COMMENTARY
DECEMBER 2, 2005
The ugly state of racing
by John Mucciolo
One of the major problems with our sport, if not the main issue, is the early
retirement of our finest animals. Plain and simple! People for some time now
have complained that fewer and fewer patrons attend the races, interest has not
increased in the greatest game known to man, and our sport is in dire
need of a facelift. Marketing ploys have been put in place, with mega-million-dollar companies brought in to spend their advertising dollars, and kudos to the
visionaries behind these programs. But as many know, this is likely a short-term
fix. Many tracks are looking to the future with the implementation of slot
machines and various other gambling options (racinos), or as Magna Corp. is
doing, with the construction of malls, restaurants, amusement parks, etc. Once again I applaud their efforts, change is a good thing. But the underlying
fact remains that you need star appeal to bring fresh blood into racing, and
that’s being taken away from us.
In 2005, Thoroughbred racing lost perhaps four of its most dynamic and
accomplished runners in a short period of time. I argue that it’s hard for the
common fan to relate to the constant turnover of the most marketable assets, and
it likely causes many to shy away from the game. Baseball, basketball, boxing and soccer
all get quite a bit of longevity from their “big sells” and do a great job of
making sure that you know who they are. Even modest sports fans know of Barry
Bonds, Kobe Bryant, Mike Tyson and David Beckham, but I could bet you that many
of those same people don’t know of Lost in the Fog (Lost Soldier), the likely
champion sprinter of 2005, or Saint Liam, 2005’s possible Horse of the Year.
Why? I’m glad you asked.
Early retirement! Racing lost Ghostzapper, Saint Liam, Afleet Alex, Roman
Ruler and Rock
Hard Ten all within the last six months, and must go back to the drawing board
to find capable and worthy pieces of advertising. That’s a total of more than
$13 million in earnings and 13 Grade 1 tilts. Add Smarty Jones, Medaglia d’Oro
and Pleasantly Perfect to the mix from 2004, and racing has lost much of its
star appeal from the past two seasons. We all know the financial windfalls of a
major horse retiring to the beautiful pastures of the Bluegrass, but
unfortunately this is bad in the big picture of racing.
I haven’t even scratched the surface of other top retired runners of ’05,
including Roses in May, Badge of Silver, Purge, Woke Up Dreamin, Pollard’s Vision,
Mass Media, Kitten’s Joy, nor the dozens of top fillies and
mares who will move on to their next careers. It’s sad! It seems to me that at
least 50 colts retire every year for stud duty, and it further depletes the
racing stock year by year. While some may be legitimately retired due to injury,
owners will take advantage of the gray area to retire horses early who could
come back to the track. And the impact it has on the “what have you done for
me lately” breeding industry is devastating as well. If your stallion doesn’t
create a buzz by the time his weanlings hit the ground, they’re finished, and
there are plenty more of retired horses ready to fill their shoes immediately.
It gives the breeder very little margin for error at best.
Since 1995, only four Kentucky Derby (G1) winners were seen racing at all
following their three-year-old campaign (Monarchos for only one start), and
that’s not good. The Kentucky Derby is clearly the biggest race in America, and
the track is where the Smarty Joneses, War Emblems, Fusaichi Pegasuses, Charismatics
and Grindstones of the world become household names, instead of at stud where
they generally fade into oblivion to the general public. At the same time, seven
winners of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), arguably the greatest race in North
America, have returned the following season to the track.
Many owners of top racehorses are not in dire need of money in order to
survive. Let’s face it, how many owners get into this game purely as an
investment as opposed for the sport and excitement of it? I’m sure not many, if
any at all. To plop down, say, $250,000 for a yearling, would generally suggest
that one has the money to spend, plus a little more for life’s little
incidentals. So I’m calling owners out!
Before you sell out for that sweet syndication deal, give us the excitement
that we deserve for covering this sport and promoting your new studs, and for
being die-hard fans of the game and paying admission, (albeit at the simulcast
parlor in this day and age), to see your Thoroughbreds do what they do best. Top
racehorses instill excitement, conjure up memories, draw comparisons, all of the
things that make horse racing the absolute best.
We don’t want promises about
next year, or about tendons, muscles or hairline fractures. We’re not medical
professionals and don’t like to be patronized. What we want to hear is the roar
of the crowd when your horse charges down the stretch! Is that so much to ask?