I never heard concerns such as this when Secretariat won the Triple Crown and was syndicated. Nor did I when Ruffian raced...or Forego countless times with numerous wins. Horseracing is a man made sport, money and power are the drivers. There is beauty and excitement, which is the attraction for many who have come to watch the making of a fast horse. For sure the handicappers aren't making much on their dollars. Zayat is doing what he's supposed to in regard to public relations and capitalism. And hopefully A. P. will come through the rest of this year to relax in the comfort of his private air conditioned stall, eating 2 meals a day and frolicking in the lush green grass. These horses live a lot better than millions of humans!
If Zayat had not sold American Pharoah's breeding rights, he would have had economic reason not to race the horse again, because if the horse were injured, breeding income would be jeopardized. But with no financial interest in breeding rights, Zayat has strong financial reason for sending Pharoah to many more race tracks.
Several people have said that horses "love to fun." While that may be true, it certainly cannot be said that horses love to race at a racetrack.
Several people have said that horses "love to fun." While that may be true, it certainly cannot be said that horses love to race at a racetrack.
1
This owner is a heartless cruel man who has no business being in the horse business if he can't retire this horse before it is injured. He has plenty of money.
your statement only solidifies the fact that continuing AP's career is not about greed or money, it is about sharing this one of a generation superstar with his fans and the fans of the racing thoroughbred. WHAT AN AWESOME ATHLETE. I am so glad I have the honor to watch him compete
1
“It’s crazy that he’s got to race again,” said Ashlee Petroski, who works with the Rowan University equestrian team. “Hasn’t he done what he was supposed to do? Oh, why don’t they let him be just a horse?”
Tamara Hernandez, 42, who works in construction, piped in: “I know. God forbid he gets hurt. He is just amazing and just perfect, and it would crush me to see him broken. But he’s here because people are greedy.”
The ignorance in these two comments is breathtaking. This is why most real horse players/fans - you know, those who pay attention outside of 5 weeks in May and June - avoid the track on days like this.
"He's here because people are greedy"(?) Well then, why are you there? You are complicit in the greed. And note that the real greed is what will stop him from racing at the end of this year, because of shadow activity of breeding which drives the sport. It would be great to have him race as a 4yo and potentially race against next years Derby winner, as Seattle Slew did against Affirmed, who in turn did as a 4yo against Spectacular Bid.
"Hasn’t he done what he was supposed to do?" Yes, because the mythical "Triple Crown" is all there is to racing. Please ...
And for the author, who is an accomplished writer and journalist, to say that these are "excellent points" is beyond belief.
It is just another form of pet ownership ... people do unspeakable things to their pets, but we don't ban ownership of dogs and cats because people are cruel to them.
Tamara Hernandez, 42, who works in construction, piped in: “I know. God forbid he gets hurt. He is just amazing and just perfect, and it would crush me to see him broken. But he’s here because people are greedy.”
The ignorance in these two comments is breathtaking. This is why most real horse players/fans - you know, those who pay attention outside of 5 weeks in May and June - avoid the track on days like this.
"He's here because people are greedy"(?) Well then, why are you there? You are complicit in the greed. And note that the real greed is what will stop him from racing at the end of this year, because of shadow activity of breeding which drives the sport. It would be great to have him race as a 4yo and potentially race against next years Derby winner, as Seattle Slew did against Affirmed, who in turn did as a 4yo against Spectacular Bid.
"Hasn’t he done what he was supposed to do?" Yes, because the mythical "Triple Crown" is all there is to racing. Please ...
And for the author, who is an accomplished writer and journalist, to say that these are "excellent points" is beyond belief.
It is just another form of pet ownership ... people do unspeakable things to their pets, but we don't ban ownership of dogs and cats because people are cruel to them.
4
I agree 100%. you don't find too many horses locked up in their owners cars on 80 plus degree days while their owners grab a quick drink or three, do you?
Swans,
Good analogy, people abuse their pets so why not this beautiful animal. Racing is no different than the Romans Cheering the Gladiators.
