All breeds have the ability to transition once they have met certain conditions. This usually consists of an age, maturity, and/or flat racing completion. All horses need at least 90% maturity to transition. To transition your horse, visit your horse’s Manage page and click on the transition button.
The transition options for the different breeds are as follows:
| Transition Options |
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Marathon, Steeplechase (Hurdle & Timber)
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Steeplechase (Timber)
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Driving Trials
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Contesting (Pole Bending & Barrel Racing)
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Transitioning offers the following benefits:
• Increases Longevity
• Adds prime (approximately a year’s worth)
• May increase athleticism
• Rerolls your horse’s potential (for better or for worse) This does not apply to Marathon
All transition options require retraining on new distances and some even require a new track. When a Thoroughbred is transitioned to Marathon, they will use their flat racing potential. Please note, Thoroughbreds who transition to Marathon before Steeplechase will only receive the Longevity and Prime boost for their first transition. If your horse runs in and completes at least 10 races, before transitioning their stats will automatically max when they transition to Steeplechase, Driving, or Contesting. A race is counted as “completed” if the horse has a recorded PR for it. Transitioning can be a great way to extend a horse’s racing career by a year or more. Once a horse is transitioned, they can not go back to flat racing.
| Transition Options |
| Marathon |
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Marathon races are very similar to regular flat races. The primary difference is that marathon races are 14, 16, and 18 furlongs and will use a horse’s flat potential. In addition to making the horse eligible for a new group of races, it will also give them a new favorite distance within their new range and it has a chance to increase their athleticism. A horse must be at least 3 years old before they can be trained for Marathon, and must be at least 4 years old before they can be entered in a marathon race. Every Thoroughbred is eligible to transition to marathon.
| | Steeplechase |
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Steeplechase (SC) is the only transition option available to two breeds, Thoroughbreds and Goldbloods. In order to transition, a horse must be at least 6 years old or have at least 10 starts before they can be trained for steeplechase racing. They must be at least 4 years old before entering steeplechase races. It also has a chance to increase their athleticism.
For Thoroughbreds, steeplechase races are 20 to 24 furlongs and only on turf. Thoroughbreds have two divisions, Hurdle and Timber. Hurdle chases are chases with smaller jumps on easier terrain. Timber chases have larger, more difficult jumps and varied, challenging topography. A Thoroughbred's eligibility for the Timber division is determined by their Endurance gene (explained below in the 'Endurance' section). Once transitioned, a horse will be locked into either Hurdle or Timber races for the remainder of their racing career.
For Goldbloods, steeplechase races are 5 to 7 miles and on sand, turf, and varied surfaces. Goldbloods only have one steeplechase division, Timber. A Goldblood's Endurance gene determines their ability to transition to Timber races.
After transitioning, most SC horses will have to spend a period of time training up their new stats (if they maxed higher than they did originally). However, if your horse runs in and completes at least 10 races before transitioning, their stats will automatically max when they transition to SC. A race is counted as “completed” if the horse has a recorded PR for it.
In addition, points earned through SC races count towards stud eligibility requirements and other point-based awards/achievements!
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| Driving Trials |
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Standardbreds can be transitioned to Driving, which works exactly like Steeplechase does for TBs/GBs. There are a few differences though. First, the Endurance gene does not impact driving horses. Second, Colt Composure and Filly Power has no effect in Driving Trials. Third, horses do not suffer morale loss when performing worse than their competitors. Lastly, there is only one division of Driving races.
A horse must be at least 6 years old or have 10 starts before they can be trained for driving, and must be at least 4 years old before they can be entered in a driving race. Races are held at all flat tracks in each month and are always Trotting races. |
| Contesting |
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Quarter Horses, Paint Horses, and Appaloosas can be transitioned to Contesting which includes divisions called Pole Bending or Barrel Racing. A horse must be at least 4 years of age or have 10 starts before they can be trained for contesting. Horses must be at least 4 years old to enter Contests. Like Driving Trials, Colt Composure and Filly Power do not impact Contests. Races are held at separate tracks each month and are always Dirt.
Contesting horses use less energy when competing which means they can be entered in more contests more often. They're also able to enter multiple races at the same track. Horses do earn 2 less points when competing in Contests and purses are 50% less in each Contest than typical races. Contesting horses also do not suffer morale loss when performing worse than their competitors. Mud also has no effect on Contesting horses, even at series tracks when the flat tracks are muddy.
Transitioned horses do not use the typical racing styles but rather must be trained to run left or right. While these horses are no longer able to complete Buddy Workouts or Interval Training, they do have a new training option, Timed Run. Timed Runs increase Preparedness and their Proficiency going left or right (depending on which option you train). Transitioned horses have a higher chance to gain stats from Maintenance workouts.
