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49-635: The Wood Memorial is one of the major prep races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby . Between 1930 and 2000, eleven winners of the Wood Memorial went on to win the Kentucky Derby ( Gallant Fox , Twenty Grand , Johnstown , Count Fleet , Hoop Jr. , Assault , Foolish Pleasure , Bold Forbes , Seattle Slew , Pleasant Colony and Fusaichi Pegasus ). Four of them also won the Triple Crown . The most famous loser in

98-494: A Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby which is rebranded from the European Road to the Kentucky Derby used in previous seasons. This series will consist of races from England, Ireland, France, and Unites Arab Emirates. The UAE Derby , which previously was part of the main road, has been moved to this series. The UAE Derby will retain the same points allocation as the previous season. The Cardinal Stakes has been removed from

147-652: A trainer : Most wins by an owner: Notes: Road to the Kentucky Derby The Road to the Kentucky Derby is a points system by which horses qualify for a position in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby . It features dozens of stakes races for 2 and 3-year-old Thoroughbreds – the number and specific races have changed slightly over the years. The point system replaced a previous qualifying system that looked at earnings from all graded stakes races worldwide. There are 20 positions available in

196-473: A "clear, practical and understandable path" to the first leg of horse racing's Triple Crown , according to the official website of Churchill Downs . A poll conducted by Churchill Downs prior to the changes showed 83% of respondents did not understand how horses became starters for the Kentucky Derby. The previous system was based on earnings from all graded stakes races , which essentially gave equal weight to earnings from juvenile races, sprints and even races on

245-712: A "wild card" round. The first leg includes minor prep races, usually Grade II, with a 50-20-10-5 scale. The second leg consists of the Super Six Prep races, each worth 100 points to the winner. They include such historic races as the Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park, the Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita Park, the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park, the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Ground Race Course,

294-417: A boost to the value of the stallion that sired the gelding. Sometimes a stallion used for breeding is castrated later in life, possibly due to sterility , or because the offspring of the stallion are not up to expectations, or simply because the horse is not used much for breeding, due to shifting fashion in pedigree or phenotype . Castration may allow a stallion to live peacefully with other horses, allowing

343-495: A careful check is made for signs of haemorrhage . Assuming that bleeding is at a minimum, the other side is castrated in the same manner. Most veterinarians remove the testis held most "tightly" (or close to the body) by the cremaster muscle first, so as to minimize the risk of the horse withdrawing it to the point where it is inaccessible. The horse, now a gelding, is allowed to recover. Standing castration can be performed in more complicated cases. Some authorities have described

392-443: A less restricted and isolated life than was allowed for a stallion. Owners of male horses, both geldings and stallions, need to occasionally check the horse's sheath , the pocket of skin that protects the penis of the horse when it is not in use for urination (or, in the case of stallions, breeding). Geldings tend to accumulate smegma and other debris at a higher rate than stallions, probably because geldings rarely fully extrude

441-438: A male animal to be more calm, better-behaved, less sexually aggressive, and more responsive to training efforts. Additionally, it is known for making the animal quieter, gentler and generally more suitable as an everyday working animal , or even as a pet (in the case of companion animals). The gerund and participle "gelding" and the infinitive "to geld" refer to the castration procedure itself. The verb "to geld" comes from

490-920: A more social and comfortable existence. Under British National Hunt racing (i.e. Steeplechase ) rules, to minimize health and safety risks, nearly all participating horses are gelded. On the other hand, in other parts of Europe, geldings are excluded from many of the most prestigious flat races including the Classics and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (with an exception being the French classic Prix Royal-Oak , open to geldings since 1986). In North American Thoroughbred racing, geldings, if otherwise qualified by age, winnings, or experience, are allowed in races open to intact males. The same applies in Australia. Some cultures historically did not and still seldom geld male horses, most notably

539-399: A points scale of 100-50-25-15-10, 50-25-15-10-5, Sunland Derby , and Lexington Stakes , fewer points will be offered if the starting field is too small. If exactly five horses participate in these races, points will be allocated at 75% of the value. If four or fewer horses participate in these races, then points will be allocated at 50% of the value. International road changes: There will be

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588-619: A relatively high overall mortality rate. To minimize these concerns, the British Equine Veterinary Association guidelines recommend two veterinary surgeons should be present when an equine general anaesthesia is being performed. With both castration techniques, the wound should be kept clean and allowed to drain freely to reduce the risk of hematoma formation, or development of an abscess . The use of tetanus antitoxin and analgesics (painkillers) are necessary and antibiotics are also commonly administered. The horse

