If Black Caviar gave one thing to racing that I’ll treasure, it’s that she made it pure.
When Black Caviar raced, a sell-out crowd followed. Her fans weren’t necessarily racing people; they were admirers of quality. They love a champion. And so do I.
I wish it was the norm for horse racing. But it’s not.
If there’s one thing I learnt last week – it’s that top-level racing is all about money.
It’s why a couple of wonderful colts, All Too Hard (service fee of $66,000 announced last week) and Pierro (retired after running second in Saturday’s Doncaster), will be standing at stud in the spring.
And it’s why Australian racing is in danger of re-entering the mire Black Caviar, So You Think, All Too Hard and Pierro temporarily dragged it out of.
There’s only one reason why you’d retire All Too Hard and Pierro right now – and that’s for money.
Both these three-year old colts are bred to peak at four or five.
If All Too Hard and Pierro didn’t have $30m stud values attached to their neck, they’d race for at least another 18 months. And they would continue to win.
But there is too much risk in pressing on – performance could drop, injuries could be sustained and stud values could be ruined.
Racing has become a risk-free game. It’s about retiring a season too early. And it’s about the breeding barn and service fees, rather than Group 1 glory and big-name clashes.
Do owners cheer when they win the Golden Slipper or the Caulfield Guineas because they’ve won a great race? Or do they cheer because their colt has made their future-selves rich?
I hope it’s the former but the cynic in me says it’s the latter.
You could argue racing is put on for two things – the breeders and the punters. The sport itself is a far-away third.
The kicker is that Pierro is owned by a man – Greg Kovilos – who buys horses to race them.
There are enough breeders around as it is. The sport is in trouble when racing people choose to retire a sound three-year old.
The breeding industry owns Australian racing.
It’s why there are 73 Group 1 races scheduled next season. It’s why there are two 1200m Group 1s on the same day in Adelaide and Brisbane next month. And it’s why every decent stayer we have is bought from Europe.
I loved watching Pierro run. I was lucky enough to see him race eight times. When I was at the races, he only lost once.
There’s something special about a black horse. Their coat glistens in the sun and you can spot them from a mile away. And Pierro was no different.
Pierro didn’t have the wild mane of So You Think and he wasn’t barrel-chested like his father Lonhro, but he was a good-looking horse.
I remember the first time I saw Pierro – it was before the Silver Slipper (1200m, Group 2, two-year olds) last autumn. He sweated up badly in the mounting yard and I remember noting that he wasn’t overly big.
But this was the horse Gai had tipped to win the Golden Slipper six months out – he had to be pretty good. And he was!
Pierro was lion-hearted. Mark Shean, the Sydney racecaller, gave him the most fitting nickname – ‘The Little Bulldog’.
Pierro was a fighter. Twice I saw him get up off the canvas and win.
In the 2012 Todman Slipper Trial (1200m, Group 2, two-year olds), Epaulette – the horse that ran Black Caviar to three lengths last weekend – put up a two-length lead on Pierro and the Lonhro colt looked beaten.
But somehow he dragged himself to a last-stride victory.
And in the 2013 George Ryder (1500m, Group 1, weight-for-age) two weekends ago – Pierro looked done at the 150m mark – he was floundering, wide on a wet track.
But he clawed his way past King Mufhasa in the last 50m of the race. Great horses find a way to win.
So like Lonhro – and his sire Octagonal – Pierro won his last race on Golden Slipper Day. Then, following in their footsteps, he bowed out at Randwick, running second in a time-honoured Group 1.
But this time, we didn’t know to farewell Pierro – his retirement hadn’t been announced.
And even if it was known, I suspect the send-off would’ve been different.
Because it’s too soon. This is a devastating loss for racing and a comprehensive victory for Australian breeding.
Henry Bruno
Guest
I would have loved to see Pierro race as a 4 year old. No dought at all he would have been great. I loved seeing Lonhro run and have been waiting for one of his offsprings to be like him or be better than him. So sad that connections could not wait a year or two to see Pierro mature into a great champion like his sire.
johnny nevin is a legend
Roar Pro
I don't know about the validity of the U.K breeding not being as good as the other countries you mentioned. In Timeform's top 20 horses who have raced or are still in training in 2013,those bred in UK total 2, Aus 3, NZ 3, Jap 3, Ire 3, USA 4, SA 1 and France 1. Probably an even enough spread, surely not enough to determine that UK is that far behind everyone else. As for Frankel's 4 year old career, I would agree that the his run in last years Sussex was not worthy of him and a safe option. Not the Queen Anne though where he put 11 lengths on Group 1 winners, not the International where he crushed Dubai Sheema Classic winner SNA or the Champion Stakes where he defeated CDA. Of all the horses you mentioned up there none of them are were as good as CDA, the only one I believe that could match him is Animal Kingdom.
johnny nevin is a legend
Guest
SNA defeated Gentlildonna, Japanese triple crown winner and up there with Orfevre as Japan's best horse, a country well respected for middle distance horses, not bad form I'd say. Pacemakers are a part of European racing culture, different to oz racing culture.Last years cox plate, even though a good standard, wasn't as highly as rated as the champion stakes that Frankel won against CDA.
