All's Unfair in Love and Racing

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

Steve Haskin — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:41:28 GMT

While most everyone understood what this column is about, let me reiterate for those who didn't. I never criticized Tsui for retiring the horse, only the reasons he gave and his failure to simply say there was too much at stake from a financial standpoint to keep running him. I criticized Oxx for his contradictory comments about the horse, which only made people more upset. So, please, if you wish to defend the decision to retire the horse, even though that is not what the column is about, go right ahead, just don't address those comments to me specifically, because, once again, I never said he should not have been retired.

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

Greg R. — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:37:23 GMT

The horse has everything to lose and really nothing to gain. The owners would have far to great a risk to transport him over to the states. For a horse that will stand in Europe? Good call on the owners part!

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

Brigitte — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:43:43 GMT

I'm another one in the minority. Tsui's claim that the death of Urban Sea had something to do with retiring her son makes sense to me. There will be no more Urban Sea colts. Her son Galileo is doing well at stud but he doesn't belong to Tsui and Sea the Stars had a more spectacular championship year. So why send him to the USA to race for money rather than glory? (What glory in beating horses he beat in Europe plus American dirt horses that might not run to their best form?) Nothing much to win, much more to lose if Sea the Stars got beat.

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

Gail — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:40:58 GMT

Right on Steve!!!! I would much rather they had been honest. Money drives this industry, if not, there would be more horses racing at 4&5, fans would have much more fun and might go to the tracks more often. What's another purse if you can syndicate for multi-millions.Breeders and owners just don't get it, without the fans they would be out of business.

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

seb — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:36:50 GMT

@flyinhome: my point exactly. European and American racing are increasingly like ships passing in the night. Whether or not that's a shame depends on how you look at it.

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

Justine — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:12:18 GMT

Oh my god, THANK YOU! While I would have been ecstatic to see Sea The Stars race on next year - Dubai, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, the US - I was not surprised to learn he was retiring. Okay, I was less surprised and more angry, but then I read the comments by Oxx and Tsui and it was such a bruising punch in the gut. For the love of god, why did they say that? We're not stupid, we're not dumb, we've been watching the trends and the evolution of the sport. We know what to expect of such high class 3YOs (which, as I recall, are still growing and filling out) but for them to talk about how wonderfully strong and sound he is, and how *they* think it's unfair to him to keep racing him? Why NOT just turn him out for a few months, refresh himself, and then race him again? There are so many other worlds to conquer, after all.

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

Rita — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:07:13 GMT

You are exactly right Steve why lie when everyone already knew the reason why he was retiring. All the greedy money hungary people in this sport are the ones that are killing it.What are they going to do when there are no more fans?Seems to me everyone is tired of the same old song and dance story. With horses are with any other product, don't you have to get it out to the public? I don't see to many doing a very good job of it.Retiring at 3 healthy and sound, pity.

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

LAZMANNICK — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:44:00 GMT

I think it's time to get real. As much as we don't like it, and believe me as a fan I think it absolutely stinks, THIS IS THE BUSINESS SIDE OF HORSE RACING…..The horse could probably race just as affectively at four, but why waste a year making maybe 4 or 5 mill, taking a chance on injury and paying high insurance premiums when they can probably at least double that amount in one year in the breeding shed. And with the current economic times, he could duplicate this season again and it isn’t going to increase the value of his stud fee because the money just isn’t there.

Another thing, why take a chance of tarnishing his record? It's a fact that of the 11 different Arc winners that have raced in the BC, including Dancing Brave and eventual US HOY All Along.....NONE OF THEM HAVE EVER WON a BC race on dirt or turf.

As for Sea The Stars, as much as some diehards don’t want to admit it, the horse is a treasure and virtually has nothing more to prove……And his retirement just isn’t a European thing……As I stated before on another blog, If Big Brown would have won the Belmont, he would probably have been retired the next day as an undefeated Triple Crown winner.

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

Tiznowbaby — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:38:02 GMT

I know I'm in the minute minority, but the comments didn't bother me. Why take issue now? Why are they the ones that are supposed to be truthful?

I don't think it would be in racing's best interests for the owner to say, I love this horse, he's special to my family, and I'm scared to death every race that he'll take a bad step and end his life. That wouldn't play well with the masses and with PETA; they would want to know what he's racing the horse at all. I don't know if Mr. Tsui has had those thoughts, but it's conceivable considering how superstitious he was during the colt's season.

Anyway, everyone knows the geldings and fillies are where it's at ;)

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

Paula Higgins — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:19:21 GMT

ITA, this was funny and well stated. But truthfully Steve, the larger issue to me is that they are retiring these superstars too soon and consequently the sport is on life support in this country. I also think watching horses race on turf all bunched up like they do in Britain is a snore (yes, just call me Draynay). Our racing is much more exciting. So let the Brits and Euros do what they want. We can change the sport from a U.S. perspective and keep our superstars going at age 4. Kudos to all the owners who understand the concept of sportsmanship. I am proud of people like the Moss's and Jacksons. They are connections you want to root for, not the flash in the pans who are gone in 60 seconds.

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

Serena — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:18:39 GMT

Thanks again Steve for a marvelous piece. As usual you summed it up right: nobody likes being lied to and that's what this boils down to. The day one of these people says that they're doing 'whatever' for the money....they'd get more respect for being honest. I wonder how lickety-split Sea The Stars would return to racing and maybe win more money should he test sterile!! Because I certainly don't see him becoming a stable pony or someone's riding horse.....

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

Freetex — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:18:26 GMT

Yes, Steve, its like we are all just a bunch of fools.

