She reinjured her leg again and “because of the timing”(um, its breeding season?) they decided to retire her. Too bad, I was really looking forwards to watching her run again…
I can sort of forgive them since it’s the same injury as before… I don’t know if they brought her back too soon or if it would never have healed, but it’s really unfortunate. Also, rather sad that 6 races constitutes a “career” now…
She won 5 of 7 starts and a little over 1.3 mil. She is a very hard knocking filly and would have probably reinjured herself in the fall if they laid her off and rehabed her. Probably fatal like George Washington.
She was hurt in her last race and still kept trying. That is gutsy. To kick butt on the boys last yr at the long distance is very gutsy.
A filly like this needs to either be sent home and rehabed for 6 months or breed her.
There are also surface factors involved. They are still learning about the new synthetic surfaces. This could have played a role in her injury or re-injury.
Changing surfaces at the different tracks she has been at, might not have helped either.
The ones who need to be proven are the stallions. Way too many get retired BEFORE they are ever run. I would never breed to that as you are just breeding problems.
You breed to better the breed. Not to populate the world. And that is with any breed of animal.
My mare’s dam had over 80 races in her career. You don’t see that anymore and it is sad. I am not saying all horses should be run 80 times but I think at least 25 to 30 would show the longevity of the horse.
If it doesn’t run, don’t breed it, period.
I could see a very promising filly get hurt badly on the track (like just starting or whatever) and they breed her cause she has nice bloodlines (and had promise) or whatever tho.
Well, it is very disappointing, but her health is more important than anything. I was looking forward to seeing her race this year, because she’s shown so much guts and determination. But at least this way she goes out on top pretty much, defeating Curlin in her second-to-last race then finishing a game second while injured. No disappointments.
Agree.
Definately…it’s a rarity today to see a horse in the upper ranks with 20+ starts. And to think, Exterminator ran FIVE times that! Of course those were different times, and “Old Bones” was a one in-a-milion horse. I doubt we’re going to see another “iron horse” like him, or any of the other grand geldings like Kelso, Forego, and John Henry again. Those stubborn ol’ boys that keep comin’ back year after year are almost extinct now.
Unfortunate about Rags, I was really looking forward to seeing her kick butt this year.
I try not to invest to much hopes into the “big horses”, I root for good old campaigners, I mostly root for the horses (mostly claimers) that I have ridden at work just because they actually race more than 5 times a year (barring any problems).
The only stakes level horses I invest my emotions in anymore would be Evening Attire, The Tin Man, Better Talk Now and I do love Curlin.
Greg’s Gold is a nice campaigner that has some races under his belt. He is a gorgeous grey and runs sprints out here in California.
I was watching TVG the other week and there was an “ole Timers” race at Los Alimitios . It was an 870 yd race and there were, 3 - 8 yr olds, 3 - 9 yr olds and 1- 5 yr old. The older horses had over 50 races. Granted they were Quarter Horse distances but still, it is hard to go that fast and hard. They are hard knocking geldings and it was a helluva race!!! There time was just a fraction off of track record, so they still “got it!!”
If breeders would quit breeding to the “newest” stud on the market that has less than say 20 races. Stallion Farms might get the msg and quit bidding up these stallions so expensive and making it so lucrative to retire the Derby winner after his 3 yo year.
Don’t see it happening though.