The Corner with Garry Chittick

If you enjoy racing, you will have enjoyed the past week. I am not a racing journalist, far too hard a task for me, but the odd observation to keep the two of you informed and alert deserves a little of my time.

The Cup once again illustrated the theatre of racing beyond a mile. The two miles requires enough speed, more than enough stamina, a strategy, and a touch of luck. Before all of that, there is the belief of the breeder six years ago when deciding on a suitable mating to breed the competitor who measures up on the day. The spread of competitors has dramatically changed the profile of the race, with horses sourced specifically just to put the trophy on the mantelpiece from USA, Japan, France, England and Ireland.

New Zealand won more than its share of Cups, we often hear how we have lost our way with a dearth of competitors now taking part. Yes, it is both disappointing and difficult. Difficult, because it requires a passionate owner to front up to the development cost and time to meet the challenges.

In the long involvement, I have seen many changes, but let’s focus on the Cup. Fifty years ago, Bart Cummings would visit NZ in November to wander amongst yearlings who may meet his requirements, he would return in January to buy his stayers of the future. Syndication was unheard of; he had owners who were prepared to go through the long process. Our sires were selected with Cups in mind, and there were plenty of these events. In recent years, we have seen a change of emphasis – to be fair, we don’t have the individual powerhouse owners, rather now powerful syndicates. They are important in the current economic times, and I enjoy watching the shared joy after the winning of a race, however, managing the expectations of many if convincing them it’s going to get better in a couple of years.

And so, the joy of this year’s Cup. Half Yours had limited value until displaying talent when his breeder passed away. Purchased for A$305,000, now in shared ownership, he is by St Jean. ‘Who?’ You ask. Well, St Jean, in his nearly illustrious career, won the Group 3 City of Auckland Cup. Not the Auckland Cup, how he finished up in NZ I haven’t researched, but I think it’s a great story.

I believe he stood at $3,000 at the time Half Yours was conceived, he is now at $11,000 – a 400% increase, good on them. I really enjoyed the race, but I am sure not as much as Brackley Park.

Oaks Day, a crowd of 51,000, which I thought might have been disappointing, but not the race. Once again, a remarkable story having won her first race only thirteen days before the Oaks, Strictly Business demolished the collection of talented three-year-olds. It was only last week when I raised O’Reilly’s contribution to Australasian racing. Grunt is doing his bit.

The day caused me to reflect on our sport’s leading stallions, are they really worth it. Well, I suppose the market determines that. I know it’s easy to find examples such as Half Yours, I don’t need to list individual service fees, you know. However, whilst reflecting on Oaks Day, of the nine races’ winning sires, two sires are dead, one retired, the total advertised service fees for the remaining six $150,000, food for thought.

While on the subject of food, I was saddened to read that 2500 restaurants or cafes have shut their doors in the past 12 months. Does it matter, of course it does, I can think of a number of restauranters who have raced more than one horse. Mind you, had they attended the current Keeneland Broodmare Sale, they would have been stunned to realise they needed a million-plus to go home with one of the preferred top 20 mares.

Food for thought.

Cheers,
G

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