Its shocking isn't it?

Its clear that Giant's Causeway is a good turf sire, but then everyone figured he would throw some nice turf horses. He's essentially a Northern Dancer/Rahy nick with some Secretariat thrown in. He has sired about 30 "stakes" winners in his 7 breeding years. Thats not a bad number, but there's all kinds of mediocre races that are referred to as "stakes" these days. Still 30 stakes winners though not outstanding is not a bad start. But you risk being hypnotized by the propaganda of the breeding operation if you don't delve into the substance of the claim. Kinda like Bush on Iraq. "We're kickin a55"

As stated, he has sired a few nice grass runners. Perhaps chief among them Shamardal. Like most Giant Causeway's Shamardal didn't handle the rigors of racing and he was all done after only 7 starts. His Breeding Farm likes to advertise him as "Undefeated in 6 starts on the Grass". What they don't inform the unwary buyer of though is that Giant's Causeway has Not been a prolific dirt sire and the one time Shamardal attempted dirt he whiffed the board. Thats right, he threw up an air ball. Thats pretty strong evidence right there to avoid paying $300,000 Presidents for a horse that in all likelihood will get a very scant number of Kentucky Derby or Breeders Cup Classic starters.

America is Dirt Race country. We don't fawn all over slow running turf form here. As a matter of fact Winning out on Turf in this country won't get you honorable mention. To be held in high esteem here a horse has to hoof it in the Triple Crown Preps, Dirt Handicap Ranks and the Breeders Cup. Giant's Causeways are not getting it done in that measure and neither will Shamardal's.

An appropriate fee for Giant's Causeway would be about 50,000 Presidents at six times that fee he is vastly over valued. Obviously those that want to bred a turf horse can go that route. Its their money. But there's far better value at a sixth of the price.

Regarding Plech Tomorrow, I'm not impressed by the Green Monkey's late start. He's missed lots of time and has had issues. There's every reason to believe the bolts may get a little loose running hard for the first time. But then there's the issue of his competition. Is it strong enough to loosen his bolts? The thing I keep coming back to though is the fact that this horse has had all that time away from the track to "tinker" with. Add to that the consideration of what a short career filled with a loss or losses would do to this horse's commercial viability? I don't think they can risk losing. He may only have a one race career, but at least they can say. "The most expensive horse ever purchased started and was not beaten."

I don't expect this one to lose.

I feel similar trepidation regarding Rags to Riches, who I figure to pop her best, but I don't think she'll run much faster than a 2.

Shakespeare is your guess. I'm a Plech race watcher tomorrow. We'll get him down the road. Hopefully with bars.

Michael D. Wrote:
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>
>
> if I could only be as gullible as the guy who
> bought The Monkey. he stands Giants Causeway at
> +300k a pop. GC covered 168 mares this year, 178
> last year (live foals). not bad, $300,000 x 178,
> IN JUST ONE YEAR!
>
> Tabor also stood Saddler's Wells and Danehill. you
> know how much he made with those guys?
>
> we are talking hundreds of millions of dollars
> here in revenues.