Man, does Churchill produce some great races! I am a fan of moving the Breeder's Cup yearly, but perhaps it can be held at Churchill every five years? There's just too much history and now with the lights installed, it makes for high drama. The Derby should always be in the afternoon/early evening, but the Classic under the lights is fantastic!
Even though Tiznow's 2001 Classic win against the Arc winner, Sahkee, was actually a little closer finish. This is still one of may favorite Breeders Cup Classic's ever run since the inception of the race!! The wonder horse from California against the iron horse from Ireland!! Two fantastic champion's right here in Tiznow and Giant's Causeway!! Mad respect for both of these horses!!
holy shit, what a stretch run...tiznow gives me chills man, what a gutsy, stubborn animal!!! he WOULD NOT let giants causeway pass him, as he did the same thing next year to sakhee fighting back and always keepin his nose in front and winning...thats a true fighter's spirit this horse has (or had)
I'm not really sure which of the two came closer to beating Tiznow between Giant's Causeway in 2000, or Sakhee in 2001? But Tiznow was a much better horse in 2000. He had lost far less races when Giant's Causeway raced him than when Sakhee faced him. Tiznow ran his entire career on dirt. A 2-time American HOY. Giant's Causeway and Sakhee ran 1 time each on dirt. Against Tiznow. Both times, it took every ounce that Tiznow could summon to win. Speak's to how great the Euro turf champions are. IMO.
@GBeret83 Overall US TBs are better and can win on any surface. Secretariat is one example of a great American horse winning on dirt and grass. GC and Sakhee would have had plenty of practise on the dirt before the BC races, and if they didn't adapt well they wouldn't have been so close to beating Tiznow, who was the superior horse on both occasions. End of story.
@rcschumann Anti-inflammatories and Lasix have been propping up the American thoroughbred industry for years and it's starting to show. How many US-bred horses were in the top 10 IFHA rankings released last year? I'm surprised the connections of Giant's Causeway and Sakhee subjected their horses to racing on dirt. You might as well lined them up in the car-park.
@bgardiner2000 Great, more garbage English propaganda being spread on here. I recall Blame as 2nd - even an average horse like him compared to recent giants like Ghostzapper and Tiznow, made the cut. Like I told the other guy on here, GC and Sakhee were bred in the US, and would have had plenty of practise on the dirt before the race. Animal Kingdom never raced on dirt before the Derby, and still won by 3 lengths The US produces the best. Go back to you straight-lined joke tracks (lol!).
@rcschumann Well done genius. I'm not English. What's a joke is how the rest of the racing world view drug taking in the US racing industry. And the Kentucky Derby field was a joke. Any of the decent European 3 year olds would have blown that field away... maybe with the exception of Animal Kingdom, who, despite his record prior to the Derby ran a brilliant race.
@volshebnica82 First of all, I've never written to you before. Secondly, it's no surprise that a European would think horses from his continent would trump those from the US - American's have been saying they have the best on other sites, and this argument is useless. Also, a "decent European 3 year old" would have been massacred at that race - of that I have no doubt. MH was "decent" and came 5th becasue his jockey is one of the best and knows Churchill Downs like the back of his hand.
@volshebnica82 By the way, where were Henrythenavigator, Giants Causeway and Sakhee bred? It's good you acknowledged Animal Kingdom's performance. His previous races were mere warm-ups to this colossal performance at the Derby - he's still peaking as a lightly-tested 3 yr old. He clocked a :23.80 last quarter I believe, and his time beat out The Bid's. AK has only raced 5 times, and already has wins on 3 different surfaces.
@volshebnica82 Are you messed up? You responded to me previously without me even having written a word to you. I was debating with someone called "bgardiner2000" who IS English., and then you wrote to me out of the blue. What "decent European 3 year olds" stupid monkey? Only the UK has anything to compare with US, and then only Frankel. NO, the KD field was not weak, and several ran good races besides AK, like SHACKLEFORD, you know, the one who held the lead in 1 1/4 race and still finished 4th.