Contesting consists of two “race” options: Pole Bending and Barrel Racing. Horses who have higher Early Speed and Breaking will fare better in Pole Bending, while horses who have higher Late Speed and Acceleration will fare better in Barrel Racing. Rating and Versatility factor equally in both types of contesting. Contesting consumes less Energy per race, so horses can often enter races more frequently. Horses can also enter Barrel Racing and Pole Bending concurrently (though may perform better in one over the other).
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| Transition Genes |
| Jump/Driving/Agility & Stat Genes |
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This gene is labeled differently depending on which breed you are looking at. For Thoroughbreds and Goldbloods, this gene is known as the Jump gene. For Standardbreds, this gene is known as the Driving gene. For Quarter Horses and Paint Horses, this gene is known as the Agility gene.
This gene works together with your horse’s hidden transition stat genes in order to determine your horse’s aptitude for their transition. A horse who is a 10 potential could possibly go up to 50+ potential if they have high Jump/Driving/Agility and high transition stat genes. This is an excellent option for aging horses that could still be money earners, and also for stud prospects who just aren't earning points on the flat.
If their potential happens to go down because they had poor Jump/Driving/Agility genes and/or transition stat genes, it will remain lower even after retirement. This change in potential will have no impact on the flat racing ability of their foals, since foal potential is not at all derived from their parent's potential. However, the change will impact their future as a workout buddy (if they are a gelding), as their transition potential will be what is used.
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| Endurance/Lead Change |
Endurance/Lead Change is a gene that works differently depending on which breed you are looking at. Endurance is the gene for Thoroughbreds, Goldbloods, and Standardbreds. Lead Change is the gene for Quarter Horses and Stock Horses.
Thoroughbreds with low Endurance genes can only run in Hurdle races. Thoroughbreds with higher Endurance genes can choose between Hurdle and Timber Races. Once you select a division, a Thoroughbred is locked into that division for the rest of their career.
Goldbloods with low Endurance genes cannot transition to steeplechase, while those with higher Endurance genes can transition.
Quarter Horses and Paint Horses are affected by the Lead Change gene in a slightly different way. Horses with a higher Lead Change gene will receive a boost to Early Speed and Breaking, while horses with lower Lead Change will receive a boost to Late Speed and Acceleration and possibly a penalty to Early Speed and Breaking.
Standardbreds currently do not utilize the Endurance gene.
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| Racing |
| Racing Transitioned Horses |
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Of the transition options, only Steeplechases for Thoroughbreds and Contesting for Stock Horses require a new track.
There are six racetracks created only for the purpose of hosting steeplechase races - three in each region. These races are only in Turf. (You can view these tracks from the Racetracks page.) There are six arenas for the purpose of hosting contests - three in each region. These races are only in Dirt.
When you decide you'd like to do steeplechase races (thoroughbred only) or contesting (stock horses only), make sure you hire a training assistant at one of those tracks. A track assistant is required to house your horses at a SC track or arena so they can race.
Marathons, steeplechase races for Goldbloods, and driving trials are all completed at the same tracks as flat races. Marathon races are available in Dirt and Turf. Steeplechase races for Goldbloods are available in Sand, Turf, and Varied. Driving Trials are only available in Trot.
Currently, you only need a separate jockey for steeplechase horses. These jockeys cannot be used on flat racing or marathon horses, and flat racing jockeys cannot be used on steeplechase horses. Like flat jockeys, you can contract a SC jockey of your choice and will earn all of the same benefits in races. You are allowed to contract one steeplechase jockey in addition to your 2 flat jockeys.
Custom jockeys, however, may be used for both flat and steeplechase horses. If you already have a custom jockey for your flat racing horses, you will not need to hire a new one just for steeplechase.
| | Transition Races |
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All races other than Stellar and special series races have an entry limit of 3 horses per stable. This has been increased from only allowing 1 entry per stable. To enter multiple horses, you must have a different jockey on each horse.
There are series races available for each of the transition options. For Marathon, there is a series called the Crusader’s Challenge. There are also marathon divisions within the Gold Cups and World Championship Festival, which are the second highest paying divisions after the Classics.
Thoroughbreds who transition to Timber have their own series races in the form of Timber Tournaments. Goldbloods also have their own series race called the Festa de Flores.
Standardbreds have a single series race called the Hill & Dale. They also compete in their own division of the Trials of Olympus.
Lastly, Quarter Horses, Paint Horses, and Appaloosas have a three leg series called the Prospector's Jackpot. It offers both barrels and poles with alternating regions per race.
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