Sorry, I didn't see your post before I made mine....we pretty much said the same thing. I'm glad I'm not alone. I do hope AK is that good. Would love to see an American horse make a name for himself internationally.Originally Posted by second_glance
Sometimes I think Americans get a little too arrogant about how well we do things and get bent out of shape if anyone suggests things might be better elsewhere. That's one of our worst flaws.
Where are my sneakers?
No, we just appreciate when it isn't Barry Irwin going OUT OF HIS WAY to be an *** and use arrogant phrasing or say something inappropriate in the most odd places. He is a very smart man, and a former writer, so he knows he is doing this, too. That is the arrogant part, he is not just some rube that doesn't know what a sound bite sounds or looks like.
But yep, Barry knows he can't get half what he is asking for the horse to stand stud here with that pedigree (and to deal with Barry is not worth the other half alone) so he is campaigning him to stand him abroad, isn't he?
Let me help: "We'll see what happens in Dubai, how he ships, how he runs. See how he comes out of it. We might even look at Hong King next from there (April, a race soon after the DWC) since it is a large purse and we can show him off to the world. But one race at a time."
Part of Irwin's problem is the whiny response about how everyone lies to him after he won the Kentucky Derby. It was dunderheaded, and the same can be said for the way he's now whining about the purses even though we all know his motivations probably have more to do with international breeding prospects for Animal Kingdom. It's not that there aren't any truths in what he's saying, but at the same time he could maybe show a little respect for American racing. He's not an easy guy to like, but maybe he doesn't care if he's likeable or not -- and that's fine.
He may not be the most tactful person out there, but it doesn't bother me. I really hope he is successful with this horse because I like the horse. I don't let the people involved get in the way of appreciating the horse, because it's the horse I hope to see shine. And if he shines, it only helps American racing, it doesn't hurt it.
Where are my sneakers?
really? i would be thrilled to see him pointing for dubai and HK
I appreciate your sentiment about the horse or any horse despite his owner/manager/defacto trainer.
Look at it this way, we won't have to worry about AK competing for an American Eclipse Award this year. He won't be running a "domestic" campaign and I've no doubt a Euro can win again at SA on the turf and that AK isn't fast enough to win on dirt in a Classic.
I couldn't care less where he runs his horse. I do, however, think the way he presents himself is nauseating. I truly wonder if he ever thinks before he speaks. So no, I don't think he's a jackass for running his horse in Dubai or Hong Kong. I think he's a jackass for the words that come out of his mouth.
Well there's lots of smart ideas in books I've never read, when the girls come talk to me I wish to hell I had
Finally again an owner someone who takes the horse and also runs it outside the US in an ambitious campaign. Be honest, in the last few years the races for 3 yo + up were rather underwhelming (mostly because of early retirements ofc, nobody's fault). So I rather see him go overseas and try to run there.
The way he presented that idea however was tasteless (whining about purses, really? I think the purses are just fine IMO, okay maybe not for older horses I give him that). Either that or he was quoted out of context or they left out bits of what he said (often happens). He could have just said that they want to take on the best and run an international campaign. Everyone would have applauded him for that (since it's rarely done).
I'll still be cheering for Animal Kingdom. I don't care if he's owned by someone I don't like, at least they try something different. I hope it will work out.
Last edited by Kurenai; 03-06-2012 at 08:11 AM.
Sea The Stars - perfection in equine form, a horse of a lifetime!
Fair point about purses. They aren't too low in US for Gr. 1 horses either. Dubai and HK are short, exceptionally $$$ meets.
If G.1 turf purses are so low here why do the Euros ship over to clean up?
85wooley
Re: Ipi Tombe fansWhat potential this one had
No doubt about that.
Horse was sensational until Team Valor bought her. She raced once in the US and broke something or other. Retired.
So much for that braggert's rhetoric about US horses and injuries. Injury is an occupational hazard for a race horse...no matter it's pedigree or county of birth.
Where's Animal Kingdom? How about Dr. Greenfield?
I posted a thread a few days ago on an article by Gary West about the dearth of big-purse races for older horses, especially on dirt. In which, IIRC, Baffert whines a bit too.
It is pretty pitiful, compared to 3yo money.
First rule: Try always to do what's right for the horse. The people part will work out. -- Josh Pons, Merryland, 2007
@GrahamMotion: While everyone else was prepping in Dubai today #AK went an easy 5 furlongs on 1.04 and change on the grass going his last eighth in 11.2.
Note: Dogs out, he ran wide.
First rule: Try always to do what's right for the horse. The people part will work out. -- Josh Pons, Merryland, 2007
Happy 4th birthday to AK!
His very first photo (courtesy of Barry Irwin):
First rule: Try always to do what's right for the horse. The people part will work out. -- Josh Pons, Merryland, 2007
From Jennie Rees:
Barry Irwin on chances Animal Kingdom resumes racing: 'As high as they can be.'
... on talks to sell Animal Kingdom as stud this year: "In final analysis I can’t bring myself to do it."
From Thoroughbred Times:
Irwin says Animal Kingdom doing well, could return to races late September/early October, with long-term goal of 2013 Dubai World Cup
Animal Kingdom, Eblouissante, Amazombie, Somali Lemonade, Royal Delta,
Archwarrior, Flashy Gray, Antonia Autumn, Verrazano, Mr Commons, Midnight Lucky
2012 Thoroughbred In Memoriam
Once upon a time there was a horse named Kelso. But only once. ~ Joe Hirsch
That is really excellent news! Hope to see him later in the year
Yes, good news. Would like to see AK in action some more. Hope he makes it back and can stay healthy.
Where are my sneakers?
I found this on Bloodhorse.com at the end of a piece about Dullahan and other derby hopefuls:
Meanwhile, Irwin said he hopes Animal Kingdom, who was injured earlier this year, returns to the races in September or October. Irwin said he has turned down stallion offers for the 4-year-old horse, who missed this year’s planned start in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I).
“I think there’s too much racing left in this horse,” Irwin said, noting the 2013 World Cup is on the radar screen.
Where are my sneakers?
I like the way they think!
From Brisnet
Trainer Graham Motion reported Friday that Kentucky Derby-winning champion Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux) could be cleared to resume light training soon. "He's going to go for a bone scan next week, which is a follow-up to the bone scan he had in Florida," Motion said. "If he gets the green light, we'll start him back in light training." Animal Kingdom, who was injured in the course of a brutally rough trip in last year's Belmont Stakes, made a stylish return in a Gulfstream Park turf allowance on February 18. Several weeks later, the Team Valor International runner developed a different injury -- the beginning of a stress fracture -- and has been given time to rest and heal.
The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely the one who dropped it - Lou Holtz
God bless these connections for keeping him in training.
Animal Kingdom, Eblouissante, Amazombie, Somali Lemonade, Royal Delta,
Archwarrior, Flashy Gray, Antonia Autumn, Verrazano, Mr Commons, Midnight Lucky
2012 Thoroughbred In Memoriam
Once upon a time there was a horse named Kelso. But only once. ~ Joe Hirsch
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