Good analogy, people abuse their pets so why not this beautiful animal. Racing is no different than the Romans Cheering the Gladiators.
1
Tamara Hernandez, 42, who works in construction, piped in: “I know. God forbid he gets hurt. He is just amazing and just perfect, and it would crush me to see him broken. But he’s here because people are greedy.”
AND as i am her - this would be why I immediately wrote a comment replying to this article - I did not state that he was running for GREED - He is an amazing beautiful creature - I stated there is a lot of greed that will get them no where - with a horse like this its beauty - passion something I or my children may never see again. As long as he is healthy and taken care of let him run! And I completely agree she (the writer) chose the worst topics or comments to touch on. This could have been a great article with the interviews and discussion we had. its a shame. I will NEVER do this again.
AND as i am her - this would be why I immediately wrote a comment replying to this article - I did not state that he was running for GREED - He is an amazing beautiful creature - I stated there is a lot of greed that will get them no where - with a horse like this its beauty - passion something I or my children may never see again. As long as he is healthy and taken care of let him run! And I completely agree she (the writer) chose the worst topics or comments to touch on. This could have been a great article with the interviews and discussion we had. its a shame. I will NEVER do this again.
3
It is immoral to treat other sentient beings this way. Humans are the scourge of the earth. What other beings enslave other creatures simply for their own entertainment?
One day humans will be gone, and the earth will breathe a cosmic sigh of relief.
One day humans will be gone, and the earth will breathe a cosmic sigh of relief.
1
An article that interested me in the NY Times this was titled, "In a Sport of Beautiful Animals, Ugliness Is Unavoidable" referring to the winner of the Triple Crown, American Pharoah.
As a horse owner and horse lover, I support horse racing, but not for greed. When being a trainer for a sport such as horse racing you have to know the horse. If a horse trainer does not know the horse down to the bone, they will not be as successful as a trainer that knows the horse and how they react to things and can recognize what they are feeling. I believe that American Pharoah should run again, but not in big events, he should run small races so he does not get hurt. Thoroughbreds are bred to run and American Pharoah is too young to stop running. After watching American Pharoah and his reaction after running the Belmont, he wanted to run the track again and again. If you were a horse would you like to win something you love and just stop what you love all of a sudden? That's how the horse feels too. In the text it states, “He was born to run, so we owe him that,” Zayat said. “He feels good about winning. You can see it in his eyes.” This even shows that the owner feels that the horse should run more. If the trainer, Bob Baffert, believes that the horse can run more, than the horse should run until its heart's content.
American Pharoah has many more years to live, and those years they will be filled with many wins. A horses passion, is always to please everyone.
GraysonDMS2015
As a horse owner and horse lover, I support horse racing, but not for greed. When being a trainer for a sport such as horse racing you have to know the horse. If a horse trainer does not know the horse down to the bone, they will not be as successful as a trainer that knows the horse and how they react to things and can recognize what they are feeling. I believe that American Pharoah should run again, but not in big events, he should run small races so he does not get hurt. Thoroughbreds are bred to run and American Pharoah is too young to stop running. After watching American Pharoah and his reaction after running the Belmont, he wanted to run the track again and again. If you were a horse would you like to win something you love and just stop what you love all of a sudden? That's how the horse feels too. In the text it states, “He was born to run, so we owe him that,” Zayat said. “He feels good about winning. You can see it in his eyes.” This even shows that the owner feels that the horse should run more. If the trainer, Bob Baffert, believes that the horse can run more, than the horse should run until its heart's content.
American Pharoah has many more years to live, and those years they will be filled with many wins. A horses passion, is always to please everyone.
GraysonDMS2015
1
In our supposedly enlightened age, it seems unreasonable to use animals for 'sport'. Horse racing is brutal and so is hunting. It's time to stop all this craziness.
1
Awesome point, Ann. Treating animals like this is unethical; it's time to wake up and do the right thing. People who abuse other sentient beings are on the wrong side of history.
1
You might want to spend as much time around a horse track as you've spent around the equestrian circuit. You would see that most trainers take better care of their horses than they take care of themselves. Greed? The average North American owner's purse money covers 50 percent of training expenses and that doesn't include the price of the horse. Greedy people can find far better investments.
