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Saxon Warrior has been retired due to injury. The same applies with Alpha Centauri who was reported as medically abnormal after her defeat behind Laurens.
The filly is a big loss but for me Saxon Warrior never looked like the horse who won the Guineas thereafter.
Disappointing that these two are gone in a season lacking real stars in the 3YO ranks other than Roaring Lion, who has thrived after an awful start to the season.
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
The race was ran in the style for a slow time steve, they tried to slow it down for a guineas style sprint at the end which nearly paid off, thats why the clock and roaring lions performance is not as good as the stats say, its worth more than face value.
Exactly ham,
Team tactics, going off as if they would go a fast pace (getting Oisin to hold Roaring Lion up) then slowing it right down with the Ballydoyle triumverate going line abreast… Oisin could either make a move four wide (not the thing to do at Leopardstown) or imo did the right thing staying where he was and allowing Saxon Warrior first run (not Murphy’s fault). Not surprised something like that happened, although there is a question whether those team tactics are within the rules of racing? Roaring Lion quite a bit better than distances suggest and am glad he won despite backing the second. Those who raced prominently (Saxon Warrior and Deauville) flattered. Even so Saxon Warrior probably put up a career best.Sad we’ll never see Saxon Warrior racing again, the horse did not deserve that. No doubt he’ll have some fun in the shed.
Value Is EverythingSaxon Warrior improved only 1 lb on offical ratings this season, from his Racing Post Trophy rating last season. He was the bookies pal after his Guineas win.
I had him at 20/1 and 16/1 in the Guineas but after the Derby run I never backed him again. They never got the chance to finally try him at a mile again, something that must have been worth trying surely?
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
O’Brien said he regrets not keeping SW to a mile and blames himself although I’m surprised he said that as he also said the lads wanted him to run here and there and everywhere.
Blackbeard to conquer the World
There is of course a possibility that at his best Saxon Warrior would’ve done better at a mile. Or (although they will never admit it) may have done better with give in the ground. That said, the reason for a poor York performance in all probability a virus. Didn’t travel like a miler that day and below previous and subsequent mile and a quarter form. So whatever distance he ran over in August would’ve been the same result… And only got beat in photographs at Sandown and Leopardstown – beaten by a better racehorse in Roaring Lion – so didn’t do too badly at 1m2f. Also, got to remember Coolmore want people to believe the horse would’ve done better than he actually achieved; because that helps Saxon Warrior’s stud career. I wonder if AOB said about Saxon Warrior “Listen, this horse showed so much speed”.
Value Is EverythingAlpha Centauri and Saxon Warrior: I wonder if it is a coincidence that it was two of the biggest framed forward horses (they were huge even as 2yos) that broke down on good to firm ground?
GAG, interestingly, Lyons said it was the firmest its been all year, hence his NRs yesterday.
Twitter: Jackh1092
Hindsight is 20/20 so make the most of it!That’s an interesting point, GAG. Size of frame may well have had something to do with injuries.
Value Is EverythingFantastic performance from Roaring Lion- it was purely down to his talent that he was able to still win with the Coolmore tactics.
Turning up on Champion’s Day will be down to the ground, but is there any chance he could be dropped to a mile to allow for Gosden to run Cracksman in the Champion Stakes?
In all likelihood it’s an unlikely shout, but he’d win it no probs i think + Gosden would still have a fair chance in the CS.
Twitter: Jackh1092
Hindsight is 20/20 so make the most of it!
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