Article from the Wall Street Journal

[RNB]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121089232117896885.html?mod=hpp_us_leisure (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121089232117896885.html?mod=hpp_us_leisure)

[gubbyz]

Thank you for sharing. very good article. Now can someone explain to me what Mr Jackson did that was so horrible? Why is he so hated? I never really researched that.

[*jumper*]

Very interesting...I'm glad someone is realizing that we need to rethink how we're producing our racehorses. Racing needs more people like this who are taking the initiative instead of complaining about this and that.

[Calhoun]

I read the article too and was left wondering was he is considered a "piranha"

[bobbybobby]

very good article...maybe he can level the playing field.

[ArtilleryHill]

The article gives a false impression about a couple of its main points. First, buyers going to South America for hardy stock is actually not all that unusual. Trainer Ron McAnally used to go buy older horses there on a fairly regular basis in the 1980s and 1990s, and he wasn't the first or last to do it. Also, Jackson's interest in breeding sounder horses and going to South America and other places in search of bloodlines he thinks will improve the Thoroughbred athlete are not controversial at all. What has made him disliked among the Thoroughbred breeding establishment is his willingness to involve state governments in the Thoroughbred sales business--something many commercial breeders and others involved in the game don't appreciate.

One controversial call he has made is for the licensing of bloodstock agents, something that many agents are opposed to, as it would involve government scrutiny of their activities and gives states the ability to deny or revoke their license for violations of whatever the state code turned out to be. Other things he has called for that have not sat well with those in the business: mandatory disclosure of who actually owns a horse when it goes through a sale ring and disclosure of the horse's veterinary history within a certain time frame before it sells.

If he is hated, it is because of these things. No one much cares that he shops in South America (which, incidentally, like other foreign breeding centers actualy also has a good bit of American stallions' blood available through shuttle stallions) or in any other foreign market.

[tlw]

"pariah" not "piranha."

It was a good article, thanks for sharing.

If I recall correctly, John Galbreath (Darby Dan Farm) also looked beyond our shores for different bloodlines and had some success (Graustark was by the Italian stallion Ribot, leased by Galbreath). I think he also had some quite good European mares. He wasn't, however, a pariah. Sorry about the trip down memory lane. Horse racing has changed a bit over the last 30 or so years.

[gubbyz]

So it sounds like he is disliked for wanting to play an honset game? I do not see a problem with the things listed that he wanted to pass on. Hmmm...who actually owns a horse and its medical history.

[findeight]

The article gives a false impression about a couple of its main points. First, buyers going to South America for hardy stock is actually not all that unusual. Trainer Ron McAnally used to go buy older horses there on a fairly regular basis in the 1980s and 1990s, and he wasn't the first or last to do it.

Connie Ring did it in the late 60s...remember Cougar II and, IIRC, Ack Ack. My show horse vet was Bart Baker who acted in her behalf on alot of those transactions and went down himself looking for various owners.

South American bloodlines are based on good old American exports...but maybe not the flash in the pan sire du jour that populates the yearling sales pavillions.

[ArtilleryHill]

<<So it sounds like he is disliked for wanting to play an honset game? I do not see a problem with the things listed that he wanted to pass on. Hmmm...who actually owns a horse and its medical history.>>

As the man in "House of Cards" put it, "You might very well think that, but I couldn't possibly comment!" People don't care who he breeds to, really, but they sure don't like the gubmint snooping around the horse sales business, and that's one quick way to get hated by the people in horse sales. Another is to file lawsuits, which can lead to government attention, and so you can kind of see how this works!

<<South American bloodlines are based on good old American exports...but maybe not the flash in the pan sire du jour that populates the yearling sales pavillions.>>

True, although the shuttle stallion industry also has provided a lot of highly fashionable American bloodlines there, too. I believe Giant's Causeway, for example, has shuttled to Argentina a time or two, and he's pretty high up on the list of Fashionable American Sires at the moment.

[EMWalker]

I think what this man is doing is exactly what the racing industry needs. They NEED whistle blowers so they don't think they can just get away with everything.

I think it was a great article and I hope he keep "poking the proverbial monkey in the cage"...

[ArtilleryHill]

I don't disagree at all with what he's doing--just wish the WSJ understood the situation better!

[Calhoun]

TLW, thanks for correction . . . you typed what I wanted to say - LOL

I agree w/ others, there is nothing wrong with honesty and a level playing field. When he is done w/ the racing business he can come on over to the hunter/jumper world. I have never understood why many people in the horse business cannot operate like the rest of business world.

