[hockey2315]

Originally Posted by Hwjb

I don't want to be seen to be joining the debate late, even though I am, or joining it from a Euro-centric point of view, even though I am, but I have seen all of Rachel Alexandra's races and she's performed to a certain level, a high-class level admittedly, but not a level which marks her out as an all-time great. She also surely didn't need to improve to win at the weekend in face of what was an horrendously strong ride - one which bans are surely designed for - suggesting that she's reached, or may well have passed her peak.

I only say this because there are two higher-rated horses in Europe who, were they to come to America and win a BC race, would surely be more deserving of a Horse of The Year accolade, namely Sea The Stars and Goldikova. The former is, admittedly, none to likely to venture across the Atlantic, but the latter will, and there are plenty who would suggest that she is a significantly better mare than that one who was beaten the shyte out of to win the Woodward!