I Won't Have Another

re: I Won't Have Another

Discopartner — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 04:48:52 GMT

I have to add a comment about what "Joy Jackson" said above. She's off the deep end about IHA. Saying people who work at Big Red Farm should be devoted to his happiness is more than you could ask staff to do for a human being. This is like something out of the court of Louis XVI. Personally, I find it hard to justify not letting an animal have a natural life, but once people own

them, you have to trust the interaction will be alright for the horse, in this case. She seems to think IHA owns the humans and the farm and not vice versa. I don't think this was just some

exuberant, effusive writing by this commenter either, having read other comments of hers, I think she chooses her words carefully. I kind of resent her acting like a publicist, after the fact. I also disagree that IHA was a shoo-in to win the Belmont, given what happened in the race. You can't make those assumptions in championship racing. Besides, Union Rags made a move not unlike IHA's in the Preakness, only from the

inside.

re: I Won't Have Another

Discopartner — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:32:08 GMT

"...There should be no animosity toward the Japanese, who are only doing what American breeders did more than half a century ago when industry titans Bull Hancock, John Galbreath, and C.V. Whitney snatched Princequillo, Nasrullah, Ribot, Mahmoud and Sea-Bird away from the Europeans to form the nucleus of today’s American Thoroughbred."

That's going a bit far. I don't think the Japanese are doing any better than the Americans with horse breeding as a whole, certainly not based on Big Red Farm's stable of worn out looking stallions. Look at all the greats still in the US. So they lost this one horse to overseas. It won't make any difference, and an American breeder can breed to IHA in Japan and bring back the mare and foal. I also think it's wrong to imply that Japanese breeders have better mares than Americans. No way. There are plenty of choice mares in US breeding stables. How do they keep coming up with top stallions year in and year out if they don't have good mares. And lastly, the comparison to horse operations in other countries is usually totalling unfounded, because no bothers to compare their races to American ones in a way everyone can understand. Please next time you go out to knock American racing, describe the Japanese triple crown, and the French and English triple crown and compare it race for race with the US triple crown. Then, if there's any reason to bash the Americans, go ahead. I just don't see it.

re: I Won't Have Another

Discopartner — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 06:40:18 GMT

IHA is an over-rated, small horse admired for his looks by some lunatic commenters to this article. He faced inferior competition in an especially bad year for horse racing. He won every race in exactly the same way, suggesting to me that other trainers and jockies had poor game plans for their horses. There was no strategy this year. So his connections are due credit for playing to their horse's strength. Anyone who watches alot of horse races at all levels has seen dozens of races that were similar and dozens that were better, than any if the triple crown races run this year. Horse racing is still alive and well in smaller venues in spite of the shenanigans that went on at the top levels. I also think I'll Have Another is a poor name, very non descript, and detracts from his respect level and legacy. But the non descriptness also suits this horse. So the rabid fans in these comments should realize anything could happen with this horse, and anything did, he was sold to Japan. And based on the Big Red Farm website, he looks like the only stallion under 10, what an ugly bunch of studs at that pretty place. I think the criticism of American breeders is also totally out of line and totally naive. 2012 had an especially weak crop of 3 yr. olds with especially bad luck. But they're breeding up more. How can racing die when 30k tb foals are turned out every year.

re: I Won't Have Another

Lise from Maine — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 04:02:17 GMT

Hi!

Why did the owner sell "I'll Have Another?"

I am so disappointed that he did that.

Hopefully, he will be taken of with love and dignity.

This whole thing makes me worried.

re: I Won't Have Another

Karen in Texas — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 20:57:15 GMT

Steve----This is a question that is off topic, but I just noticed something "odd" about your History of Drugs blog from last week (or the week of the 4th). Are there several comments now appearing that were omitted at that time? If so, could I ask why? (At the risk of sounding paranoid.) Thanks.

re: I Won't Have Another

Jean in Chicago — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 18:33:14 GMT

Steve & ofelia;

True, Nearco wasn't imported to the US, but Tesio did get him out of Italy and into England in 1938 when war was pretty obviously coming. During WWII he had his own bomb shelter.

re: I Won't Have Another

blueinTexas — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 18:30:43 GMT

Now we here he was being treated before his tendon issue; no wonder he was retired early. Good call for the horse.

re: I Won't Have Another

ksweatman9 — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 12:48:58 GMT

Dear God, give us more champion geldings so we don't have to debate this issue. Dear Smarty, you're in my heart, I wish you were a gelding too.

re: I Won't Have Another

El Kabong — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 03:30:06 GMT

Steve,

I like to joke when I run across a Yank with the class and courtesy to stand out in most company that " he would have made a fine Canadian." I guess I am used to our neighbors just north of me displaying such natural class that I attribute it to cultural differences.

I think you've gone out of your way to help people understand Mr. Reddam's decisions and I have no issues with his decisions. The real forum I'd like to hear is why the American breeders thought so little of this champion. They should be on the griddle explaining their lack of interest, not Mr. Reddam.

