I was pointed in the direction of this article in yesterdays Observer newspaper. Apparently Newmarket sold out within the hour!
It makes for very interesting reading IMO
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/sport/story/0,,2137206,00.html
Godolphin verses Coolmore in yesterdays paper
Moderators: Roguelet, hpkingjr, WaveMaster
Godolphin verses Coolmore in yesterdays paper
Quality is not expensive.....It's priceless
Well... it is a point of view... and a very selective and nationalistic point of view...
Glad to know Tabor and Magnier are so well thought of in UK... I don't believe Coolmore to have quite the same respect in the U.S. Of course, they don't have the same stallions here and there may be slightly more competition (overall) in Kentucky. (And... the good ole' Kentucky boys still have a significant influence...)
Also, the talk about spending money only really works in Europe... I believe the Coolmore bunch have outspent the Godolphin / Darley group elsewhere.
The part which is missing is that a few years ago there was a decision amongst those within Darley / Godolphin to reduce their exposure in Europe and concentrate more heavily (than in the past) in Asia and the U.S. I believe this had something to do with the inferior purse structure in the U.K. vs. the costs. Also, there was some talk of a disconnect due to the press' (either accurate or inaccurate... I don't know) constant character questions.
I have, begrudgingly, developed a deep admiration for Sheikh Mohammad and company because of their treatment of their stock and their determination to promote the breed, racing, and the U.A.E. From what I have been told, (so, yes, it is hearsay and second-hand), the antics of the sales ring, the drug use in horses in sales and in training (especially in the U.K.), and the supposition that some farms are "secretly" taking part in the use of AI, are all reasons the Godolphin / Darley / Shadwell leadership is altering course. Yet, nothing has been made public... except the media fueled Coolmore thing. Why has nothing been made public?... Supposedly because the view from the top is that it would do nothing but hurt the sport and the industry. Of course, they also believe they have the resources to influence the game in the long-run.
As for the young horses in training... and the success of certain Newmarket trainers in the glory days... I can only ask, "... sure... at what cost?". How many young horses were broken down prior to ever getting to the track? We think Baffert and Lukas and crew are tough on young stock... primarily because most workouts (and breakdowns) are on track, thus publicized. The media in the U.K. doesn't have nearly the access to the private training facilities... and, thus, quite a lot never is known to the outside world.
While I cannot divulge my source... I will say that he was the one person who spoke honestly, made the most sense, and offered the best "inside" view. I also must admit I never thanked him enough for his time and conversation. In the crazy event he reads this... perhaps I just did.
Of course, all the prior ramblings are just my opinion also... and should be considered thusly... as possible ravings of a lunatic.
Glad to know Tabor and Magnier are so well thought of in UK... I don't believe Coolmore to have quite the same respect in the U.S. Of course, they don't have the same stallions here and there may be slightly more competition (overall) in Kentucky. (And... the good ole' Kentucky boys still have a significant influence...)
Also, the talk about spending money only really works in Europe... I believe the Coolmore bunch have outspent the Godolphin / Darley group elsewhere.
The part which is missing is that a few years ago there was a decision amongst those within Darley / Godolphin to reduce their exposure in Europe and concentrate more heavily (than in the past) in Asia and the U.S. I believe this had something to do with the inferior purse structure in the U.K. vs. the costs. Also, there was some talk of a disconnect due to the press' (either accurate or inaccurate... I don't know) constant character questions.
I have, begrudgingly, developed a deep admiration for Sheikh Mohammad and company because of their treatment of their stock and their determination to promote the breed, racing, and the U.A.E. From what I have been told, (so, yes, it is hearsay and second-hand), the antics of the sales ring, the drug use in horses in sales and in training (especially in the U.K.), and the supposition that some farms are "secretly" taking part in the use of AI, are all reasons the Godolphin / Darley / Shadwell leadership is altering course. Yet, nothing has been made public... except the media fueled Coolmore thing. Why has nothing been made public?... Supposedly because the view from the top is that it would do nothing but hurt the sport and the industry. Of course, they also believe they have the resources to influence the game in the long-run.
As for the young horses in training... and the success of certain Newmarket trainers in the glory days... I can only ask, "... sure... at what cost?". How many young horses were broken down prior to ever getting to the track? We think Baffert and Lukas and crew are tough on young stock... primarily because most workouts (and breakdowns) are on track, thus publicized. The media in the U.K. doesn't have nearly the access to the private training facilities... and, thus, quite a lot never is known to the outside world.
While I cannot divulge my source... I will say that he was the one person who spoke honestly, made the most sense, and offered the best "inside" view. I also must admit I never thanked him enough for his time and conversation. In the crazy event he reads this... perhaps I just did.
Of course, all the prior ramblings are just my opinion also... and should be considered thusly... as possible ravings of a lunatic.
The author said it himself in the article: the Sheik's over-riding dream is to raise major winners in Dubai to showcase Dubai. It's admirable that a ruler wants to elevate his country that way. But I think he was extremely successful until he started taking all the young horses there. They are obviously in the best conditions possible for the Middle East, but the heat, de-salinated water, and other conditions are not conducive to bringing a horse up to optimum performance, and you need absolutely every tiny advantage in G1 company. For right now, he is willing to invest the money and accept secondary status to achieve that dream, to throw every possible opportunity at the situation to make it happen. It is my personal opinion that if he wants to get back to the level he was racing at before, he will have to give up on that dream and admit that Ky or Ireland is a better place to raise a horse.
I wonder if it will happen that breeders will be dismayed rather than elated that the Sheik buys their horses, because the G1 black type is disappearing from their catalog pages.
I wonder if it will happen that breeders will be dismayed rather than elated that the Sheik buys their horses, because the G1 black type is disappearing from their catalog pages.
"When I am on my deathbed, I imagine I will say, 'Thank God I did that'" - Arthur Hancock, on buying back Gato del Sol from Europe after Exceller was killed in a slaughterhouse in Sweden.