Rachel's retirement???

[SmartyParty]

Both Zenyatta and Mine That Bird are bidding goodbye to their fans. What is happening with Rachel? Is she still at Churchill? Why?

[Rico8812]

Who's Rachel?

[Cardus]

Originally Posted by Rico8812

Who's Rachel?

2009's Horse of the Year.

[Stillriledup]

Maybe Rachel is secretly prepping for the Clark HCP.

[BluegrassProf]

Originally Posted by SmartyParty

Both Zenyatta and Mine That Bird are bidding goodbye to their fans. What is happening with Rachel? Is she still at Churchill? Why?

It's pretty widely circulated at Churchill that RA headed back to Lexington not too terribly long ago. She wound down at CD, and went back to relax happily at the fabulous Stonestreet Farm. No fanfare, no ridiculous waving of flags of greatness into the sunset - just a happy horse headed to a happy home. Fortunately, Rachel Alexandra didn't need any of those things, and never will.

We have to keep in mind, these retirement events (which, believe it or not, are fairly uncommon), neat though they may be, are not about the horse - they're about you and me. They're about OUR wants, not about the horse's; in a whole lot of cases, a major event with extremely large crowds may not be the best thing for a retiring animal: oftentimes surrounding an exciteable horse with screaming fans is not the best thing for that athlete we so appreciate.

I've seen several folks (mostly comments on various blog posts, not here on PA) chiding various horses' connections for "not caring about the horse enough to have a par-tay for his/her retirement" (not just RA, though she's the dominant focus of late). It's an absurd logic - truly caring about the animal - ANY animal - that gave so much means recognizing his/her very individual needs, and appreciating what we're given: either a retirement event if it's appropriate, or if not (which is far more often the case), the blissful knowledge that a horse is heading for a life of rest and respite.

It's great that Zenyatta and MTB are having retirement events - it's obviously not a concern for their connections. But to call the alternative "callous" or "selfish" is to miss the point so completely as to stun the senses.

In Rachel's case, the decision was clearly made to simply let her simply enjoy her new life on the farm - no forced fanfare needed. I, for one, am happy as a clam to let her do it.

[SmartyParty]

Just seems like a strange strange way to treat their HOY. Maybe they didn't want to distract from the horses in the Breeders' Cup. But that's been over for two weeks. Since Jess' farm is in Lexington, why is Rachel still at Churchill? Anyone know or have any ideas?

[FenceBored]

Originally Posted by BluegrassProf

It's pretty widely circulated at Churchill that RA headed back to Lexington not too terribly long ago. She wound down at CD, and went back to relax happily at the fabulous Stonestreet Farm. No fanfare, no ridiculous waving of flags of greatness into the sunset - just a happy horse headed to a happy home. Fortunately, Rachel Alexandra didn't need any of those things, and never will.

We have to keep in mind, these retirement events (which, believe it or not, are fairly uncommon), neat though they may be, are not about the horse - they're about you and me. They're about OUR wants, not about the horse's; in a whole lot of cases, a major event with extremely large crowds may not be the best thing for a retiring animal: oftentimes surrounding an exciteable horse with screaming fans is not the best thing for that athlete we so appreciate.

I've seen several folks (mostly comments on various blog posts, not here on PA) chiding various horses' connections for "not caring about the horse enough to have a par-tay for his/her retirement" (not just RA, though she's the dominant focus of late). It's an absurd logic - truly caring about the animal - ANY animal - that gave so much means recognizing his/her very individual needs, and appreciating what we're given: either a retirement event if it's appropriate, or if not (which is far more often the case), the blissful knowledge that a horse is heading for a life of rest and respite.

It's great that Zenyatta and MTB are having retirement events - it's obviously not a concern for their connections. But to call the alternative "callous" or "selfish" is to miss the point so completely as to stun the senses.

In Rachel's case, the decision was clearly made to simply let her simply enjoy her new life on the farm - no forced fanfare needed. I, for one, am happy as a clam to let her do it.

Hey, who said she didn't get a party? We just weren't invited. A couple of friends, a few bottles of beer and some molasses cookies. What could be better?

[Grits]

In Rachel's case, the decision was clearly made to simply let her simply enjoy her new life on the farm - no forced fanfare needed. I, for one, am happy as a clam to let her do it.

You and me both, BGP. You and me both. She gave me everything she had, she owes me nothing. Again, somehow, I feel this gets back to a sense of entitlement on the part of fans. I have to be comfortable with Mr.Jackson's decision and now I am, though I was disappointed weeks ago. I miss her, but I look forward to her long, healthy life as a broodmare. A loving one, and I hope, one with stakes winning babies.

[Stillriledup]

Smarty Party makes an interesting point...Rachel basically disappeared off the radar, she was in training, she was working out and then poof, she was gone off the radar never to be seen or heard from again.