637-402: A stallion-like manner, some because of a cryptorchid testicle retained in the horse, some due to previously learned behavior, but some for no clear reason. Training to eliminate these behaviors is generally effective. Another risk is to the veterinarian, if a standing castration is performed, it is possible for the horse to injure the veterinarian during the procedure, and if complications arise,

686-432: A technique for the removal of abdominally retained testes from cryptorchid animals, but most surgeons still advocate a recumbent technique, as described below. The primary drawback to standing castration is the risk that, even with sedation and restraint, the horse may object to the procedure and kick or otherwise injure the individual performing the operation. Putting a horse under general anaesthesia for castration

735-406: A young horse was well over a year old, even two, this was a holdover from the days when castration was performed without anesthesia and was thus far more stressful on the animal. Modern veterinary techniques can now accomplish castration with relatively little stress and minimal discomfort, so long as appropriate analgesics are employed. A few horse owners delay gelding a horse on the grounds that

784-411: Is preferred by some veterinarians because "surgical exposure is improved and it carries less (overall) risk for surgeon and patient". For simple castration of normal animals, the advantages to recumbent castration are that the horse is prone, better asepsis (sterile environment) can be maintained, and better haemostasis (control of bleeding) is possible. In addition, there is significantly less risk of

833-561: Is said to have mentioned gelding as early as 350 BC. A male horse is often gelded to make him better-behaved and easier to control. Gelding can also remove lower-quality animals from the gene pool . To allow only the finest animals to breed on, while preserving adequate genetic diversity , only a small percentage of all male horses should remain stallions. Mainstream sources place the percentage of stallions that should be kept as breeding stock at about 10%, while an extreme view states that only 0.5% of all males should be bred. In wild herds,

882-594: The Blue Grass Stakes (currently G2) at Keeneland Race Course and the Wood Memorial Stakes (currently G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack. There are two wild card races with points offered on a 20-8-4-2 basis. The series originally consisted of 36 races in 2013 and has since changed over the years to include 46 races with the addition of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby (beginning in 2017) and European Road to

931-499: The Arabs , who usually used mares for everyday work and for war. In these cultures, most stallions are still not used for breeding, only those of the best quality. When used as ordinary riding animals, they are kept only with or near other male horses in a "bachelor" setting, which tends to produce calmer, less stallion-like behavior . Sometimes religious reasons for these practices exist; for example, castration of both animals and humans

980-661: The Kentucky Derby Championship Season. The 2024 road consisted of 36 races, 21 races for the Kentucky Derby Prep Season and 15 races for the Kentucky Derby Championship Season. For 2024, the main Road to the Kentucky Derby resembled the 2023 Road to the Kentucky Derby , originally intended to consist of 37 races (revised down to 36 races with the cancellation of the Sham Stakes ), with 22 races for

1029-411: The Kentucky Derby Prep Season and 15 races for the Kentucky Derby Championship Season with the following changes: The 2025 road consists of 36 races, 21 races for the Kentucky Derby Prep Season and 15 races for the Kentucky Derby Championship Season. Race changes: The Virginia Derby will be added to the championship season with a points scale of 50-25-15-10-5. Points changes: For races with

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1078-602: The Kentucky Derby Prep Season and the Kentucky Derby Championship Series . The prep season consists of early races on dirt or synthetic surfaces over distances of at least one mile that typically are run between late September and late February. Points are awarded to the top 4 finishers in each race on a 10-4-2-1 scale, except for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, which has been awarded points on a 20-8-4-2 scale since 2016. The championship season consists of two legs and

1127-516: The Old Norse gelda , from the adjective geldr ' barren ' . The noun "gelding" is from the Old Norse geldingr . The Scythians are thought to have been among the first to geld their horses, as they valued war horses that were quiet and less defensive, as well as easier to keep in groups and less likely to be territorial, without the temptation of reproductive/mating urges. Aristotle

1176-449: The colt or stallion is sedated , typically with detomidine with or without butorphanol , and often physically restrained. Local anaesthetic is injected into the parenchyma of both testes . An incision is made through the scrotum and the testes are removed, then the spermatic cord is crushed, most commonly with either ligatures or emasculators , or both. The emasculators are applied for two to three minutes, then removed, and

1225-422: The testosterone gained from being allowed to reach sexual maturity will make him larger. However, recent studies have shown that this is not so: any apparent muscle mass gained solely from the presence of hormones will be lost over time after the horse is gelded, and in the meantime, the energy spent developing muscle mass may actually take away from the energy a young horse might otherwise put into skeletal growth;

