Help for all the new players

[Morning_Star_Farms]

I sent this to someone via PM but the advise is sound so I though i’d post it for all the new players.

The very first thing I can suggest you do is start in the handicapping competition. Use the Newbie guide on how to claim and which horses to claim as a guide to pick your winners.

This will do 2 things, teach you to rate FF horses based on past performance AND you’ll make money, both vital to a new player.

Next, when looking for more horses Forget about Fillies and Mares - even the duds will be outside your price range for the most part.

Go for Allowance level Geldings and colts, even some older Geldings that are Stakes placers might be leased to a new player.

Use the search feature here to search for your horses.

Tips on searching:
Gender is Gelding
Owner is not Final Furlong (this is crucial. Never ever, ever ask Shanthi for a Final Furlong Horse. They’re never for sale, and it just makes her mad, because it’s posted in a lot of places, that they are not for sale.)

Have a look around at those horses. In another window, open the page that lists the stables, here

Some stables are new, some are old and secure. Try not to ask a stable that is less than about 8 months in the game, they just won’t have the means to help you.

Once you have found a few geldings, from older established stables, check each horse out individually.

Race record:
You want to pick a horse that’s on the board ( 1st - 4th) at least 1 of 3 starts, preferably 1/2 of them ( or 30-50%). otherwise you will not make your money back.

Try to pick geldings that are Allowance level horses only ( or older stakes geldings that are Still making money… reference the current years record to ascertain this)

Send a PM or an Email to the owner of the horse (do not post on the board, its annoying)
Introduce yourself, briefly. Tell them that your interested in their horse (use his name) and give a brief explanation of WHY you are. Then make an offer, even if its $5,000. Some of the stables will respond, and some will not. Just keep trying; eventually you’ll hit a stable that is feeling helpful towards new players!

You can follow the same procedure for Colts too, stay away from stakes horses, or you’ll become frustrated by the word “No”.

Stay away from 2yo’s they’re notoriously unpredictable and immature. Stay away from yearlings, weanlings, broodmares or Studs - they don’t make you money, once you’re established, then work on the breeding aspect. Don’t over extend your cash flow, start slow and build.

This game is as much about patience as it is about horses. If you can hang on, get through the first year and slowly accumulate a decent racing string, you’ll be one of the “Old established stables� in a year.

I know this for a fact, this is how I did it, and I am!

Good Luck,
Rhianon

[Emily]

Thanks, that’s helpful!

[Roo]

From personal experiences PMs are the best way to get ahold of someone. Heres why: when people are on the forum and are checking PMs they are in game frame of mind. I have gotten an email and discarded it as junk b/c I didnt recognize the name and in real life I dont have racehorses so I had no idea what the email was talking about.

[Sorceress_Edea]

I never thought of that.  I live in my own alternate reality (everyone in NC has one, you know ) And so when I see e-mails about racehorses I automaticaly go into FF-land, where all my pretty horses prance around in my dreams.  But you’re right, it’s better to get a PM so that you know right off which player contacted you and can easily contact them back via the game as well as check out their stables.

[Degs74]

Thanks for this help
I am waiting to be accepted but this seems like good advice

Degs

[Grey]

My mare just broke her maiden and she is my first winner. Her name is impossible riddle and my question is what to do with her next.

[Glenmore]

This is probably a stupid question, but anyway, how do I access this ‘Newbie Guide’ I have read about?  Also, how do I enter the ‘handicap competition’?

[Jackson]

‘Newbie Guide’  is under the Tab … Game links

Handicapping competition…Weekly picks/Handicapping
Make sure you read the rules.