Mick Goss on three-year-olds

DEAR Charl, Many thanks for copying us in on the comments on the Ready To Run cup.  We agree, the form of the race is not inspiring at the moment, but we guess that there will be the odd year when it turns out that way.

The graded stakes committee rates the form of the first four runnings at least at Group 2 level, and given that not every horse through the sales ring is ready to compete over 1400m on the 1st Saturday in November, it’s a wonderful tribute to the quality of the horses we’ve sold to date.

Frontino Gold, held in high regard.

I have to confess though, we were a little concerned, going into the sale in 2010, that the class of the draft might not necessarily measure up to its predecessors, and while it is so that we shouldn’t judge them too hastily (as several of you have commented), on the bare facts, they don’t seem to compare at this stage.  Of course, we know that both Mike de Kock and Sean Tarry hold Red Barrel, Frontino Gold and Verrocchio in fairly high esteem, so we’ll have to see what lies ahead.

That said, on the face of it, the three-year olds in general, looked a high class lot until now, though the outcome of the Guineas on Saturday and one or two races leading into it, is beginning to separate the men from the boys.

Finally, I should add that our Ready To Run team was quite bullish about the horses we sold in 2011.  We’re looking forward to a good showing from them.

All the best to you for the festivities.

As always, this comes with our warmest regards.

Mick Goss
Summerhill Stud