[Hwjb]

I've read this thread with interest.
Personally I think its a little childish saying "we've got better horses than you," etc etc. But ultimately the racing scenes that have developed either side of the Atlantic have done so pretty much in complete isolation of one another. That's not to say Europeans don't buy American bred horses at the sales...they tend to be the fastest, and we know that these days the race is to the quick. That's also not to say that Americans don't purchase proven top European performers to go and compete over there. Why not? And then there's the occasional raid made on an American race by a European-trained horse, largely because of the money that can be won over there.

Oracle repeatedly stated that money was the be all and end all. In this regard there are parallels with the Ryder Cup. Perhaps its the case that the American psyche covets the almighty dollar above all else, and cannot find motivation for anything so trivial as prestige. That said, we know the same isn't the case of Sheikh Mohammed, but that's only because he was born as one of the richest men on the planet!

I prefer European racing because of the variety, the fact that speed hasn't become (as much) so critical, and at the expense of stamina. That you can watch racing at courses as diverse as Newmarket, Epsom, Chester, Goodwood, Longchamp or Leopardstown from one day to the next without getting the impression that you could be at any other track. That said, the uniformity of US tracks must surely help those looking to make a profit from their punting.

I also like the fact that the authorities haven't bowed to pressure and felt obliged to legalise the use of those drugs that have become an integral part of the sport in the US.

Most of all, however, I like the fact that Flat racing dies a death in October/early November and jump racing takes over until late April. I wouldn't have my winters any other way!