'Rachel Alexandra': back to work in 2010

[VirginiaBred]

From Bloodhorse

Rachel Alexandra Sold

(various excerpts from article below)

Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables and Harold T. McCormick have purchased spectacular Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Rachel Alexandra from Dolphus Morrison and Mike Lauffer.

…

“We are delighted to sell Rachel Alexandra to Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables,” Morrison said in the release. “Its reputation for integrity, putting the best interest of the horses above all else, and just doing things right will ensure this incredible Thoroughbreds’ future and the industry at large.”

…

When Rachel Alexandra’s racing career concludes, Jackson will breed her to Curlin , the release said. Stonestreet is the majority owner of Curlin, the two-time Horse of the Year who was retired following his 2008 racing campaign.

“We are tremendously excited by the prospect of one day seeing the offspring of Curlin and Rachel Alexandra,” Jackson said. “But for now, the story of this filly is still being written. My four daughters and granddaughter will be delighted this super filly will race in our colors.”

The release did not indicate if Hal R. Wiggins will be retained as trainer, though Daily Racing Form reported the filly would likely be transferred to Steve Asmussen. The release also didn’t indicate what future racing plans are in the works for Rachel Alexandra. Her previous owners said they would not race her in any of the Triple Crown events.

[VirginiaBred]

God knows I wish they would keep her with Hal Wiggins.

I’m just sick about it.

[ivy62]

This will put Calvin in a bad position…I know they would look to run her in the TC races…and who would he ride! I honestly, hope he would choose MTB and keep writting history…
This is so sad…

[VirginiaBred]

I’m not believing it.

[danceronice]

I really, really hope Calvin opts to ride Mine that Bird if it’s a choice between the two of them for the Preakness. But man, what a tough place to put him in…assuming they offer him the ride.

[Linny]

If Rachel leaves Wiggins, Calvin might no have to make a choice. Asmussen usually uses Bridgmohan, but Albarado rode Curlin for Stonestreet…

[Catsdorule-sigh]

I thought maybe Calvin would have to choose, but yeah, they would probably replace him on RA.

If they keep him, and he ops for RA, then Joe Talamo would be my pick for Mine That Bird- he had the same type of trip last out with I Want Revenge. He showed he could keep his cool, relax the horse, and guide him through traffic. Not Calvin yet, but if MTB has to have a new jockey, he’d be my pick.

[iloverocky]

For me, the new ownership will really take a lot of joy out of watching the filly. I truly dislike Jess Jackson; he’s pompous. Assmussen and whatever new jockey will ride her won’t add anything good to her story.

I wouldn’t be surprised if RA regresses with the new connections. I see shades of Stardom Bound in her future.

[Glimmerglass]

Per the New York Times 5-7-09

Jackson bought Rachel Alexandra in a partnership with Harold T. McCormick of Birmingham, Ala., for $3 million to $4 million.

The 79-year-old Jackson hinted that he was perhaps more likely to wait a month for the mile-and-a-half Belmont Stakes.

“It fits her history, and I’ve always appreciated how fans in New York are so appreciative of great racing,” said Jackson, who in 2007 watched as Curlin was run down by the filly Rags to Riches in one of the greatest stretch drives in Triple Crown history.

That $4M figure is a far cry from the $10M number which has been floating around. I don’t know how Joe Drape would get that dollar amount while the BloodHorse/DRF/LA Times/Courier-Journal et al didn’t.

[Equilibrium]

Well if they got her for 3 or 4 million, then she was a bargain. Lord knows they pay near that for unproven - well bred - never amount to anything yearlings and 2yo’s.

Hal Wiggins is one of the good guys in this sport so a bit sad to learn she may not stay with him. Why wouldn’t they just leave her there? Yes, I know a bit of a bleeding heart here, but I’m just not a big SA fan! Not a big Curlin fan either so wopee on that breeding.

Is it me or is anyone else wondering how Darley got cut out of the equation?

Terri

[VirginiaBred]

$3 to $4 million would be a steal for her, no doubt.

[FatDinah]

Man, I am sick, too. And I was so excited about racing after the Oaks and Derby.
Not that I have any reservations about running a filly against colts. I do think that the spring races ought to be separate for 3 yr olds, for the horses’ sake and for tradition. Then let the best fillies run against the best colts just like 3 yr olds have to step up and run against older horses. Then it works up to the the Breeeders Cup when America’s horses face the world’s best.
That does seem a logical progression.

[texang73]

What a bummer. Asmussen is such a jerk… hate to see her in his barn.

[DickHertz]

Why in the world would they sell her for only 3-4 million? That has to be wrong.

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=DickHertz;4076485]
Why in the world would they sell her for only 3-4 million? That has to be wrong.[/QUOTE]

I have to concur although that is what the NYT’s Joe Drape published - however Wiggins was said to have remarked last night that while he doesn’t know the exact final dollar amount he said it was “silly money” pricing meaning (to me) something off the charts.

NY Daily News 5-6-09 said this about the price:

The purchase price according to a source familiar with the deal is worth between $7 million and $10 million.

So maybe each partner put in $4M.

[VirginiaBred]

@Glimmerglass

So maybe each partner put in $4M.

Now I could see that.

[Glimmerglass]

BloodHorse 5-7-09 “Wiggins Reacts to Losing Rachel”

From trainer Hal Wiggins:

“Being the trainer, I have mixed emotions,” said Wiggins of the filly, who was transported to stall 24 of her new conditioner Steve Asmussen’s barn at around 5:15 a.m. May 7 at Churchill Downs. “I know she’ll make her new owners happy. We had her for a year and she never left our barn, so it’s tough, but we’ll get back into our same routine. My wife was upset, but I told her we could have sold her before the Oaks. We were fortunate to have had her as long as we did.”

“My wife was hurt (when she heard that Rachel was sold), because she knew it was hurting me,” said Wiggins. "I talked to her this morning, and I told her the sun was going to rise just like it does every morning. Time does a whole lot no matter what it is, and we have a lot to be thankful for, so we keep thinking about that.

“When you walk by and see that empty stall, you can’t help but think what was in there. It’s tough—it’s hard, but that’s just part of the game, and we have to realize that, but we did have some great times with her, so we’re appreciative of that.”

From co-owner/breeder Dolphus Morrison:

“b is one step away from not being a racehorse anymore, and that’s the way this business goes.[/b] (Jackson) was pretty aggressive (in the transaction), but I held my ground, and I’m satisfied with our deal.”

[olympicdreams04]

Told ya so, VA Bred. I heard from a very reliable source that the purchase price was more or less $10M as I posted this am in the other RA thread. $3-4M would be bargain basement and there would have to be something wrong with her. You have to assume that if she keeps winning races in the same fine style that her 3 y/o year as produced so far, her future earnings alone should equal about that figure, without even taking her value as a broodmare into consideration.

[C.J]

Why would anyone buy a horse that special and that has accomplished things that no other horse in history ever has, and then go and change the rider and the trainer…Jess Jackson is nothing if not a good businessman–but that just seems stupid to me.

The filly is flourishing right now, I wouldn’t change ANYTHING! Not her bridle, jockey, excercise rider, routine, NOTHING!

And who cares who Jess Jackson’s trainer is currently? I have horses with 3 different trainers right now, and one is one that I bought and left with his triner bc he was doing so well. They obviously got along so why meddle?

[Eventer13]

OK, I don’t really follow racing, so could you all tell me why everyone seems to hate Jess Jackson? He’s one of Curlin’s owners? Didn’t a few of them go to jail?

Sorry, I’m really not in the loop. Sounds like the kind of guy who likes to buy himself winners?