Rachel Alexandra Retired

[smuthg]

Rachel Alexandra Retired
Posted: 4:20 PM ET

Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra (f, 4, Medaglia d'Oro) has been retired, majority owner Jess Jackson announced today. "As you know, despite top training and a patient campaign, Rachel Alexandra did not return to her 2009 form," said Jackson. "I believe it's time to retire our champion and reward her with a less stressful life. We are delighted that she will retire healthy and happy to our beautiful farm in Kentucky. Rachel Alexandra owes us nothing. As a three-year-old, she set standards and records that no filly before her ever achieved. And I suspect it will be quite a while before a three year old filly ever equals or surpasses her achievements. Although her fans were thrilled by a series of spectacular victories, I believe they, as we, were simply awed time and again by her sheer beauty, courage and athleticism."

less stressful life...hahaha

Can he be any more insufferable?

[Merlinsky]

So that bullet work was for what? Kicks? Did she hurt herself or something and he's just not admitting it?

[ateamstupid]

Shocking news.

[iamthelurker]

He knows she would get smashed in any BC race, trying to save face by pulling an Aga Khan and breeding her to his male champ (Curlin).... so not cool.

[MisterB]

Breed, baby breed. We need horses like you

[smuthg]

I only saw her in person once, and that was in the fantasy at Oaklawn. One of the most impressive performances I've ever seen. Calvin didn't touch until just past the wire when he gave her a slight tap to encourage her to get a 1 1/8th. I think they were halfway down the back stretch before the rest of the field crossed the wire. when you have your first adult beverage (or your next) today, I think a toast is in order to Rachel...

[knickslions2]

This thread should be fun

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by iamthelurker

He knows she would get smashed in any BC race, trying to save face by pulling an Aga Khan and breeding her to his male champ (Curlin).... so not cool.

http://www.suite101.com/content/oaks...curlin-a115602

He planned on breeding her to Curlin the minute he bought her post-Oaks. It's one of the big reasons he bought her in the first place. She just threw a bullet work out there, so it's hardly evidence of her ability to get smashed.

This was all about Classic or nothing. If she was best suited for the Ladies Classic, we should've known he wouldn't wanna do it period. Can't make all the fuss about facing Zenyatta and running in the BCC, then bail and go the day before.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by iamthelurker

He knows she would get smashed in any BC race, trying to save face by pulling an Aga Khan and breeding her to his male champ (Curlin).... so not cool.

She would've gotten smashed in the Distaff? By who? Malibu Prayer?

[johnny pinwheel]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Shocking news.

agreed

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by smuthg

Rachel Alexandra Retired
Posted: 4:20 PM ET

Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra (f, 4, Medaglia d'Oro) has been retired, majority owner Jess Jackson announced today. "As you know, despite top training and a patient campaign, Rachel Alexandra did not return to her 2009 form," said Jackson. "I believe it's time to retire our champion and reward her with a less stressful life. We are delighted that she will retire healthy and happy to our beautiful farm in Kentucky. Rachel Alexandra owes us nothing. As a three-year-old, she set standards and records that no filly before her ever achieved. And I suspect it will be quite a while before a three year old filly ever equals or surpasses her achievements. Although her fans were thrilled by a series of spectacular victories, I believe they, as we, were simply awed time and again by her sheer beauty, courage and athleticism."

I can barely even stomach Jess Jackson without wanting to vomit.

I can never remember being less interested to talk about horse racing than I've been since I started to bet a lot more races over a lot more circuits with less preparation time.

There's a total burnout factor at midnight - and it's tremendously exciting to think about that New England offensive machine. Moss won't be here forever people. Enjoy New England's offense while you still can.

[johnny pinwheel]

Originally Posted by HomerS

Let me see if I understand what some are saying...

Rachel is a bum- or at least completely overrated

The connections have robbed us by running her in "easy races" this year

She was going to get her doors blown off in the BC

The connections have again robbed us by retiring her.

Bizarre. Full of contradictions

you might take it that way ...but heres what i'm saying. rachel is a great race horse....they ran her into the ground and then rested her too long...she never came back (the same)....and she should of retired months ago when all this was apparent. instead we heard ......."we are going to run her into condition until she returns to greatness"....or some simular garbage to that.....its not robbery when you have to run in easy races...for a horse that was that good....its called a shame or a sham......lol