If the Times covered racing on a regular basis, the hatchet jobs could be accepted within a reasonable context. But when a reporter shows up once in a blue moon for one of the biggest races of the year and decides to use that as a forum for one of the sport's ills, that is unbalanced and unfair. As a horse owner and long-time racing fan, I'd love to see this great horse run at four, though I realize that doesn't make economic sense. Also, why isn't this piece labeled "commentary?"
2
I agree - But she was so knowledgeable and we talked about the passion for the sport - the history of the sport - the blood line of American Pharoah the intensity of this race. Nothing we spoke of with meaning nor nothing that the three of us in the ladies room spoke of with our hearts is in this article.
2
Greed. pure greed. Let this beautiful creature be a horse while he still can.
Perhaps he's thinking that something could happen to the horse and he would collect the insurance money. I always thought any horse that won the triple crown would be retired to horse country.
This article is another example of the bias the NYT has against horse racing as a sport - why don't you just stop covering it if you can't even find competent/knowledgeable reporters to write the articles. It's a shame that another positive in this sport is turned into a negative by this vendetta you so clearly have against all things racing. You might as well put "Sponsored by PETA" on the article.
And interviewing people in the restroom line is really classy and a great way to get a consensus of the feelings at the racetrack.
And interviewing people in the restroom line is really classy and a great way to get a consensus of the feelings at the racetrack.
5
right on Laura. heres another question, while they are complaining of the mis treatment of AP, what are they doing at the racetrack?
1
and as the person interviewed this is exactly why I am upset with the article!
and to clarify yes it was in the restroom but it was the sitting area not bathroom area and we were all watching the horses out the window..... this article makes it sound so bad. :(
and to clarify yes it was in the restroom but it was the sitting area not bathroom area and we were all watching the horses out the window..... this article makes it sound so bad. :(
I was looking forward to this article -I have to say the "piped in " rubbed it the wrong for me & the simplicity of this being a caddy bathroom conversation. This was an on going passionate conversation & as one woman did say this race was "all about Greed" I agreed to a point. But not all greed or money. There's passion -push the limit to make history. As an athlete I can speak the horses can not Juliet(writer) pointed out. Horses are athletes & to see the incredible pushed to the limit -athletes push beyond ignore injuries & keep pushing. I pray EVERY horse is safe & injury free. I don't condone miss treating the animal physically or chemically. Admit it, we see it in athletes every day by choice. I AGREE to a point RUN him- he took that track with grace & style yesterday. Who knows what is possible & having a direct blood line to the most amazing horses in history- maybe he's the one to do it all. I just wish the way the article was written was more heartfelt/passionate not depicting a group of woman chitchatting in the ladies room & piping in -made us seem superficial when indeed the three of us were entirely more passionate & heartfelt about the sport we were hot, not worried about hair, make up appearances. Waiting to see HIM-stories of how between the three of us we covered every race he's ran in, some all some only the triple crown derby's. I loved talking to Juliet Macur & will follow her she was full of passion. Her idea was perfect it just didn't really show.
1
I can identify so well with what Juliet has to say about horse racing. I was an avid fan all the way until Cigar was retired. But then I began to acquire knowledge about what happens to horses at the lower levels of racing. No need to go into that, but that soured me on the sport. Although there's nothing more beautiful nor exciting that watching horses run, the possibility of breaking down is always present. (I vividly remember Go for Wand struggling to the finish line with her leg, literally, almost severed. She just had a wild look in her eyes. I'll never forget it.) Horse racing goes on for the most wealthy in the sport and will as long as there are quality horses, such as, American Pharoah to make money for them. If the horse doesn't, the horse pay the price.
