Cross Breeds - Are there no great racehorses anymore?

Are there no great racehorses anymore?

I was just thinking about racehorses, and mostly about Ruffian & Seabiscuit because I saw those movies again recently... but it got me thinking.... why is it, or do you think, that there are no great race horses anymore? I mean, the Triple crown hasn't been won in 29 years, not since Affirmed in 1978. Horses like Seabiscuit, Ruffian, Seattle Slew, Secretariat, Affirmed, and others... these horses captured the nation. They were idolized, they meant something to their trainers, their owners, their jockeys, the people of the country. Phar Lap inspired the world. Why does it seem there are no "great" horses anymore? Is it the mentality of the country? That we don't need that kind of inspiration anymore? Is it we are breeding weaker horses, not just of body, but of mind, too? Is it that the trainers or owners and breeders are more focused on money, or breeding enough that maybe one will turn out OK, that they don't take the time to nuture the one with the talent? It just seems to me that a horse like Seabiscuit, he was cultivated, cared for, given that chance that few get. Ruffian was idolized and never would have been beaten. Seattle Slew nearly unbeatable. These horses seemed to care about their work, seem to fell the needs of the people around them, and it gave them heart to do it and they never stopped. Phar Lap was indescribable, and so were many more. Now, though, it just seems, we place our hearts into horses like Fusiachi (who drew big money and didn't quite live up to the hopes), Afleet Alex, Barbaro. But still, none of those horses proved to be true champions. Barbaro maybe would have been, who will ever know. Is it the trainers? The horses? The need just isn't there? I mean, in 1929 and 1930, people were taking their last pennies and going to see Seabiscuit run. He inspired everyone who needed that second breath. Ruffian spoke for women everywhere. These horses tried, and it just seems they don't anymore.

Public Comments

In the 1970's, we had the best breeding stock. Now, we have some of the worst. Our horse are small, short, and are relatively slow. Look at the great race horses, most were big, powerhouses of muscle, and look at the horses today. Our breeding has gone down the drain. Its too technical now. I can guarantee there will never be another horse like Secretariat. He was the best race horse, ever.
You wanna know a horse with true heart? Rarecall. Dark bay TB, Rare Rascal and Caller ID were his parents, this horse was amazing. He only raced at Charlestown though because my dad was too sick and didn't have the money for the big races. This horse raced and won twice with a fractured cannon bone, my dad didn't realize he was hurt because he wouldn't show pain. This horse was worth a million to my dad. He died and we sold Rarecall as a jumper. You'll see him in the Olympics one day. I never saw a horse with more talent or heart, and anyone can handle him, he was a stallion. Purely amazing. RIP DADDY AND GOOD LUCK RARECALL
I think that it might be the obession with money these days. These owners and trainers just work their horses sooo hard and then they end up getting injured one way or another so then they cant perform at their best.
i don't think horses are being bred weaker i think they are all stronger, but all around the same level, so not one horse blows away rest.
I think there are plenty of great horses still around. Lochsong is a classic example, won every race except for when she was beaten by her owner's other filly Blue Siren who was then disqualified. She won the Cartier Award twice. There are so many fantastic horses and sires around such as Distorted Humor, Zaminder, Daylami and Darjina and other greats such as Danehill and Dubai Millennium have only recently past away. Some of the ones that you mention were subject of books and films so they have become widely known and their stories and actual capabilities have taken on mythic proportions. Barbaro was splashed all over the press and evening news and so was exposed to the mainstream public who got caught up in the hype. And then there is the anti-racing faction which are far more vocal than they were back in the 70's - they have turned a lot of people off racing so it doesn't have that wide spread interest that it once held. Just because someone hasn't made a film about Lochsong or Danehill doesn't make them any less worthy in comparison to what are deemed "racing greats". Another point to consider is that perhaps the opposition wasn't as tough when horses were running decades ago which enabled them to quite easily take the Triple Crown - now it's anyone's game. I also think it's a sign of the times. There are people that still cling to memories of Arkle, Red Rum, Desert Orchid and Mill Reef, myself included. Edit - The point frequently made that horses are more inbred these days doesn't hold a lot of weight because all those named as racing greats either had Nasrullah, Native Dancer or Phalaris in their parentage. Seattle Slew had Nasrullah top and bottom so why wasn't he inferior? Barbaro was Nasrullah on the top, Native Dancer on the bottom. People don't enter blindly into breeding and genetics either and a lot of time is spent researching bloodlines and matings. And it's not just a practice of TB's, Quarter Horses are some of the most inbred creatures around and the same thing happens in the show dog world.
I work in racing... and the main reason there arnt SUPER STAR horses like that anymore is because of the in breeding... the good stallions have been bred to much... in australia nearly every horse has northen dancer somewhere in its blood lines... sometimes on both sides... i also think that so many people get into racing these days for the glory.. not for the horses... its not that the care is any less... its just so much can hurt a horse... and the injuries are rediculus... i mean the greatest race horse i ever worked with died after one start... he won his only race by 11 lenghts... imagine how good he could have been... it was rediculus... i just think there is to much going on... know trainer i know just trains a few... they all train big numbers to try to cover costs.... its a shame... but i really think injury is the biggest show stopper to SUPER STAR horses... rather then all the other things you listed...
thers so mant good racehorses
Kindof what foxygeeb said. Many animals nowadays, horses, dogs, cats, ect, are too overbred, inbred. Every business becomes ruined when people realize that the people in it for the love, are making big bucks.
I think that since Barbaro died that there are no great race horses anymore. I was in love with that horse. I mean I kinda even knew his trainer so it made me sad when I heard he was put down. I cried for awhile. But then I got to thinking. But yeah I dont think that there are anymore GREAT racehorses...
barbaro was really good, so was afleet alex though their have not been horses in years that have won the triple crown.
Barbaro and Seabiscuit were the best. RIP
Cigar, don't forget him. only the next season will tell
Perhaps it is not the quality of the horses that is going down, but the quality of the people involvedin the sport. There are plenty of wonderful racehorses now, just take a look at Rags to Riches, and Barbaro. Just last year, Rags to Riches was the first filly in OVER A CENTURY, to win the Belmont. Also, take a look at the dates that the amazing horses from the past raced. Seabiscut raced during the Great Depression, giving hope to millions of Americans. Man o War raced just after World War I, another difficult time in American History. What the truely great horses did, was mre that just win the races they entered, but they helped the country. There are plenty of other great racehorses, with equally amazing track record who have been overlooked, because the time that they raced was a period with little intrest in racing.
Makybe Diva