Did I hear right? I'm sorry if this is old news. If so, I missed the post and the buzz. I have a lot of personal interest in this one because of the Storm Cat over Halo bloodlines.
Laurie
Now It's Indian Ocean?
Moderators: Roguelet, hpkingjr, WaveMaster
Now It's Indian Ocean?
Doing my usual half-listen to TVG while I'm doing housework and I *thought* I heard the announcer say that Indian Ocean sustained an injury and is being retired.
Did I hear right? I'm sorry if this is old news. If so, I missed the post and the buzz. I have a lot of personal interest in this one because of the Storm Cat over Halo bloodlines.
Laurie
Did I hear right? I'm sorry if this is old news. If so, I missed the post and the buzz. I have a lot of personal interest in this one because of the Storm Cat over Halo bloodlines.
Laurie
So many pedigrees...so little time. (C)
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louis finochio
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Indian Ocean was one of my favorites, as I would look forward to seeing him in my morning rounds. Sorry to hear the bad news, and for his trainer Jay Robbins.
Indian Ocean's sire Stormy Atlantic is becoming a quality stallion. We can look forward to seeing many more of his offspring visit the winners circle.
Indian Ocean's sire Stormy Atlantic is becoming a quality stallion. We can look forward to seeing many more of his offspring visit the winners circle.
Those without sin cast the first stone.
Louis Finochio
Louis Finochio
hi louis finochio
You wrote "Indian Ocean was one of my favorites, as I would look forward to seeing him in my morning rounds."
I get a sense you see plenty of horses at the track...and I can't recall the last time you referenced one as 'one of your favorites'...he must be special...what in particular made Indian Ocean one of your favorites?
Respectfully
You wrote "Indian Ocean was one of my favorites, as I would look forward to seeing him in my morning rounds."
I get a sense you see plenty of horses at the track...and I can't recall the last time you referenced one as 'one of your favorites'...he must be special...what in particular made Indian Ocean one of your favorites?
Respectfully
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louis finochio
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IO is a well balanced individual, and is all business. He has a good attitude and acts like the boss of the herd. TB like him are golden and its hard to see them go down due to an injury.
IO sire Stormy Atlantic is making waves as a stallion, I like the all the SA offsprings I have seen so far.
IO sire Stormy Atlantic is making waves as a stallion, I like the all the SA offsprings I have seen so far.
Those without sin cast the first stone.
Louis Finochio
Louis Finochio
hi louis
Thanks for your insights...as always.
Indian Ocean made some waves (no pun intended) and I sensed he was on the verge of taking another step up...in the direction of the big time. He looked to be a very serious racehorse whose best had not yet been exposed...although his accomplishments, qualities and ability seemed to offer the hopes, dreams and promise of a very bright future.
It almost seemed like he was a fresh new kid on the block...that knew he was good and carried a bit of a swagger in his step. He seemed to be an athlete that was just getting ready to show us what he was really made of, when his career was short circuited.
What a shame...I expect he was cut out to be a very good one.
You've indicated he's "balanced" and "all business." Based on your description it sounds like it might be fair to say that he's not lacking in the self-confidence category. Is he quite the physical specimen also...you know...body...bone...general eye-appeal...or did his personality and character seem to overshadow his physical prowess?
Is there any chance he could make it back...or is he definitely finished?
Respectfully
Thanks for your insights...as always.
Indian Ocean made some waves (no pun intended) and I sensed he was on the verge of taking another step up...in the direction of the big time. He looked to be a very serious racehorse whose best had not yet been exposed...although his accomplishments, qualities and ability seemed to offer the hopes, dreams and promise of a very bright future.
It almost seemed like he was a fresh new kid on the block...that knew he was good and carried a bit of a swagger in his step. He seemed to be an athlete that was just getting ready to show us what he was really made of, when his career was short circuited.
What a shame...I expect he was cut out to be a very good one.
