Harlington
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wallinga
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Harlington
Well bred and talented colt is returning tomorrow in an allowance race
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Rokeby Forever
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How long can we expect an Unbridled returnee to last?
What synthetics are to California racing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gb0mxcpPOU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gb0mxcpPOU
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Rokeby Forever
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I know quite a few farms looked at him and LOVED him, but they think he's a G1 horse. I give them major accolades in taking time to prove that.
What does it say in our sport when connections choose to give the horse the time it needs to be competitive at the very top of this sport, and people question it? It's unfortunate we're so use to early retirements and abbreviated race careers that our initial reaction is so.
What does it say in our sport when connections choose to give the horse the time it needs to be competitive at the very top of this sport, and people question it? It's unfortunate we're so use to early retirements and abbreviated race careers that our initial reaction is so.
Don't be so humble - you are not that great.
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Rokeby Forever
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hi Maven...hi Rok
That said...I can understand many farms looking at and loving beautifully-bred, $2.8mil yearling and G2 winner Harlington...but I can also understand how farms might have responded/reacted if they felt that Melnyk was looking for the kind of money that his horse might fetch if he'd actually been a G1 winner and/or champion.
For comparison's sake, G1 winner (and G1-Preakness placed, G1-Travers placed and G1-Wood Memorial placed) Eddington (also by Unbridled) retired to Claiborne (in 2006) for a $20k stud fee. I'm not drawing a conclusion here...but I would guess that (for whatever reason/s) no farm was willing to commit (yet) to the money that Melnyk was likely looking for, for G2-winner Harlington (by Unbridled).
Regardless...Melnyk still has his horse, and will apparently attempt (as a result of racing Harlington in 2007) to enhance the horse's appeal to prospective buyers...in hopes that they'll be willing to fork over bigger bucks (in the future) than they might have if the horse was retired to stud for the 2007 season.
Despite that possibility...I ask. Is it so far fetched to suggest that Harlington might actually have the ability to win the BC Classic? If he does, any soundness concern would likely become a non-issue, while at the same time Harlington would probably earn an Eclipse award. Who knows, maybe Melnyk feels the same way about his horse...thus he decided to give it a go in 2007.
Fast forward...if Harlington retires without a G1 win to his credit...he's still worth PLENTY. But if he annexes a G1 (even if he gets his first at age 5) the pot (of cash) will likely be sweetened significantly and his appeal would get added luster. If he wins the G1-BC Classic though...the pot of gold will likely overflow and arguably his appeal would be maximized. So why not go for it? The upside is potentially huge.
As for the downside...certainly there are costs/expenses related to keeping him in training (including insurance premiums). Furthermore...there is always the risk of injury (or worse), but I would expect that Melnyk has appropriate coverages in place to protect his financial interest against the potential pitfalls.
Reality is though, Harlington will be responsible for filling Melnyk's coffers with lots of cash. It's just a matter of how much. After all, G2 winner Harlington is already a premier stallion prospect...and (as I've mentioned) worth MANY millions today (far beyond his purchase price) to my way of thinking.
Bottom line...if Harlington wins any G1, arguably he'll be worth MANY More millions (than he is today)...and if wins the G1-BC Classic and/or he's an eclipse award winner...he'll be worth MANY MANY More millions. I'd say that's quite a nice position to be in.
...but Rok, I'd be amazed if you didn't agree with Melnyk's decision to race Harlington in 2007. I, for one, can't knock Melnyk for taking the shot and racing him in 2007. Harlington might have his issues, but arguably the potential upside is VERY big.
Whatever Melnyk's reasons for racing Harlington in 2007...I'm glad to see the horse competing again this year.
Best to you.
Respectfully
I'd be surprsed if they didn't. After all, he apparently looks the part (why not, he was a $2.8mil ylg)...is by Unbridled and out of a super-star racemare (Serena's Song)...has a BIG pedigree...and is a Grade 2 winner.Maven wrote:I know quite a few farms looked at (Harlington) and LOVED him...
