Doubling the DWC to 12 million, WOW!!!

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by Kasept

AJ

I apologize if I gave too critical and strongly-worded a reply, but I'll argue that it's not 'stifling in here' on this topic. We have a very real problem in North American racing thanks to Sheik Mo, and it very well may be impossible to stem the tide.

I'm curious what arguments put forth against Darley are a stretch or hypocritical? What I found difficult to justify is the notion that Mo deserves an ounce of thanks or iota of recognition for anything that constitutes noble conduct or fair play.

And it isn't that I have no appreciation for the Doobies.. Mo's own brother, (Sh. Hamdam/Shadwell), operates like a gentleman and sportsman with an eye on contributing to the game on a worldwide basis and can be applauded for the way he runs his operation. It's just that we're getting way too much Mo...

I just felt that it’s a stretch to argue that Sheik Mo has destroyed the competitive balance of racing. How? By what measure? What circuit or races does he dominate? maybe i'm missing something here.

To me I think its a stretch to bash him for spending a lot of money on breeding stock. How does that ruin things for us? Why is it bad for us to have his millions flow through our hands? Does that not provide capital, jobs or opportunities for many? I’d like to know how reducing or eliminating his outlandish spending would be a positive for racing. as others have mentioned this spending goes in cycles, we may be in a peak period.

I am sympathetic on the early retirement issue. I believe that it would benefit all parties if he were to race at least some of his acquisitions for one or two years. But I do think it’s a stretch to argue that this practice alone is destroying racing. It has an effect on some races, yes. But lets face it, racing is not somehow markedly different or revived this year if Street Sense and Hard Spun were to each race five or six times. The problems with domestic racing are much bigger than merely the depth of the handicap division, and Sheik Mo is only part of that problem. There are other deep pocket players doing the same thing he does.

I just thought it was hypocritical to lay on his shoulders the blame for single-handedly decimating racing because of some three year old retirements while ignoring the financial benefit of his purchases or purses as they flow through our system, and ignoring our own domestic ruinous practices.

Why not give him an ounce of credit? Why isn’t the founding, funding, and promoting of the DWC, a sporting, or positive thing for racing? What other day comes close to that one in terms of pitting the worlds best against each other? It seems to be popular over here for fans, gamblers and horseman. I notice even on this board amongst those that think he’s abhorrent and ruining racing that there is an interest in the DWC. that’s what I thought was hypocritical.