Sheikh Mo and Bernardini

Originally Posted by 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.

Blahhhh.
He doesn't need that stud money for Bern, he could have raced him at 4.

[Slewbopper]

Originally Posted by oracle80

Blahhhh.
He doesn't need that stud money for Bern, he could have raced him at 4.

Blahhh is right.

I am tired of these bastards that have been raiding our yearling sales since the early 80s. They are a bunch of hypocrits who behave under the disguise of being sportsmen, when their only interest is their own glory and dominance of the sport.

[Betsy]

I would never wish ill-will on the Sheikh, but he can no longer claim to be a sportsman and his decision stinks. The horse, to this point, is sound - he is potentially a great horse (I think we'll see his best effort in the Classic) and he could do wonderful things next year. Regardless of the split fandom on message boards, Bernardini is clearly very popular with fans at the track -he's very charismatic in addition to talented. It would have been wonderful to see just how good this colt could be; now it's another in a long line of "what might have beens". Obviously I don't doubt Bernardini like most of the people on this board, but I'm as angry or even angrier and I'm not going to enjoy the run up to the BC because all I can think of his a horse unnecessarily being retired before he even hits his peak. I just hope that there are a ton of editorials taking the Sheikh to task for his decision; obviously it won't change his mind, but at least John Ferguson, etc......will know just how angry people are.

[blackthroatedwind]

" Dubai Millennium, the best Flat racehorse I've ever seen, dies during his first year at stud. "

Is this an example of why they should or shouldn't retire Bernardini?

[Hwjb]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

" Dubai Millennium, the best Flat racehorse I've ever seen, dies during his first year at stud. "

Is this an example of why they should or shouldn't retire Bernardini?

It's an example of the cruel luck Godolphin have experienced in bundleloads, and a reason as to why they might want to retire Bernardini as a champion 3yo and subject him to as few risks as possible.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Hwjb

It's an example of the cruel luck Godolphin have experienced in bundleloads, and a reason as to why they might want to retire Bernardini as a champion 3yo and subject him to as few risks as possible.

I guess I just don't think it's " cruel luck ". I'm more than a little cynical and don't find all occurances like this completely random. The Electrocutionist situation does not sit well with me at all.

And, frankly, I'm not sure they have had any more cruel luck, per se, than anyone else with such a substantial number of horses.

[Slewbopper]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I guess I just don't think it's " cruel luck ". I'm more than a little cynical and don't find all occurances like this completely random. The Electrocutionist situation does not sit well with me at all.

And, frankly, I'm not sure they have had any more cruel luck, per se, than anyone else with such a substantial number of horses.

Call it karma. I am trying my damnedest not to be political, but regarding the people involved I find that impossible.

[Hwjb]

Originally Posted by Cardus

You are making an "apples and oranges" argument.

Dubai Millenium did not die as the result of a racing injury, as you know. Therefore, comparing a non-racing related death to the possibility of a race related fatality doesn't make sense.

That's not the argument I'm making. I may not have done it too well, but the points are separate.

1) Godolphin have suffered plenty of ill-fortune in the past, often because of their sporting approach, and keeping valuable stud prospects in training, but not always.

2) The likelihood of a horse staying well and injury free is, as you know, immeasurably greater when he is not racing. If a horse dies of colic or chronic laminitis, whatever, outside of racing, that is bad luck. But the chances of breaking down are far greater when subjected to the rigors of training/racing.

[Hwjb]

Originally Posted by Slewbopper

Blahhh is right.

I am tired of these bastards that have been raiding our yearling sales since the early 80s. They are a bunch of hypocrits who behave under the disguise of being sportsmen, when their only interest is their own glory and dominance of the sport.

They're public auctions for Christ's sake. What do you propose? Banning foreigners from attending?

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Hwjb

They're public auctions for Christ's sake. What do you propose? Banning foreigners from attending?

Obviously you are right, and that is just silly, as they have a right to spend their money as they like, and do as they wish with their horses. However, by the same token, we have the same rights to dislike their actions, and even them, if we so choose.

Sorry, people here are racing fans, and from most of our perspectives the possible retirement of Bernardini after this season is extremely disappointing and fustrating.

[Bernardini]

Originally Posted by Slewbopper

Blahhh is right.

I am tired of these bastards that have been raiding our yearling sales since the early 80s. They are a bunch of hypocrits who behave under the disguise of being sportsmen, when their only interest is their own glory and dominance of the sport.

but ist that true for most big players ??? Why single out SHK MO ??

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Bernardini

but ist that true for most big players ???

Like who???

[Linny]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Like who???

Coolmore...

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Linny

Coolmore...

Coolmore is about making money by marketing stallions not racing dominance

[Linny]

Originally Posted by Bernardini

but ist that true for most big players ??? Why single out SHK MO ??

Every one of the major owner/breeders knows that breeding is where the money is. The racing (for all of them) is merely a means of establishing the breeding value of a horse.

This is true of everyone from Sheikh Mohammed to the Coolmore gang to Mr. Farish to Fusao Sekiguchi to Shadai Farm.

Sadly the modern racing fan needs to deal with the fact that the only reason for the racing career is to establish breeding value and once that value is maximized, the horse will leave the racing realm.