Poll
July 21st 2008 08:34
Curlin, the 2007 Horse of the Year, is currently training in Saratoga after a successful test on a grass course where he came second. Now, between racetrack appearances, Jess Jackson (the majority owner of Curlin) has asked on a website: "Where do you think Curlin should go next?"
"Curlin is not only a hero to me and my family but also to thousands of fans," said Mr. Jackson. "With so many people supporting Curlin and his future I am asking all racing fans where they think Curlin should go next."
(photo: stonestreetfarms.com)
When a horse becomes a champion the public develop a proxy (at-length) ownership. We hang on each word of the trainer and nod, or shake our head, when the owner and trainer map out a campaign that we think less than favourable - a decision that we would not choose.
Often it is just the too early decision to retire that irritates us: we will not share in the financial rewards of the breeding barn and are denied our access to our favourite horse. Or it might be our wonder at the campaign that Ross McDonald has mapped out for champion sprinter-miler Weekend Hussler as he attempts to (incredibly) target the most prestigious middle-distance race (WS Cox Plate) and our staying features the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. And this from a world ranked sprinter! We might choose to be more conservative. Or maybe not.
Jess Jackson has (most likely) identified the public need to connect with their champions and so he has initiated something novel, though something very inclusive.
On July the 15th Jess Jackson created an online poll at www.stonestreetfarms.com and polled the racing public on their opinions of which course (literally) they would like Curlin to pursue:
Should Curlin continue with the experiment on turf that began with promise (though not first-place success) with his second placing in the Man O'War Stakes, and which would ultimately lead to a start in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris?
Should Curlin return to dirt tracks in recognition of his domination on this surface?
Should Curlin campaign on synthetic surfaces in future?
Or, should Curlin now rest on his laurels and be retired to stud?
In less than 72 hours more than 10,000 people responded.
The votes have run the way I would prefer:
Turf Campaign 52%
Dirt Campaign 31%
Synthetic Turf Campaign 11%
Retire 7%
I like this democratic process. Sometimes it can provide a President or Prime Minister that you don't personally favour (my vote in the last Australian election used to help rid myself of one such distaste). And my vote in this poll seems to run with the majority also. It's worth a try. It may not be successful (don't the French horses appear to be all dominant anyway) but it is the positive option.
"Curlin is not only a hero to me and my family but also to thousands of fans," said Mr. Jackson. "With so many people supporting Curlin and his future I am asking all racing fans where they think Curlin should go next."
Curlin: a decision to be made
(photo: stonestreetfarms.com)
When a horse becomes a champion the public develop a proxy (at-length) ownership. We hang on each word of the trainer and nod, or shake our head, when the owner and trainer map out a campaign that we think less than favourable - a decision that we would not choose.
Often it is just the too early decision to retire that irritates us: we will not share in the financial rewards of the breeding barn and are denied our access to our favourite horse. Or it might be our wonder at the campaign that Ross McDonald has mapped out for champion sprinter-miler Weekend Hussler as he attempts to (incredibly) target the most prestigious middle-distance race (WS Cox Plate) and our staying features the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. And this from a world ranked sprinter! We might choose to be more conservative. Or maybe not.
Jess Jackson has (most likely) identified the public need to connect with their champions and so he has initiated something novel, though something very inclusive.
On July the 15th Jess Jackson created an online poll at www.stonestreetfarms.com and polled the racing public on their opinions of which course (literally) they would like Curlin to pursue:
Should Curlin continue with the experiment on turf that began with promise (though not first-place success) with his second placing in the Man O'War Stakes, and which would ultimately lead to a start in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris?
Should Curlin return to dirt tracks in recognition of his domination on this surface?
Should Curlin campaign on synthetic surfaces in future?
Or, should Curlin now rest on his laurels and be retired to stud?
In less than 72 hours more than 10,000 people responded.
The votes have run the way I would prefer:
Turf Campaign 52%
Dirt Campaign 31%
Synthetic Turf Campaign 11%
Retire 7%
I like this democratic process. Sometimes it can provide a President or Prime Minister that you don't personally favour (my vote in the last Australian election used to help rid myself of one such distaste). And my vote in this poll seems to run with the majority also. It's worth a try. It may not be successful (don't the French horses appear to be all dominant anyway) but it is the positive option.
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