But that is the case with many thoroughbreds Bustino. Our Dancing Brave granddaughter (sadly deceased) was very immature when we got her and only began to look the real deal when she was about 5
Seriously though, that's because most horses have been on the go since they were barely 2 and not fully developed. Also, of course, most horses (by definition) aren't good enough to win anyway. Late developers that are very capable and therefore worth continuing with are few and far between. But if they are good enough they will improve up to age 5. JB is only 4 and lightly raced
I'm sure you are right in everything you say Ron, though I do have a slightly different view on 2yos. As regards Alpinista she was a lovely filly who bloomed as a 4yo. In fact after Torquator Tasso won the Arc a lot of discussion centred on Alpinista having beaten him and that if entered she'd probably have won the Arc. She didn't have to improve to win her Arc. I'm pro stayers and if more races were truly run more horses like Jan Breughel and perhaps Lambourn would be the stars of the sport. It is very worrying that we have not had many outstanding horses in the last 20 years. What has gone wrong?
The Prix de Diane might have created more questions than answers. As expected, Merrily went off in front but I wondered why Moore dropped Bedtime Story out last (riding her like a doubtful stayer?). When the Ballydoyle filly came wide and late the winner had already gone. Shes Perfect was ridden like she would stay (the right thing to do) by Kieran Shoemark and she had every chance with two furlongs to go hitting the front but she was treading water when Mandanaba and Cankoura went past her almost immediately and Shoemark eased her off. As the winner split the front two, Barzalona stopped riding Mandanaba, settling for fourth with the other two Graffard fillies ahead of him. Does Mandanaba simply want further (has not got the tactical speed for ten furlongs)? My pick Better Together was never better than fifth so it was impossible to tell whether she simply was not good enough or did not stay. Soumillon got first run on Moore and there was not enough race left for him to bridge the gap. The race was four seconds quicker than the handicap over the same trip earlier on the card but the winner of that ladies’ race was a ten year old carrying 10st 7lb! The following Arab race over a hundred yards less was nearly six seconds slower. It will be interesting to read this week’s column by Timeform’s French correspondent to see what the sectionals were for the last three furlongs at Chantilly as they may show that the runner-up was fastest and the winner second fastest. So what is the plan for the Graffard fillies? It seems likely that one or more of them will head to the Prix Vermeille with the Arc in mind. Gezora has clearly improved past Mandanaba, who beat her more than four lengths in the Prix Vanteaux but the way she picked up to catch her stablemates makes me wonder if she is in fact a ten furlong filly while both Mandanaba and Cankoura might want stepping up in trip. Interviewed afterwards, Soumillon was of the view that Gezora could be aimed at the Vermeille and the bookies have her generally 16/1 for the Arc with runner-up Bedtime Story 20/1 with only one firm. I cannot see Bedtime Story going further than ten, which is why all the other layers have no odds. Neither of the other two Graffard fillies are priced up and I do not think there will be many takers for 66/1 Shes Perfect (she will be next seen back over a mile). Aventure remains 16/1 in a number of places after the form of her Prix Allez France win was let down by runner-up Mme Jourdain in the Listed Prix Pawneese, won by unfancied Saxon Girl in a photo, with the Fabre trained favourite second last.
