Perfect Tens - By Dan Liebman

re: Perfect Tens - By Dan Liebman

Ripper — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:46:11 GMT

Sunline was a magnificent mare, she was incredibly dominant in 2 editions of the Cox Plate, watch the videos above, they are great and she was awesome.

She ran a very gallant 3rd in the Dubai Duty Free (1700 metres) beaten only half a length by Jim & Tonic and Fairy King Prawn. Her trainer is adamant that she would have won if the jockey had have obeyed riding intructions.

Her magnificent win in the HK Mile at the International Meeting is my most treasured memory of the mighty mare that was taken all too soon.

Makybe Diva was the other Autralasian wonder mare of the OOs. Three Melbourne Cups plus three of our most presigious WFA events in the Cox Plate, Australian Cup and the BWW Tancred Stakes means she is our top prizemeony earner ever, $15 million approx.

We were blessed to see two of the greatest mares (or horses for that matter) in the history of Oz racing to race so recently.

re: Perfect Tens - By Dan Liebman

KateW — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 23:42:27 GMT

I saw Sunline compete in her last 2 years of racing in Australia.She was

magnificent. Australia continues to put out these great race fillies...they let them mature.

re: Perfect Tens - By Dan Liebman

sceptre — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 01:57:53 GMT

Couldn't agree more with your choice of Dubai Millennium as horse of the decade. For me, he was the best I witnessed since Buckpasser in '66-'67. When one also factors in his pedigree (among the best ever), it could be said that Dubai Millennium's untimely death was among the most significant thoroughbred losses since the breed began. Since he left so few behind, most will soon forget him, so it is important that we now underline his greatness.

re: Perfect Tens - By Dan Liebman

oahunick — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 07:18:51 GMT

On their game ... Dubai Millemnium, Ghostzapper, Candy Ride, and Invasor were better than any other horse of the last decade.

But like Secretariat ... an astute racing fan must use the preface "on their game".

These 4 horses are what young people now refer to as "sick!"

Great story! I remember Sunline tried her hand in Dubai and faced thee world's best males. She gave a good account of herself too.

re: Perfect Tens - By Dan Liebman

jacko1 — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 01:50:03 GMT

Amazingly enough just two weeks ago Sunline's only two racing progeny entered in the same race in New Zealand, and quinelled it with a nose separating them! Here is the race replay, a very special result for one of the greatest ever mares www.nzracing.co.nz/Images/Video/200912/20091219WAIK06_BB.asx

re: Perfect Tens - By Dan Liebman

kelso fan — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 01:28:27 GMT

Thanks for the reminder about Sunline and Dubai Millenium - I think we sometimes forget about the magnificent champions racing in other parts of the world. Another great in this decade of females was Makybe Diva - wouldn't it be wonderful to get some of these horses from Australia and the Far East to the US for the Breeders Cup!

re: Perfect Tens - By Dan Liebman

Sunline — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 01:05:53 GMT

Sunline's two Cox Plate wins can be viewed here:

www.youtube.com/watch

re: Perfect Tens - By Dan Liebman

Andrew — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 23:44:34 GMT

I'm a half Aussie, half Kiwi, and it is great to see Sunline given international recognition. I loved her - to this day, she remains one of my favourite horses. For anyone who wants to see her in action, go to Youtube and watch the 2000 Cox Plate. Astonishing.

re: Perfect Tens - By Dan Liebman

Edward — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:36:53 GMT

The irony of someone named Ghost of Barbaro chastising a writer for writing about horses of the decade instead of current horses is delicious. And by the way, check out the site a little closer, another writer was assigned to write about Vallenzeri.

re: Perfect Tens - By Dan Liebman

charismaticred — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 02:57:37 GMT

I'm thrilled that you have reminded us of these awe-inspiring champions! I loved them both and wish they were still with us. Thanks so much, Dan!

re: Perfect Tens - By Dan Liebman

Nancy — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:45:49 GMT

Hi Dan,

I knew nothing about Sunline until I read your article. I had heard of Dubai Millenium due to the race in Dubai. Such sad stories about their untimely deaths. As you describe them and their race records, they certainly would be considered among the top thoroughbreds of the decade. It would be nice to feature more of the foreign Thoroughbreds and their bloodlines in the Blood-Horse. Also, include videos of their races on the website. It would add more depth if we fans had a better point of reference of the international stars.

re: Perfect Tens - By Dan Liebman

ezevans — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:33:13 GMT

Thanks Dan for sharing Sunline's story as she was a gal whoms name I had heard but really knew very little about. I have to agree with you on Dubai Millennium. I remember getting a DVD of him as part of his breeding promo and I was in awe. What a beautiful horse and an amazing mover.

re: Perfect Tens - By Dan Liebman

GHOST OF BARBARO — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:07:17 GMT

Thanks for the info Dan. Bloodhorse could use more pieces on young racehorses showing talent, not just the ghosts of the past. Sunline and Dubai Millenium are stories I love, but they are not living horses that might stir excitement at the track and in the sport now. The ghost of Willie Shoemaker says . . . "If Bloodhorse writes more about the horses currently running, they will come . . ."

Maybe you could hire the Australian writer who claims that American racing suffers because of our racing media that dehydrates the sport of any fun and excitement?

Take Control- I mean Vallenzeri - won today at a mile, meeting the Derby requirement of a two year old race under his belt. That's a story I want to read about. How many other hundreds of good candidates out there? I suggest that racing will thrive riding on the backs of living horses, not just the best of the decade (although on the eve of 2010 your subject is timely, after Jan. 1st please breathe some life into Bloodhorse by running more stories about the horses actually racing, please)

re: Perfect Tens - By Dan Liebman

Eric — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 03:12:17 GMT

Consider that Dubai Millennium may be even more impressive in retrospect than he was at the beginning of this decade.

In 2009, it is commonplace for horses to at least make an attempt to prove themselves over two or more of our three surfaces. In 2000 there was no "synthetic" middleground between the turf and dirt - horses crossing between one surface and the other was rare, and difficult at best.

Dubai Millennium was top notch on both dirt and turf and clearly had all the makings of a top sire. Getting a horse like Dubawi from just half a crop is quite an achievement.

re: Perfect Tens - By Dan Liebman

mgh — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:30:13 GMT

I never saw Sunline race, but I do have video of Dubai Millennium and he was fantastic. The video of the World Cup still gives me chills!