1274-401: The 10% ratio is largely maintained naturally, as a single dominant stallion usually protects and breeds with a herd which is seldom larger than 10 or 12 mares, though he may permit a less dominant junior stallion to live at the fringes of the herd. There are more males than just herd stallions, so unattached male horses group together for protection in small all-male " bachelor herds ", where, in

1323-624: The Derby by May 1, 2013, and an additional $ 25,000 to start. If a qualifying horse was not nominated in either January or March, it could be supplemented to the Derby for $ 200,000. The 2013 season consisted of 36 races (19 races for the Kentucky Derby Prep Season and 17 races for the Kentucky Derby Championship Season). The 2014 season consisted of 34 races (18 races for the Kentucky Derby Prep Season and 16 races for

1372-457: The Euro/Mideast road. Geldings A gelding is a castrated male horse or other equine , such as a pony , donkey or a mule . The term is also used with certain other animals and livestock , such as domesticated camels . By comparison, the equivalent term for castrated male cattle would be steer (or bullock ), and wether for sheep and goats . Castration allows

1421-663: The Kentucky Derby (beginning in 2018) series. In addition to qualifying via the Road to the Kentucky Derby, various fees are required to start in the Derby: a nomination fee, an entry fee and a starter fee. For example, in 2013 horses born in 2010 were eligible and the nomination fee was $ 600 which was to be paid by January 26, 2013. If the January date was missed, a late nomination fee of $ 6,000 could be paid by March 23, 2013. In addition, owners with qualifying horses were required to pay $ 25,000 to enter

1470-432: The Kentucky Derby Championship Season). The 2015 season consisted of 35 races (19 races for the Kentucky Derby Prep Season and 16 races for the Kentucky Derby Championship Season). The 2016 season consisted of 35 races (19 races for the Kentucky Derby Prep Season and 16 races for the Kentucky Derby Championship Season). The 2017 season consisted of 37 races (19 races for the Kentucky Derby Prep Season, 16 races for

1519-722: The Kentucky Derby Championship Season, and 2 races for the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby). The 2018 season consisted of 46 races (20 races for the Kentucky Derby Prep Season, 16 races for the Kentucky Derby Championship Season, 7 races for the European Road to the Kentucky Derby, and 3 races for the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby). The 2019 season consisted of 46 races (35 races in North America and Dubai on

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1568-479: The Kentucky Derby. Starting in 2018, Churchill Downs developed a similar European Road to the Kentucky Derby. The remaining 18 spots in the starting gate (or up 20 if the European and Japanese offers are declined) are offered to the top finishers on the main Road to the Kentucky Derby. If one of those horses does not enter the Derby, their position is given to the next ranked horses on the list. Up to 24 horses may enter

1617-471: The Wood Memorial was Secretariat , who finished third in 1973. The winner of the Wood Memorial has not won the Kentucky Derby since 2000, in part because several became injured in the weeks between the two races. For example, Toby's Corner missed the Derby with lameness in his left hind leg (2011), Eskendereya with a soft tissue injury in his left front leg (2010), I Want Revenge with a ligament injury to his right front ankle (2009) and Buddha with separation of

1666-557: The absence of mares, they tend to behave much like geldings. Geldings are preferred over stallions for working purposes because they are calmer, easier to handle, and more tractable. Geldings are therefore a favorite for many equestrians . In some horse shows , due to the dangers inherent in handling stallions, which require experienced handlers, youth exhibitors are not permitted to show stallions in classes limited to just those riders. Geldings are often preferred over mares , because some mares become temperamental when in heat and

1715-473: The event of a tie, those horses will divide equally the points they would have received jointly had one beaten the other. If an owner wants to run a filly in the Derby, she will have to earn points in the same races as the colts and geldings – points earned of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks are not transferable to the Derby. The Road to the Kentucky Derby point system was created in 2012 to establish

1764-414: The ground or putting him completely "under". It has the benefit that general anaesthesia (GA) is not required. This method is advocated for simple procedures because the estimated mortality for GA in horses at a modern clinic is low, approximately one or two in 1000. Mortality in the field (where most horse castrations are performed) is probably higher, due to poorer facilities. For standing castration,

1813-441: The hoof wall from the laminae of his left front leg (2002). The race was named to honor Eugene D. Wood , a New York State politician and horse racing enthusiast who had been a founder and past president of the old Jamaica Race Course where the race was run until 1960. From 1925 to 1939, the Wood Memorial was run over a distance of one mile and seventy yards, then at 1 + 1 ⁄ 16 miles from 1940 to 1951, after which it

