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Originally Posted by Grits
Actually, I think its the other way around, the Japanese are STILL learning from us, not vice versa.
If you spend time on the grounds and in the Sales Pavilion at Keeneland (or Fasig Tipton) you'll quickly note how many of the Japanese agents are there, buying our horses. The still know where to buy good horses.
Three of Japan's horses of recent years come to mind.
(1) As far as the breeding program, SUNDAY SILENCE is the greatest coup the Japanese ever pulled off. EVER. And the majority of their good runners, certainly, have been sired by this legend.
(2) On the other hand, another American purchase the Japanese made, was our great Kentucky Derby Winner, FERDINAND. When he was no longer useful to them, he was hauled up on a meat truck and sent to slaughter.
Dudes, why didn't you folks give somone in the old USA a call? We would gladly have paid the shipping to bring him home.
They didn't.
(3) The most recent Icon of their breeding program, DEEP IMPACT is another sired by Sunday Silence. This one couldn't lose, the greatest thing since rice. He was shipped to France last October, where he went off at near even money in the Arc de Triomphe.
The entire country, it appeared, was in the stands and on the rail, to watch their champion. Their screams turned silent as they watched him beaten by the great French turf trainer, Andre Fabre's, RAIL LINK, who on that day I had wagered to win. Deep Impact finished a disappointing third, and days later, it was announced he tested POSITIVE for an illegal drug.
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You're right .They are learning from us.On what NOT to do!!!Of course they buy horses here.Everyone does.But they also buy them in other countries also.
You mention Ferdinand getting butchered.One horse.How about the THOUSANDS that go to slaughter here every year.Like we have such a great record on that topic.
Gee,Deep Impact finished third in the Arc.Not bad.
The trainer got popped.One out of how many?
In our country,trainers get popped left and right every week.And get a slap on the hand.I guarantee this Japanese trainer will be publicly shamed,and lucky to keep his job.So yeah,I think they are learning from us