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"Today's Thoroughbreds are the equine equivalent of hothouse flowers. That is to say, they are beautiful objects one day, then can shrivel up and die the next when confronted with unfavorable conditions." If the link takes you to a Table of Contents page, click the link which says "Hothouse Flowers."
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Good piece, Nick. The laws of supply and demand would make you believe that at some point, the owner/buyer will demand horses who are bred for stamina, staying, and from a line that is proven to be strong - we have yet to see that. Frankly, Curlin's running into his 4-year-old year, facing older horses at 3, make him rather attractive as a sire compared to many of his equine mates - Invasor the same thing, running in South America at 3, the US at 4, and Dubai at 5. The number of races is almost excusable considering they showed a penchant for consistent success throughout their career, and even as they "grew older."
For that matter, and while he can't breed, you hae to love Evening Attire's grit, always showing up and giving a solid accord of himself, even at 10.
And to add on what I previously wrote - the alleged cycles of rise and fall in breeding and costs of auctions, etc are said to be 20 years in duration, at least. We might have a ways to go.
Pat,
Thanks.
I would STRONGLY recommend all Dispatch readers go to DRF.com and read Alan Shuback's article, "Pedigree proved a factor in Big Brown's Belmont."
Shuback itemizes many things besides pedigree. Included is Kent Desormeaux's antics when riding in Japan, and the difference between US and European racing as highlight by the Belmont versus the Epsom Derby.
This is must reading.
Unfortunately, we're stuck in the midst of this cycle, and now folks are creating a "legends" deal where horses are bred solely for retiring early as stallion prospects.
And a thank you to both Nick for yet another fine piece of work, and for Mr. Cummings in mentioning the wonderful Evening Attire. It's horses like that - warriors who you get attached to and stick around for years, like Affirmed Success, John's Call that you fall in love with.
The Fu Peg's and the Big Brown's do next to nothing for the sport. They're here and gone so fast that they are the equivalent of a one night stand. Are there people that really LOVE Big Brown? How can you grow attached to something from less than 10 minutes? He might run twice more, and then he'll be passing down his frailties to future generations.