@luvtowin No shit, Sherlock. Why the **** would our horses beat yours on "real dirt"? Our horses never run on this godforesaken surface. Really, how great was Tiznow? Two Classics is a phenomonal achievement, yes, but he's won both of them by the skin of his teeth, and against two colts who'd never run on this shit before.
@5overlord YES! But those two colts, Giant's Causeway & Sahkee, were both American-bred so they should not have had any excuses. Tiznow now may have won by the skin of his teeth, but Giant's Causeway and Sahkee had every opportunity and the length of the entire stretch to get by Tiznow...but they could not! End of Story....What else you got??
@5overlord Shut the hell up UK prick! A great horse is a great horse and America breeds the best, including Giant's Causeway. Tiznow won against Euro-based horses in 2000/2001 because he was bigger, stronger and better. He would have destroyed on grass, just like Secretariat did in his last race ON GRASS which he won by nine lengths, after having mainly raced ON DIRT. If Sakhee and GC sucked on dirt they wouldn't have had such a great opportunity to pass, would they?! Think, dummy!!
My favorite Breeders Cup Classic of all time!!! Two great champions, that have gone on to be two of the best in the breeding shed as well. America's best in Tiznow, and Europe's best in Giant's Causeway. Stride for stride, head to head, to the wire!!! What a great, great race.
The greatest race i ever seen with chills full of excitement before the race and my heart pounding as they begin to load in the starting gate, when i saw tiznow take that lead i was just hoping, when they turned for home and i saw that giant gather momentum and coming by tiznow head to head down the stretch i was like come on tiznow show him what budroyales brother can really do and the rest was history a dream to see.
The most incredible race..Giant's Causeway..tough as nails..Tiznow, so game..no losers here as the Giant and Tiznow are two of the VERY best stallions around. Giant Oak is one to watch..maybe on the artificial surface Classic this year.
What a horse Giants Causeway was ... to win 5 grade 1's on turf and on his first start on dirt to finish 2nd beat a neck in the Classic was just different class ... If Kinane hadn't drop the reins he would have won ... Both are great horses, but the "Iron Horse" giants causeway was a legend !
Both Tiznow and Giants Causeway proved their greatness in this race.Obviously as the winner of this race (and next year's Classic), Tiznow established himself as one of America's toughest runners ever.Winning stretch duels was Tiznow's trademark. Remember, Tiznow also won thrilling races over Dixie Union and Captain Steve in 2000. As for GCauseway, he actually enhanced his rep in this race. During his 5 race gr.1 streak, GC displayed what can only be described as remarkable determination
My apology, I said Giants Causeway won but Tiznow did indeed win, sorry for my emotional comment. Being Irish and watching an Irish horse clouded my judgement.
put tiznow and giants causeway against each other on turf tiznow would have got beat you have to look at giants causeway in ashford stud and the fee he is commanding the iron horse was a lot better he won 5 stright group ones i was lucky enough to see him at york
I agree Tiznow had the advantage here as Giants Causeway was unfamiliar to the dirt...
That just enhances how big a run this was from him... Sure on grass you would expect Giants' to beat Tiznow, im not sure if he ever ran on turf in the us? But both were great horses on their own respective Continents... For me this was as good a run as Giants Causeway ever put in.
When you consider Tiznow beat Sakhee, a 7l juddmonte winner, and Captain Steve, 3rd here won the Dubai World cup the following year
yeah i agree he was a good horse he beat sakee a arc winner and fusaichi pegasus a kentucky derby winner i just think giants causway to come over and peform the way he did on dirt.. all tho he was bred for dirt been out of storm cat was a tribute to himself and aiden o brien
Huh, he lost the race. What kind of Pinhead are you to make a statement like that. I am a huge GC fan, but Tiznow beat him fair and square that day. Sheeeesh.
Shame Dubai Millenium had to retire through injury earlier in the season. Jerry Bailey described him at the time as the best in the world. I'm sure he would have confirmed his greatness in this race with a victory.
Dropped a race too. Sheeesh, don't make excuses for a class horse, he eyeballed Tiznow and just came up a bit short that day, the next day it could have been totally different, these were champions.
