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I see Kauto Star has left Ditchet to try his hand/hooves at dressage. Evidently Paul Nicholls is quite upset, having had a falling out with Clive over it.
Lots of moaners on the RP site making it sound as if it’s just something Clive is doing so Kauto can keep earning money for him. Is it really a bad thing that Kauto is going to do something that will interest him, rather than just be a hack in the stable yard? Other racehorses have gone on to other careers, why shouldn’t Kauto if it will keep him happy in his retirement?
I’m not so sure it’s the fact he’s going on to another career, I think it’s more the cloak and dagger way Clive Smith has gone about it. It seems Nicholls and co have gone pretty much without consideration in deciding Kauto’s next career, which to me does seem in pretty poor taste of Smith considering the obvious rapport the horse has built up with the Ditcheat staff. Shame such an illustrious and fruitful relationship has been tainted in this manner.
This is a sad way for things to end for Kauto Star at Ditcheat. Personally, I think Paul Nicholls and his staff have not handled the affair particularly well. Kauto Star is owned by Clive Smith and he should be allowed to make the decision about where his horse goes. Although not everyone agrees with his new dressage career, at least it is a responsible choice which ensures the horse has the best of care.
Paul Nicholls could cost himself the chance at training Clive Smith’s next purchases by starting a fuss here. Kauto Star, Master Minded and Royal Auclair aren’t around any longer, so you would suspect that the owner will want to open his chequebook soon.
I just get the feeling that Paul might have burnt his bridges when he didn’t really need to. Alright, Kauto’s going to try dressage, but he might not take to it or be good enough at it to compete. What then? If Paul had just said, "Okay it’s your decision Clive, but he’s welcome back here any time", there might be a chance that Kauto could come back to the stable. Now, when Paul’s made his own decision and shoved the horse out of the stable early, I think it’s unlikely Kauto would be returned to his care, even if Clive decides to let him be a hack after all.
I understand that he’s a favourite of the yard and that they’ve cared for him for many years. But ultimately it’s Clive’s decision. As a trainer Paul has done his bit, but that part of Kauto’s life is now over. If Clive doesn’t want to discuss his plans with anyone else then that’s his privilege.
Red Rum stayed with Ginger and Dessies stayed, for part of the year with Elsie, so it seemed natural for Kauto to stay at Ditcheat. Lets face it, I’ve often, in my ignorance, disgreed with how PN was handling Kauto Star, and at what time during the horses life has he been wrong? He’s not champion trainer for nothing; he doesn’t just look after them physically but seems to know what they need to be mentally stimulated as well.
Bit of a shame they have aired their laundry in public. The girl who has Kauto now is a great young rider who is also sympathetic and cares about her horses. She and Yogi will know exactly how to deal with the old boy.
Everybody has a different opinion about what is the best alternative career for a retired ex racehorse and both life at Ditcheat in half training and re-schooling for dressage or jumping have their respective merits.
There is no way Clive sent him away in order to make more money because there is very little chance of the horse striking big prize money in lower level dressage. I am sure he chose this option because he wanted Kauto to continue in a semi competitive environment without the physical strain and pressure of racing.
It is a sad end to a fruitful partnership between an owner and a trainer. Nevertheless I am a little confused as to why they kicked up such a fuss about Kauto but not Denman? The latter seems to have made a seamless and fortuitous transition into a hunter without too much fuss or any animosity. We shall never know the full story.
Paul Nicholls and his staff have not handled the affair particularly well.
A telling insight into how prickly, petulant and difficult Paul Nicholls can be.
It’s exposed the carefully cultivated avuncular, media-friendly and "ever helpful" image he likes to project for the television cameras as the sham it is.
For Nicholls to go public about what should be a private matter and for his staff to be tweeting about how let down and upset they feel about Kauto’s premature departure is unprofessional and has soured what has been seen as a harmonious relationship.
So what if Kauto left a few days or weeks early? Clive Smith is the owner and he ultimately pays the bills.
Why should he have to kowtow to Nicholls, who is starting to give the impression that the power is going to his head and that he is getting a bit too big for his boots?
Paul Nicholls and his staff have not handled the affair particularly well.
A telling insight into how prickly, petulant and difficult Paul Nicholls can be.
It’s exposed the carefully cultivated avuncular, media-friendly and "ever helpful" image he likes to project for the television cameras as the sham it is.
For Nicholls to go public about what should be a private matter and for his staff to be tweeting about how let down and upset they feel about Kauto’s premature departure is unprofessional and has soured what has been seen as a harmonious relationship.
So what if Kauto left a few days or weeks early? Clive Smith is the owner and he ultimately pays the bills.
Why should he have to kowtow to Nicholls, who is starting to give the impression that the power is going to his head and that he is getting a bit too big for his boots?
As for nicholls, I feel the general image of him is that he is a bit arrogant, but you have to have that quality to reach the top of your profession anyway.
I don’t think smith has come across very well. to say that he owns the horse and can do what he likes is true, but he has completely failed to consult nicholls, which seems to have caused the conflict. is a dressage career really what the horse wants? it could cause more stress, when perhaps he just wants an well-deserved rest.
