Final Turn - All Comments

re: Family Legacy - By Chris Young

Wanda — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:56:12 GMT

This is why I rarely comment the Bloodhorse blogs anymore.

Mr.Chris Young was nice enough to share some memories of his grandfathers operation and give us some insight over his favorites.

If he and his family choose not to carry on with Overbrook, that's their business. To take a cheap shot at a guy because he may or may not share the passion of horse racing like W.T. did is so classless.

Why don't you just take the article for what it is and keep the negative comments to yourself.

re: Family Legacy - By Chris Young

Donoway — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:44:04 GMT

Let us be fair to Chris Young. It was clearly not his decision to disperse the bloodstock of Overbrook Farm, but that of his father. Having read both the article in The Blood Horse and the above, it is clear that Chris Young shares his grandfather's passion and to that end has retained three beautifully-bred fillies not only as racing prospects but as future members of his own broodmare band. In an era when so few of the family-owned breeding and racing stables still exist, it is heartening to see that Overbrook Farm will continue - albeit changed - under the direction of Chris Young. His article is evidence of his love of horse racing and Thoroughbred breeding, a love which will not be extingished with the dispersal of his grandfather's horses.

re: Family Legacy - By Chris Young

sfc — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:08:12 GMT

Its interesting to read how special this is to Mr. Young yet no so special that its worth keeping.

re: Family Legacy - By Chris Young

K. Kiger — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:32:54 GMT

Good luck Chris! Hope the next generation is as successful as the first!

re: Family Legacy - By Chris Young

Pasturelands — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:58:08 GMT

well, everybody has his own little dreams.. apparently, horse breeding aint Mr. Chris's cup of tea.

What Ruffian1 said is quite sad: another "institution" bites the dust, and becomes another dinosaur. Its sad though.. the old man put so much of his youth building that farm up from the dust. Now, its kaput.

Well, march to "progress".. ???

re: Family Legacy - By Chris Young

Ruffian1 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:28:30 GMT

Sad to see the farm is dispersing. Wonder what Mr Young would think? I think when the younger generations inherent something and dont realize the work that went into it, often this is what happens. Another farm that someday will become a housing development.

re: Family Legacy - By Chris Young

CRob87 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:36:37 GMT

Cool story.

Just kind of wondered why you aren't keeping any Colts ???

One that could possibly become the next heir-apparent of Storm Cat ???

re: Family Legacy - By Chris Young

Mary — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:20:06 GMT

What a nice story - I remember Miss Penny racing as well. Mr. Young was a great gift to racing. He shared so many wise words and observations with us over the years. Thank you for sharing more memories with us !

Best of luck on the dispersal, and so glad you are keeping some nice fillies !

re: Family Legacy - By Chris Young

geegees — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:10:19 GMT

It was refreshing to read your article. You really brought back the human side to horse racing. Yes people are in the business to make money(you have to make money to stay in the business) but as you stated you remember the times working in the barn and seeing the young foals. It is a shame that you are not able to carry on as your grandfather did, but at least you are trying to keep the flame going. Perhaps some of the bigger farms are dying off, Sam Son Farms comes to mind after loosing Mrs. Samuels and Tammy Samuels Balez. While the grandchildren are interested you have to wonder are they still going to be in a few years when they grow older. This sport needs new and younger blood. Not just for the money,ie IEAH Stables etc,but for the good of the game. People who want to buld the sport back to what it once was. While we can never go truly back here is to going forward with the right intentions.

re: Still Got Game - By Richard Zwirn

green guy — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:03:30 GMT

This idea may help breeders/owners not start their racehorses until they are READY (3 or 4 years of age?), and to breed more SOUND animals so that they can last and participate in these "elder series" of races.

re: Still Got Game - By Richard Zwirn

Amanda — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:41:58 GMT

I laugh when you guys refer to 9 year old horses as old. On the show circuit, these horses havnt even hit prime. On another note, my soon to be 20 year old Thoroughbred by Gone West is THE most athletic horse still in the barn. THE most well conditioned, sound and good looking (and im not being biased) horse many have ever seen. He can still run em up at :11 his last bits (we gallop him 3 times a week to keep his cardio up) and he still jumps over 5'3" with room to spare. All this barefoot with no injections and a light joint supplement. I strongly believe a horse can go as long as you want, if you take care of them and give them a job and keep it FUN.

re: Still Got Game - By Richard Zwirn

LABob — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:55:06 GMT

Isn't it great that we don't need celebrities, politicians or athletes to motivate us to do something good and right. My cup gets filled every time I go to the farm to visit my horses...it's like a shot of B-12. My trainer always finds a place for older horses to retire. There are good people in our "business." Thanks for your story, it motivated me to go out and run this morning.

re: Still Got Game - By Richard Zwirn

Dreamer's Mom — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:27:56 GMT

We had two old "grandpa" geldings that raced until 12-they loved every minute of it! Retired sound as the day they were born. They hated it, but rules are rules.

As to racing keeping you young-I swear I age 10 years every time our 2's start the first time!

re: Still Got Game - By Richard Zwirn

Karen in Indiana — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:14:03 GMT

As someone else who turned 50 this year, I was feeling old until I heard about a 100 year old still doing daily yoga.

I hope that someone who can make it happen has read your ideas because they are industry-perception changing. There have been so many complaints about horses retiring so young that fans don't have time to get to know them. Well, showcase the older ones in a way that plays to their strengths and people will follow them. So many people already do.

re: Still Got Game - By Richard Zwirn

Doz — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:26:24 GMT

Amen! Wonderful thoughts!