Speaking of horses who actually have done enough...
How about Youmzain made his 22nd straight start in a Group 1 race?
I wonder what the record for consecutive starts at the Gr 1 level is?
The last time he ran at a level other than Group 1 was the Gr 2 Prix Neal on September 10th 2006. In that race - he was 2nd beaten just a half length to Rail Link.
Rail Link won the Arc at 23/1 odds next time out and was retired. Instead of running in the Arc, Youmzain instead went to Germany and won a Group 1 there.
He finished 2nd in the Arc in 2007, 2008, and 2009 ... he probably would have been 2nd in 2006 from the looks of it had he gone there instead.
Of his 22 straight Group 1 starts - they've come in the following countries - Germany, Dubai, Ireland, France, England, and Hong Kong. Before Saturday, he was only beaten by 6 lengths or more one time over that stretch .. that was when he finished 3rd by 9.5 lengths to Duke Of Marmalade despite the fact the chart says he "missed break" and "was squeezed back 1.5 furlongs out"
He's carried 131lbs or more 8 times over that stretch and has made over $6 million.
No world beater - but what a nice tough honest horse
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