jimbo66 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Agreed. 100%.
>
> They were great sportsmen. The fact that they had
> the best dirt horse in the world, sent that horse
> to Dubai to run, brought him back and tried him on
> turf with the goal of running him in the Arc if he
> proved good enough, and then when he didn't, they
> ran him on the carpet at Santa Anita, proved to
> this gambler that they are sportsmen.
>

I don't know about being a great "sportsman".

The guy is 78 years old and is one of the wealthiest men in our country. So he has 2 choices:

-retire his star horse and watch him mount some mares in a barn and earn more money that he won't even begin to count.
- Be the center of attention at many major races around the world, watching his star race horses compete.

He's doing it for the thrill of competition, not because of anything resembling being a sportsman. What else is he going to do with Curlin?? Why do you think he bought RA?? So he can send her to the shed?? Can't wait to breed her to Curlin. Sure. I'm sure thats the plan eventually, but its a distant second to the main reason.

Now, if he were 20-30 years younger, it would be much more "sporting" to continue to race instead of retiring these horses.

Take Rachel Alexandra. Price was no object, he was buying this horse. Period. Why?? Because at 78 years old, he knows you can't take your money with you to the grave. So he spends millions on RA so he can again be the center of attention of the racing world. Drop her right into the Preakness. How sporting of him.

Look, if I had all that loot I would do the same thing. More power to him and good for him. He's earned his money and he can do whatever he pleases with it. Buy some horses, have some fun. I get it.

Just don't call him a great sportsman.

P-Dub