Simba
Guest
Johnny I think we all agree that Frankel could have done anything. But he didn't. He raced in only one country, and only twice over championship distance (2000m). A horse as good as him should have gone to Dubai, France, USA, Hong Kong, Australia or Japan. That's where the big races are. With respect to the excellent UK breeding program, the UK racing program is not up to the standard of those countries listed above. England simply doesn't have any races big enough for a star like Frankel. No prize money = less talented fields. Simple. Money talks. Frankel outgrew English racing at age 3 and should have traveled abroad for bigger races that were worthy of him. Instead, he stayed in the UK and played the safe game, beating up on the same old rivals (poor Excelebration). I would have loved to have seen him race against Monterosso, Animal Kingdom, Danedream, Snow Fairy, So You Think, California Memory, Gentildonna, Drosselmeyer or Fort Larned. He may have beaten all of them, but we'll never know because he never traveled to the world-championship race meets. And it's a damn shame.
Simba
Guest
That is an excellent idea Simon. Perhaps, instead, smart breeders/buyers should demand to see more of these 'top' sires on the track before agreeing to hand over $100,000 for a service. That's why I'd take an SYT yearling ahead of a Pierro or Redoute's Choice yearling every day of the week. Big races count.
Simba
Guest
100% agree Justin. Great article. The economics of racing/breeding doesn't make sense. But then again it doesn't have to - there is an emotive value attached to it that wealthy owners are willing to pay irrationally large amounts of money for. If owners were rational, of course, they would want to see how Pierro or Redoute's Choice performed at 4 and 5 - in really big races against the best open class fields in the world. But as it is, they are willing to pay top dollar for what is essentially a promise (the yearling) on a promise (the sire). As Alan Watts (the philosopher) would say: "It goes on and on and on, but we never actually get there. It's all wretch and no vomit!" As long as the demand for unproven yearlings by partially-proven sires remains strong, racing will continue as it is. Racing will only be forced to change when the buying rationale changes. I won't hold my breath...
peeeko
Roar Guru
It's the same for all of coolmores shuttle stallions not just SYT
Josh Graham
Guest
Yeah that's fair to say , but the sheema classic is and mile and half for a start and not the toughest of the races at Dubai. Frankel claimed to be the best 10 furlong horse after wining juddmonte stakes. Pacemakers are crap! He should have been at Moonee Valley on Cox plate day to take on the best WFA 2000meter event in the world. Black Caviar is in my opinion the best horse of this era to date.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
I'm walking a little bow-legged mate!
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Hehe. Not quite! I hear a few of Tinkler's might be up for grabs cheap though...
johnny nevin is a legend
Guest
SYT in more demand in Oz than Ireland I would think, his sire high chaparral has an average record in Europe compared to Southern Hemisphere, that might discourage European breeders.
johnny nevin is a legend
Guest
Pacemakers are a legitimate race tactic in Europe, Frankel didn't have to leave England, St Nicholas Abbey recent winner of Dubai sheema classic, Frankel destroyed him last year
sheek
Roar Guru
Allanthus/Cameron, It need not be like this, but I can't dispute the truth of what either of you say. Kerry Packer said it best (when it came to money), "there's the whore in all of us!"
sheek
Roar Guru
Whilst ever there are more people with loose cash than brains, then the breeding industry will continue to dominate racing.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
I've done my bit for the cause - under GA though, I couldn't sit there and watch him do it under a local...
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Hi Justin Brian had a stray dog get into the stable on Friday night and spook a few of the horses. Allanthus has some bruising and a cut which needed to be treated, which is an automatic stand down. Nothing too serious, but a setback nevertheless. Not sure how it will pan out now but the 'Bool is looking unlikely. Maybe it was a blessing, the winner scooted around and spaced them by 25 lengths!
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Should we just hope for more geldings?
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Hi Alfred, Redoute's Choice is around $133k, Fastnet Rock is indeed $220k (for 2012) and the rest of your numbers check out!
Justin Cinque
Expert
I'm a big fan of Dundeel! I'd love to see him go on until the 2015 Spring. Fingers crossed.
Josh Graham
Guest
What about Ocean Park? he beat the 3 year olds last year as a 4 year old giving them 8 kgs? yet he failed at the elite level in Dubai. Also Frankel who was rated 140 and is claimed to be the greatest horse in the world, yet he never left England and always had a pace maker, some of the early sectionals in the races he won were un herd off? It's a Dundeel is the real champ and he will show his best on the track! P.S nice to see the NZ bloodlines shining through.