Quote:
Originally Posted by RolloTomasi
The difference with Coolmore and Godolphin is that outside the BC Classic, Turf, and Mile, you don't really see Coolmore bring out any of their big guns to the States anymore. Certainly horses like Viscount Nelson and Master of Hounds are useless at the top class level over in Europe. Their entrants in the Juvenile Turf races were minor leaguers. Even Powerscourt was a second stringer.
In other instances, some of these shippers seem to be on display for private purchase. O'Brien has won the Canadian International twice in the last decade and both horses (Ballingarry, Joshua Tree) were sold soon after.
O'Brien's record here is atrocious, but it's not completely shocking as it seems like they're throwing crap against the wall intentionally, hoping it will stick.
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I really agree, and to add to the logic, think that if AOB is sending horses out of Ireland, England, or France, they really aren't all that magnificent. If they come here and do damage, it's really an afterthought for the most part. If they run in the Arc and still have something left in the tank, then off to the BC Turf. They might bring a rabbit or something to try and set their horse up, but almost none of them run with the long-term intent that the Breeders' Cup is THE goal.
Remember, for the most part in Europe, the prime racing is over by the middle of October (save one meeting at Newmarket late in the month). Otherwise, everything gears down and the steeplechasing begins in earnest. And considering they don't say anything heads-or-tails about their horses, no one can ever decipher anything from the camp. They have to beat me before I even start considering betting them in the US.