This industry is a money making industry. The big guns don't class it as a sport any longer. There is no patience amongst breeders, they love to breed speed. Of course it matters. As soon as a horse wins over 2400m these days people deem them to be a bit slow. It isn't the case, however, that fails to alter peoples opinion in the breeding industry.

Fact is, in the modern era, these horses make more each day during the breeding season than some do in a whole career. I'd love to say it isn't about the money, but it is.

I don't believe running in the Arc would give the horse any more credentials. Connections have said time and time again that he wouldn't want it soft. As much as track conditions shouldn't be an issue, we will never get away from them. Is there any point in prepping him specifically for the Arc, the ground comes up heavy and then he is forced to miss other Autumn races because he has been campaigned for that race in mind?

On another note, with Sariska beaten yesterday (probably another ground related issue) that could just well confirm how the three year old fillies are nothing more than a mediocre bunch this year.

I get what you are trying to say but again, it's not like he hasn't proven that he indeed has speed. It would be one thing if he had broken his maiden say at 10f and had been running in 12f ever since. But he's won a grade one race at a mile. So there's no way that any breeders would see him as only a plodder who needs distance to excel. He could run in 16f races for the rest of his days and I don't see how that would take away from the fact that he still won that 8f grade one or make people think he has any less speed. Chances are, if the biggest money was in sprints and miles, he'd be trained for them and still be the best horse in the world. Breeders know he has speed no matter where else he runs for the rest of his career. As for your other reasoning as to why the Arc may not be in the cards for him, I agree with you.

Field for the Irish Champion Stakes...

http://horses.sportinglife.com/Racec...332379,00.html

(Wow why is Lord Admiral here? I love this guy. No shot against Sea the Stars of course but he's a nice old guy. :) )

Sea The Stars still a big doubt - It has the makings of a massive race with 4 G1 winners due to line up.. I should be there..

So easy... :tro:

That horse is a beast. I really hope he runs in the BC Classic. I think he'll win for fun.

NT

That would be the dream - If he went there and won, Id probably break down in tears.... I still hold out hopes that we get a Sea The Stars, Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra match up in the classic.

It was such a delight and privilege to be at the track to witness what I saw today. He was magnificent. Ive never seen a flat horse get a reception like he did in the winner's enclosure. He is such a good looking horse..

A good review and analysis of the race can be found here. http://www.rte.ie/sport/racing/2009/...stakes_av.html
That is what was broadcast on terrestrial TV over here in Ireland

Really impressive right there.

I'm gonna have to give the nod to Sea The Stars as the most exciting thing in racing today.

Yep, one can only pray that he comes for that race, and Zenyatta and/or Rachel is in the same race as him....

Put simply he's the best Flat horse I've ever seen. We've got him at 140, which puts him on a par with Dubai Millennium (still doesn't seem right to spell it like that!) - but he achieved it at 4 in what is arguably a suspect race - and, besides that, the best since Dancing Brave. Plenty in the office, not least the time boys, maintain that Eclipse run could be as high as 145, and there's nothing I've seen in the horse to suggest that he isn't that good. Most unlikely to see another one in a long time, so let's just hope that he proves it in the Arc; pushing for a Breeders' Cup run/4-y-o career, I suspect, will be wishing for too much! Let's hope, either way.


Of course, he's not a patch on Kauto Star!!

What's the news on him for the Arc? I sure hope he goes...

How about a little shout out for Urban Sea the broodmare.

Fame and Glory ran a pretty good race, made an early move and I can see him improving significantly over a NA style track in the BC if he comes over this year.

Congrats in advance to Mr. Christopher Tsui (of Hong Kong!). :tro:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/4...wner_ap766.jpg

Where does he rate, historically?

I've only followed racing since 2004 and to most (myself included) this is clearly the best horse in training in the world.

I'd love to hear thoughts from those of you who have followed the game for a long time.

Is he up there with the greatest? Is he the greatest? Who is to you (historically) and why?

Certainly a horse you have to remember and be in awe of!

I don't like to compare horses of different generations to each other in my imagination. Exercise in futility for me :) I just like to enjoy them when they are here.

The Arc replay:

http://france-galop.empreinte.com/20...hp?lang=en&the
meid=4&ref=http://www.prixarcdetriomphe.com/indexEN.html

I really don't either and could never stand those Curlin Vs. fill in the blank from 30 years ago kinda threads but I'm really curious if the old timers feel he's up there with the greatest of all time. :)

I really want to "see" the stars in Los Angeles................:tro:

Hope so!

Well, I'm pretty old :D The first TV race I remember seeing is Dancer's Image-Forward Pass KY Derby.

When you get goosebumps following them along their careers, and they run like that on the big day - yes, he's up there in my book, at least!

One good thing about the internet - you can search YouTube, and have tons of (even rare) historical racing footage at your fingertips.

He's a freak.

I was concerned yesterday, as I wasn't sure his stamina would hold up over the Arc distance when they usually go fast and you need ever ounce of stamina....... once again, they went fast, but not fast enough for him.

The racing post said they went 4 seconds faster than the standard time, and yet Sea The Stars was still pulling for his head. If they could find a group of horses that could go quick enough for him, he'd probably be even more impressive.

It's the fact that he travelled better than some sprinters in the Guineas, showed too much class in the Derby and has beaten every Gr1 class horse that Europe has to offer.

He beat a world class Eclipse field and that form has worked out very well.

Just brilliant.