About

 Thoroughbred Dreams was created in early 2003 with the hope of it becoming a sim people could enjoy without having to spend hours upon hours of planning. In the first season, I believe it did achieve this, but it has the promise of becoming yet better. blah blah blah... i'll add more later ;)

Last update: Friday, August 8, 2003.

About the game -

Please note, none of this game is meant to be confusing. If anything below confuses you in any way, please do not hesitate to email me questions at thoroughbreddreams@hotmail.com

Sections:
1. Starting
2. Horses
3. Gelding
4. Abilities
5. Special Abilities/Improving in Races
6. Training/Racing
7. Special Events
8. Money/Experience
9. Breeding
10. Auctions/Selling
11. Retiring Horses
12. Injury
13. End of the Year

1. Starting

• Once you are accepted into this game and receive a welcoming letter, you will be added to the list of stables, given 10 randomly created horses (5 two year olds & 5 three year olds), and 5,000 SM.
• Please Allow up to one week for your join form to be processed. Normally it'll be much less than this, but sometimes I get caught up in other things or real life and am unable to create your horses.
• Upon getting your welcoming letter and the list of horses, you will be required to submit the horse's names within one week of getting it. This is just to make sure that you are actually interested and not just taking up space.
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2. Horses/Fees

• The horses you receive upon joining will receive 10 horses, all of which have different strengths and weaknesses which you can view when you check your stable under the stable link on the side.
• Every horse has the ability to improve or get worse by the racing and/or training you put it under. (more about both under appropriate sections)
• If you wish to acquire more horses, the best way to do so is either to buy from another stable that is currently selling or wait for the auction which will offer horses every 6 weeks OR put a claim on a horse in a claiming race.
• Max total of horses anyone can own is still undecided. If you want to have 1,000 horses and manage them all, be my guest. Just make sure you can handle every aspect of the horses you own.
• "FORM" on your horses may be one of 4 things ::: Ready (horse is ready to race), Rest [# of weeks needed] (horse needs that much rest before being 100% or will race poorly. 2yo and 3yos may train while requiring rest), Full Rest [# of weeks needed] (horse is given this status if it's bred or gelded and requires FULL REST, as in it cannot train or race), Injured (your horse is injured and cannot train or race), Healthy (applies only to stallions/broodmares and says your horse is healthy and ready to breed)
• Fees for owning horses is also in the game now, so make sure you can afford the horses you own. Fees are charged once every 4th week and are as follows: 200 SM per active racehorse, 350 SM per stallion or broodmare, 100 SM per yearling.
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3. Gelding

• As in real life, you may geld or "fix" your male horses if you so desire. You may geld any male horse from the age of 1 to 5. It is, however, more effective in younger horses. Below are the advantages and disadvantages.
• Gelding is an alternative if your horse just isn't doing well and you want to try to make the horse a bit better.
• Gelding can improve the horse's racing ability in certain situations.
• Gelding takes away the horse's ability to breed once it's retired.
• Geldings can race until the end of their 9yo season unless injured before then (regular horses retired end of 7yo)
• If you've gelded a horse, he will require one week of full rest (no training, no racing) after it has happened and then will be ready to hit the tracks again.
• To GELD your horse, email thoroughbreddreams@hotmail.com with your stable name, horse's id #, & horse's name. Make sure the topic reads "TD - Gelding".
•  Once you've done this, it CANNOT be reversed. So make sure you are sure you want to before emailing.
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4. Abilities

• Each horse's abilities which are listed have an effect on how the horse will run. You are given the chance to improve any three of their abilities by training once a week until the horse is 4 years of age (horses at this age will slowly have their abilities decline, the rate at which is random depending on the horse. Horses 4yos and older also have the chance to gain pts randomly and also gain special abilities [further down])
• There are 13 different abilities which is shown for the horses, they are: Heart, fitness, injury, sprints, middle, long, dirt, turf, mudding, special, running style, & experience. Each ability is discussed in detail below.
•  Heart (max: 100): This ability involves how much your horse puts into each race. Even if every ability is maxed out and this one is low, your horse still may run poorly on occasion because it won't put forth the 'heart' needed to tie everything together.
•  Fitness (max: 100): This ability may be what every active member will love, it involves how much Rest is needed in between days it can race. Obviously, if you've looked at your stable you will see the status of your horse, if it can race, needs rest and can only train, or if it is injured. The higher this rating, the less time needed for your horse to rest.
  
