Yet Another Who, Apparently, Had Done Enough

[King Glorious]

Can anyone tell me what were the reasons to continue racing her? Don't get me wrong though. I'd rather see them continue on than retire too but honestly, there is no more reason to continue racing her is there? We see many cases where the connections say, especially with females, that they are just looking to get some black type and the ultimate would be a grade one win. Well, she's got a couple of grade one wins and she's proven herself among the best of her generation. For a female that you are looking at as a broodmare prospect, what else is there to prove? Historically speaking, the most successful racing mares are not the ones that go on to be the most successful broodmares. I think it's because of all of the stresses and drugs that come with racing. Look at a list of the top 10 horses in each division this year and tell me how many come from mares that were grade one winners. And it should be noted that the main purpose of the entire Darley operation is breeding, not racing.

For the fans, there are reasons we would want her to continue. For the new owners, there are none.

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

Can anyone tell me what were the reasons to continue racing her? Don't get me wrong though. I'd rather see them continue on than retire too but honestly, there is no more reason to continue racing her is there? We see many cases where the connections say, especially with females, that they are just looking to get some black type and the ultimate would be a grade one win. Well, she's got a couple of grade one wins and she's proven herself among the best of her generation. For a female that you are looking at as a broodmare prospect, what else is there to prove? Historically speaking, the most successful racing mares are not the ones that go on to be the most successful broodmares. I think it's because of all of the stresses and drugs that come with racing. Look at a list of the top 10 horses in each division this year and tell me how many come from mares that were grade one winners. And it should be noted that the main purpose of the entire Darley operation is breeding, not racing.

For the fans, there are reasons we would want her to continue. For the new owners, there are none.

The only reason I could think of would be if the people that made these decisions actually liked the sport of horse racing.
I guess in some ways you might be right. These days it is probably crazy to think that owners should actually like participating in the sport. I think this whole sport got started with two guys saying to each other, "my horse is faster than your horse." Somehow, that has a better ring to it than the current, "I can find a soft G1 race for my horse, win it, and retire the thing while your stupid animal will still have to race!"
There was "no reason" to run Personal Ensign as a 4yo after she won G1s at ages 2 and 3, but her connections decided to do it anyway. I guess some people actually did like the sport of horse racing once upon a time. The folks at Darley clearly do not.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by miraja2

The only reason I could think of would be if the people that made these decisions actually liked the sport of horse racing.
I guess in some ways you might be right. These days it is probably crazy to think that owners should actually like participating in the sport. I think this whole sport got started with two guys saying to each other, "my horse is faster than your horse." Somehow, that has a better ring to it than the current, "I can find a soft G1 race for my horse, win it, and retire the thing while your stupid animal will still have to race!"
There was "no reason" to run Personal Ensign as a 4yo after she won G1s at ages 2 and 3, but her connections decided to do it anyway. I guess some people actually did like the sport of horse racing once upon a time. The folks at Darley clearly do not.

I wish they cared more about the racing side of things. I wish all owners were in it more for racing than anything else. As I said, I'm disappointed that things are the way they are and long for the days when it was nearly automatic that a top 3yo would be brought back to race as a 4yo and even beyond. I think that the sport was so much better then, even 10 years ago. But at the same time, I understand (and I know you do as well so I'm not implying that you don't get it) that there is another side to the sport than just the racing and I understand that for some operations, Darley and Coolmore probably being the most prominent, the breeding side of the game is more important. I guess I just don't get as outraged when these things happen because I've come to expect it and I know that if the breeding side weren't a part of the game, they might not be involved. I hear a lot of people say that they think Coolmore and especially Darley aren't good for the game. I think they are very good and that the overall game would be very different if they weren't involved.

[Danzig]

the breeding has taken over, and not for the good of the game. and if those two weren't involved, and breeding wasn't such a focus, i doubt it would be a bad thing.

[Pedigree Ann]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I wish they cared more about the racing side of things. I wish all owners were in it more for racing than anything else. As I said, I'm disappointed that things are the way they are and long for the days when it was nearly automatic that a top 3yo would be brought back to race as a 4yo and even beyond. I think that the sport was so much better then, even 10 years ago. .

Germany still breeds to race, rather than the other way around. A large number of the classic winners in Aus/Nz were geldings in the past, so they have the habit of racing them on, viz Lonhro, Octagonal, and Elvstroem.

[Cannon Shell]

Octagonal is standing stud so probably not a gelding

[brockguy]

dont think Elvis is a gelding either...

[Cannon Shell]

Gpk ???

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

Can anyone tell me what were the reasons to continue racing her? Don't get me wrong though. I'd rather see them continue on than retire too but honestly, there is no more reason to continue racing her is there? We see many cases where the connections say, especially with females, that they are just looking to get some black type and the ultimate would be a grade one win. Well, she's got a couple of grade one wins and she's proven herself among the best of her generation. For a female that you are looking at as a broodmare prospect, what else is there to prove? Historically speaking, the most successful racing mares are not the ones that go on to be the most successful broodmares. I think it's because of all of the stresses and drugs that come with racing. Look at a list of the top 10 horses in each division this year and tell me how many come from mares that were grade one winners. And it should be noted that the main purpose of the entire Darley operation is breeding, not racing.

For the fans, there are reasons we would want her to continue. For the new owners, there are none.

Plenty of examples of great producers that were awesome race mares and plenty that were awesome mares and never tossed a winner.. Not sure you should stereotype great race mares as suspect producers.

No reason to bred a 4 year old mare who can still run. Assuming the filly is sound she could further distinguish herself maybe win BC race. You still breed horses to race not breed. The shieks sponsor the WTB Championship to race horses not watch them breed. I suggest they like racing horses and just feel its time to control the breeding industry. Who knows who cares. Juddmonte still looks better to me.