Replying to James Robison:

What are you talking about "went to a better life"? You think Japanese racing doesn't grind them up? Racing grinds them up it is the nature of the game. Even the great Black Caviar barely overcame the "testing" ground of Royal Ascot. Only a handful of horses have truly stood the "test".

Standing at stud would be a better life if only by your own definition of racing, as it (racing)"grinds them up". Racing may have dodged a bullet; how many more states will indict J. Paul Reddam and Cash Call? When the United States supports the sport of horse racing as well as it supports the business of gambling, better stallions will remain here. The risk of taking on a new stallion is less where racing is more: Japan.

Gambling with other people's money may be shrewd, but when the financial sector, producing nothing of substance, dominates an economy, there is less value in production, throughout all sectors of that economy, including breeding race horses.

Replying to Barbara Grimaldi:
Binky, brilliant!!!!! You make us glad he went to a better life!

What are you talking about "went to a better life"? You think Japanese racing doesn't grind them up? Racing grinds them up it is the nature of the game. Even the great Black Caviar barely overcame the "testing" ground of Royal Ascot. Only a handful of horses have truly stood the "test".

Replying to binky mcfadden:
Maybe it is that IHA had a weak bottom-side pedigree and a short (though illustrious) career; both of which limit his stud appeal here.Maybe it is that there was not enough interest by investors or stud farms here(including Three Chimneys)to generate a big syndication price. (Triple Crown races are overrated as predictors of success in the breeding shed, especially when weighed against other factors.)Maybe it is that the Japanese wanted to own a Derby and Preakness winner for the "prestige" and put up the yen to get one in spite of the first two points.Maybe it is that the Japanese believe that their training and racing practices will prevent the offspring of IHA from being pounded into the ground in the same manner that he and others are here. If they are correct, then his soundness will cease to be an issue.Maybe it is a combination of the above.Japanese racing is successful and the rest follows. Live people actually populate race track stands and the industry does not rely on slots or other band-aid solutions. Maybe it really is part of a sinister, and hopefully successful, negotiating ploy to get Empire Maker back in time for 2013 season.The horse should be appreciated and benefit more in Japan. Sayonara big boy!

Binky, brilliant!!!!! You make us glad he went to a better life!

Replying to James Robison:
Are you suggesting there is something sinister to the announcement that I'll Have Another will stand stud in Japan? Maybe it's that they appreciate Forty Niner and have a thriving breeding program whereas we have a moribund one?

Maybe it is that IHA had a weak bottom-side pedigree and a short (though illustrious) career; both of which limit his stud appeal here.

Maybe it is that there was not enough interest by investors or stud farms here(including Three Chimneys)to generate a big syndication price. (Triple Crown races are overrated as predictors of success in the breeding shed, especially when weighed against other factors.)

Maybe it is that the Japanese wanted to own a Derby and Preakness winner for the "prestige" and put up the yen to get one in spite of the first two points.

Maybe it is that the Japanese believe that their training and racing practices will prevent the offspring of IHA from being pounded into the ground in the same manner that he and others are here. If they are correct, then his soundness will cease to be an issue.

Maybe it is a combination of the above.

Japanese racing is successful and the rest follows. Live people actually populate race track stands and the industry does not rely on slots or other band-aid solutions.

Maybe it really is part of a sinister, and hopefully successful, negotiating ploy to get Empire Maker back in time for 2013 season.

The horse should be appreciated and benefit more in Japan. Sayonara big boy!

Replying to Barbara Grimaldi:
What surprised you most about the almost instant announcement that IHA would stand at stud in Japan? Did you watch the arms-around-each-other performances of owner and trainer of this wonderful horse supposedly consoling themselves the day before and the day of the Belmont? IHA will probably have a fine life in Japan, yet the abrupt sale troubles many. What is it about this sale that is causing that reaction?

Are you suggesting there is something sinister to the announcement that I'll Have Another will stand stud in Japan? Maybe it's that they appreciate Forty Niner and have a thriving breeding program whereas we have a moribund one?