1
As a horse owner and horse lover, I cannot and do not support racing in any form. American Pharaoh may be a great horse, but take the blinders off. More than one former Triple Crown race winner has wound up in a very undignified retirement-feed lots and foreign dinner tables. Remember Alydar? It was strongly believed that he had been killed for insurance money, per "Texas Monthly," June 2001. If that's what happens to the best of the best, guess what happens to the thousands of non-winners? No matter how warm and fuzzy the spin is surrounding American Pharaoh, the win gives Thoroughbred racing a shot in the arm it so desperately wanted. It's all about greed, and that greed will continue to cause pain, abuse and suffering to thousands of other Thoroughbreds.
1
That was 15 years ago and that was ONE owner. A lot has been done to correct wrongs in horse racing since then and there is still more to be done, but it's being worked on. This sport is a LOT more scrutinized than some of the other equestrian "sports" and I lot more gets measured against horse racing because of the gambling aspect. I've heard horror stories about some of the poor, abused jumpers out there, but I don't condemn the entire sport. Learn a bit more before you get all judgy.
2
thousands of other thoroughbreds? how about the hundreds of thousands of horses that are not handled by incompetent, immoral horsemen. greed permeates EVERY INDUSTRY, PERIOD. where there is money, greed will follow. but don't be so narrow as to think the alydar case is the norm. obviously it isn't. the only reason you can cite the case is because of its rarity.
2
I don't think "greed" is the only motivation for racing a Triple Crown winner beyond those three races, nor do I think it possible to overlook the emotional greed that radiates from the typical assertions of many individuals influenced by animal rights rhetoric. "It would crush me to see him broken" is a statement about the alleged delicacy of the self, not about the horse at all, and it reminds me of the oft-repeated claim posted with animal videos on social media: "I cried" or "This one made me misty" or whatever variation on the theme of "I'm such a nice person I can't watch anything happen to an animal without weeping." All this focus on the tender sensibilities of the human viewer completely overlooks what horses and other animals can teach us about themselves and what they think of the things we ask of them, if only we can wipe our eyes long enough to notice. Walt Whitman understood it. "They do not sweat and whine about their condition." Have we come to a point where we no longer admire that about them but see that as a failing in them we must cure with our own noise?
4
MY statement of "it would crush me to see him broken" was not about MYSELF - it was a comment in the middle of a discussion about being an athlete - he is an athlete amongst his breed - as I am an athlete - The entire comment was: " It would crush me to see him broken- an athletes heart and soul goes into what they do you don't just do it you live it - life changes you change" The thought of him being hurt/unable to run or do what he does is heartbreaking, we can speak he can not so you don't know exactly what he feels - that is my point. I love to with him compete- run with the wind as I love to run what if I cant - I've been severely injured he may be a horse but how is that any different.
It's nice that Zayat has confidence in Bob Baffert, but spotting illness in a horse before they set foot on the track is only a small part of being a trainer. I am surprised this article didn't mention the biggest racing tragedy of the seventies, possibly of all time: the late great filly Ruffian. She was trained by Frank Whiteley, ridden by Jacinto Vasquez, and she was surrounded by a team that cared for her, worried about her and her freakishly fast speed and uncommon ability, but even they couldn't prevent what happened the day of that match race. No one could have prevented Ruffian from slamming hard into the metal gate at the start and then breaking down moments later. Despite the accident she still ran full out, she caught Foolish Pleasure and was leaving him behind when the breakdown occurred. There's no doubt in my mind that she would have beaten him by daylight. Best of luck to American Pharoah.
2
Based on your own criteria, your hero Kelso should have never been given the opportunity to race over several years and achieve the "greatness" you loved so much as a teenager.
Those gals in the ladies room line you quoted - much like you - are "unicorn" thinkers. Let them all just go and run in a field and chase butterflies and nothing will ever go wrong with them. That's just not realistic. Horses need to work - it gives them purpose and is part of their make up as a domesticated partner in labor in our world for eons. And as to breakdowns - while you work to be rid of the bad element in racing that will run an unsound horse to his death, there are so many more who work and care for these animals and do their absolute best for them - but still have to deal with the freak accident. That's what people who don't know these animals never get - they are 1500 lbs moving on what is basically their middle toe. They break down in pastures, on trails, in the wild - even in stalls if they kick a wall.
