Footstepsinthesand

wallinga · Postby **wallinga** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:46 pm

Has anyone seen him in the flesh. If so what did you think?

I like him a lot for Aussie conditions, I think he is a different type to his dad (who has been tres floppish down here)

Putting aside anti GC sentiment, I think he'll be ok in europe and Oz as long as he gets support

AscotStud · Postby **AscotStud** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:23 pm

Only managed 3 starts...but somehow Coolmore tried to make that a good thing. He will get lots of support, he is standing at Coolmore after all. But if you're looking to breed a horse that can run more than a handful of times, I don't think he's going to be the sire to do it.

wallinga · Postby **wallinga** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:55 pm

He obviously had talent. Giant's Causeway was very very sound.

He hasn't had a great deal of support, I just think he's a neat/ well put together type of horse, with plenty of talent.

Sheikh · Postby **Sheikh** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 3:16 am

From what I can gather about S.H. Breeding the main complaint about the shuttle stallions from Europe is that the progeny can't cope with the firmer ground conditions. I think F'steps is likely to reinforce this view.

wallinga · Postby **wallinga** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:22 pm

Sheikh wrote:From what I can gather about S.H. Breeding the main complaint about the shuttle stallions from Europe is that the progeny can't cope with the firmer ground conditions. I think F'steps is likely to reinforce this view.

That's a fair comment to a degree. But there have been some very successful shuttle stallions. Really Footsteps is suffering from anti GC sentiment, which is a shame, because they are very different horses on type. i think one of the complaints about shuttlers is that with european refinement has come fragility and they find our demanding schedules quite tough. Same with the american stallions who perhaps proved there mettle on drugs... which aren't tolerated an awful lot here american stallions have been far less successful than european ones, bearing in mind we've had some pretty good ones come out here.

At the moment we are enduring one of our wettest ever summers so perhaps they'll find the softer tracks to their liking.

Sheikh · Postby **Sheikh** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 4:19 am

Would you not be worried about footsteps soundness as he only started three times and as you have mentioned the fragility that is now prevalent in the european (bar German perhaps) thoroughbred is shown up quicker in the S.H.
I have gathered from this site that G.C. is not exactly popular but I loved him as a racehorse. He was very sound himself but doesn't seem to be passing it on.

parlo · Postby **parlo** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:09 am

Sheikh wrote: ... you have mentioned the fragility that is now prevalent in the european (bar German perhaps) thoroughbred is shown up quicker in the S.H. ...

Please remember, that for a long while German TBs were bred late-maturing (due to natural weather-conditions that don't favor precocity) and for distances beyond 10f. So there wasn't that early stress on young horses than can be found in the sprint-oriented racing schedules in GB or in the US.

AscotStud · Postby **AscotStud** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:05 am

Sheik,

I think what people don't like about G.C. here, is that he was jumped up to $300k after producing ordinary numbers comparable to the size of book he had. I really liked him as a race horse, he was great. But he shouldn't be standing for more than $75k. Another bias people have towards him is that he is throwing mostly turf horses. Aside from Kingmambo (who was in my top 3, in NA) it's hard to get people to shell out that kind of money for a turf horse here.

I don't care who the horse is by...if he ran 3 times I would be very careful. Even though Coolmore will retire them even if they cough once they get a group win under their belts.

Rokeby Forever · Postby **Rokeby Forever** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:16 pm

AscotStud wrote:I really liked him as a race horse, he was great.

C'mon, Ascot. Giant's Causeway took it to Tiznow and the 1/16th pole and Tiznow said, "You're not gonna pass me, chump!" If Giant's Causeway was great, Tiznow must have been Godlike.

AscotStud · Postby **AscotStud** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:52 pm

Roke,

I was talking about his turf form which was impressive for a 3 year old. He wasn't bad on the dirt either, Tiznow beat him, but there were a few decent ones further back. There aren't too many that can hold their form on both surfaces like he did.

Intrinsic Worth · Postby **Intrinsic Worth** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 4:54 pm

Mick Kinane dropped his whip in late stretch. He probably could have had the race.

wallinga · Postby **wallinga** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:49 pm

AscotStud wrote:Sheik,

I think what people don't like about G.C. here, is that he was jumped up to $300k after producing ordinary numbers comparable to the size of book he had. I really liked him as a race horse, he was great. But he shouldn't be standing for more than $75k. Another bias people have towards him is that he is throwing mostly turf horses. Aside from Kingmambo (who was in my top 3, in NA) it's hard to get people to shell out that kind of money for a turf horse here.

Northern Dancer didn't suffer from standing in North America

AscotStud · Postby **AscotStud** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:21 pm

I don't think GC is a fraction if the sire Northern Dancer was.

Galileo · Postby **Galileo** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 3:58 am

Even though Coolmore will retire them even if they cough once they get a group win under their belts.

I think you behind the times somewhat...15 years ago that is correct but Coolmore have campaigned their Champions agressively since O'Brien took over even when it resulted in defeat....Rock Of Gibraltar, Giants Causeway, Peeping Fawn,Dylan Thomas,High Chaparral to name a few.

Only managed 3 starts...but somehow Coolmore tried to make that a good thing. He will get lots of support, he is standing at Coolmore after all. But if you're looking to breed a horse that can run more than a handful of times, I don't think he's going to be the sire to do it.

A fair point assuming you know the exact reason why the horse was injured and retired...was it likely to something that could be passed on? The great Danzig only ran and won 3 races before being retired due to injury...fair to say he has not done too badly.

Galileo · Postby **Galileo** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:01 am

Even though Coolmore will retire them even if they cough once they get a group win under their belts.

I think you behind the times somewhat...15 years ago that is correct but Coolmore have campaigned their Champions agressively since O'Brien took over even when it resulted in defeat....Rock Of Gibraltar, Giants Causeway, Peeping Fawn,Dylan Thomas,High Chaparral to name a few.

Only managed 3 starts...but somehow Coolmore tried to make that a good thing. He will get lots of support, he is standing at Coolmore after all. But if you're looking to breed a horse that can run more than a handful of times, I don't think he's going to be the sire to do it.

A fair point assuming you know the exact reason why the horse was injured and retired...was it likely to something that could be passed on? The great Danzig only ran and won 3 races before being retired due to injury...fair to say he has not done too badly.