I think I may have come across too strong or maybe not made myself clear about uploading your best horses.

I have been in the league since 2011. I have always uploaded my best horses.

The first 4 years I was very happy to win a few handicap races, some of the old timers who no longer join the league had very dominant stables. (In some ways Vinny, Josh and myself are doing the same now in the flat league).

The next 4 years my aim was to win 1 or 2 group races.

Around about the middle period of SO6 I was doing a search on the forum and came across a thread by one of the old timers on best breeding practices for the league. My horses then improved dramatically. It was because of this help that now I always try to answer people's questions about the league and SO7 in general.

It was only in SO6 and now SO7 that my horses became very competetive in group races.

Throughout my time in the league I have enjoyed watching my horses run, no matter the type of race. My competetive spirit made me want to get better and better and thus I always uploaded my best horses and it's why I don't usually upload any returning horses or understand why you would upload returning horses. It might also influence my reaction to this topic in that I have no interest in real life racing. To me this is just a game.

One last comment, the last 5 years or so there has been much more information available on the forum on how to breed for the league. More of us are willing to share what we do. Back in the day when I started, most of the successful old timers kept stuff to themselves. My progress\success in the league was built up slowly in the early years. Now look at some of the newer trainers like Paul who have rapidly risen to near the top of the logs because there is much more sharing of info and ideas. Granted I want to win but I am willing to help others do the same.

I'm in both camps!

I hate to lose, doesn't matter what it is at, I absolutely hate it - I like to think I am gracious in defeat which is important, but I cannot stand to be beaten at something! One of my hopes for this season pulled up yesterday injured in the Sydney Cup, I haven't spoken to the wife all day and have kicked the dog a few times! So from that side of things I absolutely agree with Jim as I want to give myself the best opportunity to win at all times.

That being said however, in real life I like nothing better than to see or horse (or a team if we were talking different sports) come back year after year and be the best. Legends like Red Rum, Arkle, Golden Millar, Makybe Diva in the Melbourne Cup etc. One of my favourite memories as a kid watching horse racing wasn't just seeing the likes of Red Rum win, but also the perennial place getters like The Pilgarlic, horses like Corbierre and West Tip who came back year after year. Or horses like Night Nurse or Dawn Run who won the Champion Hurdle and then went on to go close and or win the Gold Cup when they were older.

I think this would be great to have in the League too, so a horse like Heart of Oak wouldn't be just a great horse, but could be a legendary horse.

Now this might be a crazy idea (or might have been suggested before and I'm just not aware of it), but what if the League had a rule in place where a 4yo couldn't be exported to it unless it had run previously as a 3yo. That would see a lot more horses return year upon year and be more life-like as you don't really get unraced 4yo's running around in real life. Similar rules could be applied for NH.

It might be something that has been suggested or even tried before, I don't know, but I think it would add to the prestige. Also something extra for the all the trainers to aim at, not just have a great horse, but one that has longevity and can come back year after year.