I can't speak to every motivation the Zayats have - but I do think they are trying to share this wonderful horse with people while they can. If they'd swept him off to stud after the Belmont - people would be howling about how we have no heroes who stay on the track anymore. You know - heroes like yours. Heroes like Kelso.
So let's let American Pharoah carve out his place in that pantheon.
Those gals in the ladies room line you quoted - much like you - are "unicorn" thinkers. Let them all just go and run in a field and chase butterflies and nothing will ever go wrong with them. That's just not realistic. Horses need to work - it gives them purpose and is part of their make up as a domesticated partner in labor in our world for eons. And as to breakdowns - while you work to be rid of the bad element in racing that will run an unsound horse to his death, there are so many more who work and care for these animals and do their absolute best for them - but still have to deal with the freak accident. That's what people who don't know these animals never get - they are 1500 lbs moving on what is basically their middle toe. They break down in pastures, on trails, in the wild - even in stalls if they kick a wall.
I can't speak to every motivation the Zayats have - but I do think they are trying to share this wonderful horse with people while they can. If they'd swept him off to stud after the Belmont - people would be howling about how we have no heroes who stay on the track anymore. You know - heroes like yours. Heroes like Kelso.
So let's let American Pharoah carve out his place in that pantheon.
4
I Take a HUGE offense to being called a UNICORN but I understand given the context of what she wrote! - because I was miss quoted - I can not speak for the other - I immediately wrote how unhappy I was with this. if you read my comments - The passion I have for this house and respect of what he ahs and will accomplish. I can not help what this reporter chose to write although I have learned my lesson and will NEVER do another interview or comment again - She had a chance to write an amazing piece about the love of the sport and the passion she found three woman speaking of - Yes it was the bathroom but it was the sitting area not he "stalls" and we were all in the window with the most amazing view of American Pharoah and engaged in real conversation not bathroom giddy talk. While there are many many out there that are along for the hype of the fad of winning - we ladies were not.
1
A friend who is a horse person (I am not) says that the real problem with American racing is that the US races horses that are too young to be fully grown & strong. He says that race horses love to run; that is what they are bred for, and they get bored if they don't work. The story about the Haskell seemed to make it clear that American Pharoah is still growing into his body and that he enjoyed the race. I say (regardless of what is done with him between now & October) that he should definitely run in the Breeders Cup, the pinnacle of American racing, before retirement.
Juliet,
I like you ,I love animals, especially horses. It never occurred to me that
he was running again , because his owner wanted to increase his value that he lost, when he sold his Breeding Right before he won the Triple Crown. I believed the owner when he said he wanted to run him again for the people who love Horse racing.If what you said is true, that he would sacrifice this beautiful horse for more money.He will go down in Sports Greats & the Horse that was sacrificed for his owners Greed, no wonder his owner & trainer were nervous before the race.He belongs with the Dentist that killed the Docile Lion, & all the crazed hunters that kill defenseless, beautiful animals for trophies.Those hunters that behind the nonsense that by thinning out the herd they will be helping the herd survive. Today we have the facilities to feed the herd if they lack food to sustain themselves.
I like you ,I love animals, especially horses. It never occurred to me that
he was running again , because his owner wanted to increase his value that he lost, when he sold his Breeding Right before he won the Triple Crown. I believed the owner when he said he wanted to run him again for the people who love Horse racing.If what you said is true, that he would sacrifice this beautiful horse for more money.He will go down in Sports Greats & the Horse that was sacrificed for his owners Greed, no wonder his owner & trainer were nervous before the race.He belongs with the Dentist that killed the Docile Lion, & all the crazed hunters that kill defenseless, beautiful animals for trophies.Those hunters that behind the nonsense that by thinning out the herd they will be helping the herd survive. Today we have the facilities to feed the herd if they lack food to sustain themselves.
2
Horses are magnificent, powerful and fragile creatures. Racehorses are all of the above plus incredible athletes. To not savor or share the moments in life when breeding, grace and God come together to create an animal as magnificent as American Pharoah would be like locking your brilliant child in a room for fear of the world , never to share their gifts.
