It is a Sunday night of a long weekend, but some things cannot wait – what a win for American Pharoah to take the USA’s Triple Crown of racing!
He was away slowly in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes (2400m) by half a step but eased his way to the front in just a few strides as he attempted to win wire-to-wire.
Hearts started thumping the moment it was clear he would win, and not just win but brilliantly gallop away from the field at the finish.
Personally, I haven’t felt that emotion of watching such a dominant and significant winner since staying up late watching Frankel tear fields to shreds.
It’s a spine-chilling moment in sport when you realise you’re watching a great. We’ve been lucky enough to see a few recent ones that come to mind – from a horse like Black Caviar, American Pharoah this morning, or Frankel, to humans such as Usain Bolt.
Intriguingly, the time of the 2015 Belmont Stakes was 2.65 secs slower than Secretariat’s record time from 1973 – about 12 lengths or so slower. Watch it if you get a chance – one of the world’s greatest athletes decimating a field of five and still setting a time that will stand for a considerable period to come.
So how does this all come back to Sydney? Racing NSW has said they’d love to get the Triple Crown winner. And while any jurisdiction would obviously love the chance, Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys was on hand with Australian Turf Club chief executive Darren Pearce and Peter McGauran, Australian Racing Board chief, hoping to land American Pharoah as a possible drawcard for the 2016 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
V’Landys, in New York state for the Pan-American Racing Conference, spoke to Fairfax media about convincing his owner to bring him to Australia – surely a thousand to one chance, given his potential to earn huge money off the track.
“We haven’t spoken to them [the owners of American Pharoah] but of course we would like too,” V’landys told Fairfax. “You can’t get near them at the moment.
“There are issues that we are still trying to work out to get an American horse to The Championships. There is no quarantine centre in the US, which makes it impossible to get a horse to come [to The Championships]. It has been the only thing that has stopped it happening so far. We are working on a solution to that and it would be great if this bloke could have the opportunity to come to Sydney.”
“I have never been to a racing event quite like it. The engagement of the crowd and the roar as they come into the straight was incredible,” V’landys said.
johnny nevin is a legend
Guest
Coolmore have an excellent record of keeping horses in training after 3 years old. It could be likely that American Pharoah will be seen in next years Dubai World Cup
Jason Cornell
Expert
Sheek, The owner has done a deal with Coolmore but still retains racing control. He is a big fan of promoting the sport and i believe will most probably run in the Breeders Cup. Might even attract some appearance money. I reckon the Sheiks will do a deal to see this horse in Dubai but only on the dirt. But lets dream for a moment (like the guys that RNSW that went to New York to speak with the owners) how much is his stud career enhanced if he can win a G1 on the turf? I am just keen to see the impact a Triple Crown winner after 37 years can have. An interestingly does it impact next year. Looking forward to see California Chrome at Royal Ascot!!
prawnmachine
Guest
Bruce McHugh was on the right track attempting to introduce AI. Economics 101 would present a list of irrefutable reasons why all industry participants would benefit. Accordingly, there isn't a single industry in the world that isn't trying to rein in cost of production and improve the quality of raw materials. Shame racing isn't really an industry, and the only participants who seem to count are the indistinguishable breeders & lawmakers, who not only profit from the status quo but spend all their energy further improving their flow of cash and influence. They sure came from far and wide to shut Bruce down. Even 'The Parrot' flew in.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
If Federer or Nadal had the breeding barn offers, it might be a different story! Jokes aside, breeding rules, but it's a global problem.
Jack
Guest
Yes it's difficult to build interest and enthusiasm for the sport when the best are off to stud almost immediately. Just like if Nadal or Federer retired after winning a few Grand Slams, the sport of tennis would be hugely worse off, it's the same for racing when the good ones have such short careers. Maybe they need to look at providing incentives to keep top horses racing for longer.
sheek
Roar Guru
I used to be a dreamer, But the often absurd reality of life has turned me into a jaded cynic. If I remember correctly, I read an article only recently that American Pharaoh will be turned over to Coolmore after winning the Belmont (or running in it as was stated at the time), to begin his stud career. So forget about American Pharaoh being seen in Dubai, Sydney or anywhere else on a race track racing next year. Once again we are presented with a situation of a champion racehorse retiring just as he's warming up. Some people, or some groups of individuals will no doubt become very rich because of American Pharaoh. But the racing industry is once again dudded of seeing a champion continue to race into his 4th, 5th or 6th year. How much poorer would the history of Trans-Tasman racing be if Carbine, Phar Lap, Peter Pan, Berborough, Rising Fast, Tulloch, Galilee & Saintly, to name just a few, had been retired at the end of their three year old career????? The dumbing down of thoroughbred racing just so the few can get obscenely rich.
Bondy
Guest
The Yanks get 20.000 to MLS matches hows your going ? ...
peeeko
Guest
what a win, pretty effortless but that link with Secretariat is amazing. I am happy, won enough on him to pay for my Blackhawks ticket on Monday night
kevin dustby
Guest
would you like AMerica if they liked soccer more?
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Absolutely - our own Andrew Hawkins said what a lot of people thought - they didn't want a 37 year old record to be broken, but when it was, and in the style that it was - what a feeling!
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Probably worse than Allanthus' potential caddy arriving for a round of golf next week. I wouldn't have thought he'd go around in a handicap.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Always good to ask the question, but you can only beat what's in front of you (or far behind you in this case). Our live blogger tipped a horse to beat it so it wasn't a sure thing... The rating of the race will be interesting.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
I'll cross my fingers for both of those to happen for you Allanthus. I also won't make any golfing-type jokes!
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Big if, given his Coolmore ownership - but at least PVL and crew are on the ground.
Nathan Absalom
Roar Guru
I must admit I got a little emotional as well. I met a lot of people in America that just wanted to see that champion 3yo win the triple crown, and it's great that has happened. What's really great about this is not simply that the winner is a great horse. It's that he's done something that other horses have tried to do for 37 years and failed. It's the history that makes the moment as much as the horse. So the lesson for Racing NSW is not to encourage a great horse to come to Sydney, but to respect the history of the sport.
Jason Cave
Guest
What are the odds of American Pharoah not only winning the U.S. Triple Crown, but also victorious in Australia's greatest race on the first Tuesday in November at Flemington-the 2015 Emirates Melbourne Cup? -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Bondy
Guest
Yes mate I got a chill when he past the "wire" and generally I dont like anything American . I dont mean to be a narc but questions have to asked about what he beat most of those horses were beaten turning for home and his main challenger was finished with 300 to go ?.. I liked Sinatra's New York New York before the race nice touch . I agree with Johnny he'll go towards the Dubai Cup like Cigar, but there's no harm in Vlandys trying ... Another thing I'll mention the third leg of the triple crown should be in Kentucky ...
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Hi Tristan, I didn't see today's race live, but what a triple crown by AP, completely dominant in all legs. Great for NSW racing to shoe initiative and have a go but…. gee, I reckon I've got more chance of getting Scarlett Johansen to caddy for me next weekend!
johnny nevin is a legend
Guest
If American Pharoah is still in training next year history would suggest he'll be aimed at the Dubai World Cup