  1-39 Fitness: 3 Weeks Rest
  40-59 Fitness: 2 Weeks Rest
  60-94 Fitness: 1 Week Rest
  95-100 Fitness: No Rest Required (if raced back-to-back numerous times, chance of injury increase and your horse has a better chance of having a bad performance)
   
•  Injury (max: 95): Self explanatory, the higher this number, the less chance there is of your horse getting injured.
•  Sprints (uncapped, chance to improve slows after 200 however): Self explanatory, higher the number, the greater ability your horse has in sprint races (5-6 furlongs best - if horse has a good mile ability the horse will be able to stretch to 7 furlongs-1 mile.)
•  Mile (uncapped, chance to improve slows after 200 however): Self explanatory, higher the number, the greater ability your horse has in mile races. (1 Mile best, can run easily in 7 furlong & 1 1/16 mile races as well.)
•  Middle (uncapped, chance to improve slows after 200 however): Self explanatory, higher the number, the greater ability your horse has in middle distance races (1-1 1/4 miles - some can shorten to 1 mile or stretch to 1 1/2 miles, depends on other abilities.)
•  Long (uncapped, chance to improve slows after 200 however): Self explanatory, higher the number, the greater ability your horse has in long distance races (1 1/2-2 miles - some can shorten to 1 1/4 miles, depends on other abilities)
•  Dirt (uncapped, chance to improve slows after 200 however): self explanatory, higher the number, greater ability your horse has in races on the dirt.
•  Turf (uncapped, chance to improve slows after 200 however): self explanatory, higher the number, greater ability your horse has on the turf.
•  Mudding (uncapped, chance to improve slows after 200 however): self explanatory, higher the number, greater ability your horse has on OFF tracks (mud)
•  Special (uncapped, chance to improve slows after 300 however): This is the 'mystery' ability because I'm not going to provide any information on it aside from each horse has one Special ability. The greater this number, the better they are at it. Not stating what the special abilities are however, find it out for yourself ;).
•  Running Style (max 250 combined. meaning out of all of the running styles listed below, the total number of points can only be 250.) (note: total number of pts for style is listed just after the 4th style on your stable site).
  
    Front Running [FR] (Style 1): prefers to stay in the front of the pack
    Stalker [S] (Style 2): prefers to stay just behind the front runners, pressing the pace
    Mid-pack [MP] (Style 3): prefers to stay middle of the pack and strike around the last turn/just before it
    Rally [R] (Style 4): prefers to come out of the back after the last turn
  
  - note: whichever style has the highest ability is always attempted for the horse's races.
•  Experience (max: unlimited): This ability cannot be trained. It is gained only by racing and aids horses in Grade I performances in front of the big crowds.
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5. Special Abilities/Improving in races

