First Samurai

#1 07-25-2006, 08:53 PM

To all -

We have made the decision to retire First Samurai (press release tomorrow).

After breaking two ribs in the April 15 Bluegrass, we had to give him 6 weeks of stall rest. We began training shortly after the 6 weeks layoff, but he has not responded well.

Not what we hoped for, but certainly a major reality in our sport.

Thanks for all of your support over the last year or so. I'm confident he will make a great stallion. LR

ninetoone · #2 07-25-2006, 08:56 PM

Bummer, sorry to hear that. I'm sure he'll be a great stallion...good luck.

#3 07-25-2006, 08:57 PM

A certain Princess ... or is she now Blue Eyes ... is sure to go into mourning over this.

GenuineRisk · #4 07-25-2006, 09:01 PM

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. Thank you for sharing the ups and downs of the past year-- it was a great ride for this racing fan.

randallscott35 · #5 07-25-2006, 09:04 PM

That sucks Lans. Very sorry to hear that. He was a special horse, ultra talented. Hope you get another one like him soon.

#6 07-25-2006, 09:16 PM

was kind of hoping he'd come back in the late summer/fall
and prove all of his skeptics wrong
had a helluva 2 y/o campaign
should be a steller sire

GPK · #7 07-25-2006, 09:19 PM

Sorry to hear Lans, but it sounds like it is for the best. Thanks for your time in sharing with us your experiences with First Sam. Best of luck with him in the breeding shed as well.

Habersham000 · #8 07-25-2006, 09:21 PM

Good luck Lans with FS second career at stud

Suffolk Shippers · #9 07-25-2006, 09:22 PM

Lansdon, personally, I wanted to thank you for giving us a first hand look at life with Samurai over the last year, it sure has been interesting and fun. Good luck with the next phase of things!

AeWingnut · #10 07-25-2006, 09:26 PM

I just read the book about Funny Cide (it was a gift) and how someone lost their hat
Sorry you lost First Samurai. I mean to racing. Hopefully he'll prove to be a better stud.

I've been away. How is everything else going?

Good I hope.

Take care

John

1st_Saturday_in_May · #11 07-25-2006, 09:39 PM

Lans, very sorry to hear this. I cant even imagine how much of a disappointment this must be to yourself, Bruce, Frank, and all others involved. I think that he is very well bred and could prove to be a very talented sire throwing both quick and stamina runners. As always, best of luck in your future endeavors in horse racing! Also thank you so much for keeping us updated with your horses - it really is great to read!

~ dustin

packerbacker7964 · #12 07-25-2006, 09:59 PM

Hey at least he is good and sound. Unlike ole Barbaro who is a fight for his life each and everyday. Hope he finds a nice farm so he can run around and do nothing all day long. He left it all on the race track and that's all that matters Lans. Big Dog racing needs more guys like you and O helping the little guys along.

PSH · #13 07-25-2006, 10:04 PM

Sorry to hear the news Lansdon. I know how attached we get to these beautiful animals and they remind us constantly how fragile they are....
I, too, am finding that out the hardway as our two 2yo fillies are now both at the farm with one 50/50 whether she will ever make it to the races.

I know he will make a good stallion. Where will he stand???

Also, congrats on winning the CCA Oaks and also today's winner at Philadelphia.

PSH

sumitas · #14 07-25-2006, 10:06 PM

He had a great career on the track. He'll do well at stud. Thanks for sharing the news with us and continued success to all.

irishtrekker · #15 07-26-2006, 04:23 AM

Your insight has been a gift to all of us this last year. I'm wishing Sam nothing but the best in his new career, and here's to better fortune in the future.

miraja2 · #16 07-26-2006, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lbigdog77

I'm confident he will make a great stallion. LR

Well since, as you know, he is by Giants Causeway and out of a stakes winning daughter of Dixieland Band, I think you are right to be confident. This horse has a fairly good chance to be a good stallion.
Sorry about his racing career being over.

kentuckyrosesinmay · #17 07-26-2006, 07:38 AM

I'm really sorry to hear that Lans. I was really looking forward to this horse returning to the track so that he could prove all of the naysayers wrong. However, the upside of this is that I believe he will be a tremendous sire with his wonderful conformation and movement, bloodlines, talent, termperament, and will to win on the track. He is the right type for it.

#18 07-26-2006, 08:35 AM

Smart move retiring him. He had an excellent career. You guys were brilliant selling him at his peak. He is a lovely horse but stands zero chance against the top older horses, which is all he would be able to race against in the fall. I still wish we got to see him on turf but he was a warrior who fought through some tough injuries. Keep the stud fee reasonable for us poor folks.

Who is your next triple crown type horse? If you don't have one, let Oracle find you one. He seems to be on a roll right now.

paisjpq · #19 07-26-2006, 08:39 AM

Bummer that he has to be retired. best of luck to First Sam @ Claiborne, look forward to his babies.

Buffymommy · #20 07-26-2006, 10:05 AM

I am sad now. But I wanted to thank you for sharing your experiences with us. Best of luck to First Sam. I hope he makes beautiful and fast babies! Put him with some mares that have stamia in their bloodlines. The cross with FS's speed, oh what babies they will be!

Best of luck to you too LLbig! I hope you are ok with the loss (racing wise) of FS. May you have another one come your way!