Well, it worked for me but I also subscribe .
I do not, but can see it.
1 Like
I thought it was interesting that they appeared to put the welfare of the horse above setting track records. I am sure there was a temptation to set him down through the stretch and put him against the clock, but they never did. In a sense his full talent remains an unknown, but he retired in one piece.
I am sure his trainer was sad to see him retired but it must have been mixed with some relief.
2 Likes
As we know, Secretariat was allowed to just run- no urging- just run as he wanted to in the Belmont. A year younger, and after a tough campaign. And the result was something that still gives you goosebumps today.
There really is no level playing field on which to compare talent like that.
4 Likes
It seems you can’t make people happy -
If the owners/trainers ran the hell out of Flightline, and he ended up losing some or injured/euthed, there would be outcry.
Here you have a trainer that knows his horse’s talent as well as his limitations, and people are STILL complaining. To me, this trainer is a genius - he knows exactly how and when to peak this horse, and the results show it. That’s FANTASTIC.
Kvetch kvetch kvetch.
9 Likes
Boy do I remember Arazi in that race, and I too joined the “superstar,” train. He was amazing in that race, and every bit as amazing in that race Flightline was in the 2022 Breeders. It just shows how much we crave our horse racing star.
I agree with you, a trainer’s job is to get the horse fit, keep them happy and healthy, and of course, look out for the owner’s interests. There are many respectable trainers ( e.g. Baclag Tag, etc) in this sport, the problem is that they are not the media sweethearts.
Flighltline’s trainer knew him well I agree, but most good trainers do, I am sure we have some here on this site. The sport just doesn’t give them credit for a job well done.
1 Like
He never did run back to that form though…ended up standing in Japan and Australia, died recently at 32 at an Australian stud station.
He had the then less common knee surgery to remove multiple chips not long after that BC win as a still 2yo. Perhaps they did wear him out early. Its an interesting read if you want to look up the details.
Thanks for the update. At least he lived out his full life and didn’t end up like Exceller. Arazi was the “superstar,” for the moment though.
I recall Seattle Slew, and he won the 2 yr. The championship is based on 3 amazing races, so I have to take back my comments that a VERY short racing is no indication of a superstar. Seattle Slew turned out to live up to his “superstar” title. I have said it, I would have loved to have seen more of Flightline.
Well, there’s superstar racehorses and there’s superstars in the breeding shed. Not always the same, often the opposite. Tapit didn’t set the race world on fire yet has made a big mark as a sire, culminating in Flightline. Curlin and Gunrunner, tho successful, outperformed themselves in the shed…and theres POT and Scat Daddy. Same with mares.
You never know.
1 Like
Seattle Slew did well both ways. So did Alydar! This is a question for the breeders online. What difference does the 2nd generation have on the horse being a good sire?
Other than Tapit and Gun Runner, I don’t know may of the commercial and/or sire lines. I know my older sires from the older "generation.’ More like Raise A Native, Exclusive Native, Bull Lea, Bull Ruler, Native Dancer, etc.
Let’s not forget there was a little horse named Northern Dancer who ran pretty well and has had a rather outsized effect on the breed. His male-line descendants are still among the most sought after sires across the globe.
2 Likes
Nobody is forgetting him. Just not available for 30 years.
1 Like
I have to admit that I see this the same way as Gary West does.
2 Likes
Absolutely right!!! How could I leave off Northern Dancer!!! of course, not forgotten. Thanks.
Thank you Mr West for saying what I have been saying. I feel exactly the same way. As an aside, personally, it is scary when a horse is valued at 182 million dollars. It is just proof at that point that horses have stopped being horses and are just moneymaking machines. It would be nice if Epicenter was voted Horse of the Year.
1 Like
I don’t follow racing nearly as much as I used to. Having said that, one of the reasons is that just when they are getting good, they are whisked away to the breeding shed. I cannot blame the owners, but it diminishes racing to me. Flightline never faced anyone with nearly the talent he has shown, and if I had a vote, I would vote for him for horse of the year, because he has been so stunning. But that is what is has come down to. Horses just do not race as long asthey used to. Even Secretariat didn’t run as a 4 year old. That is about when it started, retiring them young.
I love the fact that our filly and mare owners are willing to keep them on track until they are 5-7 years old. At that point, they are mature and ready to become Moms. So why is it that filly/mare is willing to race the stars? The risk of injury is the same. You can sell an outstanding filly/mare for a couple of million dollars. You can definitely sell the yearlings for a couple of million dollars if bred to the sire of the moment. They even have a market for the weanlings. I would love to know the draw to the sport for the other secter.
I don’t get the logic: he can’t vote for Flightline for Horse of the Year because he does not think the horse is one of the truly greatest of all time. I am not going to argue that point. But how about he was the best of this year? Isn’t that the definition of “Horse of the Year”?
So you can’t vote for a horse as Horse of the Year unless he is one of the greatest of all time?
5 Likes