• Once a horse turns 4, it loses the ability to train. But it does gain something else - the ability to learn special abilities and improve stats during races.
• For a horse to improve during a race it must either run exceptionally well or be forced into running a style it normally dislikes.
• If the horse runs exceptionally well, it can improve in 1-5 random abilities (between 2-10 gain)
• Special Abilities are gained through how your horse has been trained and raced throughout his career. They are also gotten through racing sometimes but normally are rare.
• Some special abilities can be passed down to the horse's offspring (but normally you will not know that until their foal turns 4 ;p)
• Below are all the special abilities in the game and how they help/hinder your horses.
• Big Race Runner
    Good or Bad?: Good
    Good Points?: Gives your horse a slight advantage in Grade One Races
    Bad Points?: Horse doesn't switch to lower levels very well. Meaning although he most likely is a very good horse, he may perform poorly in low levels (Allowance, Stakes).
•  Not Fazed
     Good or Bad?: Good
     Good Points?:  Your horse isn't bothered by having to run a style he doesn't like.
     Bad Points?: None.
•  Mature
     Good or Bad?: Good
     Good Points?: Your horse is more mature than average horses his age and can easily adapt to being bumped or pushed around.
     Bad Points?: None
•  Filly Racer
     Good or Bad?: Mixed
     Good Points?: Your filly races exceptionally well against other fillies.
     Bad Points?: Isn't as strong against colts.
•  Tom Boy
     Good or Bad?: Good
     Good Points?: Your filly can run exceptionally well vs colts.
     Bad Points?: None
•  Consistent Colt
     Good or Bad?: Good
     Good Points?: Your colt is generally very consistent in his races. (usually runs about the same each time out, occasionally will run below average but for the most part stays the same)
     Bad Points?: None
•  Grit
     Good or Bad?: Good
     Good Points?: Horse is very "gutsy" and does extremely well when challenged
     Bad Points?: Sometimes is absorbed in battling with a horse and doesn't catch sight of a horse coming up quick on outside.
•  Back to Back
     Good or Bad?: Good
     Good Points?: Horse runs very well when he's raced frequently.
     Bad Points?: If over raced your horse becomes very prone to injury. (3-4 back to back race days usually will bring this on)
•  All-around
     Good or Bad?: Good
     Good Points?: Runs well in any level of race. (Generally your horse will perform the same in any level. If your horse has won a grade two+ race, he can still easily move down to allowance rank or anywhere else he's eligible for).
     Bad Points?: None
•  Leader
     Good or Bad?: Good
     Good Points?: Very good front running horse when not pressured too hard. If he's got the lead around the last corner and can see the finish, he will most likely have another surge. .
     Bad Points?: None
•  Stretch Runner
     Good or Bad?: Good
     Good Points?: Horse runs exceptionally well in the stretch.
     Bad Points?: None
•  Poor Stretch
     Good or Bad?: Bad
     Good Points?: None
     Bad Points?: Horse generally runs poorly in late stages of the race.
•  Slow Pace
     Good or Bad?: Good
     Good Points?: If the pace is extremely slow, your horse is able to adapt to it and isn't prone to running poorly if he relies on a quick pace.
     Bad Points?: None
•  Fast Pace
     Good or Bad?: Good
     Good Points?: If pace is extremely fast, your horse is still able to keep up his speed.
     Bad Points?: None
•  Slow Pace BAD
     Good or Bad?: Bad
     Good Points?: None
     Bad Points?: Runs poorly in races with a slow pace.
•  Fast Pace BAD
     Good or Bad?: Bad
     Good Points?: None
     Bad Points?: Runs poorly in races with a very fast pace.
•   Can't Switch
     Good or Bad?: Bad
     Good Points?: None
     Bad Points?: Runs poorly when run in races above or below his ability level. (means basically if your horse has been running allowance for some time and you move him up to a grade one race, he will most likely run poorly. Or if you run a grade three-one racer in an allowance race he will run poorly as well.)
•  Distracted
     Good or Bad?: Bad
     Good Points?: None
     Bad Points?: Horse is easily distracted once he gets the lead in the stretch.
•  Afraid
     Good or Bad?: Bad
     Good Points?: Usually ok if he draws outside post.
     Bad Points?: Horse hates close situations and hesitates when asked to go through a tight spot.
•  Rank
     Good or Bad?: Usually Bad
     Good Points?: Runs well if he gets good position.
     Bad Points?: Fights until he's worn out if he's forced to run tactic he doesn't like.
•  Slumper
     Good or Bad?: Generally Bad
     Good Points?: None
     Bad Points?: Horse races below ability every other race.
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6. Training/Racing

• Once a week, you will have an option to either Train or Race your horse (s), one or the other, not both. Training is accomplished by emailing thoroughbreddreams@hotmail.com with your stable, horse's id#, and 3 abilities you wish to improve upon
• Only horses between the ages of 1-3 are allowed to train. Racehorses 4yos and older are only eligible to race.
• A good idea before deciding what you want to do (race or train), check your horses and their abilities surface and distance wise as well as their status then compare to the available races this week to see if your horses fit any of them. If they do and are ready to run, my suggestion is to do it. If there aren't suitable races, don't miss out on the training that week ;).
• If you decide you wish to train, first go look over your horses and pick out the 3 abilities you wish to improve on the ones you want to train that week. Then email all the info to the link listed a few dots above.
• Training will take place after the races and each ability can improve from 2-16 points per ability. The results of the training can be found in the training archive after the races normally.
• If you decide to race, go look over the races and decide which horses you want in each race then follow the directions on the race page as to how to enter.
• Currently, Racing will only take place on Tuesday nights when i have the time.
• Races are run with abilities programmed in as well as a small randomness factor. All are done by a program which produce a rating, placing is determined by which horse has the highest rating on those conditions on THAT race day.
• NOTE: For my sanity, please please combine all the training instruction & race entries in one email. ALL are sent by Email, so please just make it in one email to save space in my email box.
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7. Special Events