12exceller, you obviously are not aware as to why giant's causway was described as the "iron horse". kinane dropped his reins and the horse thought the race was over and slowed down momentarily, came on again at the end for pressure and just failed to get up.
even though giant's causeway lost, he's still the best mile and a quarter horse there is. any surface, anycondition. he was so darn consistent. first or second in EVERY race he ever ran. at the highest level of competition.
@xb15151515 Of course he would be a fantastic 1 1/4 mile horse. Guess what great American chestnut was the sire of his grandmother. But GC wasn't good enough to beat one of the greatest of this century: Tiznow.
No disrespect to a great thoroughbred, but he was already in full stride. You can't whip a horse to go any faster or "encourage" it anymore when it's maxed out.
I read somewhere that one of Giant causeway's jockeys said that this horse always responded more to the whip than any he had known. So what you say might not actually be true. If you look at GC's victories they were always eyball to eyeball and he was under the whip.
I love Tiznow too though and content myself with the knowledge that they were two determined brave horses of equal ability. Just that this time Tiznow was on the surface he was familiar with. It might have been different on turf.
Wish they would use these camera angles more! 2000 and 2001 Classics are my favorites
Lindsikins00 3 weeks ago
Man, does Churchill produce some great races! I am a fan of moving the Breeder's Cup yearly, but perhaps it can be held at Churchill every five years? There's just too much history and now with the lights installed, it makes for high drama. The Derby should always be in the afternoon/early evening, but the Classic under the lights is fantastic!
BitterBosh 3 months ago
My all-time favorite (2000 Breeders Cup Classic).
Tiznow was fucking "B-R-U-T-A-L" was he got the lead!
westinniles 4 months ago
Even though Tiznow's 2001 Classic win against the Arc winner, Sahkee, was actually a little closer finish. This is still one of may favorite Breeders Cup Classic's ever run since the inception of the race!! The wonder horse from California against the iron horse from Ireland!! Two fantastic champion's right here in Tiznow and Giant's Causeway!! Mad respect for both of these horses!!
GBeret83 9 months ago 2
Great camerwork by NBC. Tiznow a Classic back-to-back winner!!
bnegs521 9 months ago
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holy shit, what a stretch run...tiznow gives me chills man, what a gutsy, stubborn animal!!! he WOULD NOT let giants causeway pass him, as he did the same thing next year to sakhee fighting back and always keepin his nose in front and winning...thats a true fighter's spirit this horse has (or had)
kadir1982 1 year ago
But who is winning in the Breeding battle? lol
MRTTZ06 1 year ago
"a heart pounding, pulsating stretch run!!"
TheSonjaxfactor 1 year ago
I love the camera angles here!
AccentAigu05 1 year ago
@AccentAigu05 me too.
TheSonjaxfactor 1 year ago
I'm not really sure which of the two came closer to beating Tiznow between Giant's Causeway in 2000, or Sakhee in 2001? But Tiznow was a much better horse in 2000. He had lost far less races when Giant's Causeway raced him than when Sakhee faced him. Tiznow ran his entire career on dirt. A 2-time American HOY. Giant's Causeway and Sakhee ran 1 time each on dirt. Against Tiznow. Both times, it took every ounce that Tiznow could summon to win. Speak's to how great the Euro turf champions are. IMO.
GBeret83 1 year ago
@GBeret83 Overall US TBs are better and can win on any surface. Secretariat is one example of a great American horse winning on dirt and grass. GC and Sakhee would have had plenty of practise on the dirt before the BC races, and if they didn't adapt well they wouldn't have been so close to beating Tiznow, who was the superior horse on both occasions. End of story.
rcschumann 10 months ago
@rcschumann Anti-inflammatories and Lasix have been propping up the American thoroughbred industry for years and it's starting to show. How many US-bred horses were in the top 10 IFHA rankings released last year? I'm surprised the connections of Giant's Causeway and Sakhee subjected their horses to racing on dirt. You might as well lined them up in the car-park.
