Longchamp

[Bobby Fischer]

they need to bring lady marmalade or somethin

give go between some real challenge man

at least have a real turf horse win it

i still don't think Go Between is really a champion , it would be pretty weak if he won the classic

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

She's run six times at the same track - and once at some other track in France. It would be nice to see her atleast leave France.

I'm probably the only one - but it's very annoying watching races run over that course at Longchamp. How hard is it to build a circle one mile around and make them take left handed turns?

Interesting take. Europeans have been racing their horses since before the United States was a country but they should change the way they do it and conform to our ways? Since we continously kick their ass when it comes to grass racing, perhaps you are right.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Look most likely the best in Europe will be 3 year old colts as the marketable good 3 year old colts will leave for stud. She cant race in the 3 year old colt races so she will be resigned to open female competition which will be a joke. What does she have to gain running 4 times against fillies and mares crushing them prepping for the Arc and hoping to beat the best new colt in the game? It's a tough spot and you kill your self if g-d forbid she takes a bad step and breaks down prepping for a race she has already run.. It's a tough spot I think I would breed her and give her a bunch of mints and smile alot knowing I owned one frickin fast filly. Of course as a fan I would love to watch her race but to use a often misused expression...She really has done enough!

i don't believe there would be a dearth of competition. ouija board certainly found many to try her mettle, and the same can be said here.
she has NOT done enough. seven races should never be considered enough, regardless of what one of those races was, regardless of the manner in which it was one.
and if we were all to tiptoe around with these horses because one of them might take a bad step, then we need to shut down the whole damned operation.

as for the oh so cushy life of reproduction for her as a broodmare, that's no guarantee of a long life.

matter of fact, i wonder how the % of breakdown/euthanizations each year for fillies and mares compares to all those who die each year from foaling complications? i think it would be an eye opener for many.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I will also add, why should Euros care about our races? Do we care, or support, their races? I can relate to them coming over for money but there is no way any European owner has some kind of " obligation " to run here.

very true. that's why i said i didn't have an issue with him not heading for the bc. too soon, too far to ship after her race the other day. but certainly she could race next year.

it always just cracks me up tho when people take umbrage at the lack of top older horses due to early retirement--yet many of the same folks are so quick to agree with a horse having a grand total of seven starts as having 'done enough'.

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

That's "humor".

No actually it is "not".

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

You're not funny. Stop trying to be.

You the judge of what's funny.
That is very funny... strange.

Put it in a translator.

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I'm too tired to play your games tonight. Go "try" and be clever with someone else.

Awww, Im awful sorry.
Try not posting dwebage.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

See what I mean. Hilarious....

I need a Coors Light to put up with this. LOL

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

See what I mean. Hilarious....

ジェイはカブである

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Danzig

very true. that's why i said i didn't have an issue with him not heading for the bc. too soon, too far to ship after her race the other day. but certainly she could race next year.

it always just cracks me up tho when people take umbrage at the lack of top older horses due to early retirement--yet many of the same folks are so quick to agree with a horse having a grand total of seven starts as having 'done enough'.

She a dominant grass champion and won the Arc which is the single biggest test of a champion. Where not talking about Bellamy Road were talking about a filly who would need to race against older horses.. I want her to run more as a fan but I would understand retiring her for sure.

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by Danzig

as for the oh so cushy life of reproduction for her as a broodmare, that's no guarantee of a long life.

That's a point- I don't know any women who would say being pregnant every year is a "cushy" gig.

She's the Aga Khan's horse; he can do what he wants, but it seems to me that very rarely does a really terrific filly replicate herself (I feel like Personal Ensign came closest, but still didn't produce anything close to what she was), so why the rush to breed, when likely the offspring won't run as well?

I know, I know... because the foals will sell for oodles of money before anyone finds out they don't run like their mama. I get it; money runs the game, but it doesn't stop a fan from being grumpy about it.

That said, can we please come up with some new descriptions for race callers to use besides "flying filly?" There must be some other alliterative adjectives. Fiery? Ferocious? Fearless? Fleet-footed?

[brockguy]

if you looked at the top 3year old fillies of the past few years here in Europe, with the exception of Ouija Board, the rest havent really advertised keeping fillies in training. Peeping Fawn and Alexandrova didnt race at all as they just were not showing the same zest for racing, and the Aga Khan's daughter's fillies Mandesha and Darjini were not able to improve on their 3year old form..

To be honest, Im surprised that they havent already retired her, though it would be fantastic if we got to see her in 09!

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

That's a point- I don't know any women who would say being pregnant every year is a "cushy" gig.

She's the Aga Khan's horse; he can do what he wants, but it seems to me that very rarely does a really terrific filly replicate herself (I feel like Personal Ensign came closest, but still didn't produce anything close to what she was), so why the rush to breed, when likely the offspring won't run as well?

I know, I know... because the foals will sell for oodles of money before anyone finds out they don't run like their mama. I get it; money runs the game, but it doesn't stop a fan from being grumpy about it.

