And so it was. In witnessing a page in history being written by the John Oxx star stablemate of a similar name, we were also witnessing his final appearance on the race course competitively.
Barring any George Washington style comeback, (ill fated as it was), another great flat horse has been lost to the money making world of stud.
To that end we can not blame the owners and connections who ultimately can realise tenfold plus what they could in prize money from racing their pride and joy. Young Choi is not a silly young man, indeed, with revenue gained through stud the dream of finding another sea the Stars is far more realistic with a bigger bank opening bigger avenues of choice. It is to the detriment of the sport per say, and the reason why as a sporting spectacle it cannot compete with its cousin National Hunt. Over the Winter and spring we get to see each years greats appear year after year to renew rivalries with old foes and up and coming potential. This is something flat racing can never compete with.
Never will flat racing have a Best Mate, a Dessie, a Kauto Star. Never will we see the likes of repeat winning performances year after year that we have witnessed even recently with Inglis Drever, Baracouda, or Hardy Eustace and Istabraq in the Champion Hurdle.
Once again, financially, it's understandable, from a purist view however it's a shame.
Roll on the winter!!
MOB
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