12f championship races

[reet hard]

Only those that overrated Ghaiyyath in the first place, could cling to the belief he remains 'The best horse in the world'. As I indicated then, he got an easy lead in the Eclipse, followed by 2 more easy leads, and his rating bumped up every time (check it out). However, the first time he was properly challenged, he proved just another paper tiger.
It's fairly certain that many will make their excuses for that reverse, and still crown him "Best middle distance horse in the world". He isn't (and wasn't) which is why he never went near the Arc - even before the ground went pear-shaped.

 

[barjon]

See they’ve been quick to retire Sottsass - no surprise there.

 

[Desert Orchid]

I see Tom Segal is doing his nut over the riding of Enable and Stradivarius.

 

[Frankel]

They had Mishriff waiting to win aswell!

 

[Euronymous]

Mishriff is like Sottsass. Would have had little chance on deep ground with a fast pace. But once the AOB crew was pulled, completely different ballgame. Very possible winner if they'd kept him in it.

 

[Frankel]

I expect him to win the Champion.

 

[wilsonl]

I expect him to win the Champion.

Is he going hurdling then ?

 

[reet hard]

There are other disciplines, Lee..

 

[Frankel]

Is he going hurdling then ?

Mixing with a bunch of underlings!

Aba would have to settle for 2nd if he did though

 

[HawkWing]

It seems to me that the OP is arguing that because of the absence of 3 horses - Love, Ghaiyyath and Magical - that this in some way indicates that the Arc has become an unimportant race in the calendar.

In my opinion this is, frankly, bollocks. Love was missing because of the ground, presumably with the thought that there is always next year. Ghaiyyath was missing because the likelihood that his race would be spoiled by coolmore runners was high and perhaps he's better over 10 - no shame there. Who knows why magical was missing, but connections 5 other entries, including a 72k supplement, strongly suggest that it wasn't because they believe the race to be an irrelevance in today's racing calendar.

Yeah bollocks. I had forgotten Misriff, Tarnawa and Logician.

Also, re the broodmares - does look like being female is a big help in the arc these days. Well and good. However, it is one of those races that refuses geldings entry on continual advancements of the breed arguments. 12f horses stink as stallions. In a straight choice would Coolmore forego a 10 group 1 for an Arc? Galileo went Irish Champion/Breeders Cup. Would they forego a triple crown for an Arc? Camelot went for the Leger. Australia was been aimed at QEII after losing the Irish Champion.

Nothing to lose with the fillies/stayers/10f group 1 winners. The Arc is living on past glories.