That said, can we please come up with some new descriptions for race callers to use besides "flying filly?" There must be some other alliterative adjectives. Fiery? Ferocious? Fearless? Fleet-footed?

flying filly goes along with the alliterative gutsy gelding. yeah, they both get nerve wracking after a bit.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

She's the Aga Khan's horse; he can do what he wants, but it seems to me that very rarely does a really terrific filly replicate herself (I feel like Personal Ensign came closest, but still didn't produce anything close to what she was), so why the rush to breed, when likely the offspring won't run as well?

I know, I know... because the foals will sell for oodles of money before anyone finds out they don't run like their mama. I get it; money runs the game, but it doesn't stop a fan from being grumpy about it.

First of all, Personal Ensign raced through her 4YO season, despite screws in her leg and she was one of the finest broodmares of the last 25 years. Second of all, of course none of these GREAT horses reproduce themselves, and I doubt any realistic breeder even considers that. However, some might say that over racing them lessens their chances of reproducing at a high level.

And, finally, Zarkava's foals will never sell for " oodles of money " and dollars play absolutely zero consideration into whatever decision the Aga Kan makes.

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

5704 and counting unfunny posts. Congrats, you're approaching the record Screech.

Unfunny.
Well.... well... you are unnice.
Take that.

Put it in a translator.

[cowgirlintexas]

Hoss! You'd better start being nice to him, or, or... Hell I don't know

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

First of all, Personal Ensign raced through her 4YO season, despite screws in her leg and she was one of the finest broodmares of the last 25 years. Second of all, of course none of these GREAT horses reproduce themselves, and I doubt any realistic breeder even considers that. However, some might say that over racing them lessens their chances of reproducing at a high level.

And, finally, Zarkava's foals will never sell for " oodles of money " and dollars play absolutely zero consideration into whatever decision the Aga Kan makes.

Yes, I'm aware PE raced through her 4-year-old year, and with screws in her leg. I wasn't discussing her age at retirement; I was saying she was the only great filly in recent memory I could think of who had a good career as a broodmare. You have a much greater knowledge of the past few decades of racing than I, I'm sure you're aware of other great fillies who may have actually topped themselves. I just can't think of any. Likewise, my comment about selling foals was referring to the foals of great fillies in general, not Zarkava in particular.

So why retire and rush to breed the fillies, then? If it's not the chance of duplicating or improving, and it's not about money, what is it then? Because baby horsies are cute? I understand that the Aga Kan doesn't need the money, but if it's not to produce a better foal, and not about the money, then why retire? They like racing them up to a point and then they're tired of them so on to the next new shiny? If that's true, that's lame. Or typical of the male mind, I guess, depending on how you look at it.

The over-racing reduces their chances of reproducing at a high level sounds to me like an excuse. I'd like to see studies proving that. I could see where continuing to medicate could affect later fertility, as it does in other large mammals, but in that case it's not due to physical exertion.

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by Danzig

flying filly goes along with the alliterative gutsy gelding. yeah, they both get nerve wracking after a bit.

Hee hee- I was thinking of Funny Cide's Derby and that call, too, when I typed up that post. You read my mind!

Let's see- gallant, galloping... gonadfree... hmm...the Gs are definitely tougher.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

Yes, I'm aware PE raced through her 4-year-old year, and with screws in her leg. I wasn't discussing her age at retirement; I was saying she was the only great filly in recent memory I could think of who had a good career as a broodmare. You have a much greater knowledge of the past few decades of racing than I, I'm sure you're aware of other great fillies who may have actually topped themselves. I just can't think of any. Likewise, my comment about selling foals was referring to the foals of great fillies in general, not Zarkava in particular.

So why retire and rush to breed the fillies, then? If it's not the chance of duplicating or improving, and it's not about money, what is it then? Because baby horsies are cute? I understand that the Aga Kan doesn't need the money, but if it's not to produce a better foal, and not about the money, then why retire? They like racing them up to a point and then they're tired of them so on to the next new shiny? If that's true, that's lame. Or typical of the male mind, I guess, depending on how you look at it.

The over-racing reduces their chances of reproducing at a high level sounds to me like an excuse. I'd like to see studies proving that. I could see where continuing to medicate could affect later fertility, as it does in other large mammals, but in that case it's not due to physical exertion.

Why? He breeds to breed. I assume he knows more than I do and I am not so presumptuous to assume that I understand his motives or question them. He seems to do pretty well breeding.

But, you probably know best, so I won't question you either.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by Danzig

very true. that's why i said i didn't have an issue with him not heading for the bc. too soon, too far to ship after her race the other day. but certainly she could race next year.

it always just cracks me up tho when people take umbrage at the lack of top older horses due to early retirement--yet many of the same folks are so quick to agree with a horse having a grand total of seven starts as having 'done enough'.

It's because most of the horses that are retired early really haven't done enough. She has.