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American Pharoah wins Triple Crown

I'm not so sure - I expect he'll run in the Breeder's Cup Classic in the fall, just to prove he can beat older horses too. He might retire after that - there's no doubt he'll be making millions for his owners for years to come from breeding fees.

It's too risky to subject a horse to racing after he has reached the pinnacle. He could have an injury that required him to be put down. Horse racing is a business, not just a sport.
 
It's too risky to subject a horse to racing after he has reached the pinnacle. He could have an injury that required him to be put down. Horse racing is a business, not just a sport.

Unless the accident somehow effected his sperm production they wouldn't put him down.
 
I'm not so sure - I expect he'll run in the Breeder's Cup Classic in the fall, just to prove he can beat older horses too. He might retire after that - there's no doubt he'll be making millions for his owners for years to come from breeding fees.

I don't believe his owner has made decision as to whether or not he'll race again. He might race a few more times, though probably not beyond this year. Reportedly, his breeding rights have been sold for a price that now exceeds $20 million given his Triple Crown win and the bonus that was tied to such an outcome, so there might be some added pressure for his retirement.

Whether or not he races again, he's distinguished himself as among the greatest horses that have ever lived. In recent years, critics have argued for changes in the Triple Crown format, distance, rules (e.g., barring horses that have not run in the Kentucky Derby or Preakness), etc. What those critics missed is that the series in its traditional format has become special, because only the greatest horses win it. I doubt it would have such appeal if Triple Crown victories became frequent events due to some of the absurd, IMO, changes suggested.
 
The jockey said he knew it was won after the first turn. He said the horse then decided to run and that means the jockey does little to coax the horse. Some like to run out front and some like to bust it open at the end. The strategy was to run in front when the gate dropped and the horse simply took it from there. A fabulous thing to witness but to be there and to be a thrill of a lifetime. He is now a hundred million dollar baby. He will race again and the attendance will be enormous wherever he runs.
 
It's too risky to subject a horse to racing after he has reached the pinnacle. He could have an injury that required him to be put down. Horse racing is a business, not just a sport.

Secretariat raced his 4 year old season. Last year's Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, California Chrome, ran in the Breeder's Cup Classic and also has raced this year. Winning the Breeder's Cup Classic is worth $3 million plus - that's a lot of stud fees. Unless we find out American Pharoah has some kind of health issue, I'm sure he'll run again.
 
I don't believe his owner has made decision as to whether or not he'll race again. He might race a few more times, though probably not beyond this year. Reportedly, his breeding rights have been sold for a price that now exceeds $20 million given his Triple Crown win and the bonus that was tied to such an outcome, so there might be some added pressure for his retirement.

Whether or not he races again, he's distinguished himself as among the greatest horses that have ever lived. In recent years, critics have argued for changes in the Triple Crown format, distance, rules (e.g., barring horses that have not run in the Kentucky Derby or Preakness), etc. What those critics missed is that the series in its traditional format has become special, because only the greatest horses win it. I doubt it would have such appeal if Triple Crown victories became frequent events due to some of the absurd, IMO, changes suggested.

Very true - American Pharoah's win puts to rest California Chrome's owner's classless whine last year about the series not being fair. Before the race, both AP's owner and trainer both said they wouldn't change the format and that it's fair for all horses.

As for breeding, I didn't realize they'd already sold the breeding rights for $20 million - that does put pressure on to stop. I'd like to see him run against older horses in the Breeder's Cup like other true champions have - just beating what may be seen as a weak 3yr old crop might hurt him unless he can beat older horses too.
 
The weird thing is, I'm not really that much of a horse racing fan, but it just so happens that a co-worker was watching it, and I realized a triple crown was possible...

American Pharoah was basically in the lead the entire time and only got further ahead. The other horses weren't even close at the end.


Uh.....
 
Secretariat raced his 4 year old season. Last year's Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, California Chrome, ran in the Breeder's Cup Classic and also has raced this year. Winning the Breeder's Cup Classic is worth $3 million plus - that's a lot of stud fees. Unless we find out American Pharoah has some kind of health issue, I'm sure he'll run again.

What if he loses one of the races? Could that make his breeding career less lucrative? I did hear just a few minutes ago that the owner had sold the breeding rights for $13 million which is a bargain. So you could be right. It probably depends on what the contract says.
 
What if he loses one of the races? Could that make his breeding career less lucrative? I did hear just a few minutes ago that the owner had sold the breeding rights for $13 million which is a bargain. So you could be right. It probably depends on what the contract says.

Losing one race, like the Breeder's Cup Classic, won't hurt his breeding value. What will hurt his breeding value is if his progeny are duds on the racetrack. The first colt Secretariat sired was a complete dude racing and Secretariat's breeding value suffered after that until he sired some good horses. It's why I consider Northern Dancer to be the greatest horse, because he sired nothing but champions and his progeny and their progeny continue to be the most important bloodlines in horse racing.
 
I don't believe his owner has made decision as to whether or not he'll race again. He might race a few more times, though probably not beyond this year. Reportedly, his breeding rights have been sold for a price that now exceeds $20 million given his Triple Crown win and the bonus that was tied to such an outcome, so there might be some added pressure for his retirement.

Whether or not he races again, he's distinguished himself as among the greatest horses that have ever lived. In recent years, critics have argued for changes in the Triple Crown format, distance, rules (e.g., barring horses that have not run in the Kentucky Derby or Preakness), etc. What those critics missed is that the series in its traditional format has become special, because only the greatest horses win it. I doubt it would have such appeal if Triple Crown victories became frequent events due to some of the absurd, IMO, changes suggested.