We owe it to our racehorses that tracks are safe and that drug laws are stringent and enforced. We expect responsible trainers that put the horse's health first and breeding programs that make soundness as much as a priority as speed.
That said, life is unpredictable and never as evident as on the racetrack . We ride the emotional wave and savior the brilliance of this horse because life is fleeting and perfection is rare. Life, and racing is about taking calculated chances.
Lastly, as an owner of retired racehorses I can attest to how many times they injure themselves playing in the field, kicking at a fence or goofing off. Short of wrapping them in bubble wrap you can only hope they stay out of trouble.
We owe it to our racehorses that tracks are safe and that drug laws are stringent and enforced. We expect responsible trainers that put the horse's health first and breeding programs that make soundness as much as a priority as speed.
That said, life is unpredictable and never as evident as on the racetrack . We ride the emotional wave and savior the brilliance of this horse because life is fleeting and perfection is rare. Life, and racing is about taking calculated chances.
Lastly, as an owner of retired racehorses I can attest to how many times they injure themselves playing in the field, kicking at a fence or goofing off. Short of wrapping them in bubble wrap you can only hope they stay out of trouble.
5
I am glad that someone noted that horses, who need daily exercise for their systems to remain healthy, can injure themselves anytime: during a gallop or breeze; running free in the paddock, in their stall. So there is no such thing as an injury-free retirement. Close supervision, as top thoroughbreds receive, can spot lameness and prevent injuries. But an inactive horse is likely to get colic, a dreaded illness, so activity is required. As someone else pointed out, horses are not pets.
1
I guarantee 1000s of horses died yesterday and you noticed none of them, because they were considerant enough to die in back pastures, or open ranges. Some died in their stalls with tearful owners holding them, and some died in slaughterhouses. My 3 year old gelding died years ago in the pasture he was born and lived in his entire short life, because another horse kicked him and shattered his leg. Another died mid gallop because his heart stopped. But those horses don't count because you weren't there to see it, and get high and mighty about how we'd done them wrong with your amazing powers of hindsight. Here's a newsflash, every horse ever born will at some point die. Why is it that breaking one's leg on the track is a monsterous abuse, but turning a horse out to get his leg broken by a pasture mate is a-okay? Both are freak accidents.
5
It appears Baffert and Zayat pursue prestige, money, and fame rather than the welfare of this remarkable Triple Crown winner. This is the difference between equine owners like myself and trainers and owners like these two who use up their horses, we love them and value them simply for who they are, not what they can do for us. That is why you rarely see retired racehorses at their original stable - their value is zero to these people.
2
For someone who claims to have been raised around horse racing, I'm very disappointed in Ms. Macur's article. As 'Ammy from Montreal' correctly noted in an earlier comment, freak accidents can occur just as easily off the track as they do on it. I can guarantee you far more horses die annually in paddock accidents and by way of degenerative diseases like laminitis than in breakdowns on the race track. Is it beyond tragic when a horse like Eight Belles has to be euthanized after fracturing bones running in a race? Absolutely. But should American Pharoah, the greatest and most beloved race horse to come around in three decades, be retired before the end of his 3 year old season because of the off chance he might get hurt? That's like telling your boss you're not coming into work this week because you might get into a car accident. Thoroughbreds love to run and none more so than AP. I will be at the Breeders Cup in late October and win or lose, I will send Pharoah off with a standing ovation. He has captured the nation with his beauty, strength, stamina, and charisma. I'm sorry to those of you who can't see that...
8
Is the Times now obligated to run the same piece name-checking Halwan every time there's an article on horse racing? It's just really a bit too much to pick up the paper excited to read about a sublime performance by an incomparable athlete and see the phrase 'Ugliness Is Unavoidable' plastered at the top. Thanks for nothing.
1
I AGREE - I'm so SORRY I did this interview - this was to be an article on the passion of the sport of how the in depth conversation in the ladies room was intelligent and in depth beyond the "hype" of the race. We all spoke so passionately and INTELIGENTLY about the sport and American Pharoah this is such a shame. and I am so sorry I even commented on my disappointment in the first place because now I see how so many are coming to the same conclusion I did when reading this article. PLEASE understand I NO WAY support how this article came out. SO DISSAPOINTED this so gave way to a perfect bashing of a woman sports reporter.