You've indicated he's "balanced" and "all business." Based on your description it sounds like it might be fair to say that he's not lacking in the self-confidence category. Is he quite the physical specimen also...you know...body...bone...general eye-appeal...or did his personality and character seem to overshadow his physical prowess?
Is there any chance he could make it back...or is he definitely finished?
Respectfully
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louis finochio
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The first time I saw IO I was attracted to him through his conformation and special looks, including bone, intelligence, mordant=strong will individual, and just an outstanding TB that you cant take your eyes off.
I will ask Jay Robins his trainer what IO current status is and how long he will be sidelined. DM last day is Sep 7 and then I can find out about IO and I'll post what Jay tells me.
Thanks for your concern FOS, be well Louis.
I will ask Jay Robins his trainer what IO current status is and how long he will be sidelined. DM last day is Sep 7 and then I can find out about IO and I'll post what Jay tells me.
Thanks for your concern FOS, be well Louis.
Those without sin cast the first stone.
Louis Finochio
Louis Finochio
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buckhunter
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He's a special horse, and given the right mares, I think he will do well in his new career. He is doing beautifully at the farm right now, getting wound down. The tendon has responded well, and while his racing career is over, he is comfortable and in good shape. There should be a formal announcement about where he will stand very soon.
hi buckhunter...hi louis
buckhunter, you wrote "He's a special horse, and given the right mares, I think he will do well in his new career."
You describe him as "a special horse" and louis finochio described him as one of his "favorites" . He obviously touched you both...and you both seem to have high praise for him.
buckhunter...you sound very close to Indian Ocean and seem to have great respect for him, what makes him so "special" and what are the "right mares".
Respectfully
buckhunter, you wrote "He's a special horse, and given the right mares, I think he will do well in his new career."
You describe him as "a special horse" and louis finochio described him as one of his "favorites" . He obviously touched you both...and you both seem to have high praise for him.
buckhunter...you sound very close to Indian Ocean and seem to have great respect for him, what makes him so "special" and what are the "right mares".
Respectfully
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buckhunter
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I think that the three things that I value most about Indian Ocean are his conformation, his balance, and his personality. He is a very nicely made horse with no significant flaws to my eye. Many horses come with blemishes that they overcome, but that you worry their children may not (offset knees, long pasterns, etc.). When I look at Indian Ocean, none of those areas stand out as "you're gonna have to look closely to see if his children all have that problem." At the same time, he is a remarkably well-balanced individual who, had he stayed sound, would have become a MUCH better racehorse than what he had a chance to show. And in terms of personality, he had an aggression that was not temperamental, and that was blended with an unusually quick intelligence that allowed him to learn from almost every experience.
I saw his first start on video feed, and was a bit disappointed. I had heard that he had been training well, but in his first start it was clear even on video that he was a young horse who was green in his first start. I set him aside in my memory bank to give him time to develop. So I didn't see his next two races. The next time I saw him was working out before the Affirmed, only a month or two after that debut. What impressed me most in that work was not how effortlessly he breezed, but how professionally he cut the corner, switched leads and extended through the lane. This was a racehorse who in a very short space of time had caught on not just on what to do, but on developing technique that allowed him to do it better. He simply was a natural; and he was just beginning to come into his physical ability.
In the Affirmed (if you get a chance watch that video replay), he turned for home between bigger more experienced proven 3yos with a slight lead. Instead of being intimidated, he was LOVING it. Court barely moves on him, and he maintains his slight advantage throughout the lane. While that stretch drive is exciting for anyone who was watching it, watch it again for the last 40 yards. It appears as though four horses battle through the lane. But in the last 40 yards, both Dover Dere and Buzzards Bay are completely finished. I still believe that even at that point Indian Ocean is still toying with Surf Cat as they go under the wire.
