A question of race
June 11th 2008 07:35
I was asked my professional opinion of Weekend Hussler by more than one client of my racing information business. His speedfigures from his first metropolitan win were sensational - so good in fact that I was prepared to believe that this was a statistical error. But quite soon he validated his initial speedfigures with another brilliant performance. I gave the estimation that (even then) he was the best horse of his age, and added that I was exceptionally pleased that he was a gelding.
I made a similar statement and comment when Efficient also excited me with his brilliant juvenile speedfigures. Gelding (equals) Racehorse (equals) Good. Good for racing.
In the light of the failure of Big Brown in the Belmont Stakes the controversy about early retirement of high achieving colts still bubbles (troubles) and boils. It should be that Big Brown would go on to race against the number one world ranked horse Curlin in at least one race. The connections of Curlin must be congratulated for racing him through his 4 year old year to delight racing enthusiasts around the world. The temptation for early retirement is too great for the studs who eagerly purchase these juvenile champions. But they are only ‘juvenile’ champions. We deserve to see them prove themselves at least one more year. Once the many millions have been paid by a stud they see a quick retirement as being in their best interests. Not so much for fear of injury for the horse, but for protection of their investment. Let’s not tarnish the goods.
Had Big Brown won the Triple Crown there was a distinct possibility that Curlin and Big Brown would have met in a $5 million dollar race at Suffolk Downs. Or there was even talk of a match race in the vein of the legendary battle between Seabiscuit and War Admiral. The owners of Curlin are disappointed that the two horses will now (most likely) not meet. Majority owner Jess Jackson said:
"It's too bad for racing because I think racing needs more heroes, and a Triple Crown winner after 30 years would have been a really good thing.
"But I think that's what Curlin does. He gives racing a chance to have a hero who's around for more than a year so people can see him race."
(photo: Andrew Watkins)
Curlin is to run at Churchill Downs on Saturday in a Grade One event giving 15 pounds to his well performed rivals (carrying 128 pounds, 58.5kg). Although both his owners and the trainer disagree with the handicapping he received, they are not shirking the issue. He is expected to run because, although already assured of a stud career, he is first and foremost a RACEHORSE. Most likely Curlin will head for The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and they are even giving thought to running in the Japan Cup.
This quote from the wife of Jess Jackson I love:
“We think of him as an international horse," Banke said. "Our family and racing fans all over the world are having a great time. It's a great way to travel."
Sometimes I think this industry has become confused. We breed racehorses. RACEhorses. We all want to see the heroic deeds of a Kingston Town, a Northerly, a Takeover Target, a Weekend Hussler, a Schillaci, and many more of Gods-gift-to-racing-geldings. What is the point of breeding a horse to run a few times as a 2 year old (when I still believe they are too young for a serious preparation anyway) and then retiring the juvenile to breed more juveniles who may be just as precocious, but have no longevity. Are we breeding out the durability component of our racehorses through natural selection? There are still those horses who are from staying (durable) blood that take time to develop, yet bless us with five or more years of exciting endeavours. Ideally I would want a 3 year old Sebring to compete against a four year old Weekend Hussler competing against a 6 year old Apache Cat.
The breeding industry is thriving with record prices for yearlings and broodmares. But we breed horses to race, not merely to perpetuate profit and bloodline. If Kingston Town had not been gelded we would have been denied his three Cox Plates and the drama of his unlucky Melbourne Cup second. And of course we would now be denied the anticipation and excitement of Weekend Hussler. We need a champion racehorse far more than a Hussonet line stallion.
If the best interests of racing are continually undermined by the early (premature and unnecessary) retirement of well performed colts, then perhaps we need to impose a restriction on the age when a stallion can first go to stud. Impractical and too restrictive most will say - but if everyone is not working in the best interests of horse racing, then perhaps we need guidelines ensuring that (unless injured) our best performing 3 year olds race on as 4 year olds. Not too much to ask I think.
