Matt Chapman has just stated on Twitter that Sir Henry has told him this morning that BULLET TRAIN has also been retired. No word on whether he has been found a place at stud somewhere.
I can't see why anyone would want Bullet Train. There's a 3yo who's much more interesting. Maybe someone will find a place for him but why should he be any good as a sire. With all the choice one has why should someone pay good money to send their precious mare to him. No doubt he'll now proceed to become champion sire in Argentina.
Stallion fees for 2013 are starting to be announced: Norman Court Stud Sixties Icon will increase from £4,500 to £8,500 Whitsbury Manor Stud Compton Place increase from £6,000 to £6,500 Foxwedge (new) £7,500 Sakhee's Secret remains on £5,500 Showcasing remains on £4,500
Thanks for correcting me, Ron....Dawn Approach has proven to be Champion 2 year old already, and it was most unfortunate that the talented Newfangled is no longer with us as she looked to have tremendous potential.
Name me a top racehorse whose sire wasn't a top stallion? Siring top racehorses is a sign of a top stallion is it not?
Not every top racehorse sires Champion 2 year olds NB....I'm sure you are aware of that. Galileo has proven to be one of the best sires over the past 50 years and has churned out quality horses year in year out.
It will remain to be seen. There have been plenty of stallions who have made an impact with their first crop, only to fade into oblivion - DAGGERS DRAWN, FASLIYEV, etc. Next year will be a crunch year for him. His offspring will need to prove they can train on. Galileo is certainly making an impact as a sire of sires, his 4 sons at stud with runners (Teofilo, Heliostatic, New Approach and Sixties Icon) have all managed to sire Group horses. However you could argue that Sixties Icon has been equally, if not more, impressive than New Approach. From 17 runners he has had 8 winners (47%) and 6 placed horses (New Approach has 9 winners (26%) and 11 placed horses from 34 runners). Bear in mind that he has had limited opportunities (52 mares covered compared to New Approach's 136) and the mares sent to him to date will have not been of the best quality.
Who really cares about two year old careers, great racehorses make their careers in their classic season, New Approach included, I am sure more people would use him as a stallion because of his classic winning record than the fact he was champion two year old. Who was champion two year old a couple of years ago?
Every part of a racehorses career counts as far as their final assessment is concerned...otherwise why even bother running them as 2 year olds. FYI Champion 2 year old in 2010 was Frankel ! Next ! BTW Princess.....New Approach was Champion 2 year old in 2007 and his son Dawn Approach was Champion 2 year old in 2012....now that rarely ever happens !
and the two years in between? Oh yes its F&G and Mastercraftsman, I am sure they will get all their wild oats sown because they were the best two year olds of their generation (rather than Sea The Stars and Workforce who won the three year old prize the year after). Give over about two year olds, it is about what they do in their classic year, you know that, I know that and everybody with a mare knows that. New Approach is getting used because of his classic year, in the same way Frankel will and Sea The Stars too.
Actually,it was Mastercraftsman and St Nicholas Abbey for your information ! It is not just about what they do as 2 year olds...it is what they do with their entire career that's why truly great horses are more respected when they have proved themselves over more than one season...e.g Ribot,Sea Bird II,Sir Ivor,Nijinsky,Brigadier Gerard,Mill Reef,Dancing Brave etc...the list goes on and on and obviously includes Frankel but does not include Sea the Stars who was a one season wonder in a rather moderate year to say the least !
Once a stallion has runners his own race record is pushed way down the list of concerns for a breeder. They want to know if he can produce the goods. If breeders were focussed on the stallion's race record then why were the likes of Dancing Brave and Lammtarra sold overseas after failing to make the mark?
From a breeding point of view I have no argument PN...I am referring to the horses respective career race performances here and it is refreshing that New Approach has sired such a quality horse as Dawn Approach and I am sure you would agree with that.
Hi Pn Sorry if this has been asked before, i havent been on much recently but.. .. do you know when next years fixtures will be out? My birthday is jan 5th and want to know if theres any local meetings on to attend. Sporting Life done have any fixtures on yet. thanks,