What do they want to see? Cards on the table.

re: I Won't Have Another

Ida Lee — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 20:29:39 GMT

I thought I was through crying for I'll Have Another leaving us but I wasn't. Your article just tore me up thinking again about this beautiful creature leaving us for Japan. I can't stand it. I do understand why he was sold...after all $10 million is $10 million. But what does that say about the breeders in this country. The photos are out of this world beautiful.

re: I Won't Have Another

Lava'sStilltheMan — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 17:48:30 GMT

Although a disappointment, scratching the horse in the Belmont was a sound decision in the best interests of the horse. Kudos to the team for making that tough ccall. I can also understand Mr. Reddam making a business decision to seel IHA to interests who are excited to have him at stud for a good price rather than accepting a lower price in a lukewarm US market. I watch some of the big race days in Japan via TVG and it is really cool to see the energy of the fans and the full fields. But...the thing that continues to befuddle me is why top 3-year olds are continually retired prematurely and not allowed to mount a 4-year old campaign. Wouldn't strong 4-year old seasons potentially increase stud values, line owners' wallets with high end stakes purses and give the fans heroes to root for?

re: I Won't Have Another

rosolini — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 16:29:18 GMT

ROSOLINI

re: I Won't Have Another

rosolini — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 16:28:10 GMT

ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY.

Im not going to sugercoat.

the horse ran his heart out & this is how you repay him.

I worked in racing for years in england. henry cecil. barry hills . I'm by no means rich.no amount of money could equel the privalige. of working around such wonderful creatures.so I hope ill have anothers owner, sleeps well at night. & wont be another ferdinand .

re: I Won't Have Another

Cassandra.Says — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 13:12:17 GMT

I think IHA's main conformation defect in the eyes of U.S. breeders is his size, or lack of it.

The Selenes and Northern Dancers keep showing up, but nobody learns. If you eat your carrots you grow big and strong, not big and fast.

re: I Won't Have Another

Bellwether — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 12:56:55 GMT

just hope he does even BETTER than Sunday Silence...its a HORSE thing most don't understand...

re: I Won't Have Another

gammyp — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 06:14:49 GMT

In the end Reddam says "i did what i did". Well, I hope IHA has a chance to come home like Alysheba. I hope he does become the next Sunday Silence. But the tragedy of Ferdinand will always cast a shadow of distrust. Where was the American Racing Industry when things were apparantly not going well for Ferdinand as a stallion? And no one in Japan thought to contact somebody and say "hey, your Kentucky Derby winner is not working out"? At least Reddam finally used the word greed in some context. Loves IHA? Sure. But he loves money more. He did what he did.

re: I Won't Have Another

Karen in Texas — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 03:07:17 GMT

an ole railbird----You're welcome. The authenticity of your life experience with these horses simply shines through in all your remarks. It's something special.

re: I Won't Have Another

an ole railbird — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 00:48:28 GMT

karen of texas, i believe that you have just paid me the greatest compliment of my life.

to be compared to such great & accomplished man, is something that i never dreamed of.

you have made my sprits soar, my heart sing, & my soul humble. thank you very much. i hope i never disappoint you.

i wish you a very nice day.

"an ole railbird"

re: I Won't Have Another

Karen in Texas — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 22:07:28 GMT

70's Iron Horse Sec----Apparently you've not read Mr. Reddam's blog(?)

re: I Won't Have Another

DawnStorm — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 21:28:06 GMT

MZ and Slew: you're not the only ones who dislike the Japan(ese) bashing.

re: I Won't Have Another

70's Iron Horse Secretariat — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 21:11:34 GMT

I hope they have a clause in the sales contract, not to slaughter I'LL Have Another if he doesn't live up to their expectations of a stallion.

re: I Won't Have Another

Linda in Texas — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 19:52:14 GMT

Fellow posters and bloggers, please correct my figure of $30 million to $10 million in my previous post. I stand corrected and apologized to Mr. Reddam for repeating a figure i had heard. One is never supposed to believe anything they hear!

Maybe in 2 years we will be able to see one of his colts or a filly running in the states. Now that is something to look forward to. And i will.

Thanks Steve.

re: I Won't Have Another

TXLonghorn — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 18:26:49 GMT

Cdnkowboy, I didn't understand your point the way you intended and apologize for that misunderstanding. I don't think the practice of retiring a horse quickly and sending him off to stud is as recent as so many of these posts would suggest, though. Look back through the history of English racing at all of their great champions who were wrapped up and shipped to Newmarket, Ireland...or America after a massive victory. (Some never ran after the Epsom Derby in May or June!) Many were campaigned through their sophomore season, but few saw the track again at four. It's always been a business to one degree or another. That said, my favorite "team" in American sports in the Phipps Stable. My favorite horses are Kelso and Forego. I too long for a different era with different values...even if we remember things differently than they actually transpired...but we live today...in the here and now. The sport is not propped up and kept alive by a very few wealthy industrialists with money to burn anymore. There are a few independently rich people still playing the game, but by and large this is a commercial buyer-seller business. If the commercial sellers don't provide what the commercial buyers want, the sport itself will go away forever. Let's celebrate the Phipps and Janney families that we do have left, without demonizing the "smaller" owners (who keep this thing alive) when they are able to cash in.

Speaking of Kelso and Forego, I am hopeful that Game on Dude stays sound and healthy. I'd love to see Hymn Book continue to progress. Look to the geldings and race mares with less commercial pedigrees for your stars and heroes. That is what they do in Europe. They fall in love with their steeplechasers, Cup horses and handicappers, because they stick around. The Triple Crown and Breeders Cup are not the be-all and end-all of racing. This sport needs another Forego, Kelso or John Henry a helluva lot more than it needs a TC winner. Those horses were all geldings!

re: I Won't Have Another

Ted from LA — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 17:28:23 GMT

Ted from LA

I'll Have Another can translate any language into Greek.

Dr Drunkinbum 08 Jul 2012 1:59 PM

This is common knowledge in the industry.

re: I Won't Have Another

Steve Haskin — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:47:25 GMT

Oops, I meant Nasrullah, not Nearco. Thanks for pointing that out. I have corrected it.