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The rest of the world might see our racing as a bit of an anachronism. Uphill, downhill, camber, watering, draw numbering, the w*** thing, obstacles to jump …
Not to mention the Sir, Lord Teddy and the Prince!
The rest of the world might see our racing as a bit of an anachronism. Uphill, downhill, camber, watering, draw numbering, the w*** thing, obstacles to jump …
Not to mention the Sir, Lord Teddy and the Prince!
Thank goodness all of our tracks are not Chester-esque left-handed ovals
Watching the Breeders Cup last night I wondered whether, in UK terms, it is pretty much an anachronism for UK punters, barring the Turf race.
An anachronism for US punters also, going by the returns the other night.
I realise that the dirt and the artificial surfce are not the same but nevertheless there must be some kickback from the allwether surfaces.So why not have a BC prepday like they have here in NY about two weeks before the Cup.Have it in conjunction with the Champions Day.Why not? Horses who plan to run on the dirt could all be invited to participate.
I have to say St Nicholas Abbey’s win was pretty sepcial. What a fantastic jockey and what a loss it will be when he gets too heavy. I’ve said before he reminds me of Piggott, not only in stature but also in the way he seems unflappable. He was shuffled back, didn’t panic. Clearly on the best horse but so easy to get things wrong in that arena.
I thought he reminded me of lester as well.Pity it might all finish for him on the flat but what a year he has had.seems sucha nice lad as well.Interesting hearing aiden saying how much his sons input is invaluable to him.maybe young joseph could be aidens successor in years to come.
Watching the Breeders Cup last night I wondered whether, in UK terms, it is pretty much an anachronism for UK punters, barring the Turf race.
An anachronism for US punters also, going by the returns the other night.
Second-highest two-day attendance ever, though. Churchill as a venue is not the best, but its close proximity to the East coast (where most of the racing fans-and racehorses-live) makes it a better option than Santa Anita. America is a huge country, so more people drove 7-10 hours to Louisville than took a 4 hour flight to Los Angeles.
I watched the live stream from the BC website – admirably free of charge – a lesson for many trying to raise the sport’s profile.
I know nowt about US form but using Timeform summary and Sportinglife comments managed to back Hansen and Drosselmeyer so did much better than I normally do in UK
I’ve always been wary of the effects of travel on a racehorse. I’d even hesitate to bet an Irish based horse running in Britain unless it had proved that travelling did not upset it.
I’d be surprised if travel wasn’t a factor for some of the Europeans at the BC
What would you say is the ideal venue in racing terms Miss W?
For the Breeders Cup? There really aren’t too many tracks in the US that can hold such big crowds. After trying Lone Star Park and Monmouth the BC people have decided to rotate between Santa Anita, Churchill, and Belmont for the foreseeable future.
I personally don’t think any of the 3 are ideal. SA is too far away, and its turf course is both biased (downhill) and hard. Churchill has management issues and likes to jack up prices insanely high. Belmont needs a fresh coat of paint and some touch-ups, and people like to complain about the NYC weather in November.So, my ideal, and I am admittedly quite biased, would be
Laurel Park
. FANTASTIC turf course, the best in the country in my opinion, and it has a history of hosting great European horses-remember the Washington D.C. International? The Breeders Cup still owes us for essentially destroying that race and the Laurel Futurity. Less than an hour from me, there’s a train station under the parking lot. Dave Rodman is an excellent and accurate track announcer, whose Baltimore accent adds local flavor (moreso than the South African at Santa Anita and the Englishman at Churchill, anyway). Only drawback is the seating, there’s probably not enough room for a BC-size crowd unless they open the infield.
I’d love to see the Breeders Cup run at Woodbine again, but I know that will never happen. I’d also like to see it go back to the original 7 races (plus the Marathon) so the best can all race against each other, or at least give it a good try, regardless of gender or surface.
Why did we (Europe) put up such a limp challenge for this year’s Breeders Cup?
Not a single horse you’d describe as anywthing like a champion was sent. No Frankel, no Cirrus Des Aigles, no Nathaniel, no Danedream, no Camelot, no Dawn Approach and so the list could go on. No first division and precious few second division performers either.
Is California too far? We have done well there in the past.
Or are trainers and owners just giving up for a whole variety of reasons on the annual ‘World Championships’?
It doesn’t seem to be a natural target for any of our top performers.
The cynic might say that it takes the trainers too long to decide which of the half dozen ‘world championship’ races his middle distance filly or his two year old should run in……………
I lost interest because of the dilution of the races a few years ago
Watched the Wise Dan/Excelebration clash but had very little interest in anything else.
The race winners are ‘world champions’ in the same way the NY Giants and SF Giants are.
Mike
It’s a lot to ask a European horse. Tail-end of the season, 12 hours on a plane, 8 hours time difference, 20 degrees temperature difference. Then the choice of racing on an alien surface or turf that is a long way from European grass and this year is probably harder than many have ever seen.
Then there is the expense for the owners and the throw of the dice in the draw.
I think the experience can ruin some two-year-olds.
So there is a lot against, with decent prize-money and breeding kudos for. If you are seeking prize-money why not go for the easier tasks in Dubai. So we are left with the international breeding operations and look who always sends a good representation.
Why did we (Europe) put up such a limp challenge for this year’s Breeders Cup?
Not a single horse you’d describe as anywthing like a champion was sent. No Frankel, no Cirrus Des Aigles, no Nathaniel, no Danedream, no Camelot, no Dawn Approach and so the list could go on. No first division and precious few second division performers either.
Is California too far? We have done well there in the past.
Or are trainers and owners just giving up for a whole variety of reasons on the annual ‘World Championships’?
It doesn’t seem to be a natural target for any of our top performers.
Europe did so "bad" for many reasons.
1. Bad luck, Sky Lantern and Dundonnell could’ve gone close with a better run. In all probability The Fugue would’ve won with a clear run.
2. The ground wasn’t just firm, imo it was very firm bordering on hard; hence race times. Very firm ground means horses don’t come back to the field, there’s even less time in the home straight and what happens on the turn/luck in running matters more. Criticism of European jockeys is overdone, a lot of American runners also met trouble without criticism. Point Of Entry, Animal Kingdom etc. Saving ground on the inner is a good thing around a tight track, but you’ve got to have luck in the run.
Suited those three mentioned in (1), but not that many top European horses act on very firm. Had the meeting been run in Europe not many horses would’ve turned up on that ground. Certainly not Cirrus Des Aigles and Nathaniel.3. British and Irish horses haven’t done that well in the past anyway. French do better, probably because of their warmer climate. Going from cold to hot climate is asking a lot. Our (GB) horses are often "over the top" by November.
4. Why would Europeans want to take part in Dirt races? It gives a massive advantage to Americans so will never be a "World Championship". American trainers knew Europeans could win on polytrack so "peruaded" tracks to go back to Dirt.
5. Why would Europeans want to take part in races on turf around such a tight track that makes luck in running so important… when there are other races to go for where "luck" is not such a big aspect? We’d be laughed at if running a "World Championships" around Chester? Unlucky stories in virtually every turf race. British Champions Day is a far better alternative.
Value Is EverythingI agree to a large extent with Ginger’s comments. Santa Anita is no more a championship racecourse/track than Chester is – in fact, Chester is probably more suited.
Would Wise Dan have troubled Excelebration at Ascot ? I don’t think so.
Maybe a Ryder Cup type format, whereby Europe also hosts the event. No that wouldn’t work, would it – there would be no entries from the USA when it was our turn.
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