BC Program: A Good Deal - By Bret Jones

re: BC Program: A Good Deal - By Bret Jones

needler in Virginia — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 04:07:43 GMT

Four Cats, as a rank outsider and observer, I can only put my two cents' worth in. It DOES appear to me that the "stipend" can in no way pay the actual costs of transporting a horse halfway around the world along with the expense of everything else that goes along with an endeavor this large. As you well know, moving a horse, or even several, around in the US can be a pain AND expensive, but it's do-able. To cross an ocean (and air expenses are astronomically high) with personnel AND equipment can break almost anyone's bank...unless you own Dubai or Ireland. The exceptions might be those from Canada, but a van drive from South America would be almost certainly be catastrophic for the health of the horse, never mind the sanity of the transporters!

I know I sound naive, and I don't really get all the ramifications of this new policy, so please cut me some slack, but I always thought it a great coup to get overseas horses of quality. THAT way it truly IS a BC WORLD Championship. Anything else is just an American championship and that's it. NOT to knock THAT, but if you're gonna claim a WORLD championship, as a fan, I'd like to see you beat good horses from all over the world. To get them here, we must make it worth their while, and if this is the price we pay, then we must pay it...at least for a while, until the economy begins to rebound or until yet another idea is floated. Does any of this make sense?? It's late and it's Saturday, and while I am not legally required to think on Saturday, I'm trying to get this........... SInce I am NOT thinking tonight, pretend I know absolutely NOTHING about horse racing except which end should cross the finish line first AND that a jockey is required to do the driving; NOW explain to me in words a dummy can understand. I'm not being thick, I really do want to understand, 'cause I love the Breeder's Cup (except for the part where the breeders of the winners DO NOT appear in the winner's circle) and would love to see it be a real world wide competition, as much as that is possible.

Thanks, cheers, and safe trips.

re: BC Program: A Good Deal - By Bret Jones

Stallions' Cup? — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 16:57:23 GMT

I understand that it is easy for the younger Jones to have a very quick, and positive, reaction to the idea of North American breeders sacrificing their equity in the Breeders' program rather than spending the senior Jones' stallion operation money to supplement international participation. No Bret, this is not your Stallions' Cup World Championships.

re: BC Program: A Good Deal - By Bret Jones

FourCats — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 20:28:37 GMT

Bret; Good attempt at spin. However, I dont' think that the majority of U.S. breeders will think that giving international breeders a free pass is either fair or reasonable. The Breeders Cup races are a great event, but everyone should pay their way equally. A stipend to help with transport costs for international horses is reasonable; not paying to nominate foals is not. As a 1st time breeder this year, I am seriously considering not nominating next year's foal due to these changes. Nor will I value a Breeders Cup nomination on purchasing a sales yearling like I used to.

Guess the proof will be in the pudding. If the U.S. breeders don't like the changes, they will vote with their nominations (or lack of).

One other comment. Even for breeders. I would hope that the "most important period on the Thoroughbred calendar" would still be the major races in our country like the Triple Crown and the Breeders Cup itself; not any particular yearling sale.

re: BC Program: A Good Deal - By Bret Jones

breeder/owner — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 18:03:30 GMT

Please explain to me why the Breeders Cup and NTRA didn't join forces and create a massive advertising campaign for movie theatres to go along with the showing of Secretariat - promoting the zbreeders cup races as well as going out to the track nearest the viewer?

When will hire a marketing visionary that goes after new patrons?

re: BC Program: A Good Deal - By Bret Jones

Rachel — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 15:16:04 GMT

Seriously, what does the Breeder get in return? I can't find any info at the site.

re: BC Program: A Good Deal - By Bret Jones

Convene — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 14:25:11 GMT

Encouraging competition on a world-wide scale can only benefit ALL countries, including ours. It would also justify Eclipse awards given to overseas horses who did not really race over here. I'm not saying those horses didn't deserve the awards; the recent two I'm thinking of did deserve them - but until now the program encompassed largely North American horses. BC races weigh heavy in the selection of Eclipse winners (and probably should, altho not completely), hence making the Breeders Cup a truly international affair adds prestige and merit to the Eclipse champions. "Hey, we beat the world!" really means something! Your logic re increased field sizes and other benefits is right on track. Full fields mean more dollars wagered means more dollars back into the sport. Let's all endorse this new program and help it do what it should.

re: BC Program: A Good Deal - By Bret Jones

FSF — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 20:07:50 GMT

Rachel, to build on what you said, I was so frustrated about 10ish years ago when they dropped the runners' sires and dams from the post-parade horse stats that they flash on the bottom of the screen- you'd think that some TV producer genius would realize that the BREEDER'S CUP is a celebration of the horse's breeders and pedigree...

re: BC Program: A Good Deal - By Bret Jones

Rachel — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 17:46:23 GMT

I've always wondered why, since it is called the Breeder's Cup, breeders aren't recognized at the event..I've never seen the Breeder in the winner's circle, congratulated or acknowledged, just the owner, trainer and jockey...rather odd...