan horses were valued at more than $1,000 compared to bay, brown, or black horses. “This could have been because the more popular colors were less common, with only 26% of the 170 horses in this study chestnuts and only 12% gray or roan, which is less than half of the study population,” Crandell said.

Registrations. Horses registered with the United States Equestrian Federation, United States Hunter Jumper Association, or United States Eventing Association had an added value of nearly $2,000. “Horses with showing or competition experience appear more popular. Potential buyers can look up the horse’s past placings, and likely have more confidence regarding whether the horse was suitable for competition,” explained Crandell.

“This may also reflect some concern for injuries,” she added. “For example, horses that have not competed may have been injured on the track and therefore may not be able to compete in second careers and might be more suited to trail riding.”

“Understanding market demands can help identify desired characteristics for Thoroughbreds entering alternative disciplines, which may in turn improve welfare by better aligning buyer demand with available market supply,” wrote the researchers.

Ultimately, improving our understanding of factors that make Thoroughbred marketable will lead to long-term placement of OTTBs in new careers.

According to Crandell, “These horses can have special nutritional demands as a result of intense training at the track. Making sure they have a balanced diet is key to transitioning to a successful second career.”

Joint supplements are among the most popular nutritional supplements given to equine athletes. These can include glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, and even long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. A focus on joint health also includes maintaining an appropriate body weight, which proves problematic even for some athletic horses.

^*Camp, M., M.L. Kibler, J.L.Z. Ivey, and J. Thompson. 2023. Factors affecting Thoroughbred online auction prices in non/post-racing careers. Animals (Basel) 13(8):1329.