Being 13 isn't in itself prohibitive when it comes to racing, There are several cases of horses still winning even beyond the age of 13. I would liken it in some ways to a car. It depends how many miles are on the clock, how well they have been looked after and whether or not they were run in considerately. But don't take me too literally on that. Obviously age does creep up and degenerative arthritis might be starting to creep in. The main problem I suppose is that the horse may have the mentality to want to race and it may well have the ability but, as with humans, the after effects of the exertion and the recovery rate are not as they used to be (as I discovered in a boxing match on XBox)
I just cringe because we know what a dangerous sport it is. This horse owes nobody an ounce. Along with Denman, one of the greatest two chasers of his generation, he has surpassed everything he could have. We talk about him having a pop at a 6th King George like it is water off a ducks back. 6 years ago people would have said you were a lunatic to even suggest such a thing. He has broken the bounds of normality with his brilliance but it is absolutely crucial that Paul and Clive know when the time is right. It would be a travesty beyond forgiveness if we allow KAuto to end up like Best Mate. He is brilliant, beautiful, an absolute joy. And that is how he sould be remembered, and that is why they need to think long and hard about seeing a racecourse again. I wonder if Nicholls would still be talking about racing if he had 2 or 3 new superstars on his hands?
My ideal solution. Kauto goes to Kempton and is paraded for the KG he then gallops down in front of the stands taking the final fence and says a long good bye to rapturous applause.
I get what you're saying Toppy but 8 months ago the horse was considered to be the best staying chaser in training, he still loves his racing and still retain ability. I'm not convinced alot will have changed for a few months in a field so if he;s showing his old enthusiasm then why not let him race again ? He is still box office.....
It would be a gargantuan effort to win the King George this year ............... not only because of his age and because it will be his sixth, but also because of the likely opposition. Last year he beat Long Run (who ran at least a stone below his best all season) and second tier chasers in Captain Chris, Somersby and Nacarat (and I know those 3 are all Grade 1 winners before someone points it out, but they are hardly models of consistency). But I have a feeling that this year's second-season chasers could turn out to be a vintage lot with the likes of Sir Des Champs, Bobs Worth, Grands Crus (at least over 3m at Kempton), Last Instalment plus the rejuvenated Henderson duo of Riverside Theatre and Finian's Rainbow and others who we maybe don't yet have on the radar screen. Be some ask to beat that lot aged 13.
Oddy - would a terrific run in defeat at Kempton say finishing 4 lengths 3rd be sufficiently poor for the horse to be retired ? Fans want to protect the horse naturally, none of us want to see anything happen to the great servant and of course he has shown a tendancy over the years to put in the odd horror mistake, but as Nicholls has pointed out racehorses are treated like royalty, the horse could easily take a tumble in his first 5 minutes in a field and suffer fatal injuries. If the horse retains his enthusiasm for the game then let him carry on, even if his last 2/3 races are valiant defeats....
Fully agree Grizzly, I'm not one of the "retire him" brigade. Could be one of the greatest King Georges ever if they all lineup. I should add Flemenstar to my list. Serious, serious horse. Just been watching replays of his novice victories, christ can he jump a fence.
Sir Des Champs v Bobs Worth over 26f at Cheltenham has the makings of a terrific match, and I agree this lot could be vintage but they strike me more as staying chasers than 3m Kempton horses (Grand Crus aside maybe).