Thinking "he's a G1 horse" (your words) and actually being a G1 winner are two very different things...arguably one is a perception and the other a reality.Maven wrote:...but they think he's a G1 horse.
That said...I can understand many farms looking at and loving beautifully-bred, $2.8mil yearling and G2 winner Harlington...but I can also understand how farms might have responded/reacted if they felt that Melnyk was looking for the kind of money that his horse might fetch if he'd actually been a G1 winner and/or champion.
For comparison's sake, G1 winner (and G1-Preakness placed, G1-Travers placed and G1-Wood Memorial placed) Eddington (also by Unbridled) retired to Claiborne (in 2006) for a $20k stud fee. I'm not drawing a conclusion here...but I would guess that (for whatever reason/s) no farm was willing to commit (yet) to the money that Melnyk was likely looking for, for G2-winner Harlington (by Unbridled).
Regardless...Melnyk still has his horse, and will apparently attempt (as a result of racing Harlington in 2007) to enhance the horse's appeal to prospective buyers...in hopes that they'll be willing to fork over bigger bucks (in the future) than they might have if the horse was retired to stud for the 2007 season.
Fair enough...but let's not lose sight of the fact that he is a five-year-old now. That said...if he becomes a first-time G1-winner (BC Classic aside for now) at age five, would it be unfair to ask...was the win the result of exceptional talent or possibly moreso the result of attrition?Maven wrote:I give them major accolades in taking time to prove that.
In the case of Harlington...I suspect that Team Melnyk might have had to stop on him, or risk the consequences.Maven wrote:What does it say in our sport when connections choose to give the horse the time it needs to be competitive at the very top of this sport, and people question it?
Most (if not all) of us might agree that Harlington is a very appealing stallion prospect, whether he runs anymore or even wins a G1. That said...I sense there might be a soundness issue (at least to some extent) with Harlington.Maven wrote:It's unfortunate we're so use to early retirements and abbreviated race careers that our initial reaction is so.
Despite that possibility...I ask. Is it so far fetched to suggest that Harlington might actually have the ability to win the BC Classic? If he does, any soundness concern would likely become a non-issue, while at the same time Harlington would probably earn an Eclipse award. Who knows, maybe Melnyk feels the same way about his horse...thus he decided to give it a go in 2007.
Fast forward...if Harlington retires without a G1 win to his credit...he's still worth PLENTY. But if he annexes a G1 (even if he gets his first at age 5) the pot (of cash) will likely be sweetened significantly and his appeal would get added luster. If he wins the G1-BC Classic though...the pot of gold will likely overflow and arguably his appeal would be maximized. So why not go for it? The upside is potentially huge.
As for the downside...certainly there are costs/expenses related to keeping him in training (including insurance premiums). Furthermore...there is always the risk of injury (or worse), but I would expect that Melnyk has appropriate coverages in place to protect his financial interest against the potential pitfalls.
Reality is though, Harlington will be responsible for filling Melnyk's coffers with lots of cash. It's just a matter of how much. After all, G2 winner Harlington is already a premier stallion prospect...and (as I've mentioned) worth MANY millions today (far beyond his purchase price) to my way of thinking.
Bottom line...if Harlington wins any G1, arguably he'll be worth MANY More millions (than he is today)...and if wins the G1-BC Classic and/or he's an eclipse award winner...he'll be worth MANY MANY More millions. I'd say that's quite a nice position to be in.
Very funnyRokeby Forever wrote:Kudos to Neil Drysdale for still having Fusaichi Samurai and Your Tent Or Mine still in training?
...but Rok, I'd be amazed if you didn't agree with Melnyk's decision to race Harlington in 2007. I, for one, can't knock Melnyk for taking the shot and racing him in 2007. Harlington might have his issues, but arguably the potential upside is VERY big.
Whatever Melnyk's reasons for racing Harlington in 2007...I'm glad to see the horse competing again this year.
Best to you.
Respectfully
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Rokeby Forever
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