An interesting article on Racing Post

[wallinga]

http://www.racingpost.com/news/bloodsto ... 36846/top/

Your thoughts

[Patuxet]

"Taken as a whole the US breeding business has turned in on itself ... those running the major Kentucky farms have little knowledge, experience or interest in racing outside the US."

BINGO! Thanks for the link.

[da hossman]

I agree with the article but think the writer should have mentioned the significant change in the dominant international buyers from Americans to Coolmore & Darley. The lack of ability to compete financially as well as a focus on US racing have put us in our current condition.

Some English agents and I were discussing this at dinner during the sales - now there are only about 5 US based sires whose yearlings they consider, where 10 years ago there were probably 2 dozen. Although our purse structure is better than the UK's, until we are able to raid their stallion prospects as we did regularly post WWII until the rise of Coolmore, we will not be able to significantly change the current situation. This goes for mares & families as well.

Powerscourt (Ashford/Coolmore) may be an unproven horse that has a chance to be added to their list of desired stallions...