The Big Brown Sellout--BB will not race past 3 y.o. season

[freshman]

Stud plans are being finalized and are to be announced Thursday May 15. To quote the Bloodhorse article: Michael Iavarone said the chances of Big Brown running as a 4-year-old were "none."

Read the obituary here: http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/article/45224.htm

Sorry, but this stuff makes me cranky. Seeing stud plans made and hearing the announcement about ending a horse's career before they even finish this year's races leaves me cold. I hated that last year with Street Sense. It kills the excitement and leaves you a little dead.

Whatever, I guess we can look forward to Big Brown running for the Triple Crown in the next few weeks. It would be great to see him win it. And there may be BC in the fall...we'll see about that. Honestly Breeder's Cup depresses me and I don't look forward to it at all; it's like one big retirement party for the horses we love. It's a nice way to end it for some horses, but there is little satisfaction in seeing a three-year-old or a horse that started less than 10 times get the gold watch.

Go Big Brown. Really, I hope he gets the TC. But honestly I care just a little less now than I did before I read the news.

[Playwithfire]

I completely agree with this post, but in IAEH stables defense, they are labeling themselves a horse racing "hedge fund" and really their m.o. is about making money. Like the stock market, sell high. Even if he wins the TC, his value probably won't go up much more, its probably a wise business decision to sell now. Given the success these guys have, i wouldn't be surprised to see more of these big time partnerships forming. Not a good trend for a race fan's perspective.

[Sam]

This is where I indulge my pettiness.

I hope that horse loses every race they run him in from now on. BADLY. Maybe they'll stop making stud deals before a season is out if enough of these "Next Greatest Things" fall on their ass after the deals are made. This is just moronic. They bitch and whine that there's no draw to new fans, then they pull this crap that basically takes away a horse that fans are drawn to. How long do you think MLB or the NBA would be around if all their top players retired after 1-2 years?

Idjits. Greedy Idjits.

Actually, I won't be the least bit surprised if, after he loses in Maryland this weekend (and he will), he's off for a few months then they announce an "injury" and don't race him again.

[Barbaro06]

This is where I indulge my pettiness.

I hope that horse loses every race they run him in from now on. BADLY. Maybe they'll stop making stud deals before a season is out if enough of these "Next Greatest Things" fall on their ass after the deals are made. This is just moronic. They bitch and whine that there's no draw to new fans, then they pull this crap that basically takes away a horse that fans are drawn to. How long do you think MLB or the NBA would be around if all their top players retired after 1-2 years?

Idjits. Greedy Idjits.

Actually, I won't be the least bit surprised if, after he loses in Maryland this weekend (and he will), he's off for a few months then they announce an "injury" and don't race him again.

Indulge away Sam, because I feel the same way.

[Barbaro06]

I completely agree with this post, but in IAEH stables defense, they are labeling themselves a horse racing "hedge fund" and really their m.o. is about making money. Like the stock market, sell high. Even if he wins the TC, his value probably won't go up much more, its probably a wise business decision to sell now. Given the success these guys have, i wouldn't be surprised to see more of these big time partnerships forming. Not a good trend for a race fan's perspective.

Ack! Hedge fund!!!

Yeah, not good for the racing fans....the speculators are now into horse racing. I feel another tech/housing/horse bubble about to burst....hahahhahhaa!

[30west]

I agree i hope he loses now.

Thats nice lets add another studs with a hand full of starts and soundness issue to our pool of studs. Hedge Funds are not good for horseracing, I miss the workhorses, Silver Charm, Cigar, Xtra Heat. Those were the days

[gmj828]

So the Preakness could be his last race because if for some reason he loses-he is done.

Love the horse, not too cracked up about the connections.

Big time racing today is all about the cash grab. Screw the fans, screw the soundness of the horses, take the money and run.

[ageecee]

Like any of yall would turn down 50 mill.

[gmj828]

I'm fairly certain no one on this board would turn down 50 million but Iavarone is worth a half a BILLION so I'm sure he's not hurting for cash. It's just a different business then it was back in the day when there were more Mom and Pop and family owned operations. Now it's sheiks, investors, and conglomerates and the game has and will continue to suffer because of it.
Money first.

[ageecee]

Horse racing has changed. Its a BUSINESS not a freakin hobby. Ivarone has to make money for his investors. Hes doing the right thing.

[gmj828]

It has always been a business-that's not a news flash. However, some people run their businesses with integrity and some don't.

Greed baby. All hail the almighty dollar.

I hope Big Brown is sterile.

[TBG]

It's not necessarily the owners fault for taking the money. Most of us would. The breeders are the ones to blame here. It’s pretty crazy to offer $30 M plus for these “prospects”. Many of them have had a few impressive races. Often times against weak competition. Their true ability is unknown. Many don’t have extremely strong pedigrees either. They will be hyped and stand for $100 K plus for a few years. Money is no object to the farms spending these ridiculous amounts. And breeders will flock to these stallions because of the hype. The first couple of crops of offspring might sell well based on all the hype, until there are actually runners. The horse will most likely not live up to the extremely high expectations put upon them. What are the true odds for success with this trend? Yet that is the pattern. The problem really is the breeders not so much the racehorse owners. Until this industry moves away from being all about breeding and sales and moves back to being about racing, it will continue to suffer.

[gmj828]

That is an excellent point.

[bdw0617]

It's not necessarily the owners fault for taking the money. Most of us would. The breeders are the ones to blame here. It’s pretty crazy to offer $30 M plus for these “prospects”. Many of them have had a few impressive races. Often times against weak competition. Their true ability is unknown. Many don’t have extremely strong pedigrees either. They will be hyped and stand for $100 K plus for a few years. Money is no object to the farms spending these ridiculous amounts. And breeders will flock to these stallions because of the hype. The first couple of crops of offspring might sell well based on all the hype, until there are actually runners. The horse will most likely not live up to the extremely high expectations put upon them. What are the true odds for success with this trend? Yet that is the pattern. The problem really is the breeders not so much the racehorse owners. Until this industry moves away from being all about breeding and sales and moves back to being about racing, it will continue to suffer.

can't argue with that.

[spex4me]

Wow it sucks, but I have never wanted a horse to LOSE so badly ever. I know they keep saying Big Brown is fine past his feet, but even if you talk about a money standpoint, running and winning as a four year old would really blow the roof off the market.

Perhaps he'll have an affinity for the colts if the loss/sterility thing doesn't work out!