What would you change?

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Balletto

I dont really know enough about the politics of AI to comment on it but do you have any idea how expensive it is to board a HEALTHY horse??? So now, you would suggest having owners pay that expense without any financial compensation for at least a year or two (noting that with a mare, you'd have to pay a stud fee and then wait almost another year while gestation was taking place... oh, and boarding fees increase when dealing with a pregnant mare/foal). Now adding insult to injury, literally, if your horse had mounting vet bills, you could add thousands a month to that already building bill.

I understand we all want to see talented horses continue racing until they're either past their prime, proven their mettle, or unfortunately get injured, but its not financially reasonable for MOST owners in the sport. Be a fan, be a vocal fan... but view the issue from every angle possible. You may change your tune slightly.

I think most everyone who is a deep fan of the sport realizes the economics involved and they do view the issue from every angle possible, so don't try to talk down to all of us. Do you really think breeders and owners are looking at it from every angle? They can breed their beautiful babies all day long, but unless they are developing a reason for people to get excited for and head to the track, eventually they are no longer going to have a sport out there to make money in. Racing has existed for as long as it has because it was truly a sport. You can read all day long about people waxing poetic over horses of the past...but do you ever think anyone will be saying anything more than; "That Smarty Jones COULD HAVE been something great"? The biggest problem is the immediate satisfaction that people seek, but the long term picture for racing isn't looking so good right now.

We've lost the cyclic balance that once existed.

Wasnt talking down, but when people dont have their own money invested, its real easy to run off at the mouth.

Breeders dont just breed "beautiful" babies. If you're breeding for the ring, then yes, conformation and appeal are important, but dont tell me any breeder is going into a mating thinking "I want him to be pretty and slow". Its ridiculous.

Remember this, every day your mare is alive, her value is depreciating from the moment she gives birth unless her foals are proving themselves on the track.

The real monetary gain for most breeders is in the first few foals out of a mare, before she's been proven a producer or a bust.

Regardless, some interesting suggestions, and some just REAL left field with no hope of becoming reality... but to each their own and all opinions SHOULD be heard.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Balletto

Wasnt talking down, but when people dont have their own money invested, its real easy to run off at the mouth.

Anyone that bets their money does have " their own money invested " and deserves a say. You, or I, may not agree with them, and can offer legitimate counter points, but the bettors have every right in the world to " run off at the mouth ". The disgraceful thing is the pomposity of some people to suggest they don't.

I was speaking specifically about the breeding industry which im sure you noticed when you took my quote out of context.

I also finished with in the post by saying everyone has a right to voice an opinion. I truly believe that and welcome it. No where did I say bettors had no right to voice... it just makes me roll my eyes when most target the breeding industry as the lone culprit to the end of the sport. Please.

Most people who arent involved in the breeding side of the business have no idea how much of a money pitt it is... they only see the flashy auction results and the big named retirements. They're few and far between. Boarding alone can break you...

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Balletto

I was speaking specifically about the breeding industry which im sure you noticed when you took my quote out of context.

I also finished with in the post by saying everyone has a right to voice an opinion. Most people who arent involved in the breeding side of the business have no idea how much of a money pitt it is... they only see the flashy auction results and the big named retirements. They're few and far between. Boarding alone can break you...

I honestly didn't take it out of contest. I understand what you said but don't agree with it. Bettors have their money invested in the breeding business....in fact they fuel it. If you can't see this relationship, and I think you can, then you aren't thinking it through.

I don't disagree that many people not directly involved in the breeding business don't understand, as you explained, how hard it is to make money in that aspect of the business.

What I disgreed with was ANY suggestion that bettors don't have their money invested.....because it is invested in every aspect of this game...whether directly or indirectly.

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I honestly didn't take it out of contest. I understand what you said but don't agree with it. Bettors have their money invested in the breeding business....in fact they fuel it. If you can't see this relationship, and I think you can, then you aren't thinking it through.

I don't disagree that many people not directly involved in the breeding business don't understand, as you explained, how hard it is to make money in that aspect of the business.

What I disgreed with was ANY suggestion that bettors don't have their money invested.....because it is invested in every aspect of this game...whether directly or indirectly.

Absolutely there's an indirect involvement... just like any aspect of the sport has an indirect involvement with the other... some more than others.

But you cant possibly think that your average bettor is more important to the average breeder than the actual buyers at the sale.

Breeders sell to the buyers who race the horses the bettors bet on... its a circular industry that can be made or broken with the domino effect.

Everyone knows this... but not everyone is informed enough to make such sweeping statements as to lay blame for the sports deteriation on the breeding industry. Not that anyone specifically has in this thread, but its something that gets touched upon a lot.

[blackthroatedwind]

Agreed. Breeder's have shared blame with just about everyone. I guess I see the " bettors " as being the least at fault. The worst thing I can see us being guilty of is continuing to wager even though nobody pays attention to us and the powers that be continue to allow egregiously high takeout and disgracefully obvious cheating.

Originally Posted by Balletto

But you cant possibly think that your average bettor is more important to the average breeder than the actual buyers at the sale.

They're equal.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Balletto

Absolutely there's an indirect involvement... just like any aspect of the sport has an indirect involvement with the other... some more than others.

But you cant possibly think that your average bettor is more important to the average breeder than the actual buyers at the sale.

Breeders sell to the buyers who race the horses the bettors bet on... its a circular industry that can be made or broken with the domino effect.

Everyone knows this... but not everyone is informed enough to make such sweeping statements as to lay blame for the sports deteriation on the breeding industry. Not that anyone specifically has in this thread, but its something that gets touched upon a lot.

Do you honestly believe that the horses today, and more importantly the campaigns that they are given are enough to capture the imagination and bring glory to the sport? How many times have you read BTW and Phalaris speak about horses of the past (and fairly recently) and wonder why we don't see it anymore? You can't say the economics of business brings horses to the shed faster and then say that it's not hurting the sport at the same time.