"As good a horse as I have seen"
November 5th 2010 04:33
The past few months I have written extensively about So You Think. In one way to pay homage to his breathtaking ability, but at other times questioning the northern hemisphere bias in World Thoroughbred Rankings. And also with a wish that he may race on for one more improbable year - a year outside of Australia where he has nothing left to prove. The wish tempered by the fear that age - the double dilemma of age that a 5 year old Champion stallion in Australia has usually been retired for several seasons already instead of remaining in training - plus the advancing age of both trainer and owner prohibiting any chance of pursuing an overseas campaign.
Earlier I wrote:
It is difficult for Australian racehorses to achieve stellar rankings through IFHA with races such as the English Triple Crown; US Triple Crown; the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe; and The Breeders’ Cup Classic, all dominating the mindset of the judging panel. But if So You Think does complete the season undefeated - with a second Cox Plate and the 150th Melbourne Cup to his credit - then anything other than a top 10 position would be a travesty. Actually, on his performances and speedfigures, I rate him the equal to any horse on the current list - only if compared to previous top ranked thoroughbreds such as Sea The Stars and Curlin would I be more circumspect in comparison. If So You Think is not ranked (well inside!) the top 10 thoroughbreds at year’s end it might be time for a petition.
Thankfully So You Think was allowed to race on as a four year old entire and was not shuffled off to stud prematurely. This extremely impressive looking son of High Chaparral is worth a fortune as a stallion already - but I would personally find the lure of a final European campaign in 2011 irresistible.
and also:
Had the placegetters from the 2010 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe competed at Moonee Valley last Saturday I would only grant Workforce the equal of So You Think. Personally I would have loved to have seen So You Think in Paris in competition - but that was a bridge too far in 2010. And with trainer Bart Cummings well into his eighties I would imagine a European swansong campaign unlikely for the dual Cox Plate Champion in 2011.
When the next World Thoroughbred Rankings are released I look forward to finding a real, and realistic assessment, of the Australian Champion. If not in the top ten then we are talking a northern hemisphere bias (and short-sightedness). I doubt that there is a racehorse in the world who he could not better.
The need for petition (for his rightful position in the world of thoroughbreds) may not be required now as So You Think has achieved a Timeform rating of 133 - equal with 2010 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner, and Epsom Derby winner - Workforce. Even the Champion Sea The Stars only rated 129 on Timeform. I wait with anticipation the next release of World Thoroughbred Rankings from the IFHA. Hopefully a petition will not be required.
Although Bart Cummings is very disappointed to lose his champion, the result for Australian racing is a huge positive. So You Think would again cut a swathe through the ranks of all Australian opposition in a new year. He would prove himself dominant - dominant again. But now given the opportunity on the world stage, in the care of Aidan O’Brien, the pinnacles of UK racing could be dominated by the Australian Champion as he moves towards the ultimate at seasons end, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Already bookmakers quote So You Think at around 10/1 for the 2011 renewal of the Arc.
What the Australian public may miss in losing the champion to local racing will more than be compensated for by the drama and interest of having a proven Australian Champion run in the Arc. Unlike the earlier days when Strawberry Road (oh so unluckily) contested a Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the racing enthusiast (and wider public interest - given So You Think’s fame and appeal) will be glued to international racing broadcasts on television, or Internet. The world is so much closer now - who would have imagined a few years ago that a French horse would win the Melbourne Cup! The world is our racing stage. And Australia has a major player.
We watch the craft of local actors like Geoffrey Rush; Kate Blanchett; Russell Crowe, then feel a sense of pride and greater community when they star in international (successful) productions. So long we have watched our local racing champions and wished that the world at large could grow to appreciate a Kingston Town; Northerly; Makybe Diva; or Might And Power; just as we have. Give merit where merit is due.
I was very pleased to learn of the Coolmore (half) purchase of So You Think. Coolmore have had great success with Champion Australian horses in the past, with Haradasun and Starspangledbanner successful at the highest level. And of course we have had success overseas with Takeover Target; Miss Andretti; and Choisir - and as good (as great) as all of these horses were, none of them could come close to the Speedfigures (Speedratings) of So You Think. So You Think is in a class of his own.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful (amazing) for Australia to produce - have recognised - the best thoroughbred in the world in 2011. With So You Think this seems a distinct possibility.
