- This topic has 83 replies, 15 voices, and was last updated 18 years, 1 month ago by
.
- Posts
Mergedylan
I don’t think I have <i>ever </i>seen a horse contest a Group 1 race in a worse state than Dylan Thomas this morning.Admittedly I only saw the horse via the ATR pictures, but the track commentators quite rightly commented that “If you didn’t know, you would think Dylan Thomas was a mare in foal” as he was walking around the paddock.
I can see why Coolmore chanced their arm in the Breeders Cup, but after that sorry display, surely there could be no justification for sending him to Hong Kong?
What a disgraceful way to treat a horse who has given them so much this season.
Was just reading something along the same lines.
They stated that he was far overweight than they would have hoped, but there is nothing they could do with the quarantine in Japan.
Not a great way to finish a great career really.
Agree, what I know about a horses physical condition could be written on the back of a postage stamp but he looked grossly overweight. Seemed pretty pointless running him in such condition.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien explained the problems he had with Dylan Thomas. He said: “To be fair to Dylan Thomas for him to turn up at all was a big if.
“He got caught in quarantine in Japan for a long time and he looked a horse ready to go into training than go out of training. Being realistic and honest, he was way overweight.
“We couldn’t do anything about it, we put as much work into him as we could and the lads did a good job keeping him sound and right. We were delighted to be invited here.
“It’s important that he’s safe. It didn’t really matter the race we’ve had.”
I’d love to know who was really at the back of his abortive trips to the US, Japan and Hong Kong- I suspect the holy trinity of Magnier, Tabor and Smith pulled rank over AP and that they should be ashamed of themselves causing such a poor end to a great horse’s career.
I don’t think I have ever seen a horse contest a Group 1 race in a worse state than Dylan Thomas this morning.
Admittedly I only saw the horse via the ATR pictures, but the track commentators quite rightly commented that “If you didn’t know, you would think Dylan Thomas was a mare in foal” as he was walking around the paddock.
I can see why Coolmore chanced their arm in the Breeders Cup, but after that sorry display, surely there could be no justification for sending him to Hong Kong?
What a disgraceful way to treat a horse who has given them so much this season.
Nowt wrong with going to Japan or Hong Kong after Breeders imo TDK, however, running a horse that is nowhere near fit enough to do itself justice is just not cricket, but don’t that happen over here too???
As I said in the original post Charlie, I have never seen a horse contest a group 1 that looked as fat as Dylan did today, so no, I don’t think we see things like this "over here"
There is of course nothing wrong with running in Japan or HK, but I don’t think it is a sensible route for a horse like Dylan Thomas who has a) had plenty of hard races this season and b) has absolutely nothing to prove in this kind of company anyway (he was by far the best horse in the line up on paper)
If you mean our local horses, yes, sure they might turn out short of a gallop, but not to the extent you would think the horse was in foal. No if it’s a big race.
Why was he quarantined so long and who was to blame is what I would be asking.
Can’t expect the locals to take the blame if they never had their papers in order.
Anyone know what caused the hold up and how long he was there for?
As I said in the original post Charlie, I have never seen a horse contest a group 1 that looked as fat as Dylan did today, so no, I don’t think we see things like this "over here"
Fair comment TDK, it was just a general question
Although there is probably a difference in fitness level between say a horse that looks in foal and one that is say 60/70/80 % fit. I personally don’t see much difference
Anyway, thats my take and others will no doubt see it different
The whole end to his career was a shambles. After such a long season, it reeked of just chancing their arm wherever and regardless of suitability (what course and condictions could have been worse than Monmouth? you couldnt make it up…).
A nice break after the arc and and well organised tilt at one of the asian prizes would have been perfect
There’s absolutely no reason why he shouldn’t have been aimed at the Breeders Cup after the Arc. Once he was there, I suspect that the prevailing feeling was "well he’s here, we might as well run him". If they’d pulled him, we all know they’d face criticism and claims that they were only interested in protecting his stud value.
In Hong Kong, I suspect there might have been the added factor that they may have felt indebted to the HKJC, who got them out of a bit of a hole after the positive EVA test in Japan (which absolutely was a shambles) by quickly extending an invitation to the race, and had made a big deal of him as the highest-rated horse who’d ever run in the country.
There is of course nothing wrong with running in Japan or HK, but I don’t think it is a sensible route for a horse like Dylan Thomas who has a) had plenty of hard races this season and b) has absolutely nothing to prove in this kind of company anyway (he was by far the best horse in the line up on paper)
I think it would be a shame, and a blow for the sport on the international stage, if that general kind of thinking continued to prevail.
Nonsense.
The criticism isnt for running him in the races, it is for running him in these races after the extremely tough campaign he has had this season – and in the latest case running him when he was grossly unfit.
If that is the way you think Coolmore should handle their Champions, then we will have to agree to differ.
Scorpion similar route – failure
Ouija board similar route – successful
For some horses and connections it’s works out fine, some it don’t and if your not in it, you ain’t got any chance
Better to have crack, than be thinking about what could have been imo
Nonsense.
I’m sorry, which bit is nonsense?
The criticism isnt for running him in the races, it is for running him in these races after the extremely tough campaign he has had this season – and in the latest case running him when he was grossly unfit.
Yes, I read your original post.
If that is the way you think Coolmore should handle their Champions, then we will have to agree to differ.
Don’t put words in my mouth.
Now, please feel free to discuss the issue like a grown-up.
Charlie – Ouija Board never had a campaign that involved the Royal Ascot, King George, Juddmonte, Irish Champion, Arc, Breeders Cup and Hong Kong when 30% fit. It was a thoroughly ridiculous way to campaign the horse.
Gareth – these bits were nonsense
There’s absolutely no reason why he shouldn’t have been aimed at the Breeders Cup after the Arc. and I think it would be a shame, and a blow for the sport on the international stage, if that general kind of thinking continued to prevail..
Gareth – these bits were nonsense
Rather than discuss why, you’re just happy to shout "Nonsense!"?
There’s absolutely no reason why he shouldn’t have been aimed at the Breeders Cup after the Arc.
It’s nonsense to suggest that the best 12f horse in the world should be aimed at one of the biggest 12f races in the world? Really?
and I think it would be a shame, and a blow for the sport on the international stage, if that general kind of thinking continued to prevail..
Note the use of the word "general". I’m not referring just to this specific case, but the general idea that horses with "nothing to prove" and who have had "a hard season" should be put away after the Arc whilst the big international races are left to merely the best of the rest.
Presumably you’d have been working out Falbrav’s stud fee after the QEII …
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.