Fantastic Light Now a Pensioner

re: Fantastic Light Now a Pensioner

Linda in Texas — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 04:48:41 GMT

A handsome fella indeed, so pleased they have him in the stallion complex at Dalham with the others.

And thanks to the Royal Family for providing him a forever home to spend his retirement. They all deserve that special gift to be provided for which is actually not a privilege, but an earned right. He earned his keep having won over $8 million in multiple countries.

Thank you for this update on Fantastic Light. No place more serene than The English Countryside.

re: Fantastic Light Now a Pensioner

mz — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:41:28 GMT

Pedigree Ann: I agree with the upgrading and am unhappy as well with the only-breed-to-the-top viewpoint. I am sure that even with "cheaper" mares (or National Hunt mares), he may have still bred a champion or two. Sometimes, all you need is the right mare / cross and suddenly, you end up with Tiznow.

re: Fantastic Light Now a Pensioner

Britfilly — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 20:08:23 GMT

I had the great pleasure of meeting Fantastic Light at Dalham Hall Stud in April. It was a wonderful surprise, totally unexpected! I had been admiring Lammtarra in the paddock next door, and turned around to see this bay stallion standing next to the fence. I didn't recognise him, mainly because I thought he was still in Japan. I couldn't believe my luck when I was told who it was. He looked really well, but just stood there gazing into the distance. I wasn't allowed to pat him as he could be a little aggressive, but I was just thrilled to see him anyway.

re: Fantastic Light Now a Pensioner

Pedigree Ann — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 13:06:44 GMT

At a guess, he was retired because he wasn't siring the 'big horses' in sufficient numbers to justify the sort of stud fees that Darley expect from their stallions. Undoubtedly, he could still get mares from the less-than-exalted ranks of the breed, but Darley doesn't market to the 'working class' of the breeding industry. Or, heaven forbid, National Hunt breeders. One has to respect Darley for taking care of their own who don't meet expectations. But he could have upgraded many a cheaper sort of mare given the chance.

re: Fantastic Light Now a Pensioner

mz — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 20:28:53 GMT

If I am reading fb0252's post correctly, I agree with him/her: could you explain why Fantastic Light was retired so young? Health? Lack of mares?

Still a beautiful looking horse.

re: Fantastic Light Now a Pensioner

fb0252 — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 15:54:13 GMT

txs for including in ur post why the horse was inexplicably retired.

re: Fantastic Light Now a Pensioner

Pedigree Ann — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 14:43:01 GMT

As a point of interest, stallions of about the same age as Fantastic Light were competing in the recent Olympics in London. Of course, these horses didn't start competing in their disciplines until they were 6 or 7.

re: Fantastic Light Now a Pensioner

deb — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 14:12:13 GMT

Thank you for providing him with a home for the rest of his life.

re: Fantastic Light Now a Pensioner

Owlbet — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 02:11:42 GMT

There are a lot of geldings in his progeny list. What's up with that?