Coolmore Australia’s General Manager (Michael Kirwan) rates So You Think: "as good a horse as I have seen".
Michael, I agree wholeheartedly with your opinion.
So You Think - Longchamp bound in 2011?
Earlier I wrote:
It is difficult for Australian racehorses to achieve stellar rankings through IFHA with races such as the English Triple Crown; US Triple Crown; the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe; and The Breeders’ Cup Classic, all dominating the mindset of the judging panel. But if So You Think does complete the season undefeated - with a second Cox Plate and the 150th Melbourne Cup to his credit - then anything other than a top 10 position would be a travesty. Actually, on his performances and speedfigures, I rate him the equal to any horse on the current list - only if compared to previous top ranked thoroughbreds such as Sea The Stars and Curlin would I be more circumspect in comparison. If So You Think is not ranked (well inside!) the top 10 thoroughbreds at year’s end it might be time for a petition.
Thankfully So You Think was allowed to race on as a four year old entire and was not shuffled off to stud prematurely. This extremely impressive looking son of High Chaparral is worth a fortune as a stallion already - but I would personally find the lure of a final European campaign in 2011 irresistible.
and also:
Had the placegetters from the 2010 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe competed at Moonee Valley last Saturday I would only grant Workforce the equal of So You Think. Personally I would have loved to have seen So You Think in Paris in competition - but that was a bridge too far in 2010. And with trainer Bart Cummings well into his eighties I would imagine a European swansong campaign unlikely for the dual Cox Plate Champion in 2011.
When the next World Thoroughbred Rankings are released I look forward to finding a real, and realistic assessment, of the Australian Champion. If not in the top ten then we are talking a northern hemisphere bias (and short-sightedness). I doubt that there is a racehorse in the world who he could not better.
The need for petition (for his rightful position in the world of thoroughbreds) may not be required now as So You Think has achieved a Timeform rating of 133 - equal with 2010 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner, and Epsom Derby winner - Workforce. Even the Champion Sea The Stars only rated 129 on Timeform. I wait with anticipation the next release of World Thoroughbred Rankings from the IFHA. Hopefully a petition will not be required.
Although Bart Cummings is very disappointed to lose his champion, the result for Australian racing is a huge positive. So You Think would again cut a swathe through the ranks of all Australian opposition in a new year. He would prove himself dominant - dominant again. But now given the opportunity on the world stage, in the care of Aidan O’Brien, the pinnacles of UK racing could be dominated by the Australian Champion as he moves towards the ultimate at seasons end, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Already bookmakers quote So You Think at around 10/1 for the 2011 renewal of the Arc.
What the Australian public may miss in losing the champion to local racing will more than be compensated for by the drama and interest of having a proven Australian Champion run in the Arc. Unlike the earlier days when Strawberry Road (oh so unluckily) contested a Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the racing enthusiast (and wider public interest - given So You Think’s fame and appeal) will be glued to international racing broadcasts on television, or Internet. The world is so much closer now - who would have imagined a few years ago that a French horse would win the Melbourne Cup! The world is our racing stage. And Australia has a major player.
We watch the craft of local actors like Geoffrey Rush; Kate Blanchett; Russell Crowe, then feel a sense of pride and greater community when they star in international (successful) productions. So long we have watched our local racing champions and wished that the world at large could grow to appreciate a Kingston Town; Northerly; Makybe Diva; or Might And Power; just as we have. Give merit where merit is due.
I was very pleased to learn of the Coolmore (half) purchase of So You Think. Coolmore have had great success with Champion Australian horses in the past, with Haradasun and Starspangledbanner successful at the highest level. And of course we have had success overseas with Takeover Target; Miss Andretti; and Choisir - and as good (as great) as all of these horses were, none of them could come close to the Speedfigures (Speedratings) of So You Think. So You Think is in a class of his own.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful (amazing) for Australia to produce - have recognised - the best thoroughbred in the world in 2011. With So You Think this seems a distinct possibility.
Coolmore Australia’s General Manager (Michael Kirwan) rates So You Think: "as good a horse as I have seen".
Michael, I agree wholeheartedly with your opinion.
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