Should horses retire before turning 12?

After Fulton, trained by Nicolas Bazire, is forced to retire, at the age of 11, from at the highest level, discussions have risen around France’s age restriction. The horse is still performing at a high level, with two second places in major races.

France currently has a maximum racing age of 11 for trotters. Once a horse reaches 12, it can no longer compete in the French racing program, regardless of its form.

The current limit has not always been 11. Until the end of 2018, the French age restriction ended a horse’s career at 10. In 2019, the rule was changed to allow horses to continue racing at 11, including in the Prix d’Amérique.

Still, compared with several other European countries, 11 remains low. In Sweden, Norway and Denmark, horses can race until 14. Finland also allows older horses to compete, with races such as the Suur-Hollola-ajo open to horses aged 4 to 12. Switzerland allows horses to race until 15. The Netherlands has a different system, with mares restricted to 11 to have the opportunity to enter breeding in time, while stallions and geldings can race until 15.

A horse reaching the age limit in France does not necessarily have to stop racing. We see horses being shipped to Spain, Malta and other countries to continue their careers. But a high-class horse like Fulton cannot earn the same level of prize money elsewhere as it can at Vincennes.

The question is whether an age limit should decide when an individual horse has to stop racing, even when it is still performing at the highest level.

Do we put the power into the system? Or do we allow trainers and owners to decide whether their horse should keep racing or retire? Some horses like their jobs and are still performing at a high level. Why force them to quit?

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Personally, I believe the age limit in France should be increased to be more in line with other European countries. Not because every horse should race until 14 or 15, but because horses that are still performing and enjoying their job should have the possibility to continue.

The only downside to me seems to be that allowing horses to race for longer could have consequences for breeding programs and race conditions. That deserves a discussion of its own.

For me, this is simply about giving horses like Fulton the choice to continue their racing career instead of making the decision for them.