Thoroughbred aging

Question
I living in the USA have just purchased a share in a stallion based in Australia, I am informed by a US horse person that the age of thoroughbreds advances one year each Jan 1st regardless of the actual birth date. Is this correct in the US and also in Australia?

Thanking you for a prompt response.

Geoffrey Wilkinson

Answer
Hi Geoffrey,
           Your friend is correct. All northern hemisphere thoroughbred horses have their birthday on January 1st.
All southern hemishpere thoroughbred horses have their birthday on August 1st regardless of their actual birthday.

The breeding season in Australia is scheduled so that mares are foaling as soon after Aug 1 as they can. Most are born in September as that generally takes care of any poor planning or mares not holding for the full term.

If your foal arrives before Aug 1 you have a problem as it will be a yearling when it fact it may only be a few days old.
Hope this helps,and good luck with your stallion. Please reply and tell me what it is so that I can keep an eye on it.
Cheers,
Don Boddie