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Kauto on Brink of Retirement

Discussion in 'Horse Racing' started by Ron, Mar 17, 2012.

  1. Ron

    Ron Well-Known Member
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  2. QuarterMoonII

    QuarterMoonII Economist

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    As one of the large number of people that backed Kauto Star yesterday hoping that he would win a third Gold Cup, it would have been no surprise if victory had led to his instant retirement. Naturally it was very disappointing that Ruby had to pull him up less than halfway into the race, but as Paul Nicholls said, an experienced jockey knows when something is amiss and took the decision with the horse’s welfare in mind.

    If Clive Smith does decide that his racing days are over, he owes us nothing after years of thrilling entertainment and the two-and-a-half million in prize money means he doesn’t owe the owner, trainer or jockeys anything either.

    If he does stay in training, it will surely be with only one objective in mind: a sixth King George and then retirement just before he gets to turn thirteen.
     
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  3. GGW

    GGW Well-Known Member

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    He's won 2 grade ones in three starts this season and clearly wasn't right yesterday. What's more, on a line through Long Run and considering The Giant Bolster ran 2nd yesterday, he would have had every chance yesterday if fit. As said, he owes us nothing but this is a special, special horse and I hope they don't do anything hasty. If the horse is still enjoying himself then let him keep going I say. A 13yo Kauto will still be better than most and that really sums up how good he is. That said, if he isn't going to win anything then I would retire him now - I think that there's going to be some very good 3 mile chasers next year, eg First Lieutenant, Bob's Worth, Sir Des Champs, Weapons Amnesty, Last Instalment, Grand Crus, Invictus ect so now might be the time to call time on a wonderful career. I just hope this decision is fully thought through but I trust Nicholls, Smith, Walsh et al to make the correct decision.
     
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  4. Ron

    Ron Well-Known Member
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    I'm not so sure about Nicholls. He admits to mistakes he has made (although it's always "we") when his horses lose and he was adamant that Kauto was 100% this time. He even admitted to over training KS once. I think NH showed how to train a horse to the day. I wonder if he had Kauto's back checked on the morning of the GC (Red Rum always had his checked on the day of the GN - I know because the same lady used to do our horses)

    I wouldn't be surprised if we are just beginning to see the start of the decline of PN. If I had a horse to go into training PN would not be my first choice.
     
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  5. Cyclonic

    Cyclonic Well Hung Member

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    I have trouble believing that the horse is finished. To see him lose so much ground so quickly and so early, then have to be pulled out of the race, for me, suggests that something must have been amiss. Kauto Star is not good enough to go half a race?
     
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  6. Janabelle13

    Janabelle13 Well-Known Member

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    A bad fall takes a lot out of a horse and some can take ages to get over it.

    I really hope that they retire KS. Imagine the outcry if he was not retired, was prepped for a crack at the King George and then has a mortal injury. All hell would break loose and the anti-racing mob would have a field day. I've said it before the horse has nothing to prove and owes no one anything. His trainer and owner owe him a decent and long retirement.
     
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  7. Ron

    Ron Well-Known Member
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    PN is beginning to really get on my nerves lately. He said Kauto would hate retirement, being put out in a field in the cold and wet. Is that really what he thinks a well earned retirement is, the bastard.
     
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  8. Janabelle13

    Janabelle13 Well-Known Member

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    Maybe PN should go and do a bit research. I understand that there is an ex-racehorse that is in the running for the GB Olympic team (think it was eventing). Then there was another one that got the part of Joey in Warhorse.
     
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  9. GDC

    GDC Active Member

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    Ron: I think you missed the jist of what Mr Nicholls and Simon Holt were saying. He was merely saying most horses enjoy the life whilst racing and would sooner have that than get 'bored' in a field.

    There is no way anyone can say Mr Nicholls and his staff do not put the horses first, that is easy to see!

    Also, i am shocked at the 'in decline' comments, one bad festival (only winning CH and Stayers LOL) does not mean he is declining IMO. They have had problems in the yard with coughing totally at the worst time possible and they will bounce back again come Aintree and Punchestown!

    As I said on another thread racing is all about opinion and that's mine :)
     
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  10. NassauBoard

    NassauBoard Well-Known Member

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    Gaz, my worry with Nicholls is that he doesn't seem to have many novices coming through that have the talent of the crop they are replacing. Henderson has some very promising novices, as do the Irish and then we have a smattering of quality novices throughout the North. I certainly wouldn't be surprised to see Henderson dominating him in the Trainers list for a good few years with his young stars.
     
