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Gossip on Successful Appeal
Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2006 7:57 pm
by patrick
I hope this isn't true, but I heard from a member of the Keeneland circle that SA is not showing much interest in breeding and hasn't stopped a high % of mares.
I hope this isn't true as I think he is one of the best new guys on the block. I can't say I'm crazy about his height, but his offspring have wings.
Anyone else heard about this?

Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2006 8:39 pm
by austique
FOS had stated that the horse had some problems in the past in Florida due to a back issue. Maybe he's sore again?
It would be a shame.
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 6:13 am
by LSB
Succesful Appeal has been having back problems for the last two years while he's been at Walmac, which have intermittently interfered with his breeding of mares. I don't know his status at the moment but I wouldn't be surprised to hear that his troubles were continuing.
As for his offspring, after that first year, it seems to me that they've cooled quite a bit on the race track.
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 6:28 am
by louis finochio
Dont let the height bother you, as Northern Dancer was in the same mold, and ND became a legend in his own time.
Re: Gossip on Successful Appeal
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 7:46 am
by FOS
hi patrick
patrick wrote:...I heard from a member of the Keeneland circle that SA is not showing much interest in breeding and hasn't stopped a high % of mares.
I hope this isn't true as I think he is one of the best new guys on the block. I can't say I'm crazy about his height, but his offspring have wings.
Anyone else heard about this?
Successful Appeal is known to take his time...sometimes a VERY lonnnnng time. He is NOT (by any stretch of the imagination) considered to be a one jump stallion...and might take 5 or 6 jumps to get the job time. As a result, those breeding to him must be patient (often VERY patient) and might be wise to bring some lunch with them to the shed

.
Reality is, Successful Appeal can definitely get the job done, but only when he's good and ready.
As for Successful Appeal's height, you wrote
"I can't say I'm crazy about his height...". I'm not sure what that means patrick, Successful Appeal is a legit 16-1+-HH; and taller (and by the way more athletic, to my way of thinking) than any other Valid Appeal that I can recall ever setting eyes on.
If patience is a virtue...Successful Appeal's supporters seem to be required to have that admirable quality.
Respectfully
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 10:10 am
by patrick
I'm VERY glad to hear that he is getting the job done, even though it may be wearing out the handlers a bit. If anyone thinks they have a bad job, remember it could be worse - you could be SA's teaser
I'd like to see what he could do with a super book of mares. I think his book this year was good sized and I think he is booked full. Can anyone say they'd be surprised if he produced some major talent?
FOS, I know they list him as 16.1 but for some reason he just didn't look that tall to me. I might have been influenced by the fact that I saw Songandaprayer at the same time and he looked like he was 17.3 rather than 16.3.
Anyone ever notice how when horses are racing they have almost NO heals, but many look like they are in high heals at stud?
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 11:37 am
by Bondama
Successful Appeal is known to take his time...sometimes a VERY lonnnnng time. He is NOT (by any stretch of the imagination) considered to be a one jump stallion...and might take 5 or 6 jumps to get the job time. As a result, those breeding to him must be patient (often VERY patient) and might be wise to bring some lunch with them to the shed .
Reality is, Successful Appeal can definitely get the job done, but only when he's good and ready.
Sheesh, sounds like most of the guys I know!!

Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:56 pm
by FOS
hi patrick
patrick wrote:FOS, I know they list him as 16.1 but for some reason he just didn't look that tall to me. I might have been influenced by the fact that I saw Songandaprayer at the same time and he looked like he was 17.3 rather than 16.3.
I understand completely the impressions that both Successful Appeal and Songandaprayer can make.
Successful Appeal, at 16-1+-HH, is a thriftier (for lack of a better description) kind of horse than Songandaprayer, who stands 16-3+-HH and is arguably massive in proportion (as compared to Successful Appeal). It might not be so much the two inches difference in their height, but the significant difference in body mass that left you with the perception as it did.
Respectfully...in human terms, a reasonable analogy might be to compare NBA superstars Shaquille O'Neal (at 7'1" 325 pounds+-) to Kevin Garnett (at 6'11" and 220 pounds+-). Height-wise, O'Neal is but 2" taller than Garnett, but O'Neal's 325 lbs and massive proportion might have such an impact on perception, that Garnett might not leave some with the perception (when visually comparing the two athletes) that he is as tall as he is.
Best to you.
Respectfully
Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 8:31 pm
by Pete
Hi Folks,
Successful Appeal's in a difficult position. He's barely been treading water since Closing Argument was 2nd in the Derby. He's getting winners but nothing to write home about.
He has more than a year before his first KY foals sell as yearlings and 2 years before they can make an impact for him. If he doesn't break out of his 'funk' he may have to rebuild his reputation nearly from the ground up.
Matty G earned a trip to KY off a nice (small) freshman crop but even several graded winners couldn't keep him afloat. Successful Appeal had more hype and a much better first crop but he's vulnerable.
Regards,
Pete
Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 3:08 am
by Mahubah
Successful Appeal had an interesting maiden winner at Keeneland -- Appealing Zophie (x Zophie, by Hawkster), who won a 4.5 MSW by 10-1/2 lengths -- granted, she was in front all the way on a speed-favoring strip but it will be interesting to see how she develops.
Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 6:35 am
by Sysonby
Zophie is the second 2YO in as many weeks who won at Keeneland for Heilingbrodt and Asmussen by open lengths. (Datrick won by 7 1/2 last week) Given how the Keeneland track has been playing, I'd like to see them repeat it at Churchill before getting completely on board but well done!
Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 8:04 am
by Mahubah
Say, Sysonby, who's the cutie on your avatar?
Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 4:06 pm
by louis finochio
When you breakdown SA pedigree you will find the following under performing stallions in SA 5 generation pedigree.
Fortunate Prospect---Staff Writer---Northern Prospect---Moslem Chief---Alibhai---Alsab---and 2 crosses of Lucky Debonair.
When SA offspring compete against the chefs of the breed, they will play second fiddle.
Lets wait and see if those Ky. quality mares make up the difference in his offspring next year.
Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 4:23 pm
by Pete
Hi all,
I was simply knocked sideways by the workout of hip #679
b.f. 2004 by Successful Appeal - Down South Trickin' - By Clever Trick
She went in 10.0 but was absolutely superior, a real WOW!
Regards,
Pete
Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 8:34 pm
by Pete
Hi Folks,
Hip #679, b.f. 2004 by Successful Appeal - Down South Truckin' brought $165,000 not an aggressive price considering the prices paid for others. Successful Appeal had some weak sales prices (2 or 3 @$6k or less) and I was surprised to be able to get hip #200 for $27k.
Successful Appeal seems to be in commercial decline unless he gets some help soon.
Regards,
Pete