1862-422: The horse must be immediately anesthetized. Castration does not automatically change bad habits and poor manners. This must be accomplished by proper training. A horse may be gelded at any age; however, if an owner intends to geld a particular foal, it is now considered best to geld the horse prior to becoming a yearling, and definitely before he reaches sexual maturity. While it was once recommended to wait until

1911-536: The main Road, 7 races for the European Road and 4 races for the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby). Originally, the 2020 season consisted of 46 races (35 races in North America and Dubai on the main Road, 7 races for the European Road and 4 races for the Japan Road), with only minor changes from 2019. However, the season was heavily disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic , which caused the cancellation or rescheduling of most of

1960-411: The major prep races. The 2021 road consisted of 36 races, 20 races for the Kentucky Derby Prep Season and 16 races for the Kentucky Derby Championship Season. The 2022 road consisted of 37 races, 21 races for the Kentucky Derby Prep Season and 16 races for the Kentucky Derby Championship Season. The 2023 road consisted of 37 races, 21 races for the Kentucky Derby Prep Season and 16 races for

2009-450: The net effect is that castration has no effect on rate of growth (although it may increase the amount of fat the horse carries). Many older stallions, no longer used at stud due to age or sterility, can benefit from being gelded. Modern veterinary techniques make gelding an even somewhat elderly stallion a fairly low-risk procedure, and the horse then has the benefit of being able to be turned out safely with other horses and allowed to live

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2058-405: The penis, and thus dirt and smegma build up in the folds of skin. There are two major techniques commonly used in castrating a horse, one requiring only local anaesthesia and the other requiring general anaesthesia . Each technique has advantages and disadvantages. Standing castration is a technique where a horse is sedated and local anaesthesia is administered, without throwing the horse to

2107-418: The race, with the bottom four point-earners listed as "also eligible". If any of the top 20 is scratched after entries are taken but before betting begins, the next ranked horse on the also eligible list will be eligible to run. If two or more horses have the same number of points, the tiebreaker to get into the Kentucky Derby will be earnings in non-restricted stakes races, whether or not they are graded . In

2156-402: The starting gate for the Kentucky Derby. Starting in 2017, one of those spots is reserved for the winner of the separate Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. If the winner of the Japan Road declines the offer, their position is offered to the next ranked Japanese horse. If none of the top four finishers accepts the offer, this position in the starting gate reverts to qualifiers on the regular Road to

2205-575: The surgeon or assistants being kicked. In a more complex situation such as castration of cryptorchid animals, the inguinal canal is more easily accessed. There are several different techniques (such as "open", "closed", and "semi-closed") that may be employed, but the basic surgery is similar. However, general anaesthesia is not without risks, including post-anaesthetic myopathy (muscle damage) and neuropathy (nerve damage), respiratory dysfunction (V/Q mismatch), and cardiac depression. These complications occur with sufficient frequency that castration has

2254-426: The turf as to the traditional Derby prep races. The new system completely disregards sprint races, and places heavy weight on later races, thus putting a premium on recent results. The points system has changed the way horses are prepared for the Derby, the composition of the field and how the race itself is run given the absence of pure sprinters to ensure a fast early pace. The series is divided into two phases,

2303-416: The use of mares may be limited during the later months of pregnancy and while caring for a young foal . In horse racing , castrating a stallion may be considered worthwhile if the animal is easily distracted by other horses, difficult to handle, or otherwise not running to his full potential due to behavioral issues. While this means the horse loses any breeding value, a successful track career can often be

2352-626: Was categorically forbidden in the Hebrew Bible and is prohibited in Jewish law . Although castrations generally have few complications, there are risks. Castration can have complications, such as swelling, hemorrhage or post-operative bleeding, infections , and eventration . It can take up to six weeks for residual testosterone to clear from the new gelding's system and he may continue to exhibit stallion-like behaviors in that period. For reasons not always clear, about 30% of all geldings may still display

2401-414: Was changed to its present 1 + 1 ⁄ 8 miles. All entrants currently carry a weight of 123 lb. The race was run in two divisions in 1944, 1945, 1947, 1974, and 1983. In 2005, Bellamy Road set a new stakes record of 1:47.16 at the 1 + 1 ⁄ 8 mile distance in winning by 17 + 1 ⁄ 2 lengths for his owner, George Steinbrenner . Most wins by a jockey : Most wins by

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