Similar to many human athletes, most horses begin training and racing at a young age to maximize their potential, with most first stepping onto the track at age 2. By the age of 3, horses are eligible for the Triple Crown races (Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes). According to the Thoroughbred Times, most race horses stop racing by age 6 or 7, if not sooner. However, many horses can live into their twenties and thirties, so retired race horses can still have many productive years ahead of them when they leave the track.

Early conditioning can be beneficial if done properly, with close monitoring of any stress imposed on the horseâ??s body. However, if placed in the wrong hands, training and racing practices can lead to serious damage, often permanent. Additionally, the HSUS believes that the minimum age at which a horse should be raced is 4 years old, to minimize the physical demands placed on young thoroughbreds. The age issue has come into question more frequently in light of some recent horse breakdowns, such as the injuries sustained by Eight Belles after crossing the finish line during the 2008 Kentucky Derby, which resulted in the horseâ??s immediate euthanasia.