[Nikki1997]

Originally Posted by BluegrassProf

It's pretty widely circulated at Churchill that RA headed back to Lexington not too terribly long ago. She wound down at CD, and went back to relax happily at the fabulous Stonestreet Farm. No fanfare, no ridiculous waving of flags of greatness into the sunset - just a happy horse headed to a happy home. Fortunately, Rachel Alexandra didn't need any of those things, and never will.

We have to keep in mind, these retirement events (which, believe it or not, are fairly uncommon), neat though they may be, are not about the horse - they're about you and me. They're about OUR wants, not about the horse's; in a whole lot of cases, a major event with extremely large crowds may not be the best thing for a retiring animal: oftentimes surrounding an exciteable horse with screaming fans is not the best thing for that athlete we so appreciate.

I've seen several folks (mostly comments on various blog posts, not here on PA) chiding various horses' connections for "not caring about the horse enough to have a par-tay for his/her retirement" (not just RA, though she's the dominant focus of late). It's an absurd logic - truly caring about the animal - ANY animal - that gave so much means recognizing his/her very individual needs, and appreciating what we're given: either a retirement event if it's appropriate, or if not (which is far more often the case), the blissful knowledge that a horse is heading for a life of rest and respite.

It's great that Zenyatta and MTB are having retirement events - it's obviously not a concern for their connections. But to call the alternative "callous" or "selfish" is to miss the point so completely as to stun the senses.

In Rachel's case, the decision was clearly made to simply let her simply enjoy her new life on the farm - no forced fanfare needed. I, for one, am happy as a clam to let her do it.

LOL. You evidently don't read many forums, BGP. There are many, many Rachel fans who have flown to see her run, who have followed her faithfully, bought memorabililia, etc., etc., and these ARE NOT ALL pretty pony people. These people appreciated the filly.

To spirit her away with no recognition of her fans is a major failure in the PR front. The way Rachel has been removed is right up there with Azeri being whisked away and Sweet Cat O Mine.

YOU may talk about your opinion on Rachel, but I assure you, there are some really disappointed fans out there who only wanted a brief opportunity to wish her "good bye".

Evidently, one set of connections goes to tremendous lengths to allow the fans to enjoy, appreciate and come to terms with a chapter coming to an end and another set of connections who rode off into the sunset with no regard for those who absolutely deserve better than what they got.

[PaceAdvantage]

Interesting. When talking about Zenyatta and her connections and her 2010 campaign, we were often told "her connections don't owe you a thing." And I agreed with that sentiment...often.

Now Nikki tells us that connections DO OWE the fans something...odd how these things work depending on the subject at hand...

[SmartyParty]

It has hurt racing, I think, that every single comment about Rachel brings in comparisons with Zenyatta. I admire Rachel. I love Zenyatta. They are obviously two different horses owned by two different type people. All that I am asking is: what has happened to Rachel? There doesn't necessarily have to be a huge good-bye party, but a simple news notification would have been considerate to her fans. She is, afterall, the 2009 Horse of the Year.

[Nikki1997]

Originally Posted by PaceAdvantage

Interesting. When talking about Zenyatta and her connections and her 2010 campaign, we were often told "her connections don't owe you a thing." And I agreed with that sentiment...often.

Now Nikki tells us that connections DO OWE the fans something...odd how these things work depending on the subject at hand...

The FACT that Rachel has been removed from one barn to Stonestreet with NO REGARD for her fans renders your lame allegation exactly that.

You want to focus on what Zenyatta's connections have or have not done,
why not call attention to what Rachel's connections have pulled.

Rachel's fans have no real idea where she is. Whose fault is that?
There are threads on other forums asking if anyone knows where Rachel is.


Draw your own conclusions, genius. Her connections have MISERABLY FAILED to let her fans know jack about her. Take it up with them.

[Charlie D]

Originally Posted by Nikki1997

The FACT that Rachel has been removed from one barn to Stonestreet with NO REGARD for her fans renders your lame allegation exactly that.

You want to focus on what Zenyatta's connections have or have not done,
why not call attention to what Rachel's connections have pulled.

Rachel's fans have no real idea where she is. Whose fault is that?
There are threads on other forums asking if anyone knows where Rachel is.


Draw your own conclusions, genius. Her connections have MISERABLY FAILED to let her fans know jack about her. Take it up with them.

Is it not the racing media who have miserably failed the fans seeing it is their job to ask Jess, Steve how she is, where she is etc and report the replies in thier columns.

[Nikki1997]

Originally Posted by Charlie D

Is it not the racing media who have miserably failed the fans seeing it is their job to ask Jess, Steve how she is, where she is etc and report the replies in thier columns.

The racing media has no responsibility here. None.

Her connections chose to handle her departure from Churchill and they left some very unhappy fans behind when they did.

This is on Rachel's connections and no one else.