Lol this is exacly what I used to do.

I have dual-monitor, so what I have is 2 SO4 games open on each screen in window-mode for the games in progress and a third SO4 open for trialling.

I advance the 2 games to complete a season in about 2-5 mins then move around the files from one folder to another and run my trials on the third SO4 game.

Trialing takes about 45 mins to an hour depending on how many races I need to trial them at. Sometimes I open up 3 games at once depending on which stallion I have for breeding (breed 1 stallion to 24-30 mares). So technically I can run around 3 games in 1 hour so that's 25-30 mins?

You don't actually play the game for the game then? It is purely an obsession with the 'league'? Just curious as to whether anyone who goes to such lengths purely for the league actually enjoys the game for what it is? A season in 25-30 minutes isn't playing the game, it's just using it as a tool to artificially try to create a super horse. I accept it's each to their own, however, curiosity rules

I play the game both ways really. For Cheltenham and for the league, takes me around 2h and for trailling don't ask.

I enjoy taking my time playing the game, it just immerses you in a virtual world of horse racing. rushing through it does seem to miss the point for me too.

Agree 100%

I guess I should explain...

It has nothing to do with the league. The league is just a bonus. Beating game breds is really boring. I was at the point where every year I produce 3-4 multiple G1 winners and the only way to beat them is to run another of my horse against them. I produce so many multiple G1 champs that it was becoming pointless. What is to point of racing if you know your horse is going to win everytime? There is no excitement if you know you will win.

So I decided to create my own league. I guess you can call it a league. It was a ladder system where my best of the new crop of horses run against my all-time great horses.


When I first started, I used to keep my top 10 for each distance but then that grew. I considered those my best, or all-time greats, like a Secretariat or Man O War. Now if a new horse comes along that can beat those horses, then that to me is more exciting than beating average game-bred. They slowly climb the ladder and continue against tougher and tougher horses if they continue to post fast enough time. Otherwise I just delete and start advancing the games again to get a new crop.

Here are some of the races that I usually see. As you will notice the races are very close and to win against these, you will have to be very fast. I've lost track of how many seasons, 400, 500? I lost track. But every season there is always a new crop of around 20-30 that tries to beat my best. And that to me is very exciting. That is why I love trialling more than the actual game.















I like the idea of producing the next champ that beat the all-time great kinda game. As you said, "À chacun son goût", to each his own.

A very well constructed and thorough response Thunderspark, and I can fully appreciate your point. Thank you for taking the time to explain the process/thought behind how you play.

Incredible attention to detail Thunderspark - hats off to you, although I still prefer playing my way though!!

Is this fun? I know you say you don't do it for the league but it's a similar process that a lot of league players do use I'm sure.

WHen I started playing SO2, I had full intentions of joining the league, but one year, when faced with another barrage of 2year olds to name from my extensive breeding operation, I just thought, "sod this", I'm not enjoying it.

Now I'm just interested in recreating the real world of horse racing in this wonderful simulation. I think it's kind of sad what the game has been reduced to in some cases, but, like you say, each to their own.

I must admit I get a bit fed-up of going through the 2yo process because if you want to race the successfully you have to pay attention to their changing distances, their level of performance, jockey instructions etc and then it can all change to some degree when they reach 3.

I now aim to breed around 10 or so top quality 2yo's and I get much more enjoyment from that. I know pay a lot more attention to their breeding, and the likelihood of them going on to be top 3yo's. My aim is to get all of them to be multiple G1 winners, even if it is very very unlikely!

Finally made it into 2011 yesterday! Now I have over 40 horses, so this season should take even longer. Look forward to my next post in this thread in about April 2024!

Lol no rush GS63