If they can take this enlightened path with Curlin - the top ranked racehorse in the world - then why not here with our ‘aspiring’ champions! Let them prove their status. Let us see them compete. Let them be racehorses. We breed thoroughbreds to race.
A video showing highlights of Curlin’s career (to date):
I made a similar statement and comment when Efficient also excited me with his brilliant juvenile speedfigures. Gelding (equals) Racehorse (equals) Good. Good for racing.
In the light of the failure of Big Brown in the Belmont Stakes the controversy about early retirement of high achieving colts still bubbles (troubles) and boils. It should be that Big Brown would go on to race against the number one world ranked horse Curlin in at least one race. The connections of Curlin must be congratulated for racing him through his 4 year old year to delight racing enthusiasts around the world. The temptation for early retirement is too great for the studs who eagerly purchase these juvenile champions. But they are only ‘juvenile’ champions. We deserve to see them prove themselves at least one more year. Once the many millions have been paid by a stud they see a quick retirement as being in their best interests. Not so much for fear of injury for the horse, but for protection of their investment. Let’s not tarnish the goods.
Had Big Brown won the Triple Crown there was a distinct possibility that Curlin and Big Brown would have met in a $5 million dollar race at Suffolk Downs. Or there was even talk of a match race in the vein of the legendary battle between Seabiscuit and War Admiral. The owners of Curlin are disappointed that the two horses will now (most likely) not meet. Majority owner Jess Jackson said:
"It's too bad for racing because I think racing needs more heroes, and a Triple Crown winner after 30 years would have been a really good thing.
"But I think that's what Curlin does. He gives racing a chance to have a hero who's around for more than a year so people can see him race."
World Champion Curlin
(photo: Andrew Watkins)
Curlin is to run at Churchill Downs on Saturday in a Grade One event giving 15 pounds to his well performed rivals (carrying 128 pounds, 58.5kg). Although both his owners and the trainer disagree with the handicapping he received, they are not shirking the issue. He is expected to run because, although already assured of a stud career, he is first and foremost a RACEHORSE. Most likely Curlin will head for The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and they are even giving thought to running in the Japan Cup.
This quote from the wife of Jess Jackson I love:
“We think of him as an international horse," Banke said. "Our family and racing fans all over the world are having a great time. It's a great way to travel."
Sometimes I think this industry has become confused. We breed racehorses. RACEhorses. We all want to see the heroic deeds of a Kingston Town, a Northerly, a Takeover Target, a Weekend Hussler, a Schillaci, and many more of Gods-gift-to-racing-geldings. What is the point of breeding a horse to run a few times as a 2 year old (when I still believe they are too young for a serious preparation anyway) and then retiring the juvenile to breed more juveniles who may be just as precocious, but have no longevity. Are we breeding out the durability component of our racehorses through natural selection? There are still those horses who are from staying (durable) blood that take time to develop, yet bless us with five or more years of exciting endeavours. Ideally I would want a 3 year old Sebring to compete against a four year old Weekend Hussler competing against a 6 year old Apache Cat.
The breeding industry is thriving with record prices for yearlings and broodmares. But we breed horses to race, not merely to perpetuate profit and bloodline. If Kingston Town had not been gelded we would have been denied his three Cox Plates and the drama of his unlucky Melbourne Cup second. And of course we would now be denied the anticipation and excitement of Weekend Hussler. We need a champion racehorse far more than a Hussonet line stallion.
If the best interests of racing are continually undermined by the early (premature and unnecessary) retirement of well performed colts, then perhaps we need to impose a restriction on the age when a stallion can first go to stud. Impractical and too restrictive most will say - but if everyone is not working in the best interests of horse racing, then perhaps we need guidelines ensuring that (unless injured) our best performing 3 year olds race on as 4 year olds. Not too much to ask I think.
If they can take this enlightened path with Curlin - the top ranked racehorse in the world - then why not here with our ‘aspiring’ champions! Let them prove their status. Let us see them compete. Let them be racehorses. We breed thoroughbreds to race.
A video showing highlights of Curlin’s career (to date):
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