At least with our equine friends it is a natural instinct not an urge fuelled by Guiness, whisky etal. Jesus, what a puritan hypocrite I have become; Scottish Calvinism to blame I suppose!!!
Ribot and Alleged both won Arcs at 3 and 4 so exceptional colts can be kept in training beyond 3. Youmzain was Arc runner up 3 years running. I think it would be great if they continued racing at least up to the end of their 4yo careers. After all, at 3 they are still babies. The early maturers have a massive advantage over late developers. So when they are packed away at 3 who's to know whether they would have been top of the tree at 4?
Have to agree there, good colts should be kept in training until 4 or 5, unless there's some real medical reason to retire them early.
If I had a umpteen million dollar stallion, that wasn't allowed to go to stud until 5, he certainly wouldn't set foot on a race track. Why would I risk career earnings in the tens of millions just to keep racing fans happy? I say bugger 'em, if they want to indulge themselves at someone else's expense, let them spend their filthy lucre in a house of ill repute or waste it on those slow moving scrubbers that ply their trade over the sticks. Like the old adage says, "a bird in the hand is a damned good feel."
As you know Busty, it's all about bucks. And there is always the added fear that a defeat or two might wash away a bit of the gloss. Most of these horses are set to get the biggest bang from the least amount of effort, so 10 or so hand picked races that offer up the least risk is the way to go. Heaven forbid that the animal may be asked to try ground that is considered not too far removed from the ideal, or be tested against the best at a distance that might show up a chink in it's armour. I suppose there is nothing wrong with this, it plays to strengths, but you have to wonder if in come cases, whether the owners have less intestinal fortitude than their charges. The owners of these top line, high ranked horses that are packed off to stud after 14 races or so, need to be medically examined to see if their cullions have been removed. Balls I say, balls, let's see some balls. I'm sick of these nouveau riche, eunuchs of racing, thinking of nobody but themselves whilst having next to no regard for the poor, forleock tugging sod who's job it is to open their ****in' limousine doors. I don't have to tell you things in racing are bad. Everyone and his dog know things are going to hell in a hand basket. It's bloody depressing. Well I'm sick of sitting in my lounge room, hoping that the sport of kings will cure itself. No more will I meekly accept a life of race forms and cable tv and refuse to protest at the level of **** I'm expected to endure on a daily basis. I ask you, why should I take this crap? My life has value and I demand more ... I deserve more. Racing is not about truth. Racing is a ****in' amusement park. It's about lies and deceits, egos and **** wits. And if we're going to find a way out of the festering morass, then it's up to us, the **** shoveling, little blokes of the sport to make a stand. Why should we have to pay through the nose to access a stinking racetrack, then when on course, be subjected to mind numbing prices for third rate services? No, not for me, never again will let those bastards put one over on me. I'll not set foot on a race course until I'm payed to attend, and am guaranteed that all female bar staff shall be topless and possess nipples that are capable of whipping the head off a a nice cold beer. Oh, and they'd best throw in a very tasty vegetable quiche or two if they know what's good for them.
Who? And was it in modern times? I was thinking 50-60 years. Beyond that you are certainly right Cityhull
You've got me worried now Cityhull. Who did you mean was the greatest? I thought you meant St. Simon who technically was kept in training as a 4yo but never ran due to injury.
You tell 'em, Cyc, yell your head off, but, I tell you what, you won't change a ****ing thing................... (Quite honestly, it's only a limited number of people who participate in forums such as this, even though many members are truly well-informed. If there were loads more, then surely N.Henderson* would have sued the ass off a few of us? Even now, ain't too late. As Ron pointed out some time ago, nothing Mr.Mick in Guernsey can do about it in our defence). *(Erm, No.1 "witness for the prosecution" - Sir Barney Chuckles?).
Glad someone added a touch of levity here. 'Witness For The Prosection' was a fine film with the marvelous Charles Laughton as the lawyer for the defence.
