I agree. Whenever a stallion is hot..they ship him off to the Southern Hemisphere.

Linda J.

Northeast Philly

Some horses can withstand that type of stress- others cannot and I believe some stallions died younger because of it- (JMO)

You think that is why they waited a few years for Gun Runner to be shipped?

Just wondering.

Linda J.

Northeast Philly

No I don't believe that is why they waited: I have no idea why they waited to ship him overseas but IMO the driving factor is $$$$$$-- though Gun Runner was a very successful race horse, I  think he was an unknown quantity when he first went to stud-- He has been a very successful sire in his first years and I would imagine he is worth quite a bit of money now.   I really hate to say it but most everything that occurs, especially with breeding is driven by dollars.

I forgot to say:  if they really cared about the horses ( I am not saying the horses are not well cared for) that much they would not have them cover over 200 horses in the U.S. and then shuttle to Australia (like Pharoah) and cover a couple hundred more.  In the days when Northern Dancer stood at stud  I don't think he even covered 100 horses in a season, probably a lot less, and look what he produced!

Somehow, I don't mind the horses going to Australia especially since American Pharoah, etc is still connected to the same operation (Coolmore).

Linda J.

Northeast Philly 

So glad this thread came up because I could not find it and put my info on a Barbaro thread I think.  Other day on Steve Byk  (who does not like shuttling)  Sid Fernando said Gun Runner is not shuttling at all.  What the article said was avail. for So. hemisphere breedings and Three Chimneys will breed mares on a so. hemisphere schedule.  Mares can ship from there or perhaps mares that are already here and will then go to Australia, etc.  So, altho Gun Runner has bred enough mares for a year as far as I am concerned, some more can be bred to him.  This is what Gainesway has always done with Tapit and other top stallions have been managed in this manner also.  Never heardof it, but makes sense and means no travel and fewer extra breedings.  Glad Sid explained this recently.

I’m glad the stallions aren’t traveling, but stretching out their breeding season sounds kind of tiring to me.

I am relieved to hear this news.

Linda J.

Northeast Philly