tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post8435389823186208448..comments2024-03-05T05:38:22.024-05:00Comments on Left at the Gate: Tale of Two RetirementsAlan Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-30790390596201877222007-06-26T08:42:00.000-04:002007-06-26T08:42:00.000-04:00Scat Daddy's retirement is a joke. First of all h...Scat Daddy's retirement is a joke. First of all he is not bred all that well. Johannesburg was a turf horse that was best up to 1 1/16 miles. Scat Daddy won at 1 1/8 miles but earned mediocre speed figures. He was probably best up to 1 1/16 miles just like his sire. Secondly do the connections really need the money? They already have Fusaichi Pegasus and Giant's Causeway in America and Montjeu and Sadler's Wells in Ireland. Those four generate more money each year then some countries.<BR/><BR/>This retirement further proves the need for a minimum age requirement for breeding. A horse should not be allowed to breed until they are 6 years old. This would keep horses in training longer, at the very least through the four year old season. How hard could it be to enforce this rule? The Jockey Club and the sales companies could simply say that any horse who's sire is less the 6 at the time of conception will not be allowed to run in the United States. Would this hurt the sales companies in the short term? Yes, but in the long run they would benefit. This rule might also force breeders to breed for more stamina. Is this wishful thinking on my part? Most likely, but it seems like a logical decision that would benefit the sport on more ways then one.<BR/><BR/>LennyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-88434401680201609672007-06-26T08:37:00.000-04:002007-06-26T08:37:00.000-04:00Love your blog, but I think you're being a bit har...Love your blog, but I think you're being a bit harsh here. If Tabor et al thought that Scat Daddy was an early bloomer who didn't beat much in Florida, had been bypassed Beyerwise by the leaders of his generation, was never going to catch up, and would only decline in value with more racing, you couldn't really expect them to put that in a press release for broodmare owners everywhere to read. Add in that his issue was a tendon, which might flare up again when they put him back in training and the decision makes sense. Thoroughbred ownership is an expensive game (see Highland Cat) and if you don't let the rare winners pay for all of the losers (see The Green Monkey), you'll be out of it in a hurry.<BR/><BR/>BitPlayerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com