[J Swan]

:yes:

The article gives a false impression about a couple of its main points. First, buyers going to South America for hardy stock is actually not all that unusual. Trainer Ron McAnally used to go buy older horses there on a fairly regular basis in the 1980s and 1990s, and he wasn't the first or last to do it. Also, Jackson's interest in breeding sounder horses and going to South America and other places in search of bloodlines he thinks will improve the Thoroughbred athlete are not controversial at all. What has made him disliked among the Thoroughbred breeding establishment is his willingness to involve state governments in the Thoroughbred sales business--something many commercial breeders and others involved in the game don't appreciate.

One controversial call he has made is for the licensing of bloodstock agents, something that many agents are opposed to, as it would involve government scrutiny of their activities and gives states the ability to deny or revoke their license for violations of whatever the state code turned out to be. Other things he has called for that have not sat well with those in the business: mandatory disclosure of who actually owns a horse when it goes through a sale ring and disclosure of the horse's veterinary history within a certain time frame before it sells.

If he is hated, it is because of these things. No one much cares that he shops in South America (which, incidentally, like other foreign breeding centers actualy also has a good bit of American stallions' blood available through shuttle stallions) or in any other foreign market.

[Texarkana]

What has made him disliked among the Thoroughbred breeding establishment is his willingness to involve state governments in the Thoroughbred sales business--something many commercial breeders and others involved in the game don't appreciate.


Ding ding ding! We have a winner! The Wall Street Journal forgot to mention that little tidbit of info. ;)

[Glimmerglass]

The article just hinted at Jess being known for litigation throughout his career. His whine business was known for his use of the courts as bulley position against others. Since he's moved into horse ownership that nature has come along with it. From complaining [via suit] he overpaid for horses to his Lexington-area horse farm the guy has kept his lawfirm very happy will billing hours.

Does he have some legit gripes, sure. But the man isn't some saint who is looking to clean up the business like some savior. Rather he's protecting his interests which at this time dove tail with popularist views of "the business".

If he didn't pay the mega dollars he did for Curlin I doubt he'd be overly noted at all within the racing business other then another billionaire who spent a large fortune to enjoy a small one. I'm hard pressed to think of many runners he's bought as promising runners who have become such. Rather he'd bought proven talent which has either done the job or flopped.

The Wall Street Journal article makes it sound like Jess has long ignored the US auction scene and only buys foreign flesh. A true savior who proves horses from X region in the world is better. That is such a black and white contrast from 3-years ago ago when he was buying everything that wasn't nailed down (http://www.bloodhorse.com/articleindex/article.asp?id=26815)

[Hopeful Hunter]

Wasn't he one of the primary movers of the law in KY about dual agency??? I'm thinking there was something in Off Course about that some time ago.....

[ArtilleryHill]

He was, and he was a strong supporter of similar legislation in Florida.

[J Swan]

And RNB worked on similar legislation in Virginia.

(not criticizing you, RNB! - just wanted folks to know.):)

[RNB]

And RNB worked on similar legislation in Virginia.

(not criticizing you, RNB! - just wanted folks to know.):)

Thanks for not criticizing, JSwan....although you would not be the first! :winkgrin: Interestingly, some of my biggest supporters came from the racing industry here in VA. I knew none of them before testifying before the Senate....I'm from 'Hunter'-ville!

Hopeful Hunter...yes he was the person who put together the legislation which went on to become law in KY.

ArtilleryHill...you are correct as well. He was a supporter of the legislation that was passed in to law in FL. However, there were many folks who were supporting it...myself included. But the man behind the FL legislation was Earle Mack.

Calhoun....couldn't agree with you more!!!

Glimmerglass....I know from your posts you do not like him, so we'll just agree to disagree. :)

[Pronzini]

On a personal level, there are people who have had close dealings with Jess Jackson and they've reported that his arrogance rubs them the wrong way. And some of these people supported the "naming names" stuff but not the bull in the china shop way he went about it not to mention the way he pushed other "reforms".

That and the fact that he sometimes behaved like a mini Darley at the sales--if he decides he wants a horse, he radically overpays for it--has colored perceptions in the industry about him. Of course that single minded determination to throw his money around is what led the thieves to his door in the first place but he still doesn't seem to see the connection.