Raven's Pass Retired

Soaring Softly · #1 11-08-2008, 11:08 PM

[quote=brockguy]There's nothing wrong with standing in Ireland - he will be very well supported here...

I never meant to demean standing at stud in Ireland! Lord knows, one of the greatest stallions of the modern era stood there before his recent pensioning. Sadlers Wells is now the sire of more than 300 stakes winners!

Ireland is definitely not the problem for me with Raven's Pass. I just wonder about the thinking when he wins the Breeders Cup Classic as a 3yo on the Pro-Ride at Santa Anita, and then is retired to stud in Ireland when the Breeders Cup is running next year on that same Santa Anita Pro-Ride. He's got a pedigree that suits the main track, and if he were to win the Classic again in 2009, his value in America would be huge.

I guess I'm just sad to see Raven's Pass retired. Sheikh Mo didn't ask for my advice.....silly guy.

Raven's Pass could maybe have been a great one.....I really believe that.

It's a shame that he's not going to get the chance to prove me wrong!

Pedigree Ann · #2 11-09-2008, 09:42 AM

The shame is that Raven's Pass may just be coming into his best form. His half-brother Gygistar was good at 2, not so good at 3, and best at 4 and 5. Henry's advantage earlier in the year may have been due to earlier maturity and he may not get any better than he has been this year, so I don't mind him retiring at the this point. But not being able to see Raven's Pass at his best (potentially) as a 4yo is up there with not seeing Holy Roman Emperor at 3 - a decision made because the breeding 'tail' is wagging the racing 'dog'.

blackthroatedwind · #3 11-09-2008, 09:52 AM

Gygistar was never good.

miraja2 · #4 11-09-2008, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedigree Ann

His half-brother Gygistar was good at 2, not so good at 3, and best at 4 and 5.

Am I thinking of the wrong horse or forgetting something important? I thought he won the Kings Bishop and the Dwyer at age 3 and then never won a big race as an older horse.
Maybe I'm forgetting something, but if not, what makes you say that he was better as an older horse than as a 3yo?

Danzig · #5 11-09-2008, 10:21 AM

i'd think his best was at three, and then his second best year was at six.

Danzig · #6 11-09-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miraja2

Am I thinking of the wrong horse or forgetting something important? I thought he won the Kings Bishop and the Dwyer at age 3 and then never won a big race as an older horse.
Maybe I'm forgetting something, but if not, what makes you say that he was better as an older horse than as a 3yo?

no, you've got the right one. he won a gr 1 and 2 gr 2's at three, and managed one gr 3 win at six. definitely best his second season of racing.

blackthroatedwind · #7 11-09-2008, 11:29 AM

I'm sure Pedigree Ann will return contritely.

miraja2 · #8 11-09-2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I'm sure Pedigree Ann will return contritely.

I think she probably meant to say Gigawatt instead of Gygistar.
Gygistar and Raven's Pass aren't actually even related, so it was probably just a typo on her part.

However, I'm not sure the argument has a lot more validity with Gigawatt.

blackthroatedwind · #9 11-09-2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miraja2

I think she probably meant to say Gigawatt instead of Gygistar.
Gygistar and Raven's Pass aren't actually even related, so it was probably just a typo on her part.

However, I'm not sure the argument has a lot more validity with Gigawatt.

You're right....about all of it. Though, Fearless Leader may disagree.