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In light of the small fields in the last few years and now this years pathetic turn out surely there has to be a re-think re- the Derby.
The amount of prize money is disproportionate to the competitive or lack of competitive nature of the race nowadays.
I reckon opening it up to geldings and having initial entries a few months rather than years before would help ,something has to be done as its no longer a spectacle more a damp squib.Used to be a race to look forward to ,what a shame.
I’m sure
Eclipse First
wouldn’t mind me quoting his / her post in reply –
"Frederico Tesio held that the timing of the Derby was sacrosanct. It allows us to compare different generations in terms of their maturity to be able to cope with the sternest test of a horse’s confirmation and ability over 12 furlongs. Hence, all Derby winners are given a chance at stud because they have proved themselves to be both precocious and possessed of stamina. He observed that 3 generations is the longest continuous line of sires. This helps to ensure that the breed does not become too one-dimensional.
These are;
Spearmint-Spion Kop-Felstead
Mill Reef-Shirley Heights-Slip AnchorIf trainers do not aim their best middle distance 3yo horses at the Derby, it can only be down to laziness on their part."
Which 3 year old gelding would enhance this years field Honeysdad?
Granted last year (though Pour Moi could have enhanced it but for injury) and (on paper at least) this year’s race don’t look that good. But what about the previous few. Workforce went on to win the Arc. Sea The Stars went on to be one of the best horses we’ve seen. New Approach was a good Derby winner.
What else should we do? Make it a handicap?
Value Is EverythingMy only thought is that 4 out of the 5 classics come within the opening 8 weeks of the season. Taking into account EF’s comment but would it be so bad if the Derby was a month or two later? There are a couple this year for whom the race has just come too early.
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
My only thought is that 4 out of the 5 classics come within the opening 8 weeks of the season. Taking into account EF’s comment but would it be so bad if the Derby was a month or two later? There are a couple this year for whom the race has just come too early.
No Joni,
We need good racing this time of year. First months of the (proper) season is all about the 3 year olds. If we didn’t have the Derby/Oaks trials what would we have? Admittedly for some strange reason connections have ignored Guineas trials but that’s up to them. If Classics were later in the season they’d be swamped by other good racing… And the whole point is for the Classic generation to meet their elders in July onwards. Unless you want 3 year olds never to run against the 4 years old plus brigade. Then you might be able to have a build up to the Classics later in the season. But again, this time of year would be bereft of top quality racing… And I suspect 3 year olds would have an even lighter campaign.
Value Is EverythingI just think a race of this stature should be attracting 16 plus runners every year i’m looking at it as a racing fan ,no doubt those on here that are really only interested in the punting side would prefer it if there was only five or six runners.
Obviously it would involve a bit of tinkering with the programme Ginge (maybe bring RA forward a bit) but it’s just a bit if idle chit chat on a boring afternoon of racing. We all know there is no chance of anything changing.
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
Not at all, as stated on another thread, I think there is a degree of laziness on the part of some trainers. However I do agree that the numerical turnout is rather poor this year. It seems as though trainers are no longer prepared to try their horses going uphill, downhill and around a bend. The very wet April/early May could be part of the reason this year but it does render any complaints about poor prize money as insulting to the public.
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