Nicholls does need to be careful he doesn’t just throw a wobbly everytime this happens though. I can see smith cutting any ties with nicholls. what would happen if he did this with all his owners? he wouldn’t have any horses left. sometimes you have to take in on a chin, even if you think the other guy’s a berk.
apparently it was Nicholls decision that Kauto left the yard this afternoon. They decided this at a team meeting this morning.
I can understand both sides. Ultimately it is the owners decision. He pays the bills, and obviously wants the horse to exhibit himself via a new career. Good luck to Kauto.
Nicholls does need to be careful he doesn’t just throw a wobbly everytime this happens though. I can see smith cutting any ties with nicholls. what would happen if he did this with all his owners? he wouldn’t have any horses left. sometimes you have to take in on a chin, even if you think the other guy’s a berk.
It’s not the first time Nicholls has had bad-tempered public spats and harboured a brooding grudge publicly.
He’s had a few public run-ins with one or two other trainers in recent years, one of which got quite unpleasant and was a sign of just how needlessly vindictive and nasty he can be.
He should have maintained a discreet silence over this little disagreement with Smith, instead of allowing it to escalate to the point where it is in danger of overshadowing Kauto’s achievements and threatening to cast a cloud over the Kempton Boxing Day farewells to Kauto.
Nicholls may be very good at his job and an obsessive perfectionist but that’s no excuse for public displays of brusque and abrupt petulance towards an owner, egged on by ridiculous, over-the-top tweets from "heartbroken" and angry stable staff.
apparently it was Nicholls decision that Kauto left the yard this afternoon. They decided this at a team meeting this morning.
Wake up and smell the coffee Kenh. The previous poster’s are absolutely correct, this is very bad taste on PN’s part.
Sky Sports News ran a ticker feed this morning saying Kauto would definitely go to dressage, so PN thought it best to get his worth in first, and declared that he no longer wanted Kauto in his stables. How much of that is true we’ll never know.
But the fact is, Clive Smith is the owner of Kauto and can do whatever he sees fit with the horse. For PN to come out and says he wasn’t consulted in the decision is crazy… how many dressage champions has he managed? If I were looking for a future dressage star, neither would I consult PN!
So a message to PN. The horse isn’t yours to own, get over yourself you arrogant git and accept what the owner decides. How many other reitred horses have you cared for this much? Do they have to win Grade 1 races before you consider retired horses worthy of looking after and falling out with owners worthwhile. Or are you… as I suspect… this arrogant all the time?
Maybe you should concentrate on what you do have at Ditcheat, rather than those you no longer have.
Here’s what Jonathan Sheppard said about why Flatterer is still thriving at 33 years old:
“Dressage really changed his shape, because you know how the top line, the muscle structure – along the back and hindquarters – gets so different with that training they do,” he says. “I think that’s helped him live longer than he might have. I think it was very good for him.”
Another long-lived champion, Chinook Pass, was a dressage horse until the age of 28 and lived to be 31.
So it’s certainly a good idea!
It’s not the first time Nicholls has had bad-tempered public spats and harboured a brooding grudge publicly.
He’s had a few public run-ins with one or two other trainers in recent years, one of which got quite unpleasant and was a sign of just how needlessly vindictive and nasty he can be.
He should have maintained a discreet silence over this little disagreement with Smith, instead of allowing it to escalate to the point where it is in danger of overshadowing Kauto’s achievements and threatening to cast a cloud over the Kempton Boxing Day farewells to Kauto.
Nicholls may be very good at his job and an obsessive perfectionist but that’s no excuse for public displays of brusque and abrupt petulance towards an owner, egged on by ridiculous, over-the-top tweets from "heartbroken" and angry stable staff.
From what I’ve heard, in this case I think Paul Nicholls may be more in the wrong here than Clive Smith. But I doubt whether you know the man well enough to describe him as above CP.
Indeed, it is you who sound "needlessly vindictive and nasty" CP.
Value Is EverythingIt’s not the first time Nicholls has had bad-tempered public spats and harboured a brooding grudge publicly.
He’s had a few public run-ins with one or two other trainers in recent years, one of which got quite unpleasant and was a sign of just how needlessly vindictive and nasty he can be.
He should have maintained a discreet silence over this little disagreement with Smith, instead of allowing it to escalate to the point where it is in danger of overshadowing Kauto’s achievements and threatening to cast a cloud over the Kempton Boxing Day farewells to Kauto.
Nicholls may be very good at his job and an obsessive perfectionist but that’s no excuse for public displays of brusque and abrupt petulance towards an owner, egged on by ridiculous, over-the-top tweets from "heartbroken" and angry stable staff.
From what I’ve heard, in this case I think Paul Nicholls may be more in the wrong here than Clive Smith. But I doubt whether you know the man well enough to describe him as above CP.
Indeed, it is you who sound "needlessly vindictive and nasty" CP.
I feel Crusty Patch has introduced Mr Nail to Mr Head myself.
apparently it was Nicholls decision that Kauto left the yard this afternoon. They decided this at a team meeting this morning.
Wake up and smell the coffee Kenh. The previous poster’s are absolutely correct, this is very bad taste on PN’s part.
What an incedibly stupid comment. I was merely pointing out it was Nicholls who made the decision on Tuesday morning that the horse should leave today rather than after Christmas. I entirely agree that Clive Smith was in the right and was responding to the over the top reaction on twitter etc, that was suggesting it was Smith who decided to remove the horse today.
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