bgardiner2000 9 months ago
@bgardiner2000 Great, more garbage English propaganda being spread on here. I recall Blame as 2nd - even an average horse like him compared to recent giants like Ghostzapper and Tiznow, made the cut. Like I told the other guy on here, GC and Sakhee were bred in the US, and would have had plenty of practise on the dirt before the race. Animal Kingdom never raced on dirt before the Derby, and still won by 3 lengths The US produces the best. Go back to you straight-lined joke tracks (lol!).
rcschumann 9 months ago
@rcschumann Well done genius. I'm not English. What's a joke is how the rest of the racing world view drug taking in the US racing industry. And the Kentucky Derby field was a joke. Any of the decent European 3 year olds would have blown that field away... maybe with the exception of Animal Kingdom, who, despite his record prior to the Derby ran a brilliant race.
volshebnica82 9 months ago
@volshebnica82 First of all, I've never written to you before. Secondly, it's no surprise that a European would think horses from his continent would trump those from the US - American's have been saying they have the best on other sites, and this argument is useless. Also, a "decent European 3 year old" would have been massacred at that race - of that I have no doubt. MH was "decent" and came 5th becasue his jockey is one of the best and knows Churchill Downs like the back of his hand.
rcschumann 9 months ago
@volshebnica82 By the way, where were Henrythenavigator, Giants Causeway and Sakhee bred? It's good you acknowledged Animal Kingdom's performance. His previous races were mere warm-ups to this colossal performance at the Derby - he's still peaking as a lightly-tested 3 yr old. He clocked a :23.80 last quarter I believe, and his time beat out The Bid's. AK has only raced 5 times, and already has wins on 3 different surfaces.
rcschumann 9 months ago
@rcschumann You can throw in Sadler's Wells, Dancing Brave and Danehill - all from Kentucky.
711ATOM 8 months ago
@volshebnica82 Are you messed up? You responded to me previously without me even having written a word to you. I was debating with someone called "bgardiner2000" who IS English., and then you wrote to me out of the blue. What "decent European 3 year olds" stupid monkey? Only the UK has anything to compare with US, and then only Frankel. NO, the KD field was not weak, and several ran good races besides AK, like SHACKLEFORD, you know, the one who held the lead in 1 1/4 race and still finished 4th.
rcschumann 8 months ago
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GBeret83 1 year ago
Europeans cannot beat the americans on the REAL DIRT
luvtowin 1 year ago
@luvtowin No shit, Sherlock. Why the **** would our horses beat yours on "real dirt"? Our horses never run on this godforesaken surface. Really, how great was Tiznow? Two Classics is a phenomonal achievement, yes, but he's won both of them by the skin of his teeth, and against two colts who'd never run on this shit before.
5overlord 10 months ago
@5overlord YES! But those two colts, Giant's Causeway & Sahkee, were both American-bred so they should not have had any excuses. Tiznow now may have won by the skin of his teeth, but Giant's Causeway and Sahkee had every opportunity and the length of the entire stretch to get by Tiznow...but they could not! End of Story....What else you got??
TwoSlew 10 months ago
@5overlord Shut the hell up UK prick! A great horse is a great horse and America breeds the best, including Giant's Causeway. Tiznow won against Euro-based horses in 2000/2001 because he was bigger, stronger and better. He would have destroyed on grass, just like Secretariat did in his last race ON GRASS which he won by nine lengths, after having mainly raced ON DIRT. If Sakhee and GC sucked on dirt they wouldn't have had such a great opportunity to pass, would they?! Think, dummy!!
rcschumann 10 months ago
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rcschumann 9 months ago
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GBeret83 1 year ago
My favorite Breeders Cup Classic of all time!!! Two great champions, that have gone on to be two of the best in the breeding shed as well. America's best in Tiznow, and Europe's best in Giant's Causeway. Stride for stride, head to head, to the wire!!! What a great, great race.
GBeret83 1 year ago
If this doesn't turn you on, you don't like horse racing.
sthygersen 1 year ago
best California bred TIZNOW.
