Socrates and steeple
June 15th 2008 03:36
Curlin, the world’s top ranked racehorse, today followed up his Dubai World Cup victory with another stunning win in the $1 million Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs. Even though giving a huge weight advantage to his rivals he merely stalked the pace until the point of the home turn, before sprinting clear for an easy 4 1/4 length win.
Curlin is still in the field for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at this time, and although not quoted by all bookmakers, he has been framed by some at 16/1. It is not the usual thing for an American dirt track horse to take on the best of the world on turf. And practically and financially it is easier for the US horses to race at the Breeders’ Cup a few weeks after the Arc. The Curlin connections are innovative and have given more than a passing thought to horse racing as a spectacle for the public. I would love to see him take on the French wonder filly Zarkava, and the quality of Soldier Of Fortune, Epsom Derby winner New Approach and other emerging stars. I suppose it is still unlikely that Curlin will make the trip. But we can wish.
At Sandown (Hillside) Toulouse Lautrec proved his dominance again with a stunning victory in the Australian Steeplechase. And this time it was his improved and impressive jumping that enabled him an easy 4 1/2 length winning margin. I was very surprised by his concentration and awareness and it was his better leap than the closing Sugar Daad at the last fence that made sure of his victory. Reverse the last jump of both horses and the margin would have been much closer.
But once again a fatality. How many this jumping season? Am I paying vastly more attention, or have there been fatalities at (seemingly) every meeting. Crying Storm had dislodged his rider at his previous start at Flemington and then joined the field and jumped with the pack. Some horses will turn themselves away from the race in this situation; others will run wide and around the fences; while still others (most it seems to me) will chase and jump with the pack. They genuinely enjoy the jumping.
Tasmania has now ceased to program jumping races. I know all of the ramifications of banning jumping races. Working in bloodstock sales we also sold (as well as yearlings) mixed catalogues of thoroughbreds, with older geldings a major component. it is obvious that the opportunity to compete in jumping races has prolonged the well cared for lives of many horses (I was always keen to find the young girl in the auditorium who had the $200 to buy a horse for a hack, rather than turn as expected to the bid of the ‘dogger’ who purchased for meat). This is a larger debate and I am ambivalent (surprising even myself) about the subject right now. I loved the performance and spectacle of Toulouse Lautrec. And as he passed the winning post I hated the sight of the screen to shield from sight Crying Storm.
Of course there was also a terrible fall at Ipswich yesterday when four horses came down, and Stella Joy (first to fall) was euthanised after breaking a hind leg. But because these are rare events in flat racing, we are surprised and shocked by each incident. Jockey Lacey Morrison was the worst affected of the jockeys and spent the night in hospital after being unconscious. This is not the first time she has had a serious race fall and still she returns to participate in something she loves. If able, she most likely will again.
Horse racing so vividly illustrates the extremes of life. It is sport, it is passion, it is a microcosm of our human experience and emotions - examined and played out daily. As we interact with both sport and animal we learn more about ourselves in the process.
“An unexamined life is not worth living.”
-Socrates
Here is a link to a video of Curlin winning the Stephen Foster Handicap. Brilliant ride by Robby Albarado:
Curlin wins Stephen Foster Handicap
Curlin is still in the field for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at this time, and although not quoted by all bookmakers, he has been framed by some at 16/1. It is not the usual thing for an American dirt track horse to take on the best of the world on turf. And practically and financially it is easier for the US horses to race at the Breeders’ Cup a few weeks after the Arc. The Curlin connections are innovative and have given more than a passing thought to horse racing as a spectacle for the public. I would love to see him take on the French wonder filly Zarkava, and the quality of Soldier Of Fortune, Epsom Derby winner New Approach and other emerging stars. I suppose it is still unlikely that Curlin will make the trip. But we can wish.
At Sandown (Hillside) Toulouse Lautrec proved his dominance again with a stunning victory in the Australian Steeplechase. And this time it was his improved and impressive jumping that enabled him an easy 4 1/2 length winning margin. I was very surprised by his concentration and awareness and it was his better leap than the closing Sugar Daad at the last fence that made sure of his victory. Reverse the last jump of both horses and the margin would have been much closer.
But once again a fatality. How many this jumping season? Am I paying vastly more attention, or have there been fatalities at (seemingly) every meeting. Crying Storm had dislodged his rider at his previous start at Flemington and then joined the field and jumped with the pack. Some horses will turn themselves away from the race in this situation; others will run wide and around the fences; while still others (most it seems to me) will chase and jump with the pack. They genuinely enjoy the jumping.
Tasmania has now ceased to program jumping races. I know all of the ramifications of banning jumping races. Working in bloodstock sales we also sold (as well as yearlings) mixed catalogues of thoroughbreds, with older geldings a major component. it is obvious that the opportunity to compete in jumping races has prolonged the well cared for lives of many horses (I was always keen to find the young girl in the auditorium who had the $200 to buy a horse for a hack, rather than turn as expected to the bid of the ‘dogger’ who purchased for meat). This is a larger debate and I am ambivalent (surprising even myself) about the subject right now. I loved the performance and spectacle of Toulouse Lautrec. And as he passed the winning post I hated the sight of the screen to shield from sight Crying Storm.
Of course there was also a terrible fall at Ipswich yesterday when four horses came down, and Stella Joy (first to fall) was euthanised after breaking a hind leg. But because these are rare events in flat racing, we are surprised and shocked by each incident. Jockey Lacey Morrison was the worst affected of the jockeys and spent the night in hospital after being unconscious. This is not the first time she has had a serious race fall and still she returns to participate in something she loves. If able, she most likely will again.
Horse racing so vividly illustrates the extremes of life. It is sport, it is passion, it is a microcosm of our human experience and emotions - examined and played out daily. As we interact with both sport and animal we learn more about ourselves in the process.
Socrates at the Louvre
“An unexamined life is not worth living.”
-Socrates
Here is a link to a video of Curlin winning the Stephen Foster Handicap. Brilliant ride by Robby Albarado:
Curlin wins Stephen Foster Handicap
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