Heroes: Warming the Heart

re: Heroes: Warming the Heart

xoxobrooke — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:18:55 GMT

I'm in love with Silverfoot

re: Heroes: Warming the Heart

draynot — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:55:38 GMT

Everyone of the animals pictured whether on grass or dirt would have whipped this years KY Derby winner. A nice collection of horse flesh.

re: Heroes: Warming the Heart

mgraeff — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:48:50 GMT

How about Yeats?

Winner of the Ascot Gold Cup in 2006, 2007, and 2008 - a 2.5 mile race! He was the first to do it 3 times in a row. Still going strong at age 7 with his most recent victory being the Goodwood Cup in July which he won by an impressive 7 lengths!

Is it too late to put the BC "marathon" on grass?

re: Heroes: Warming the Heart

GingerBoy — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:48:14 GMT

Hear, hear! If any horse deserves to be on this list, it is certainly Evening Attire! In fact, if you look in the dictionary under "campaigner", you'll find his picture!

re: Heroes: Warming the Heart

Tiznowbaby — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:03:19 GMT

I'd throw Dreaming of Anna in there, because who runs the 2YO filly champ at age four. That's awesome.

re: Heroes: Warming the Heart

Wanda — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:34:07 GMT

My personal fav: Larry the Longshot.(Silver of Silver-San Jacinto Blues by Royal Prayer).

84 starts-15-17-12, earnings-100,784. All starts at the bottom claiming level. Now lives as a lawn ornament.

re: Heroes: Warming the Heart

aspradling — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:46:08 GMT

Einstein is a personal favorite of mine, so we can put him in as a campaigner, without hesitation.

I have heard of Makybe before. Born 1999, but I didn't remember her having the record she does. With 2004 Australia Champion Stayer, 2005

Australia Horse of the year, 2005

Australia Champion Stayer, 2006 Australia Horse of the year, 2006

Australia Champion older mare, and 2006 Australia Champion Stayer. Add those to her record of 36-15-4-3 10.8 Million in earnings.

Spooky Moulder is interesting, born in 1998 with 7 stakes wins, inculding first at the Hockessin Stakes at Delaware Park. 82 Starts with 34 wins, 16 shows and 4 places.

Pound Cake holds 67 starts with 9 wins, 10 shows, and ten places. A full time job for him, definitely.

re: Heroes: Warming the Heart

Robert — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:00:33 GMT

Another one that comes to mind is the sprinter Spooky Moulder just won a race @ Monmouth recently at 10.Whether they race or not all horses,all animals, for that matter should be treated with love and kindness for that is how they treat us.

re: Heroes: Warming the Heart

needler in Virginia — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 03:01:46 GMT

Yeah, Adam, he really was a hard knocker and raced LOOOONG after he should have been chomping grass in a paddock! But you should see him now....really handsome, clear eyes and a pretty happy camper according to Michael, and I know Swanny feels MUCH better since I've signed him up as an official citizen of Red Sox Nation... Michael wears the hat, but the e-mails are addressed to the horse!

Nice blog and lovely stories.

re: Heroes: Warming the Heart

jj — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 02:13:13 GMT

I love the little claimers that run around - Poundcake isn't quite as fresh as he use to be at the age of 8 but he still gets the job done.

Does Einstein count at the age of 6?

Ten and eleven year old harness horses are no rarity. Talk about campaigners. They still get their 2 races or more in each MONTH.

An eleven year old at the harness track in Saratoga last month had 206 starts to his name. Another TEN y/o had 188 starts with 18 starts this year, 4 wins, 3 places and 2 shows. Not too shabby if I might say so myself.

re: Heroes: Warming the Heart

ctgreyhound — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:22:42 GMT

Thanks for looking beyond the norm of the day - Curlin, BB & the like. Patrick's story is truly inspiring. I'm glad to see you include Lava Man, a personal favorite of mine. I hope you will do more blogs of this nature from time to time.

re: Heroes: Warming the Heart

Karen — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:12:52 GMT

Your question asked about horses, of any breed that we want to praise so I want to give a big hurrah to the Mustang. Their spirit is amazing and their will to survive is beyond comprehension! I have seen them in the grasslands and in the desert. Sometimes it is so cold outside that you wonder how any living thing can survive. At other times, the heat so intense that you can hardly breathe. These horses often go miles and miles to find food and water as they stay together for protection. Their immense beauty is overwhelming, and they embody the true American spirit of freedom and pride!

re: Heroes: Warming the Heart

Grandefan — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:07:54 GMT

Let's not forget the late, great Theodore O'Conner.

re: Heroes: Warming the Heart

No_Class — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:06:39 GMT

What a great post. Will never forget Ouija Board - I was in tears and goose pimples all the way through her second turf win. A true champion.

One to add to the list? Australian legend, Makybe Diva.

re: Heroes: Warming the Heart

Curlin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:08:06 GMT

Brass Hat is another I would add to the campaigner list. Although his lifetime starts (25) aren't as high as horses like Evening Attire, Perfect Drift, etc., the fact that he came back from 2 potentially career threatening injuries to still race is very remarkable. Hope the old boy is able to run well in the upcoming Mass Cap.

Another feel good story that unfortunately turned tragic was Ten Cents A Shine. It was great that he was able to be turned into a steeplechase horse, but very sad a year ago when he had to be euthanized because of his injury on the turf.

It seems that these days the diehard horse racing fans can only follow geldings & mares at the top levels for a prolonged period of time with all the colts being retired to stud so early. It seems like many of the big time owners just race to breed these days (increase stud value with a few big wins) instead of breeding to race. I guess that's why although I love to see the best and classiest horses run, I have more respect for the hard knocking claimer and Average Joe owner. To me, they're what racing is all about.

re: Heroes: Warming the Heart

Buffy Trott — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:56:03 GMT

Good on you for pointing Elmer out. The world is filled with stories far beyond the track, and it nice to see you mention one. Thanks, Buffy

re: Heroes: Warming the Heart

aspradling — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:58:57 GMT

needler: you weren't joking about SWAN'S WAY. Wow, 16 places and 15 shows...not to mention the 8 wins. Definitely impressive.

Wanda: I will be happy to look at the pics whenever things work out =), no rush. And it is true, horses have personality and they do enjoy pleasing you.

re: Heroes: Warming the Heart

Tammy — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:55:11 GMT

Hope you let us know if Bandit gets his record

re: Heroes: Warming the Heart

Wanda — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:25:23 GMT

Lovely pictures Adam. I really like the Ginger Punch and The Tin Man ones. Sorry I can't get the "Larry" pics to you right now.Several reasons of which I can't get into now,however I'll be working on that as soon as I can. Again sorry for the delay. On the up side he has a new buddy. A 5yr old we bought to run on the "B" circuit here.They have been introduced and are bonding nicely. My husband had an old horse that was a 5F specialist (track record).When the old guy said it was time to quit I turned him into a ponyhorse. That horse packed me around the track for a year looking after me and the racehorse. His attitude and heart was well known but the pleasure he took in his new role was amazing.It humbles me to realize how giving these animals are, and how hard they try to please.You look after them and they return it ten fold. I hope you get a bunch of feel good comments on this subject.

re: Heroes: Warming the Heart

needler in Virginia — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:06:02 GMT

Evening Attire should qualify, AND if you really want to meet a "campaigner" (at bottom levels, I might add) go to www/.../bio-swan.shtml and meet a real hero!

Thanks for this lovely blog!

Cheers to all.