Teide · 29.09.09

Some Hastings racing fans have reservations about Teide’s domination of the local “older male” division this year — see this discussion thread for examples. The argument is that he isn’t a BC-bred, but originally owned by Darley, and that Swift Thoroughbreds is merely trying to buy their way to major racing stable status at the expense of well-established local breeders and racing outfits.

Sorry, I don’t buy it. True, Teide was part of a 10-horse package deal that Swift Thoroughbreds worked out with Darley earlier this year. But if he hadn’t come here he might never have had the opportunity to bloom as a stakes-winner as part of the giant Darley operations in Kentucky or New York. Why shouldn’t his connections race him locally? To me, if a horse is based at Hastings, he’s a “Hastings horse” — as opposed to horses shipped from out-of-town to try to take advantage of relatively weak local opposition (cough! Jersey Town cough!).

Also, I get the impression that Swift Thoroughbreds are in British Columbia racing for the long haul. They’re buying entire males, not just geldings — unlike Glen Todd and Patrick Kinsella, who arguably did try to “buy” the BC Derby last year with the gelding Texas Wildcatter [correction: Texas Wildcatter isn’t a gelding, but I otherwise stand by my original assessment]. They are establishing their own breeding programme, beginning with Rosberg (retired after last year’s Premier’s Championship and standing now at Canmor Farms). Teide might very well join Rosberg on the farm at the end of this season. If those two well-bred horses can pass their talent along to their offspring, that can only improve the breed in BC.

BC-owned horses, racing in BC and aimed ultimately for the BC breeding industry — what’s not to like?

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What do you think?

  1. No matter where the come FROM, if they stay here to shore up the breeding base, who cares?

    — Dr. Timothy Yatcak · Sep 29, 05:40 PM · #

  2. Since Darley nominated the stallion (Mt. Livermore) AND if there is an opening, the connections are looking at the Breeder’s Cup Mile (laughing called to be run on DIRT) for this one’s next start.

    — Dr. Timothy Yatcak · Oct 10, 01:27 PM · #

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