I was speaking specifically about the breeding industry which im sure you noticed when you took my quote out of context.

I also finished with in the post by saying everyone has a right to voice an opinion. I truly believe that and welcome it. No where did I say bettors had no right to voice... it just makes me roll my eyes when most target the breeding industry as the lone culprit to the end of the sport. Please.

Most people who arent involved in the breeding side of the business have no idea how much of a money pitt it is... they only see the flashy auction results and the big named retirements. They're few and far between. Boarding alone can break you...

I honestly didn't take it out of contest. I understand what you said but don't agree with it. Bettors have their money invested in the breeding business....in fact they fuel it. If you can't see this relationship, and I think you can, then you aren't thinking it through.

I don't disagree that many people not directly involved in the breeding business don't understand, as you explained, how hard it is to make money in that aspect of the business.

What I disgreed with was ANY suggestion that bettors don't have their money invested.....because it is invested in every aspect of this game...whether directly or indirectly.

Absolutely there's an indirect involvement... just like any aspect of the sport has an indirect involvement with the other... some more than others.

But you cant possibly think that your average bettor is more important to the average breeder than the actual buyers at the sale.

Breeders sell to the buyers who race the horses the bettors bet on... its a circular industry that can be made or broken with the domino effect.

Everyone knows this... but not everyone is informed enough to make such sweeping statements as to lay blame for the sports deteriation on the breeding industry. Not that anyone specifically has in this thread, but its something that gets touched upon a lot.

Agreed. Breeder's have shared blame with just about everyone. I guess I see the " bettors " as being the least at fault. The worst thing I can see us being guilty of is continuing to wager even though nobody pays attention to us and the powers that be continue to allow egregiously high takeout and disgracefully obvious cheating.

They're equal.

Do you honestly believe that the horses today, and more importantly the campaigns that they are given are enough to capture the imagination and bring glory to the sport? How many times have you read BTW and Phalaris speak about horses of the past (and fairly recently) and wonder why we don't see it anymore? You can't say the economics of business brings horses to the shed faster and then say that it's not hurting the sport at the same time.

unfortunately theres too much id change about this game we all love and adore! speakin of the game off to the barn/thorne:) cyaz



john

I'd agree with that too.

Hey, I readily admitted in my original post that i'd like to see horses stay around longer on the track, but unless you give breeders a valid monetary incentive to keep them on track that can compete with the incentives off the track, you cant possibly blame most breeders for making a smart business decision.

Hell, anyone on here who says they wouldnt take the money has either never raced/bred a horse or is romaticizing the sport way too much.

Why not also take into account the fact that a horse can run 4 times a year and still be given championship honors??? Isnt that effecting the "imagination" and "glory" of the sport???

If you really want to put a "limit" or "statue" on something, I think a minimum amount of starts a year before you can become elligible for certain awards/honors should be implemented.

I think that would be a great idea.