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The international rating were published today in the Racing Post and it was intresting to see that the 2000 Derby winner Sindaar is rated 3Lbs higher than the 2001 Deby winner Galileo. I pretty much agree with this as judged on Sakhee’s season. It’s a topic that cannot ever be confirmed but I feel the 2000 flat season was one of the greatest I have ever witnessed with some truely top class horses coming from it whereas as 2001 was not quite as good.
Sinndar for me every time – unfortunately for him he was retired prematurely (understandable given that all the Aga Khan’s 3 previous Derby winners had been retired at 3) and he also suffered because he didn’t have a flashy turn of foot like a Galileo or Lammtarra.
What he did do was gallop rivals relentlessly into the ground and, whilst we can question the relative merits of all Derby winners, on a line through Hightori he was clearly the superior of Galileo. I was at the Arc when he won and he left a lasting impression on me that afternoon – not something that happens too often I must be honest. It is a shame he was not allowed to race at 4 given the improvement of the likes of Daylami and Kalanisi, also stoutly bred Aga Khan horses, as they got older but such is the way of the world.
Galileo was a good horse undoubtedly, but one who may have been better served by being in a yard not so obsessed with stud potential. Would any other trainer in the country have dropped a blatant mile and a half horse back to 10 furlongs, let alone race him on dirt – initial thoughts are that they wouldn’t but does anyone else have any opinions?
agreed but lammtarra had a flashy turn of foot. I missed that one. I think there is a danger now of galileo being underrated. I prefer it that way in any case.
Smithy -would any other trainer have taken Johannesburg to the Breeders Cup after the campaign that he had.
Luke – Point taken about Jo’burg but at least he had a pedigree to suggest he would act on dirt. Am I right in thinking that Sadler’s Wells has yet to sire a decent winner on dirt. I am not questioning the abilities of Aidan O’Brien but he doesn’t pull the strings at Ballydoyle does he? IMHO the Arc would have been a more suitable target, particularly as he had already proved beatable at 10f, and had he won that then he could have gone to the BC a la Sakhee.
Maybe, despite my tender years, I am just a traditionalist and like to see horses follow the well worn path of Derby, Irish Derby, King George and Arc – but then I’m not a huge-scale commercial breeder am I.
Smithy, shouldn’t that be Derby, Irish Derby, King George and St Leger?  Surely that is a better test of the traditional thoroughbred over an extended range of distances?<br>:)
Suny Bay-I was a big fan of Arzi but I have to say Johannesburg was campaigned more aggressively then him.From Royal Ascot to Belmont taking in how many Group 1s in between.
True Sal. I’ve never rated the St Leger but i’ve only been interested in racing for a while – I understand that it was once a top class race with brilliant horses taking part – Nijinsky for example.
Now though the St Leger doesn’t seem much of an event – seems sad considering the obvious tradition there is there.
…coming back as a four year old to contest the Ascot Gold Cup..
The St Leger still is a top class race, Rob. Look back over the last ten years winners. Mutafaweq won three more Group 1’s, Shantou won two more, Classic Cliche won the Ascot Gold Cup, Silver Patriarch won the Coronation Cup, Millenary’s won the Jockey Stakes, Nedawi & User friendly were second in the KG & QE II and the Arc respectively.
And I see no reason why the 2001 winner, Milan shouldn’t be able to follow up again in the highest company, as a four year old.
Millenary was also beaten by Mr Combustible (a pretty average 3yo). The St Leger this year was not good – it was very poor. The winner is decent but the second is no way group one class, the third isn’t either.
Those others you mentioned, yes they do show the St Leger still has some class. Maybe its just that people don’t hold it in the same regard as 5/10/20/30 years ago? That’s the impression i got over the last couple of years.
I would LOVE a horse that won the 2000 Guineas, Derby, Eclipse, St Leger and Ascot Gold Cup. Now that would have to be known as one special horse.
but did Arazi win in Ireland,England and France then America.Johanessburgs race in America has already had impressive winners from the race.It is probably unfair comparing to exceptional two years and lets hope Johanessburg continues to develop unlike Arazi
Sure Aidan,
Sindaar, Giant’s Causway, Monjeur, Kalanisi made it a sheer top class season, there were others than contributed but these 4 really made the season for me!
I aint going to argue with that list Daylight truely exceptional horses!!But I would not be ashamed to rank the likes of Sakhee,Galileo,Fantastic Light,Banks Hill(who people are forgetting about God knows what she’ll do next year if we get good ground at Royal Ascot) and Johanesburg.Any of these would match any horse you named in that list barring of course Montjeu,the best horse I have ever seen.
Johannesburg has done all he can in winning every race he’s been in.
That Breeders’ Cup Juvenile was suspect though. The early pace was crazy with three going mental and it was set up for any of the rest – Kinane rode a very good race and Johannesburg was the best in coming through and quickening well.
He’s a good horse and he’s improving but i rate his form as a little suspect.
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