Sheikhs Buy Thor's Echo

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Yeah you kind of are. Again, everyone understands that it takes a buyer and a seller. And of course, most of the time when an absurd amount of money is being thrown your way you almost have to take it. I get that. Point is what is the fascination with buying so many horses? I could see if it were for some kind of breeding purpose, but he's a gelding. Obviously they are trying to win every race Dubai World Cup night, but is there any satisfaction winning that way? This is a tad more complicated than you are presenting it.

I dont think it is complicated. They see something they want and they go get it. I actually like how they go get what they want. I have no idea what their fascination, but I see nothing wrong with them buying what the want. Again, the seller doesnt have to sell.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Let me put it this way. How do you feel about giants like Wal Mart basically putting all of the Mom and Pop shops out of business? I understand the seller doesn't have to sell, but I am talking as a fan of the sport. As a fan, the fact that they basically try and buy up all of the top horse flesh is obnoxious to me. They are taking the sport out of it. Can you honestly not see that?

People would not complain about Wal Mart as much if they bought all the Mom and Pops that they put out of business for 3x what they are worth.

[Cannon Shell]

As for the Sport, 3 months ago NO ONE outside of Thors Echos connections were very interested in him. He is more likely to go back to losing as he is to continue to win.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Very true and in a midst of my agitation I am trying to make two points. I guess that was a bad analogy. My point is, they are taking the sport out of it.

I understand where you are coming from. I was in a situation with a horse that the Dubai boys wanted and my owner did not want to sell. As it turned out, the horse never won another race and now you probably could not get 10% of what they were offering. So it sucks in the terms of the 'sport', but there are a whole lot of other things that are detracting from the sport more than Shiekh Mo and co.

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Let me put it this way. How do you feel about giants like Wal Mart basically putting all of the Mom and Pop shops out of business? I understand the seller doesn't have to sell, but I am talking as a fan of the sport. As a fan, the fact that they basically try and buy up all of the top horse flesh is obnoxious to me. They are taking the sport out of it. Can you honestly not see that?

You know, I was a little mom and pop store that got bought up by a larger company. I didn't have to sell but I did because I didn't want to be in the tire business all my life. I have no problem with companies buying up smaller businesses. I also have no problem with the Sheiks buying up what they consider top horse flesh. There is plenty of flesh to go around. From a racing standpoint, I don't see how they are ruining the sport. Now, I completely see how they are hurting the sport from a breeding standpoint.

[Gander]

Breeding has completely ruined horse racing from a spectator's and bettor's point of view. If you are one of those people who get their rocks off looking at pedigree stuff, then more power to you. Frankly I find it as boring as watching women's basketball. I want to bet and watch the top horses race. Dont care at all how much this horse or that horse gets in the shed. Why should I? How could that ever benefit me?

Originally Posted by Gander

Breeding has completely ruined horse racing from a spectator's and bettor's point of view. If you are one of those people who get their rocks off looking at pedigree stuff, then more power to you. Frankly I find it as boring as watching women's basketball. I want to bet and watch the top horses race. Dont care at all how much this horse or that horse gets in the shed. Why should I? How could that ever benefit me?

I agree with you 1000% regarding women's b-ball. I am getting interested in the breeding side of the game. But I like it as another tool in my handicapping. I could care less who costs what etc etc. I want to see the best race, however I also understand that this is still a business and people need to make money when they can.

[Gander]

Was it not a business 10-15 years ago when the sport was alive and kicking? When it captured the attention of people who werent just gambling afficionados? I mean have you watched some of the horses in the mid 90's run? They were amazing and for each one, their was 2,3 and sometimes 4 rivals depending on which division you are talking about. Now its all too predictable who we will see as the favorite for races like the Donn, Dubai World Cup, Met Mile, etc etc.

Its 2007 and can you even name 5 horses and or rivalries that are truly "memorable" from this decade?

Originally Posted by Gander

Was it not a business 10-15 years ago when the sport was alive and kicking? When it captured the attention of people who werent just gambling afficionados? I mean have you watched some of the horses in the mid 90's run? They were amazing and for each one, their was 2,3 and sometimes 4 rivals depending on which division you are talking about. Now its all to predictable who we will see as the favorite for races like the Donn, Dubai World Cup, Met Mile, etc etc.

Its 2007 and can you even name 5 horses and or rivalries that are truly "memorable" from this decade?

Yes it was a business 10-15 years ago, but the business has changed quit a bit in those 10-15 years. Could you imagine what Silver Charm, Pleasant Colony, Silverbulletday etc etc would go for these days. Plus it also depends which owners own a horse. The people that owned Alex are not in the breeding game. They got into horse racing as a hobby and found that they could make money. People like that almost have to take the stud money these days.

[Gander]

Could you imagine what Silver Charm, Pleasant Colony, Silverbulletday etc etc would go for these days.

No, nor do I care. What i really care about is cashing tickets and being able to see competitive graded stakes. Not 4 horse fields where one horse thats 2/5 wins by 6 lengths, that isnt even all that great of a horse.