Most Physically Impressive Horses

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

JOSH — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 02:47:06 GMT

THIS IS THE TOP 5 OF THE DECADE....

1. GHOSTZAPPER

2. POINT GIVEN

3. ZENYATTA

4. BARBARO

5. CURLIN

GHOSTZAPPER IS TOP 10 ALL TIME!!

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

Cliff P. — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:33:40 GMT

Steve = I agree with you completely on Curlin, Bernardini, Point Given as well as Zenyatta and Rags To Riches. However, you excluded a few very worthy candidates in your "most physically impressive" lists...(boys)

Barbaro,

Easy Goer,

Spectacular Bid,

Foolish Pleasure,

Swaps...

(girls)

Winning Colors,

Landaluce,

Genuine Risk.

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

GAGSTAG — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:13:46 GMT

Discreet Cat definitely had the looks Ouija Board every bit the Aristocratic Lady.

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

SusanW — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:00:07 GMT

Nice lists. After looking at the BC Classic again think Zenyatta is the most physically impressive of both sexes.:)...she is something else.

Surprised that Barbaro/Big Brown weren't on it, they both had "the look of an eagle".

Prettiest horse of the decade (looks, not conformation) to me will always be...Hard Spun.

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

CURLINLOVER — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:17:03 GMT

Unless you have seen these horses in person at their best in their racing careers, it's impossible to judge this one. I'm a CURLIN fan big time; but I agree that Rock Hard Ten should be on the list - having seen this impressive specimen at Lane's End myself in person. where on the list, I'm not sure - but near the top for sure; very impressive horse. and until CURLIN, I leaned toward black horses; CURLIN changed me into a chestnut lover! :-) the others I have not seen in person; and that makes a difference; I know CURLIN impressed me beyond imagination when I first saw him in the Stephen Foster. I'm just happy that Haskin chose CURLIN for a spot on his list. Thank you, Steve; CURLIN well deserved it!

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

thomas — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:09:18 GMT

what about azeri??

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

Slew — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:37:40 GMT

Robinm....it may be Halfbridled to which you refer....and she is mentioned in the top 10.

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

robinm — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 04:51:29 GMT

I think the key word here is "imposing". To me a smallish horse doesn't meet this definition and I believe this is where Steve was going with his choices. I am surprised Barbaro and Azeri were left off. I've been straining my brain trying to remember the name of another impressive female that I believe ran in this decade. She was a very fast mare but couldn't run at the same level outside of Calif. Dark bay or brown I believe. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

tabasco223 — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:01:39 GMT

When i saw this article, I simply thought Rock Hard Ten...and I just watched Point Given's Belmont even! What a beautiful horse...

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

RachelSatterfield — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 02:06:12 GMT

Though I've seen quite a few of these horses in person, I have to say Rock Hard Ten is the most physically beautiful I've encountered. While Curlin is physically impressive, have him pulled out next to Rock Hard Ten at Lane's End...and you'll laugh. Rock is a monster and even off racing for so long his muscle tone is great. He's also got a very intelligent face. He's one nice piece of horse flesh.

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

Nancy — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:47:39 GMT

Carolyn - Thanks for your note supporting the fact that there is a lack of information about the Fillies and Mares when they leave the track. Maybe Steve would be able to influence the Blood-Horse to create a section of a page or two monthly or quarterly?

Here's wishing everyone a Joyful, Prosperous and Healthy New Year! I learn a lot from reading your comments and enjoy the differing viewpoints.

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

virginiafan — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:12:09 GMT

I put Curlin at the top. He has a shoulder the size of Rhode Island and all the parts fit together perfectly.

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

John McEvoy — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:58:29 GMT

Great job, Steve, and great to see all the impassioned, informed responses your pieced has elicited. It gives me hope for the sport! As for my choice, Point Given goes on top. He was Easy Goer except with good ankles. I hated to see him taken off to stud after his 3-year-old campaign. Anyway, Happy New Year to all of you enthusiasts.

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

CRoche — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:43:01 GMT

Charismatic 1999 Derby & Preakness Winner is a real beauty we saw at Lane's End, before he went to Japan.

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

Slew — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:10:55 GMT

Zenyatta, Eight Belles, and Ruffian were/are all 17+ hands. Rachel Alexandra started the season at 16..ended it at 16 hands 2 inches. This year, I was suitably impressed by the older mare Unbridled Belle who is over 17 hands. Rachel is well muscled and canonballs down the track. Zenyatta is taller, well muscled, but seems to glide over the track with her stride. All of these ladies seem to dwarf their competition.

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

Horswld — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:32:30 GMT

Soldier Course,

I have to agree that Funny Cide was (is) quite a beauty.

My gelding, Buckshot, is quite a specimen himself. He is an App. Just to look at him standing in his field, if you didn't know, you would think that he was a stallion. He has a thick neck, broad chest and huge hindquarters. And he has a beautiful (look of eagles) head.

We just had a huge snowstorm here in southwest Virginia, and I live within a mountain vally that would take your breath away. One day, as I went to feed the horses in the field, I just stopped to look at Buckshot striking a pose against the snow. Wow! He took my breath. He is quit an unusual color, even for an Appaloosa. Now that he has aged, he is solid white with bluish-black stockings, which among the color are marble sized white marks. He has dark bars down the front of his face, red flecks on his chest and under his elbows and flanks, a thick, black mane that I keep trimmed to about six inches and a thick, black tail that drags the ground. He is quite a looker and he made quite a picture against the snow. He's been my best friend for many, many years now and I just thought I would share my best boy with everyone. Thanks!

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

DerbyDean — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:25:45 GMT

I'll add a couple that haven't been mentioned. Two more that made my jaw drop just watching the post parade were Sky Mesa and AtswhatImtalknbout.

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

Colmel — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:27:24 GMT

I have to agree that Barbaro should have been on the list. Again, I realize that this is totally subjective and each individual has their ideas of what is most physically impressive. I am fond of Big Brown, but would not have included him in this list either due to his physical ailments.

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

jcavalier — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:06:17 GMT

BARBARO all the way....he was "perfection" at it's best. There are alot of beautiful horses, but BARBARO was IT!!!!

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

Tallulah13 — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 05:39:43 GMT

I loved watching Curlin run. No matter how fast he was running, he just looked like he was determined to run faster. For that reason, he impresses me more than any other horse on the list.

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

CastroRacing — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:53:09 GMT

Leroidesanimeaux? He was hot stuff.

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

Ida Lee — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:33:38 GMT

If we're talking about all around perfection, then no one comes close to my Golden God, the Mighty Curlin. And that includes his head. I water up just looking at him. He is truly perfection. Having said that, I believe just about every horse I've ever seen is beautiful. There are just some that have that special "look" about them like Curlin. And by the way, where is Big Brown on this list? That boy is a gorgeous specimen. Talking about physically impressive!! The Fillies/Mares, well I'm partial to them. They're all beautiful to me. But Zenyatta, Rachel, Eight Belles (RIP Sweetheart), all exceptional beauties and talents.

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

Elsa — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:51:58 GMT

CIGAR!! His eye sets him apart--truly the look of eagles.

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

workhorse — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:23:34 GMT

"Most Physically Impressive Horses"

How do you leave Take D' Tour off the list ?

re: Most Physically Impressive Horses

Dr Sarah — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 07:41:48 GMT

Ouija Board stands out for me. Watching her warm up for the BC Turf, I was struck by the fact that every part of her, from her toes to the tip of her ears was working in perfect harmony. No hint of irregularity, asymmetry, or unsoundness, anywhere. Shear perfection in motion.