Bernardini probably done...

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by Balletto

I have absolutely no problem with your disappointment and attitude... I share it with you... but I would never wish a horse DIDNT pan out at stud because I was disappointed in his retirement. Hell, wish for a lot of talented babies that will keep your interest for many more years than their sire ever could!

I do apologize for jumping all over you... but I just hear SO many remarks against owners when they make a business decision about their horse. Trust me, when you own one, its a COMPLETELY different perspective.

Balletto, I don't doubt it's a completely different perspective for the owners (like yourself at some point, I'm guessing?) who don't have the kind of money the sheiks have. They are in a completely different game than virtually everyone else. There is no situation under which they will ever have to take financial considerations for anything. Ever. If their stables were a business, and not an extravagant hobby, they wouldn't be throwing the money they do at the sales every year. And hey, I'm thrilled for little guys who get some of that largess, hooray! But this is a hobby with no bottom line for them, and I can't help but feel retiring Bernardini (if he is sound, fair enough point) is about fueling their egos to get a Derby horse, not a business decision. It's a hobby decision, if you will. And as a fan, it makes me sad and so I can't help but NOT hope them the best of luck at it. Again, Bernardini will never know how his kids do, and so my affection for him is completely separate from my ire at his owner.

For those who love pedigrees and look forward to seeing Bern's babies run, great. I don't get any particular thrill out of following a horse's progeny, because I don't see a pedigree running; I see a horse running. Plus, I love little guy success stories, and I'm more interested in a horse who outruns his pedigree than one who barely meets it. There's no drama for me in a big horse throwing expensive foals who run well. More of a, "Well, duh? What do you expect?"

Of course, no hard feelings-- as I said, I imagine it is a completely different world for the average horse owner, and I can't fault SJ's owners, or AA's, or any of the little guys who hit it lucky, any more than I would fault someone like you if you got a big horse and then retired him. Injuries aside, keeping a big horse running is expensive if you don't have your family wealth, or oil wealth, or self-made vast wealth to fund the hobby. And maybe that's a problem with how horses are valued and insured; I don't know. But the sheiks? Money truly is no object for them. But of course, no hard feelings. I like lively discussions and as long as no one is calling names, s'all good with me.

And I admit to sneaking some peeks at pictures of SJ's babies... and I'll do the same with AA's next year...