Is Ms. Macur so naive, so childishly romantic as not to understand the hard realities of thoroughbred racing? I find that almost impossible to believe. Racing is occasionally thrilling, but at its core, a business, a game of costs vs. prize money. The "glory" of the Triple Crown may be very real to those directly involved and to passionate racing fans, but in the end, it opens up precisely the kind of financial appearance guarantees and bonuses Zayat and Baffert received at the Haskell, and will undoubtedly receive at any future races, before they finally decide to retire Pharoah. Had Zayat not sold breeding rights before the TC, had he waited for the galactic spike in stud value once Pharoah won all 3 TC races, he wouldn't be "incentivized" to continue racing him quite as much. This is the real world of racing, once in a while punctuated by the breath-taking performance of a Secretariat or Kelso or Slew or Pharoah. It's not Sunnybrook Farm.
If you're going to worry about overworking a young horse that's bred to run and race (and assume owners and trainers are motivated by greed) then you shouldn't be a spectator of the grueling stretch of Triple Crown races or thoroughbred racing in the first place.
8
As for the "girls" in the Ladies room, they stand there and criticize, but they still show up at the event to watch him run. What does that say about them?
1
God gave us these beautiful Animals, & man uses them for Greed. This horse accomplished a remarkable feat.It's time for him to start enjoying himself. He is indeed a Pharaoh, Bring on his Harem.
1
God gave us Mankind and we have accomplished Remarkable Feats. It's time for Us to start enjoying Ourselves. We are indeed Breeders so bring on our Harem.
The dirty side of racing is that horses are run on drugs, bute masks so much pain like stress fractures. Horses then break down and are killed or are shipped off to the Canadian slaughter houses. Too many break downs in training and too many break downs in racing. Eight Bells, Ruffian, and the Breeder's Cup day years ago when 3 or 4 horses died on the track. And Barbaro's leg, 28 or more breaks in one leg? That doesn't happen unless horses are run too much, too fast on too hard surfaces. Go to the track and watch the carnage. Dead horses.
I owned 3 ottb mares over the decades. All 3 miraculously survived a few years on the track, racing. It's no longer a sport. The foals are a "crop," and the horses are a "business." Horse racing should be more regulated and the drugging should be eliminated. If a horse is not "buted up" it will be lame if it has an injury.
I owned 3 ottb mares over the decades. All 3 miraculously survived a few years on the track, racing. It's no longer a sport. The foals are a "crop," and the horses are a "business." Horse racing should be more regulated and the drugging should be eliminated. If a horse is not "buted up" it will be lame if it has an injury.
5
it is irresponsible articles like this one that really upset a lot of people, I included. thoroughbred racehorses are some of the absolute best cared for animals in the world. while yes there are the seedy exceptions concerning some poor horsemen, they are in the minority of this industry. the love of watching race horses compete in this country and around the world is steep and rich in tradition and those of you who know not of what you report on, should put your boots on, get up at 5 am EVERY morning so you can see and participate in the greatest sporting industry there is. the love the people who spend their lives have for the animals in their care is deep and unending. stop smeering everything you can just because you can.
4
Jonathan Wolbert doesn't know it yet, but horse racing is a heartbreak waiting to happen. Hope he never finds out and keeps on dreaming happy thoughts.
1
Kristine, I have had my heart broken thousands of times in my 35+ years working with thoroughbreds. living, breathing things will do that to you. it is the moments of utter joy and heart filling happiness that they also provide that overshadows any and all heartbreak. again, it is all about the love for the animal that most horsemen continue to rise early in the morning every day for. sorry Kristine, but my dreams will continue to happen, and they are mostly filled with happy thoughts, in spite of your best wishes.
