Investec Derby Stake A Huge Disappointment

I hesitate to use the word 'disgrace' but surely in 2010 a total stake of R600,000 for a Grade 1 that is, at the very least, the second most important 3 year old classic in the Cape is way out of line.

Year after year this race throws up horses that go on to greater things yet the prize money is in no way represetative of the stature of this race and the quality of the field it attracts.

Some years ago its status was downgraded to a Grade 2. It's a pity the subsequent re-instatement was not subject to a decent prize offering.

It is also disappointing that Investec have not upped the ante. Compared to their sponsorship of the Epsom Derby this event would represent chump change even if R2 million plus was on offer. Far from being a credit to the sponsor it leaves me feeling that they are cheap chisellers.


It really is quite sad and a credit to owners who continue to support it despite the prospect of such a poor return.

Garrick i agree with you,there is something special about the 3yo career of a thoroughbred,the importance that the UK,France and Ireland attach to the Classics adds to the build up,to their major races.

They still have the Arcs,King George and Coronation cups for older horses but there is something special abot the Derbys,Guineas and ST Legers..

Love the excitement created when a 2yo busts them up and heads the antepost markets for the classics..

It`s maybe time it was moved to a seperate day,gets lost in the Met excitement?

Thanks for the inputs and fair comment.

I think the word "Derby" in SA does not have the same impact, for the best 3 year old over the "Classic mile and a half", we don't have the guineas over the Mile or the St Leger over One Mile six furlongs and a few yards (2,850 mt) for the "triple crown"

If not mistaken we have bastardised the word Derby in the true sense, I am sure yesterdays Derby was over 2,000 mt, in addition we regard 2,400mt, 2,450 and 2,850 as staying races and we tend to focus on the Mile as being our "Classic" distance.
We have more focus on sprinters and milers from the breeders if not mistaken?

This is only my opinion as far as the financial considerations to the word "Derby" as it does not have the same impact or tradition.

I have always thought the best chance of winning a "big" race for a small investment is the Oaks at the big T, find yourself a 3 yr old filly that can "stay" 2,450mt the field is never strong and you never know your luck?

On the same subject

When you consider the greats, what would come to mind are the "Derby" winners Sir Ivor, Nijinsky, Mill Reef, Sea The Stars etc

When one considers the greats in SA, its the Met and July winners that spring to mind and not many Derby winners?

Politician? Dynasty? Jay Peg? Big City Life? Cape Derby has actually been a fantastic race since it was cut to 2000m.

another race that has a shocking stake is the wfa gold challenge over amile at clairwood..600k is way to small..

True Magic but great names are linked to winning the July and Met they may have also won the Derby but to the normal public its not the one that is remembered.
The point is that its 2000 mt and not 2450 (just trying to remember a great horse winning the Derby at the big T) with the exception of Horse Chestnut a bit of a freak and would have won anything. My memory and knowledge is not a patch on you and names like Aquanaut? might have won, but was regarded as a great stayer.

You have to say that the Derby, crs and dist of the Met, is a real pointer to greatness. All of Pas de Quoi, Jungle Warrior, La Fabulous went on to win the Met and Eyeofthetiger, and runner up Ilustrador the July. Probably many more. Definitively a race you want to win.

screams tripple crown to me - cape, kzn and gauteng derbys - all million rand races and GR 1 status - winner of all three added stakes 2 Million (not a single gauteng raider yesterday - might encourage a raid or two)- Points system in operation if no winner (first five share 750K)

In the UK they hold the three year old horses in such high regard that as soon as the classic season is finished the horses have earned so much and are worth so much that they go to breading and never see a racecourse again. I would rather watch Pocket Powers and the likes coming back every year and fighting out big races than the likes of see the stars. which has been wrapped in cotton wool and never to be seen again. we already loss so many young horses to Dubai, If we make our 3 year races more we would prob loss even more.

russelldavie Wrote:

---

> In the UK they hold the three year old horses in
> such high regard that as soon as the classic
> season is finished the horses have earned so much
> and are worth so much that they go to breading and
> never see a racecourse again. I would rather watch
> Pocket Powers and the likes coming back every
> year and fighting out big races than the likes of
> see the stars. which has been wrapped in cotton
> wool and never to be seen again. we already loss
> so many young horses to Dubai, If we make our 3
> year races more we would prob loss even more.


Dear Russeldavie,

I don't think Pocket Power is a good example of how the career of a champion horse would normally be mapped ;

Pocket Power suffered from soundness problems as a younger horse - which is why an overseas campaign was never pursued. He was then gelded which was 'goodbye' to a career as a stallion. That really left only one option - to campaign him locally for as long as he was enjoying himself.

If you were the owner Of Sea The Stars and had scooped virtually every big race excepting the Breeders' Cup I think everyone would sympathise if you decided to syndicate the horse for stud purposes and actually cash in some of your chips. Today's champion can turn worthless after one or two poor runs and few, if any, of us ever get the opportunity to see a return from this game.

Hi Garrick, I agree Pocket power had no future anywhere else then where he is. I just think to run a horse for one year and then send them to stud is not doing anything good for our game.