[Comparison of the career profiles of racehorses over three decades].

To compare the career profiles of thoroughbred racehorses in Germany in different decades all horses which raced for the last time in the years 1966/67, 1976/77 and 1986/87 were selected from the annual report of the German Thoroughbred Racing Association. The number of racing horses increased within decades while the percentage of the horses which raced for the last time was equal in all years. It amounted yearly to about 30%. Most of the horses finished racing at three and four years of age. In 1966, 1967, 1976 and 1977 more than 50% of the horses began their career at the age of two years, while in 1986 and 1987 the rate was below 50%. The duration of the career depended on the age at the first race and the gender. Colts and geldings raced an average of 3.5 and 4.3 years respectively, fillies 2.7 years. The average of races during the career remained constant during each decade at 27 and 35 for the colts and geldings respectively, while for the fillies it decreased from 24 races in 1966/67 to 20 races in 1986/87.