Vineyard Haven Sold...

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Betsy

I agree, Andy. What I don't get is that they retired Bernardini before we got to see his best (presumably he'd be even better as a 4 year old) so that they could get his foals on the ground ASASP............because the Sheikh really wants a homegrown Derby winner. However, the Sheikh continues to buy up every single promising 2 year old because he also wants to win the Derby ASAP. For this Bernardini and his fellow 3 year olds were retired? They could have continued to run as older horses as long as the Sheikh was going to keep buying 2 year olds left and right.

he wants a derby winner any way he can get it. whether it be by breeding or buying, and he can afford to do both. i don't look for him to keep any of his horses running on at four-look at how discreet cat did at four, and that explains why.

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by Danzig

he wants a derby winner any way he can get it. whether it be by breeding or buying, and he can afford to do both. i don't look for him to keep any of his horses running on at four-look at how discreet cat did at four, and that explains why.

If he had kept Bernardini in training, it very likely would have been a different story. DC obviously had problems and there was no reason for Bernardini to be retired. People used to call Sheikh Mo a sportsman. No way, not for me he's not. What he's doing now is not sportsmanlike either, even though he has the right.

[outofthebox]

So was this the reason Frankel kept him out of the Breeders Cup. For all we know this colt can be a one turn specialist and Frankel did not want to compromise his value if he were to run in the BC and somehow not handle the surface or the distance. Anyway good luck to the Sheik...

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Betsy

If he had kept Bernardini in training, it very likely would have been a different story. DC obviously had problems and there was no reason for Bernardini to be retired. People used to call Sheikh Mo a sportsman. No way, not for me he's not. What he's doing now is not sportsmanlike either, even though he has the right.

maybe he would have had success at four, but maybe he wouldn't. it's always a crapshoot with these horses. but, the sheikh didn't need bernardini to run any longer, he wants to breed top horses as well-he's got a real hard on for coolmore, and trying to surpass their breeding program, and he needs all the help he can get in that regard.
so, racing wise, there may have been no need to retire bernardini-but breeding wise, it's another story. he's just as interested, if not more so, in developing the #1 breeding program in the world.

[Quiet Chris]

Frankel is not stupid he knows if Empire Maker can lose, anyone can lose. Take the sure thing. This horse could be hurt and retire by February if something goes wrong. This horse may want nothing to do with 10f.

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by Danzig

maybe he would have had success at four, but maybe he wouldn't. it's always a crapshoot with these horses. but, the sheikh didn't need bernardini to run any longer, he wants to breed top horses as well-he's got a real hard on for coolmore, and trying to surpass their breeding program, and he needs all the help he can get in that regard.
so, racing wise, there may have been no need to retire bernardini-but breeding wise, it's another story. he's just as interested, if not more so, in developing the #1 breeding program in the world.

You're right and unfortunately, although I don't like the Sheikh, I can't say that he's the only one retiring his horses. I guess I'd better get used to it - unless a horse is a gelding or has mediocre breeding, any good 3 year old is going to be retired. It makes it hard to get attached, though.

[Danzig]

which is why you shouldn't get attached. after pine island, i won't anymore. enjoy the sport, but don't get too caught up in any one individual.

[King Glorious]

Maybe it's just me but I find it interesting that not a word was said when Frankel purchased this horse from someone else because he liked what he saw in the horse.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

Maybe it's just me but I find it interesting that not a word was said when Frankel purchased this horse from someone else because he liked what he saw in the horse.

well, you have a point there.
but it seems the sheik's is a big target because he's richer than croesus, no one can compete with him, and he seems to be attempting a monopoly...

but somehow i doubt anyone would balk at being in his shoes.