Raven's Pass Retired

[Soaring Softly]

One would think Raven's Pass would be just the kind of horse Sheikh Mohammed would want to win his DWC and then go for a repeat in the Breeders Cup, especially when it's going to be run again at Santa Anita. I don't get it.

While I don't like it, I think I understand his retiring all those 3yos from last year to Darley Jonabell. He clearly wants to establish breeding dominance all over the world (Pacific Rim isn't going to happen btw), and if you want to do that, you certainly have to sink your teeth into Kentucky, especially when the stud market has recently been high on young stallions covering their first 2 or 3 books.

But Raven's Pass I don't understand. Why would he retire this 3yo Breeders Cup Classic winner to his Stud in Ireland? Raven's Pass is an outstanding grass miler in Europe, but he stretched out on the main track (Pro-Ride) at 10 furlongs to win the second-richest race in the world. Why would he go to stud in Ireland?

And why wouldn't Raven's Pass be pointed toward a repeat at the same venue where he won so impressively? If he were to win the Dubai World Cup and then repeat in the Breeders Cup Classic, he would be a huge stallion prospect in North America. But he's retired and goes to Ireland.

I just had a thought...maybe Raven's Pass is retired, and he doesn't stand in Kentucky in order to protect Street Cry.........just a thought.