Ward of the World - By Dan Liebman

re: Ward of the World - By Dan Liebman

John T. — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:19:39 GMT

Nijinsky was a great Canadian bred champion not only was he by perhaps the greatest sire of all time Northern Dancer but his dam Flaming Page had won the 1962 Canadian Oaks.Wesley Ward has proved himself a good trainer of 2 year olds and it was first class judgement on his part to have two of them ready to win at such a prestigeous meeting as Royal Ascot.

re: Ward of the World - By Dan Liebman

No_Class — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:43:22 GMT

Ranagulzion - agreed!

re: Ward of the World - By Dan Liebman

da3hoss — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:36:09 GMT

it will be sad if European runners become early speed oriented.

re: Ward of the World - By Dan Liebman

Blue Dawn — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:18:54 GMT

Sceptre,

Well written! I really like your comment.

For another good Americans in Europe commentary you all may enjoy, may I submit this link:

www.examiner.com/x-12303-Horse-Racing-Examiner

re: Ward of the World - By Dan Liebman

sceptre — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:37:28 GMT

That Wesley, he's one of a kind, marches to his own drummer. I have a lot of respect for him; he has the courage to stick to his own, at times, non-conformist convictions. Notice that he breeds many to his relatively non-commercial stallion, with results that very often succeed. This breath of fresh air openly touted his brilliant and talented runner "Lifestyle" before the Breeders' Cup Sprint a few years ago. The horse closed in the wagering at 50-1, and would have likely been the winner had not he encounteed horrendous racing luck. I'm not an advocate of early 2 yr. old racing, but there's no doubt that Wesley has no peer when it comes to these runners. How does he continuously accomplish this? I've been in racing for nearly 50 years, but have never seen anything like it. This praise is long overdue.

re: Ward of the World - By Dan Liebman

Ranagulzion — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:46:48 GMT

Dan I'm sure you'll appreciate the correction: Nijinsky II, like his sire the great Northern Dancer was actually bred in Canada (albeit in North America but the distinction is especially significant because of how much Mine That Bird exposed the belittling of Canadian Racing accomplishments in the USA).

re: Ward of the World - By Dan Liebman

Power — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:50:23 GMT

Would I be right in saying Fourstarsallstar was the last horse to go over to Europe and win a Group 1, winning the Irish 1000 guineas. Either way well done to Mr Ward and it would be even better to see more US trainers try and go to Ascot next year, I'm sure Mr Ward will be back!!

re: Ward of the World - By Dan Liebman

mz — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:14:06 GMT

I was really interested in seeing what Mr. Ward's babies (and Cannonball) were going to do since I agree that international racing shouldn't only be one way (others coming here). I was really looking forward last year to Curlin going over for the Arc de Triomphe and it was a big disappointment when it appeared he didn't like the turf. I would love to see some North Americans try for that race at least once every once in a while. (Wasn't the last time Tom Rolfe in 1965?)(Although not the Arc, I was there in the late 80's when Steve Stavro sent over Zadracarta, a Cdn champ mare, to run in the Prix de l'Abbaye and she finished 2nd by a nose - great display - I bet on her to win, tho)

Congratulations to Mr. Ward and all his connections on their initiative ans success.

And thanks to him for giving me the fun of checking out every day what his babies (and Cannonball) had done.

(Seems the arguments about west coast/east coast on only one continent are pretty petty!)