I read today that he's slated to run about another 3-4 times. Of course it will all depend on his soundness, but so far, he seems to pretty darn tough. And although he's been ultra impressive so far in his career, I am not yet going to place him alongside the immortals of racing. He's got to do more. If he does well in his other starts and ends up winning the Breeders Cup Classic in the fall against older horses, then, it will be a fair debate. :)
 
Losing one race, like the Breeder's Cup Classic, won't hurt his breeding value. What will hurt his breeding value is if his progeny are duds on the racetrack. The first colt Secretariat sired was a complete dude racing and Secretariat's breeding value suffered after that until he sired some good horses. It's why I consider Northern Dancer to be the greatest horse, because he sired nothing but champions and his progeny and their progeny continue to be the most important bloodlines in horse racing.

Northern Dancer was no doubt the best sire of the 20th century. At one point, his stud value was 1 million, with no guarantee of a live foal. :shock:

As fas as Secretariat, you're right, he did sire some nice horses, but he never really produced another 'him,' or anything close. However, he was a valued broodmare sire. His mares did throw many stakes winners and champions.
 
Secretariat raced his 4 year old season. Last year's Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, California Chrome, ran in the Breeder's Cup Classic and also has raced this year. Winning the Breeder's Cup Classic is worth $3 million plus - that's a lot of stud fees. Unless we find out American Pharoah has some kind of health issue, I'm sure he'll run again.

Actually, Secretariat did not run as a 4 year-old. Soon after the Belmont, he was syndicated for $7 million, a crazy amount for that time. He did race about 4 times after the Belmont, and ran his last race in Canada, in the Canadian International on the grass.
 
Very true - American Pharoah's win puts to rest California Chrome's owner's classless whine last year about the series not being fair. Before the race, both AP's owner and trainer both said they wouldn't change the format and that it's fair for all horses.

Agreed. The owners of AP strike me as very classy people and true fans of racing. I am sure the one owner of CC--the one that whined about the unfairness of it all--is now eating crow.
 
Great horse and race. I don't think any athlete--horse or human--has ever had a performance like Secretariat's Belmont Stakes win. It's worth watching for those who don't know just how extraordinary it was: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V18ui3Rtjz4
I agree.

He was the Micheal Jordan & Wayne Gretzky of Thoroughbreds!

(I avoid references to Man o' War due to different eras)

I didn't mean to compare American Pharoah to Secretariat - no horse, with the exception of Northern Dancer, comes close - I say Northern Dancer because he would have been a triple crown winner had he not come back home to Canada to run in our triple crown races after winning the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness - "The Dancer" is also the sire of champions and every great racehorse in the last half-century has Dancer blood. I was only trying to compare the way AP opened up in the stretch leaving no doubt. Most of the Belmonts in recent memory have had very close endings.
I forgot about Northern Dancer, but you're right.

You might be interested in Blood Horse' rankings, if you haven't seen them:

(Northern Dancer is ranked 7th - scroll-down several pages to the contents)

Thoroughbred Champions: Top 100 Racehorses of the 20th Century
 
Congrats to a wonderful animal, by far the best today, and a true champion. As a horse racing fan for decades of my life, it's nice to see such a super horse run a super race leaving no doubt he deserves the honours. The way he pulled away in the stretch reminded me of Secretariat's dominance.

Hope he gets a nice long rest on the farm and comes back for the fall racing season.
My grandparents were thoroughbred breeder/owners before they passed, great animals and to see them run is a thing of beauty. I am ecstatic that there is a new triple crown winner, great day for racing.
 
A jockey will get fined for letting up/not trying. They were simply not good enough.
The key is when you let the animal "break" or hit it's full stride, break 'em too early and they burn out, break them too late and you can't catch the leader. What truly makes Jockeys valuable is they have to first be capable of being very light people, then they have to have the ability to connect with the horse and know what it can do.
 
I forgot about Northern Dancer, but you're right.

You might be interested in Blood Horse' rankings, if you haven't seen them:

(Northern Dancer is ranked 7th - scroll-down several pages to the contents)

A quick note: Native Dancer is listed as #7 and Northern Dancer as #43.
 
Unless the accident somehow effected his sperm production they wouldn't put him down.
There may not be a choice. Leg injuries are nearly always fatal to a horse, I forgot the name of the infection but it's nasty, it is beyond cruel to let them suffer with it.
 
I don't believe his owner has made decision as to whether or not he'll race again. He might race a few more times, though probably not beyond this year. Reportedly, his breeding rights have been sold for a price that now exceeds $20 million given his Triple Crown win and the bonus that was tied to such an outcome, so there might be some added pressure for his retirement.

Whether or not he races again, he's distinguished himself as among the greatest horses that have ever lived. In recent years, critics have argued for changes in the Triple Crown format, distance, rules (e.g., barring horses that have not run in the Kentucky Derby or Preakness), etc. What those critics missed is that the series in its traditional format has become special, because only the greatest horses win it. I doubt it would have such appeal if Triple Crown victories became frequent events due to some of the absurd, IMO, changes suggested.
Exactly right, the reason the triple crown is so special is because it is so difficult, right up there with winning multiple World Series championships back to back. Racing at multiple distances and winning all three absolutely requires just the right horse and knowing what he is capable of.
 
Secretariat raced his 4 year old season. Last year's Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, California Chrome, ran in the Breeder's Cup Classic and also has raced this year. Winning the Breeder's Cup Classic is worth $3 million plus - that's a lot of stud fees. Unless we find out American Pharoah has some kind of health issue, I'm sure he'll run again.
I wouldn't run him again, too much risk, the reward is already set in stone.
 
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