His youth hurt him in the Swaps. On the first turn, Court wants to take him back off the pace. I think that was a mistake, though I can understand the thinking at the time if he wanted to avoid being part of duel that would play to 4/5 favorite Don't Get Mad. But Indian Ocean did not rate well off that pace and through the stretch his competitiveness takes the form of sulking the final sixteenth. This is a horse so fit that he would be done blowing after a bullet work before he left the track, but he just galloped home the last part of that race.
I am very confident that his bow was one of those terribly unfortunate injuries that can occur when you switch from one surface to another; the difference between the surface he had trained over in Los Angeles and the somewhat looser Del Mar surface jumped up and bit him.
The hard part there is that if this horse had been around for another year, I have no doubt that he would have blossomed into a legitimate Grade 1 horse, and he would get the mares that accompany those accomplishments. What he shows now is three wins, including a G3, from 5 starts; 100% in the money with a G2 placing. That record is well below his actual ability, but it also compares favorably with a number of lightly-raced individuals who have become important sires. Because I believe he has all the tools of a champion racehorse, I hope that he catches the kind of mares that will give him a chance to prove what his racing record only suggests, but which being around him convinces me is well within his reach.
I saw his first start on video feed, and was a bit disappointed. I had heard that he had been training well, but in his first start it was clear even on video that he was a young horse who was green in his first start. I set him aside in my memory bank to give him time to develop. So I didn't see his next two races. The next time I saw him was working out before the Affirmed, only a month or two after that debut. What impressed me most in that work was not how effortlessly he breezed, but how professionally he cut the corner, switched leads and extended through the lane. This was a racehorse who in a very short space of time had caught on not just on what to do, but on developing technique that allowed him to do it better. He simply was a natural; and he was just beginning to come into his physical ability.
In the Affirmed (if you get a chance watch that video replay), he turned for home between bigger more experienced proven 3yos with a slight lead. Instead of being intimidated, he was LOVING it. Court barely moves on him, and he maintains his slight advantage throughout the lane. While that stretch drive is exciting for anyone who was watching it, watch it again for the last 40 yards. It appears as though four horses battle through the lane. But in the last 40 yards, both Dover Dere and Buzzards Bay are completely finished. I still believe that even at that point Indian Ocean is still toying with Surf Cat as they go under the wire.
His youth hurt him in the Swaps. On the first turn, Court wants to take him back off the pace. I think that was a mistake, though I can understand the thinking at the time if he wanted to avoid being part of duel that would play to 4/5 favorite Don't Get Mad. But Indian Ocean did not rate well off that pace and through the stretch his competitiveness takes the form of sulking the final sixteenth. This is a horse so fit that he would be done blowing after a bullet work before he left the track, but he just galloped home the last part of that race.
I am very confident that his bow was one of those terribly unfortunate injuries that can occur when you switch from one surface to another; the difference between the surface he had trained over in Los Angeles and the somewhat looser Del Mar surface jumped up and bit him.
The hard part there is that if this horse had been around for another year, I have no doubt that he would have blossomed into a legitimate Grade 1 horse, and he would get the mares that accompany those accomplishments. What he shows now is three wins, including a G3, from 5 starts; 100% in the money with a G2 placing. That record is well below his actual ability, but it also compares favorably with a number of lightly-raced individuals who have become important sires. Because I believe he has all the tools of a champion racehorse, I hope that he catches the kind of mares that will give him a chance to prove what his racing record only suggests, but which being around him convinces me is well within his reach.
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louis finochio
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When a stallion starts his stud career with middle of the road mares, and moves them up, he will attract the attention of breeders who will send their better class mares to his court.
I have seen this pattern over and over through the years, I hope IO follows suit.
I have seen this pattern over and over through the years, I hope IO follows suit.
Those without sin cast the first stone.
Louis Finochio
Louis Finochio
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Coquinerie
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I was quiet about this boy from the time he broke his maiden on but I have a list of colts I always set aside every year that I follow because they have a "stallions pedigree" that appeals to me. He was one of the short list. I cant wait to see where he stands and I have a sneaking suspicion I will breed to him in the next two years.