1800s 1 year ago
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GBeret83 1 year ago
The greatest race i ever seen with chills full of excitement before the race and my heart pounding as they begin to load in the starting gate, when i saw tiznow take that lead i was just hoping, when they turned for home and i saw that giant gather momentum and coming by tiznow head to head down the stretch i was like come on tiznow show him what budroyales brother can really do and the rest was history a dream to see.
GMRTZW 1 year ago
Best Breeders Cup race all time, I get chills every time.
ajump08 1 year ago
Wow, these two are horses that don't want to lose, ultra tough both of them.
ZenyattaLuver 1 year ago
Tiznow looked like he was going to lose by a nose but dug down and actually inched away at the end. Great race for both horses.
joefederico 2 years ago
you know, you have to give a lot of credit to Giant's Causeway, european turf horse running like that in the classic. that's VERY impressive
rebecca11391 2 years ago
I agree!!
21Sarabi 2 years ago
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johntcolo 2 years ago
Leave to Chris Mccaron to stick it to the euros......lol.
shawn415 2 years ago 10
The most incredible race..Giant's Causeway..tough as nails..Tiznow, so game..no losers here as the Giant and Tiznow are two of the VERY best stallions around. Giant Oak is one to watch..maybe on the artificial surface Classic this year.
bnemi 2 years ago 4
Tiznow was. the. shit.
plmooney 2 years ago
Giant's Causeway was never in front. If he had my nose, he would have won. Still, hats off to Tiznow!
jkumar8 2 years ago
Wow, what a stretch drive~really gets your heart pounding!
GoddessofGypsies 3 years ago
i love giants causeway he should of won the great race
this years classic i hope henrythenavigator wins it or big brown
tattynsmokey 3 years ago
What a horse Giants Causeway was ... to win 5 grade 1's on turf and on his first start on dirt to finish 2nd beat a neck in the Classic was just different class ... If Kinane hadn't drop the reins he would have won ... Both are great horses, but the "Iron Horse" giants causeway was a legend !
fasteddie28 3 years ago
Both Tiznow and Giants Causeway proved their greatness in this race.Obviously as the winner of this race (and next year's Classic), Tiznow established himself as one of America's toughest runners ever.Winning stretch duels was Tiznow's trademark. Remember, Tiznow also won thrilling races over Dixie Union and Captain Steve in 2000. As for GCauseway, he actually enhanced his rep in this race. During his 5 race gr.1 streak, GC displayed what can only be described as remarkable determination
jhordanian 3 years ago
i think giants causeway would have won only for mick dropped a rein. he was the iron horse, i am sure he would have done it.
royalcountystar 3 years ago
Funny, I keep watching that and keep thinking one time Giant's Causeway would catch him...oh well.
WSBT960 3 years ago 2
Any horse that wins back-to-back Classics is a sure Champion forever! I hope Curlin does it this year.
stivo1975 3 years ago
But is was very close
declantynan 4 years ago
My apology, I said Giants Causeway won but Tiznow did indeed win, sorry for my emotional comment. Being Irish and watching an Irish horse clouded my judgement.
declantynan 4 years ago
Tiznow was the better horse but only just...
If you watch, Giants Causeway never got the lead
at any point in the stretch. He came at Tiznow
but the American horse found extra.. as he did against Sakhee one year on..
What a run from the 'Iron Horse' though, taking on mighty USA in their own backyard and matching their best horses on dirt !
I saw him at York in 2000. He will always be one of my favourites, and surely one of the best 3yo's in Europe of the last 20 years....
MrNice222111 4 years ago
put tiznow and giants causeway against each other on turf tiznow would have got beat you have to look at giants causeway in ashford stud and the fee he is commanding the iron horse was a lot better he won 5 stright group ones i was lucky enough to see him at york
sirbert15 3 years ago
I agree Tiznow had the advantage here as Giants Causeway was unfamiliar to the dirt...
That just enhances how big a run this was from him... Sure on grass you would expect Giants' to beat Tiznow, im not sure if he ever ran on turf in the us? But both were great horses on their own respective Continents... For me this was as good a run as Giants Causeway ever put in.