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  11. GDC

    GDC Active Member

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    Nass: Agree with that comment although Rock on Ruby, Pearl Swan and Zarkandar will keep the flag flying, i'd give him Aintree and Punchestown to bring some more out :)
     
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  12. Ron

    Ron Well-Known Member
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    As you say GDC, it's all about opinions. If it came to putting money down though I wouldn't back PN to be champion trainer next year. Hence my comment "beginning to see the start of the decline of PN". I have been known to be wrong.
     
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  13. OddDog

    OddDog Mild mannered janitor
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    Tough times for Clive Smith - looks like Kauto Star and Master Minded, 2 of the greatest chasers of recent years, are both bound for retirement. Must be pretty hard for him to come to terms with, having had 2 such wonderful horses running in his colours and now neither likely to see the race track again. I guess he'll be out scouring for new talent though <ok>
     
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  14. King Shergar

    King Shergar Well-Known Member

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    Henderson has a much stronger group of horse's than Nicholls, there is no doubt about that. The only reason Nicholls is still holding his own in the Trainers title, is thanks to Kauto Star's 2 big wins earlier in the season. now he's retired I think Henderson is a shoo in for the trainers title next season:biggrin:
     
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  15. King Shergar

    King Shergar Well-Known Member

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    As far as KS is concerned I believe he has to be retired, he has been on the go since he was 4. I know connections tried to claim he was hurt on Friday, but I believe he has just become un genuine. I think that was his way of telling everyone he's had enough. Remember Punchestown last year, he did the same thing there. He doesn't want to race anymore. Which is completely understandable considering the long career he's had:biggrin:
     
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  16. SaveTheHumans

    SaveTheHumans Well-Known Member

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    It would be great to see him win one more race for sure, but also it would be nice to know he has retired safe and hopefully will see out his years well looked after. I doubt anyone could deny the legend that is Kauto Star that.
     
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  17. Petito

    Petito Member

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    it was a mixture of sadness and relief that kauto was out of the race after seeing him backtrack past midfield. i never like to see great horses in trouble and i'm especially fond of kauto as a lot of people are. well done to ruby for noticing something had physically changed after the water jump.

    king shergar i'm inclined to agree that kauto himself also says 'enough'. he has his own mind and in the betfair it seemed to me it didn't matter what ruby did on top, kauto did what he knew almost despite the vigorous actions of his jockey, and only when he jumped the last very bigly did i think he was trying to do what was asked. at kempton kauto knows exactly what he's doing so it could be that he's got wise, as he is, and in the gold cup he decided he wasn't up for it, pulled muscle or not.

    if he's in danger of being bored not racing as paul nicholls said, if he needs a race next year can they not have a rest and put him in a veteran's chase sometime? i'm not sure if that's a daft idea, is he too highly classed? veteran chases are great to watch, because the entries are all so familiar and although it does matter who wins, it also matters that they're all running and we can enjoy the race whatever happens remebering all the achievements of all the runners.

    on the point paul nicholls made about not retiring kauto star to a muddy field in the rain, i think it was just an unfortunate image. i saw the interview and thought it was a bit of a clumsy way to say it when what he meant to say was kauto being a superb racehorse shouldn't end up static before his time.

    when i was growing up it was dessie, and i've been spoilt again with denman, master minded and kauto star in recent years. i'm also looking forward to the next era. but i think the last call goes to kauto what he wants to do. he deserves a statue at kempton for sure already, whatever he does.
     
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  18. Grizzly

    Grizzly Active Member

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    I'm surprised by this.
    Only 3 months ago we were hailing the King after winning a thrilling King George, a fall on the gallops and subsequent poor run in the Gold Cup (and Kauto wasn't the only poor Nichols run last week), I expect Nicholls horses to bounce back at Aintree and if Kauto shows signs of form I'd run him up there....
     
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  19. King Shergar

    King Shergar Well-Known Member

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    So your putting KSs bad show at Cheltenham down to stable form. It was far to early in the race for KS to be tired, or not on form. He was clearly being un genuine, remember Lough Derg at Ascot a few months back, he was being pushed along after a furlong, and that's not through lack of ability, that's through not wanting to race anymore.

    KS did the same at Punchestown last year, and maybe with a long summer break Nicholls managed to reignite some of his old sparkle, but it's unfair to ask KS to do it again. He deserves his retirement :biggrin:
     
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  20. Grizzly

    Grizzly Active Member

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    Not sure how you deduced that from my comment.
    It's fairly clear that the fall KS suffered on the gallops was serious, he may have shown improvement and been able to canter without pain and maybe pop a couple of obstacles at home but the rigours of championship racing can only be tested in championship conditions, and clearly after 4 fences Ruby felt KS in difficulty and pulled him up.
    My referenced to Nicholls was that the yard had suffered coughing and many of his horses ran well under-par, I expect better performances from the yard at Aintree.
    Thankfully now Nicholls has said that Clive Smiths comments were premature and a decision would be made in the Summer.
     
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