Sheikh Mo and Bernardini

[Hwjb]

I just read through the thread regarding the retirement of Bernadini and, whilst I found some of the views aired within the thread pretty repellent, I'm not getting into a socio-politics now, don't worry Steve!

I'd just like to defend the Maktoum family from how I see the situation.

First, irrespective of how much money they have to spend, Sheikh Mohammed et bros have suffered some appalling luck with their horses, and it comes as on surprise to me when they have one who acts on dirt that they want to do whatever they can to ensure that he retires to stud fit and healthy.
A few examples of Godolphin horses alone.
Dubai Millennium, the best Flat racehorse I've ever seen, dies during his first year at stud.
Electrocutionist, so rare in that he was capable of high-class form on turf and dirt.
Modern Dubai, Storm Silk, Henrik, Majority Vote, Blue Mirage, Blues And Royals, Royal Proposal. The list goes on and on and I know there are more.

So they retired one in the hope that it doesn't meet the same fate. So what, it's their horse. To call into question the sportsmanship of Sheikh Mo on the back of that is absurd in the extreme. But to wish ill on the horse or the man because of it is just plain wrong.