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He ran once in America at Del Mar, finishing 8th of 10 in a listed race.  He was trained for that run by Neil Drysdale, and the owner is listed as being Lynda Ramsden (Mrs J.R. Ramsden = J.R. Racing?).  There is no official history of him being sold by auction in the U.S. after that run.
Maybe rerun should contact Mr Drysdale.
Just moving this back up to the top – the RP vote closes next week.  Any more votes/comments?
I’m pretty much with the ‘ain’t broke don’t fix it’ crowd.  However, I can see some logic in Cheltenham’s decision, after a point that Knavesmire made.  For years now the Festival has been a sellout, and crowd capacity has been restricted – demand has outstripped supply if you like.  Maybe having an extra day will let some people who have missed out in the past attend and – although I’m sure that this is very naive – it may encourage Cheltenham to bring some prices down?  <br>Having said that, I still don’t like the idea very much.
:wave:
Hi Sacha – short and interesting comments from the inimitable M&S.
Foxwood Polo – ch.m. Glacial Storm (USA) ex Deep Creek (by Deep Run), pulled up, pulled up (in Open Maidens).  Half sister to Wishy Washy (IRE).  Wishy washy herself to date.
Not to answer for Venusian, but a problem for breeders will be that ROG is inbred fairly closely to Northern Dancer (3×3). That would put off quite a few mares by Sadler’s Wells, Nijinsky, Nureyev, Fairy King, Unfuwain, Night Shift, Storm Bird, Danzig (obviously), The Minstrel, etc.
Having said that, his dam line has already produced a good sire in Riverman, who also descended from the Nearco line, and maybe if his mares are restricted he might get quality over quantity.  Well, we can hope.
Not wishing to libel anyone – but anyone watching the programme has to remember that Mr Buffham broke his confidentiality agreement to give exclusive information to Panorama, and as such their portrayal of him might be more favourable than he deserves.
I agree that the racing industry can be guilty of ‘old-boy-syndrome’ and of complacency, but I’m getting really sicked off with the BBC’s sensationalist approach – and that they seem to be taking the programme as an astonishing relevation of gospel truth, with all their channels banging on about the ‘deep-seated corruption in racing’.
My favourite write-up in the point-to-point bible, Mackenzie & Selby is on a horse from about 15 years ago….
"stuck firmly in rear of maiden but came with a powerful late thrust and could prove a useful tool"
The horse’s name?  Biganard.
:laugh:<br>
Echo those sentiments Jam (erm, except perhaps Hawk Wing) :biggrin: ÂÂÂ
Also as a long standing member of the Golan fan club, should mention that although he was 3rd in a decent (Irish) Derby, he was also 2nd in a decent Epsom Derby… :)
I think the main target for him must be the Arc – as long as the ground is better than last years.
Fantastic win by Golan – all credit to Stoute for a great bit of training, and to the horse for proving his doubters wrong.  Terrific finish and a very good race by Nayef in second.  Both Nayef and Golan looked better in the pre-parade than I have ever seen them before, while Grandera was bucking and leaping about – not the best way of conserving his stamina for an extra furlong.
I can’t wait to watch the replay.
:bounce:  < me after the race! :biggrin:
Exactly Aidan – long distance athletes rarely train over their full racing distance, particularly at full racing pace – and not close to the big race date.
Additionally (poss not a prob for AOB!), they need to simulate race conditions to make the trial worthwhile – as horses can often find more in the adrenalin of a competitive finish that they would in a standard gallop.  And to find out that your horse stays 12f against his stable companions might not mean he can stay better than his real race opponents.
Overall, the risk would probably not be worth the gain.
:wave: <br>
Esc :wave:
I think Smithy and DM are adequately covering the Coronation Cup debate… so just going back to an earlier point about great horses winning over a variety of trips…..
never won outside Group 3 company at less than 12 furlongs….hardly the sign of a great horse
As Shergar, Ribot and Lammtarra only won their Group 1s over 12f, does this mean they don’t classify as great horses either?<br>:biggrin:<br>You might want a bit more flexibility in that theory….
<br>(Dayjur :kiss: is on my list of all-time greats, along with Vintage Crop).
Oh please Esc, don’t let distain for middle distance horses colour your judgement – agreed that champions usually prove themselves over a range of distances, but it is possible to have a great 12 furlong horse that hasn’t won Gr1s over shorter distances.  Is a champion sprinter not a champion unless he’s won over a mile and a half? Don’t make me laugh.
I agree with your point of overrating unproven horses, and also that some pattern races can be undeserving of their status – the sprint races in recent years have been especially poor.
But you seem to be creating this big gap that the pattern cannot fill – only champions are allowed to run in Group 1 races.  You’re wrong – champions impressively win or are even placed in, the Group 1 races – that’s what makes them champions. Group 1 horses run in the Gr1 races with a chance of winning, maybe filling the places, maybe in the absence of a champion they win themselves. They are still proving themselves the best of their generation in their category, which is what the Gr1 status is for. Boreal has proved himself a Gr1 horse.
There will always be Gr2 horses on the cusp of Gr1 status – should they not be allowed to run?  Horses do improve you know.<br>
As a scottish football fan, I thought you would have found dominence by two rivals to be reassuringly familiar…. :biggrin:
No offence mate.
Amongst all this slagging of the Ballydoyle/Godolphin domination (ok, I agree, much nicer to see the little guys win more often) just stop and think for a sec.
Take out the O’Brien and Godolphin horses from the Derby and we would currently be praising our new Derby winner Jelani.  Sure, would be a great result for small owner/breeders (v. nice people apparantly) – but I think I would rather see two potentially very good horses in HC and HW fighting it out, no matter who they were owned by.
Coolmore and Godolphin have made the biggest investments in British and Irish racing – and they get their rewards for it.  I dislike their more questionable policies too (retiring early, hoovering up promising types with fat cheques), but I think British and Irish racing would struggle to claim ‘best racing in the world’ status without them.
At least this year there has been more competition between the two major players.  And well done to the Niarchos family, Gerald Leigh and Khalid Abdulla for their three classic victories so far this year – proving that the supposed monopoly on good horses can be exaggerated.
:wave:
Know the feeling Zoz, I couldn’t remember the name of the 1000 Guineas winner the other day – onset of early senility I think!
Sacho is the OSS foal.  Sirinndi is the Sinndar half brother – running this season in point-to-points….
Steve M – I agree. My pet hate is the over-use of the new season sires – regardless of the dam’s breeding – done with both eyes squarely on the yearling sales.  Ditto with fashionable sires – many decent racemares are automatically sent to the most expensive and fashionable mates (oh she’s good enough to visit Sadler’s Wells) without any due consideration for the bloodlines involved.  This is particularly ironic with broodmares who have produced a couple of exceptional foals with "lesser" sires, are promptly sent to SW/Danehill/Danzig/flavour-of-the-month and then never produce another winner.  Evidence of the learning plateau….
:angry:
The fourth placed in that race yesterday will probably come under this category too – Grain of Gold by Mr P ex Pure Grain.
Bosra, I think you’re being a bit harsh on poor old Savoire Vivre – he showed alot of promise on his first two starts before breaking down. He’s now started as a stallion at Armidale Stud in Australia.
:wave:
