WHY HASN'T COURT MASTERPIECE BEEN RETIRED THIS ONCE GREAT HORSE IS RUNNING IN A CLAIMER AT MUSSELBOROUGH (SAD)?

jmp you've hit a nerve here.... I couldn't agree more he has definitely earned his days in the sun in a lush paddock not running around in claimers as you so rightly say.

I was lucky enough to be at Ed Dunlops ex yard the once beautiful Gainsborough Lodge Stables in Hamilton Road, Newmarket. I say once beautiful as it has now been purchased by Darley who are in the process of purchasing ailing yards in the area and turning them into holding quarters for their strings of 2yo's some of whom will never see a racecourse...

Ed Dunlop was holding an open day in 2006 prior to Ouija Board's great success in the Prince of Wales Stakes beating Electrocutionist, and Court Masterpiece was also being trained by him at that time.

He was as his peak and looked a million dollars...I spent a lot of time making a fuss of him and followed him that year when he won the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and then ran a creditable 3rd to the ill fated 'gorgeous' George Washington in the QE11 Stakes at Ascot..Court Masterpiece never knew how to run a bad race.

Looking on Racing Post I noticed that he did go off to Stud in 2008 but like poor George Washington it couldn't have worked out for him...and now he has to end his days like this...what is the answer as sadly he is'nt the only top racehorse to go down this path and Racehorse Retirement charities are stretched to accommodate these great servants of the turf....I hope something can be done as Court Masterpiece deserves better than this...Jac x

Edit: Monday

Today I emailed Ed Dunlop who used to train him, see if I get any response from him...it's absolutely disgraceful the poor boy couldn't even win a Claimer yesterday his heart is just not in it anymore....I'm on a mission now SAVE COURT MASTERPIECE...not sure if ex racehorses make good hacks...the last thing I want to see is him running over hurdles this time next year it would be the end for sure...will report back if any news..Jac x

It's a disgrace how this sort of thing happens. He was owned by the late Maktoum Al Maktoum, so surely Sheik Mohammed could have given him a good home for his retirement? The same thing happened with Cezanne who won the Irish Champion Stakes for Godolphin in 1994. He ended up his days running in handicap hurdles at gaff tracks. Disgraceful.

SCANDALOUS,unbelievable,what a total humiliation,for the new trainer,he obviously is not a true horseman,its like dragging (husain bolt) out of the old peoples home at 70 and saying now run.this is the side of racing that discusts me, thats me done,carnt bring myself to comment anymore, UNBELEAVABLE dirty little man (trainer)

cheers guys scally