• Special events occur as often as I have time for. There will always be a triple crown and end of the year championships.
• These usually take place during the weekend and do not interfere with the regular races. The purses are usually much greater than normal and the prestige of winning is also greater.
• All event nominations/entries will be sent in w/ normal entries in the same format.
• If your horse is accepted into a special event, you may be charged an entry fee. Fees usually will not be more than 1,500 SM.
• The events will be listed on upcoming events once they've been officially planned. You will be able to enter in the respectable week a long with the other races as the events are listed with them.
• The events run with normal races. But all events when ran will be listed under the Event Archive.
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8. Money System/Experience

• As you may have noticed, I didn't give you much money to start out with;). That's because you don't get any money to start with.
• Only way to acquire SM (abbreviation for sim money for this game), is by racing or volunteering. The top 5 placers in races receive the a percentage of the purse. (50% to winner, 20% to second, 15% to third, 10% to fourth, 5% to fifth). This may not please some, but every single horse can improve to beat about any by training, so do not despair.
• Points will no longer be used.
• Experience is given out to every horse that runs in a race.
  Maiden-Grade II Race - 5 experience pts to every entrant
  Grade I Race - 10 experience pts to every entrant
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9. Breeding
 

• To breed horses, both sire and dam must be retired from racing and on one of the farms at the stable. You must own the broodmare and breed to either a home stallion or an outside one.
• For Stallion Owners - If you retire your horse to stud and wish it to be listed publicly, email thoroughbreddreams@hotmail.com with his ID#, Name, your stable, fee, & number of breedings you want to be offered..
• Stallions may be bred 30 times a season
• Mares may be bred ONE time per season.
• For Mare owners - After finding a suitable stallion to breed to your mare using the Stud Book or a stallion in your stable, email thoroughbreddreams@hotmail.com with BOTH horses id#'s, names, & stables they reside in. When your email is received and processed,  you will be sent a response back and your foal will be posted as a two year old on your stable site. This foal will be race or train ready within one week.
• Abilities of the sire and dam do carry over, to an extent, to their offspring. Some horses will mix well and produce alike them, others may not be good breeders.
• For Breeders: When you do breed, please allow up to a week for your breeding to be processed. If my schedule permits it, I will deal with breeding two-three times a week; but if my schedule does not permit, it may take slightly longer.
• Tips: Match horses that have the same likes and dislikes.
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10. Auctions/Selling

• Auctions are held every 6 weeks with randomly created horses of various ages. Auctions last 2 weeks with bids being sent in by email. After the auction, 6 weeks later another will be held. All horses are purchased with the money you have earned from racing.
• The first auction of the year will contain mostly horses in training (2yos, yearlings, some 3yos and 4yos). Second will contain all horses that people decide to enter into the auction.)
• Selling, If you wish to sell a horse, hop on the message board and post a quick message saying HORSE FOR SALE and post the horse's info in there OR wait for the end auction near week 12 and enter your horse there.
• Once you and someone come up with a deal, the SELLER must email thoroughbreddreams@hotmail.com the details of the selling (your stable, horse id, name, price, to <full stable name here>, and if possible the url to the thread the transaction went on or the email that took place).
   

11. Retiring Horses

• Any horse may be retired at any time after their 3yo year. All horses are automatically retired at the end of their 7yo season unless you've retired them before that of course.. (exception: geldings retire end of 9yo year)
• If you wish to retire a horse before their 7yo season, email thoroughbreddreams@hotmail.com with the horse's name stating you wish to retire him to Breed or to Pasture.
• Horses retired to breeding will become available for breeding in the next season.
• Horses retired to pasture will be listed in the Pasture, which can be found under stables.
• Stallions automatically retire when they turn 16. (they can breed during their 15th year, but retire after it to pasture)
• Broodmares automatically retire at the age of 14 (can be bred through their 13th year, but retire after it to pasture)

12. Injury

• If your horse does sustain an injury during a race, it will not be life threatening in this game.
• If your horse is injured, you will be required to pay 200 SM for vet fees. The horse will then require one week of full rest (no racing, no training). After that he'll need one week of training before returning to the track. So basically, the horse will not be able to be raced for 2 weeks.
• Abilities may slightly fall if your horse is injured, but not by much.
• Usually if your Injury rating is 70 or above, you will be safe most of the time.

13. End of the Year

• This game has 16 weeks to a year (4 months roughly.) Once the end of the year has come, there will be a break of 1-2 weeks depending on the time of year and the amount of updating needing done.
• End of year awards will also be given out to appropriate horses.