WE GET IT! Money, money, money, makes the world extra sunny.

On the low end of the totem pole, (in racing, that would be the fans), it is all quite clear.

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

LEXC — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:16:29 GMT

Steve,

You said it all! What's unfair is cheating his legion of fans of a last chance to see this healthy, sound, possibly best horse in decades, of one last heartpounding race in the championship! Would he have won? Who knows ... but I'd chance to say it would have been another race for the ages ... but Happy retirement Big Guy! Now maybe we can get the Big Mare .. Zenyatta ... to run and show her stuff!

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

Shawn P — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:49:47 GMT

Maybe the comments weren't as contradictory as we think.

Maybe it was just an attempt at tactfully saying they don't want to bring a horse over to a track which has been having so many breakdowns and they don't feel he has anything left to prove in Europe?

So terrific to see Champs Elysees win for Mr. Frankel!

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

Shiori — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:43:34 GMT

No one could've said it better, Steve.

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

Cindi — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:42:12 GMT

Windy City I could not agree more. I would much rather really be able to follow horses for a couple years. The same thing will happen to Summer Bird, especially if he manages to win the classic. He didn't even race as a two year old, races 6 or 7 races as a three year old and then gone. I'll just stop there because I don't to get started on just how far the overbreeding/greed thing degrades the sport as a whole.

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

MikeM — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:25:40 GMT

Call it what u will.Unless you are Jess Jackson or the Arabs, this is a no brainer. The horse is to valuable as a stallion to race him at four. He has proven himself to be a great racehorse. 99.999% of the owners in the same situation(if they were lucky enough), would do the same exact thing.

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

wilson — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:23:39 GMT

Maybe the Breeder's Cup needs to add money to the Breeder's Cup Turf Purse if it wants to draw these horses year in and year out.

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

txhorsefan — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:19:33 GMT

Once again, as always, you have nailed it, Steve. I read many articles asking for transparency and honesty in communication and yes, that is what this is all about. We are grown ups, we understand that money talks and sure, we would have loved to see this wonderful horse prove himself as a four year old, but don't try to shove under the rug the reasons he was retired. We may be Americans and not the so-called elite of Europe, but we're not stupid, so don't treat us like children. Thank you for saying it all so well.

I am disappointed and will give Sea The Stars his due as being a terrific three year old who completed an arduous campaign, but I cannot justify saying he is one of the all time greats simply because we will never know after less than ten races. Yes, I understand Secretariat retired at three, and it was about the money needed to help the family cover estate taxes, etc., but he certainly was competitive for at least a solid two year campaign, more than a few races. We were not led to believe anything about it being in the horse's best interests, so totally different scenario.

Helsbelles - I loved what you said about Steve's writing about wet - paint - LOL! I'm sure I'd love to read that article, too! :)

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

Davids — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:48:31 GMT

You wouldn’t want to become too cynical would you but lets imagine if STS was immediately tested as a stallion prospect and, for whatever reason, was found to be totally ‘unsuitable’ wouldn’t STS’s next adventure be a trip to Los Angeles in a few weeks time? Imagine the back flip of excuses on why STS has to run in the BC.

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

Edward — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:47:58 GMT

Thanks, Steve. It was my first and only thought. Why make up BS and insult us, the fans?

As for the Dubal WOrld Cup being more important than the Breeders Cup, you must be kidding. The competition is a cut below and when there is a great horse its only because of the purse. Its not quite a must win race for legacy.

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

peter mallett — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:32:34 GMT

no one seems to think that great aomplishements without the advantage(?) of NA elixers is important but maybe this guy was was special...i don't know i haven't seen him and the arc tv was as useess as always but he did run the fasestr final 1/4 of any arc winner i have clocked in more than 15 year- retire him..of course .. thats how the futures game is played

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

anna — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:20:04 GMT

if both the owner and trainer had came straight out and stated that it would be unfair for sea the stars to keep racing after all of his brillant runs and unprecented wins this yr and that there isn't anything left for him to do besides going to the breeding shed or they don't want to risk injury by running him anymore. that would have been a lot better than them saying 'oh it's unfair to keep him going to hell with what everyone else thinks including the fans the fans doesn't matter.'

that is what john oxx basically said in his statement about sea the stars being retired.

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

Selbs — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:09:55 GMT

I completely agree. I think the reaction would have been much different if the response was to put him away for the year and bring him back next year in Dubai and give him a 4yo season. I know he's going to be a valuable stud prospect, but the industry needs the press if owners expect their "super star" colts to demand top stud fees. More press = more money in the industry through advertising, betting, investing in partnerships, etc.

What a shame, as it seems he'd grow into an even more powerful older competitor.

re: All's Unfair in Love and Racing

Terry — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:02:29 GMT

Horse racing used to be about seeing fine horses run, not about big bucks at the breeding shed. Today's horses are, on the one hand, coddled like fine porcelain and, on the other hand, drugged to perform, whether it's anti-inflammatories or painkillers or steroids. The only drug I think a horse should run on is Lasix, and that only because so many tracks are located near heavy industry, airports or major highways where the air quality is poor.

There was a time when top stakes horses made dozens of starts every year. At least if one retired at 3, there was a full season of racing which would allow one to assess the horse's quality.

I often wonder why Standardbreds race once a week and are often turned out into paddocks for some R&R between their races, while Thoroughbreds spend their time training instead of racing.

I have also wondered why some Standardbreds and most jumper stallions will be used for both breeding and competition without being retired for breeding, while Thoroughbreds have to do one or the other. Makes no sense to me!