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Good article on sportinglife.com about how GW has about six mares in foal before he was sent back racing.
Interesting - I'd love to know how many he covered. Given that the situation seemed to "be improving" I'm amazed they have given up so quickly. He could have had another 2 months covering mares - I'm sure some owners wouldn't have minded waiting a bit longer for a foal from the horse they wanted, rather than his sub.
A fascinating saga I'm sure we'll never get the full story one!
Just read this on the RP site - GW like a horse with five legs!
"Since he came back here from Coolmore he's been like a horse with five legs and we have to get him thinking that he can't cover everything he sees.
"He's in an isolation yard here and I'd imagine we will start re-introducing him to other horses by degrees over the next week or two. “We have a lake here, which we use at times, and he wasled down and ridden into it a few days ago. He swam across it, so you can't question his courage."
Perhaps they could enter him in the Pardubicke or whatever that Czech swimathon is called _________________ Greet people with four kisses - one for each cheek... Duke Ellington
Overall the interesting thing is that he did manage to successfully cover 6 mares towards the end of his stint. He may not be the love machine that Magnier hoped for yet, but I'd say they'll give him another crack next winter, but with a smaller book of mares to see how he gets on, and a successful 4yo campaign may boost his fee.
This fella hasn't finished yet, he just couldn't keep his harem happy this year, hence the requirement for a body double in HRE.
Toon has posted the full unexpurgated version on the Ballydoyle Press Day thread. It's a bit like War and Peace but worth the read _________________ Greet people with four kisses - one for each cheek... Duke Ellington
Toon, O'Brien trained NH horses at Piltown, home of the Crowleys (wife). Ann-Marie was champion NH trainer, and when she married AOB he was champion too, so they basically had it sewn up. He was also a very good rider and was champion amateur. He more or less gave up NH training when he was head-hunted by Magnier and moved to Ballydoyle. He had one or two (Istabraq, Le Coudray), but they petered out and were never replaced. I suppose he had a new job and that was it
yes thats right willie; of course his sister in law frances continues on.
aiden could have been the new vincent, IMHo; he could have been master of both codes. shame. _________________ Geordie_R
"A should of known there mum was buying banana's"
Yes, but possibly not for the reasons you're hoping...
Given his head problems and recent comments, I think they may have a real struggle getting him back on the track - and heaven help everyone if someone's mare comes into season at the course.
Management of stallions in the UK and Ireland is in general very old-fashioned and almost calculated to produce specialist "love machines" who are not sufficiently disciplined or exercised to be generally tractable and well-mannered. This is not their fault - it is the fault of the people who run and manage stud farms, who treat stallions as if they were a cross between unexploded bombs and cheque-writing machines. I was appalled to learn fairly recently that top stallions may expect one hour (ONE HOUR) of exercise IN HAND every day - which means that horses who have been taught to run are banged up in boxes for 23 hours out of the 24 when they are not serving mares.
In many countries, including the countries where the Arab as a breed is dominant, male horses are never gelded - because poor people cannot afford the vet fees. They therefore have to manage the entires well because otherwise they would be in trouble. All the male horses of the Moroccan Mounted Police are entires, for example. They do not seem to have behavioural or other problems - they are there to do a job of work, and they do that job well.
It is perfectly possible to combine a stallion career with other activity - we have had two stallions in the past; one who was a driving pony and was absolutely superb at scurry driving and loved every minute of it (his other services were also in demand because he was so talented at the game!) and a riding pony stallion who was hacked out regularly, shown, hunted (all as an entire) and also carried on an active stallion career. OK. neither of these examples are close to the situation with GW, where the stud fee value is in ordinary terms astronomic. But nevertheless, these ponies both produced the competition goods AND covered their mares. And I can understand the argument that the Thoroughbred temperament may not be as suited to a combined stallion career as that of a Section A or a Shetland! But I reserve the right to ask why that might be!
If colts/stallions are treated sensibly and firmly from the outset there is absolutely no reason why they should not be as versatile and well-mannered as geldings or mares (more so, in comparison with mares!) But they are not in general treated sensibly - they are put away, given no stimulation (in the social sense!) and are expected to cover mares without much other exercise, active leisure or "second careers". Frankly, my estimation of how top-class studs handle their stallions is close to zero. I'd be interested in comments from others on this issue. _________________ UNEXPECTED WINNER 2009 FLAT 10 TO FOLLOW COMPETITION!
Why wouldnt they put george over hurdles?? will they keep him in the mile 1m1f/2f races and maybe aim for the likes of the dubai world cup in the future? or the dubai derby? _________________ Neal
Why wouldnt they put george over hurdles?? will they keep him in the mile 1m1f/2f races and maybe aim for the likes of the dubai world cup in the future? or the dubai derby?
becuae he will be tried at stud again, he's not totally infertile
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