Despite the hope that Curlin would continue to race at age five, it was never really reasonable to consider that more than the most remote of possibilities. There would be little to accomplish beyond the inflation of the largest bankroll of earnings ever accumulated by a racehorse trained in North America. He had reached the point at which racing became redundant and his value was beyond mortality insurance, the cost of which may very well have exceeded his earning potential were he kept in training.
It would have been interesting if superfluous were Curlin to have raced in the Japan Cup Dirt, but apparently quarantine issues removed that from a short list of options. Owner Jess Jackson said on Saturday while announcing that Curlin would be retired that he would consider one last race were an appropriate event and purse available but, look around, there is no appropriate competition let alone a racetrack willing to put up seven figures for what would be a going-away party.
Jackson has repeatedly revisited the theme of Curlin’s value to the thoroughbred gene pool and will breed about 20 of his own mares to the defending and quite possible two-time Horse of the Year. It will be some time before his place as a stallion is determined, but there is vast potential. His sire, Smart Strike, is by the prepotent if brittle Mr. Prospector, His dam, Sherriffs Deputy, descends from Northern Dancer and is from a female family descendent from Sir Ivor. Though Curlin is her only offspring of note, he is also the first of her five foals by Smart Strike. Prudently mated to mares absent the Mr. Prospector influence, Curlin may be a truly effective sire of horses capable of staying 10 furlongs.
Curlin will be remembered best as a racehorse, however, and he was among the best to compete in this country in years, a horse in the class of Invasor, Ghostzapper, Cigar, whose earnings record he eclipsed, Tiznow and Skip Away – all champions who raced beyond age three.
His departure, however, leaves a gaping hole in the 2009 season. We will deal with that – or not -- when the times comes. --PM
Sunday, November 16, 2008
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2 comments:
In addition to racing mastery, Curlin also: ran on anything well; has the body and Temperment of a Great Horse, the pedigree, and best of all, was, and will be Managed as few great horses have been.
Curlin brought class and Thoroughbred spirit to every track he visited. We were so lucky to see him train - and race - on the good dirt at Saratoga. What a horse.
Seeing his raw talent blossom into a glorious 4 year old career was a treat made all the more special by its rarity.
Paul, agreed; Curlin was a real force in the two seasons he raced. Will miss Big Red at the track and wish him and his connections good health and success for many years to come.
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