I’ve had a few races where my horses have been, either in the lead or starting to push through at the finish, when they have completely run out of energy, it looks as though they have almost stopped and been quickly taken over by other racers. The confusing part comes when I see the jockey’s report stating something like: “we were just picking up at the end” or “this horse could go an extra furlong.” And I’m left completely baffled, thinking they couldn’t possibly be talking about the same race I just watched.

My original inclination would have been to reduce the distance or try a different race tactic at the same distance, but certainly not increase the distance as the jockeys seem to be stating. Am I wrong? Should I take the jockey’s advice as gospel and put the horse in longer races, or should I simply ignore the advice given by the jockey’s in the game?

I have usually found that the jockey comments are fairly accurate, and have had my fair share of horses that have displayed this trait. Generally they fit into three categories:

1. The horse is suited by further, and it's simply that your horse is outpaced at the finish. When horses need further, sometimes it appears as if they are weakening, when in fact the other horses are simply going faster.

2. The horse may benefit from blinkers. This trait always seems to happen to me when horses who need blinkers et al don't have them fitted. It is a long shot, but worth giving a go. Look for comments such as - 'missed break', 'tardy start', 'would not settle' and 'ran in snatches'.

3. The horse is simply outclassed. It may be that your horse just isn't that good and needs to be dropped in class.

It's definitely worth upping the distance. You may be surprised.

Good luck

I'd say up in distance and see how it gets on. It might just be outpaced.

I don't find blinkers work unless the jockey or head lad tell you they may benefit, otherwise the horse just won't settle.

If it is stopping at the end it's for two reasons:

1) It's tiring
2) It's not fast enough

It's 1 if it's stamina is being tested, 2 if it better over longer distances

Thanks for your input everyone . I will try some longer races and see how the horse goes.
I guess the one that really confused me was the one about "we were really picking up at the end there" I can't remember the exact wording, but it was something along those lines. Where as regardless of whether it was because of stamina or being out paced there was no way the horse was getting better in the last 1/2 furlong or so. Even watching it without reference to the other horses it was clearly not covering the distance as quickly as it had been a furlong earlier

Anyway thanks again, I will try and see how it goes.

To me it sounds like your horse became a pacemaker so what I would do is tell jockey race handy but not to lead and see how that goes.

Some horses have low confidence or low battling qualities and just give up especially when leading too early.
Another thing you could try is no race instruction, dont lead and challenge earlier. If it's taking the lead too early, like with 3-4f to go then change it to challenge later.