1
It's a battle deciding which way is right. Claimers make you question the sport; but if you have ever read Secretariat, you know owners and trainers love these animals. I won't disagree that questionable things still take place in the sport and reading articles like this puts the glory of America Pharoah in refrain despite its attempt at garnering positive treatment of the animals. These are super human athletes and when you get a chance to witness something like American Pharoah you need to enjoy the fact that you are witnessing an animal that is historic and not beaten down. My hope is that every animal is treated that way and I'm much happier with what Zayat has done than what Reddam did with I'll have Another.
3
That horse loves what he's doing. Do you notice how he changes in appearance when out on the track? He's living the life as opposed to existing in the breeding shed. Let him enjoy himself and let us all enjoy watching him run. He'll be off to the breeding shed soon enough. If you're afraid he'll hurt himself, stay home and don't watch.
8
PETA did an expose of the cruel sport of racing not too long ago. They exposed the doping of horses so that they run and don't feel the pain of injuries they have, even one horse was forced to run even though his feet were in terrible shape. Often this is not revealed to the owners, who think the horses are being well cared for. Not to mention the cruelty of carriage horses in NYC, broken down beings made to live in a concrete jungle and never stand on grass, a life of suffering of intelligent beings to entertain the ignorant and non caring public. When will we treat animals well and with respect? When will we repay them for all they give us? When will we honor them?
17
The late Steve Irwin and his family, all conservationists and animal lovers, believed that people will care more about animals if they can get up-close and personal with them. While visiting their family zoo in Beerwah, Queensland, Australia shortly after 9/11, it was easy for me to see the profound impact that the human/animal interactions were having on the zoo's visitors. While there, I was able to hold and stroke a koala, pet a camel and kangaroos and get nose to beak with an emu. Though I was separated from their crocodiles by a strong fence, I was able to get within just a few feet of them. That experience gave me a greater appreciation for Australia's unique animals. If we ban horse racing, retire all of New York's carriage horses and put an end to New York's mounted police, how many city dwellers will ever be able to interact and appreciate those magnificent animals? Once all of our close contact with animals is ended, how many people will really care about them anymore?
1
A freak accident is a freak accident no matter if it's on the track or in the barn. You are ill-informed about certain things. Retiring Pharoah would not shield him from injury or death... look up the garish story behind Alydar. Look up colic, pasture accidents, stallion fights etc. Horses are a risk to themselves just for being horses. Secondly, Zayat did not lose any money by selling the breeding rights before the TC - he had kickers built into the contract, that would provide additional money if Pharoah wins the Triple Crown as well as the Breeder's Cup Classic (his end of year goal) - which would be the Grand Slam of racing and has never been achieved in the history of racing, ever. I'm guessing there are also other kickers for additional G1 classic wins (such as the Haskell today). Zayat also retained a share of interest in Pharoah as he does with all his stallions so he will make money from breeding anyway - which isn't always easy on the horses. Look up War Emblem's breeding issues (and several others) a stallion in high demand who stands in Northern and Southern Hemispheres might end up breeding anywhere from 300 to 600 mares a year, condensed into two breeding seasons. That's hard on some horses. And what good is it to racing fans to retire him before the end of his 3 yo season? We love to see him RUN. Thirdly people who don't know much about racing don't understand that winning the TC may prove he's good but not how great he is. His legacy is at stake too.
33
Thanks. Always good to know the facts.
2
This great horse has earned his legacy but his owners are greedy for the glory, they don't need the money. What they crave is the hoopla and attention lavished on them at the expense of a great horse who should now be retired. But what's the glory in a beautiful stallion free to run in his pasture?
1
His true greatness will be seen in his get if he arrives at the breeding barn healthy enough to cover mares.
Awesome, truly awesome performance by American Pharoah.
As elegant as the greatest ballerina and as powerful as the sun rising.
As elegant as the greatest ballerina and as powerful as the sun rising.
16
Unlike us, their instinct is designed for survival and overrides the physical message of pain and prompts them to run faster or longer than they are really physically able to. We have taken this survival instinct and manipulated it with drugs or training or both simply for our own entertainment and greed. Neither justifies the harm that we do to these magnificent animals.