Villain: too far, too soon?
September 30th 2008 05:37
Flemington trainer Danny O'Brien on radio 927 this morning sparked a debate over the merits of history - opposed to the benefits of change - when he responded to a simple question as to the Spring program of his highly promising 3 year old Iamzeus.
(photo: obrienracing.com)
Asked whether Iamzeus would be aimed at the VRC Derby Danny O'Brien responded with a stinging attack on the importance of the VRC Derby - run as it is in the Spring and over a testing 2500m.
“It now has no significance at all. I ran Villain in the race last year and it killed him. I’ll never run a good colt in it again."
“The race is screaming out to be run over 2000 metres. Over the present distance it means nothing to a colt, even if he wins it – it’s from an era 100 years ago."
“The Australian Derby over 2400 metres in the autumn is perfectly placed, but the VRC Derby at this stage of the year is just antiquated – everyone believes that - but it won’t change." - Danny O'Brien.
The O'Briens of both hemispheres (Aidan and Danny) are young masters at their craft of training horses. They are innovators and outspoken, paying homage to history but always understanding the need for change and innovation.
“He’ll go to the Carbine Club, or another race over a mile like that, but there’s no way he’ll go to the Derby." Danny O'Brien, when finally stipulating the program of Iamzeus.
On the O'Brien Racing website Danny indicates a more specific program:
"If he gets in (Caulfield Guineas) he'll run, if he doesn't we'll go the Carbine Club Stakes, Sandown Guineas path then look to the (2009) Australian Guineas."
Many trainers now question the validity of running a staying test for the colts and gelding (let alone the fillies) in the Spring. In terms of development it is a race that can stifle or kill the progress of a young and developing horse. Not fully matured they are required to have sufficient training and racing to run an endurance trip on bones not yet fully developed.
It should be time to research the possibility of running the VRC Derby over 2000m, as is the Kentucky Derby. With the recent cancellation of hurdle racing due to the investigation into the negative effects and outcome of hurdling, it is also time to look into the welfare of the developing and immature thoroughbred who does not need to be pushed to such endurance at such an early time (many horses who compete have just turned three years old).
Of course this comes on the tail of Efficient and his brilliant performance to follow up a VRC Derby with a Melbourne Cup the next year. But Efficient is a freak endurance galloper - and let's not forget that under the guidance of Lloyd Williams he had a light and non-taxing racing schedule. Few owners or trainers are so considerate - or as good at conditioning without over-racing.
Since the VRC Derby of 2007 when Villain was placed fourth, he has raced just 4 times. His best performance was at his last start on the 9th of August when a 4 length 4th to Cholula in a 1710m race at Flemington. Not the lack improvement we would expect from a promising 3 year old, now a mature 4 year old horse. A step backwards it seems.
The placings in the 2007 Victoria Derby were:
1st Kibbutz
2nd Littorio
3rd Marching
4th Villain
The stables of Kibbutz and Littorio are still very enthusiastic about the prospects of these horses in their 4 year old year, with all major cups as options. Promising stayers both of them - but this tough test (too soon) may prove the undoing of many others.
It is time for some serious discussion - from all vested and interested parties - into the continuation of the VRC Derby being run over 2500m in the 3 year old Spring. Perhaps consensus will say it should continue - but it should at least be discussed.
Here is the 2007 VRC Derby:
Danny O'Brien
(photo: obrienracing.com)
Asked whether Iamzeus would be aimed at the VRC Derby Danny O'Brien responded with a stinging attack on the importance of the VRC Derby - run as it is in the Spring and over a testing 2500m.
“It now has no significance at all. I ran Villain in the race last year and it killed him. I’ll never run a good colt in it again."
“The race is screaming out to be run over 2000 metres. Over the present distance it means nothing to a colt, even if he wins it – it’s from an era 100 years ago."
“The Australian Derby over 2400 metres in the autumn is perfectly placed, but the VRC Derby at this stage of the year is just antiquated – everyone believes that - but it won’t change." - Danny O'Brien.
The O'Briens of both hemispheres (Aidan and Danny) are young masters at their craft of training horses. They are innovators and outspoken, paying homage to history but always understanding the need for change and innovation.
“He’ll go to the Carbine Club, or another race over a mile like that, but there’s no way he’ll go to the Derby." Danny O'Brien, when finally stipulating the program of Iamzeus.
On the O'Brien Racing website Danny indicates a more specific program:
"If he gets in (Caulfield Guineas) he'll run, if he doesn't we'll go the Carbine Club Stakes, Sandown Guineas path then look to the (2009) Australian Guineas."
Many trainers now question the validity of running a staying test for the colts and gelding (let alone the fillies) in the Spring. In terms of development it is a race that can stifle or kill the progress of a young and developing horse. Not fully matured they are required to have sufficient training and racing to run an endurance trip on bones not yet fully developed.
It should be time to research the possibility of running the VRC Derby over 2000m, as is the Kentucky Derby. With the recent cancellation of hurdle racing due to the investigation into the negative effects and outcome of hurdling, it is also time to look into the welfare of the developing and immature thoroughbred who does not need to be pushed to such endurance at such an early time (many horses who compete have just turned three years old).
Of course this comes on the tail of Efficient and his brilliant performance to follow up a VRC Derby with a Melbourne Cup the next year. But Efficient is a freak endurance galloper - and let's not forget that under the guidance of Lloyd Williams he had a light and non-taxing racing schedule. Few owners or trainers are so considerate - or as good at conditioning without over-racing.
Since the VRC Derby of 2007 when Villain was placed fourth, he has raced just 4 times. His best performance was at his last start on the 9th of August when a 4 length 4th to Cholula in a 1710m race at Flemington. Not the lack improvement we would expect from a promising 3 year old, now a mature 4 year old horse. A step backwards it seems.
The placings in the 2007 Victoria Derby were:
1st Kibbutz
2nd Littorio
3rd Marching
4th Villain
The stables of Kibbutz and Littorio are still very enthusiastic about the prospects of these horses in their 4 year old year, with all major cups as options. Promising stayers both of them - but this tough test (too soon) may prove the undoing of many others.
It is time for some serious discussion - from all vested and interested parties - into the continuation of the VRC Derby being run over 2500m in the 3 year old Spring. Perhaps consensus will say it should continue - but it should at least be discussed.
Here is the 2007 VRC Derby:
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