Well, this amazing horse has been unofficially retired. It has been an honor to watch him over the years as he was truly the "people's horse". They are thinking stable pony or Kentucky Horse Park. Thank goodness they are doing right by this awesome animal and he retires sound and healthy.
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing ... a-Man.aspx
Lava man retired
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Lava Man
Oh...I was reading between the lines on the Blood Horse article also. My husband and I are huge fans. We have seen him every time he runs. He looked great in the paddock and seemed himself. I was nervous due to his groom is not there with him. Lava man likes everything his own way. He really was quite pleased to have his groom back. He doesnt like anyone in his stall. I think the horse was poorly managed and raced too much but they finally gave him a rest and I hoped for the best. I think he was in too tough of company this last race.
I think that while a lot of horses would love the horse park. I dont think he is one of them. Might be better to leave him for a while and find some softer races and turn him out half the year. He has certainly been a really great horse with incredible accomplishments. I thought they put too much weight on him in the Whittingham. I think he would have won that one otherwise.
These people have earned a lot of money with that horse and he deserves a lot better.
I think that while a lot of horses would love the horse park. I dont think he is one of them. Might be better to leave him for a while and find some softer races and turn him out half the year. He has certainly been a really great horse with incredible accomplishments. I thought they put too much weight on him in the Whittingham. I think he would have won that one otherwise.
These people have earned a lot of money with that horse and he deserves a lot better.
The Thoroughbred Times obviously took the comments and ran with him, while the DRF chose to exercise more caution, saying that his career "could" be over. This section of the TT article made the pending retirement seem less a foregone conclusion:
“He blew his right front shoe at the first turn,” Kenly said. “He ran a mile with no shoe. He’s looked better than he has all year.”
O’Neill echoed Kenly’s sentiments.
“He only lost by three lengths and was third in a three-horse photo in a Grade 1 in the start before,” O’Neill said. “We were obviously disappointed in the Eddie Read. It’s frustrating because he was training so well and looks so good.”
“He blew his right front shoe at the first turn,” Kenly said. “He ran a mile with no shoe. He’s looked better than he has all year.”
O’Neill echoed Kenly’s sentiments.
“He only lost by three lengths and was third in a three-horse photo in a Grade 1 in the start before,” O’Neill said. “We were obviously disappointed in the Eddie Read. It’s frustrating because he was training so well and looks so good.”
lava man
THANk you for posting the DRF article. Both the Blood Horse and The Throughbred Times appear to have taken their story fom the Del
Mar stable notes. There was no mention of a lost shoe. Again, I do hope that the connections give Lava Man a fair chance to continue.
Mar stable notes. There was no mention of a lost shoe. Again, I do hope that the connections give Lava Man a fair chance to continue.
Im a huge fan of this horse and all I have to say if he retires is that he should stay in cali. Hes a Cali legend, and was never respected for running poorly elsewhere, so why should he retire outside cali? Doug mentioned having him as a stable pony, and considering all the attention he likes and how much he doesnt like change, I would go this route.