When you consider Tiznow beat Sakhee, a 7l juddmonte winner, and Captain Steve, 3rd here won the Dubai World cup the following year
MrNice222111 3 years ago
yeah i agree he was a good horse he beat sakee a arc winner and fusaichi pegasus a kentucky derby winner i just think giants causway to come over and peform the way he did on dirt.. all tho he was bred for dirt been out of storm cat was a tribute to himself and aiden o brien
sirbert15 3 years ago
HOLD THE REINS YOU DUMB PINHEAD! Giant was the better horse!
apajax6 4 years ago
tiznow defeating top Europeans twice is no accident, he is better n stronger than them.
ALYSHEBANDTHEBID 4 years ago
Tiznow was also 'better and stronger 'than
99% of the American horses too...
I think the reason us Europeans rate him so highly, is because we know how good Giants Causeway and Sakhee
really were, so it gives us a Formline to
rate him as one of the very best.
Giants Causeway lost nothing in defeat here
and still had potential as this form was franked big time in 2001.
Perhaps he put the rest of his energy into Producing top class horses.
Footstepsinthesand, Shamardal, Maids Causeway!
MrNice222111 3 years ago 2
Huh, he lost the race. What kind of Pinhead are you to make a statement like that. I am a huge GC fan, but Tiznow beat him fair and square that day. Sheeeesh.
johntcolo 2 years ago
It just might been the 2 most thrilling bc ever tiznow prevail.
mastiffs36 4 years ago
That might have been the best horse race I have ever seen. I remember watching it live on TV. Damn, that was a thrilling race!
gunloc26 4 years ago
Shame Dubai Millenium had to retire through injury earlier in the season. Jerry Bailey described him at the time as the best in the world. I'm sure he would have confirmed his greatness in this race with a victory.
Arazi12 4 years ago
it would've been a big ask to make all with the iron horse and tiznow breathing down his neck
DancingBrave15 2 years ago
that is gary stevens screaming at 0:36 right? pretty sure it is
jeremiah47 4 years ago
so he lost. don't forget it was his FIRST start on dirt
jeremiah47 4 years ago
Why did he have to drop his whip :-(
Tankmaestro 4 years ago
i dont think that effected the outcome, giant's causeway was a professional and knew it was time to run.
rebecca11391 4 years ago
he didnt drop his whip, he dropped a reign
dansili 4 years ago
Dropped a race too. Sheeesh, don't make excuses for a class horse, he eyeballed Tiznow and just came up a bit short that day, the next day it could have been totally different, these were champions.
johntcolo 2 years ago
12exceller, you obviously are not aware as to why giant's causway was described as the "iron horse". kinane dropped his reins and the horse thought the race was over and slowed down momentarily, came on again at the end for pressure and just failed to get up.
pel1can 4 years ago
even though giant's causeway lost, he's still the best mile and a quarter horse there is. any surface, anycondition. he was so darn consistent. first or second in EVERY race he ever ran. at the highest level of competition.
xb15151515 4 years ago
@xb15151515 Of course he would be a fantastic 1 1/4 mile horse. Guess what great American chestnut was the sire of his grandmother. But GC wasn't good enough to beat one of the greatest of this century: Tiznow.
rcschumann 9 months ago
Kinane dropped his whip though.....
incaman1000 4 years ago
No disrespect to a great thoroughbred, but he was already in full stride. You can't whip a horse to go any faster or "encourage" it anymore when it's maxed out.
12exceller 4 years ago
I read somewhere that one of Giant causeway's jockeys said that this horse always responded more to the whip than any he had known. So what you say might not actually be true. If you look at GC's victories they were always eyball to eyeball and he was under the whip.
I love Tiznow too though and content myself with the knowledge that they were two determined brave horses of equal ability. Just that this time Tiznow was on the surface he was familiar with. It might have been different on turf.
vidsee 3 years ago
where did that happen?
rebecca11391 4 years ago
He never dropped his whip, he dropped one reign
dansili 2 years ago 3
"Tiznow tough as nails." Indeed!
aaronbees 5 years ago 2