George Washington Filly Brings Back Memories

re: George Washington Filly Brings Back Memories

Kate — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 01:55:44 GMT

I always thought that George Washington's death was a tremendous tragedy, but the bigger tragedy was that it could have been avoided - why was he in that race to begin with? He hadn't done well in the Classic the year before when they tried. He wasn't on his preferred surface, on a track that was sloppy, and up against some great horses who WERE on their preferred surface. He didn't have any prep races and the only time he'd ever raced on dirt had been in the Classic the year before. Were his connections just hoping to get a chance to call him a Breeders' Cup champion too? Why was he entered in the Classic, instead of the Turf, or the Mile, something he would have had a chance in?

I've been watching this filly closely and I'll continue to do so - but I think it's a shame she's so well known because of her sire's tragedy.

re: George Washington Filly Brings Back Memories

Rachel — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:15:44 GMT

Another mare lost to foaling complications...Turkish Tryst ♥

I'm sorry you never got to be just a horse.

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Tales Untold — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:48:10 GMT

I read your commentary on George Washington 2007 and cried like a baby guess with Barbaro's death I was blown away even though I feel much care and love toward George..just so sorry.

Keep up your good writing.

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Bredinusa — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 23:05:05 GMT

Thank you for caring and keeping GW's spirit alive, for those of us who truly love these horses.

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Rachel — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:36:59 GMT

Hey, thanks Bloodhorse for the link to the race...out of that crowd of horses I picked her out right away...what a sweetie...♥

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Gary — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:05:40 GMT

I was a huge George Washington fan and I was there at that final day. I was so devastated. I will never forget it as the darkness of the evening set in the whole atmosphere fit this horrible day for me. Date for Destiny's win is a fitting start for the sequel "I will always remember George" story for me.

re: George Washington Filly Brings Back Memories

bellesforever — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 17:44:57 GMT

I can still hear that track announcer saying''the jock is going to earn his money on George''i could see he was having trouble on that awful track..hindsight is 20/20 i guess.he was a true warrior and he deserved better acknowledgment! I hope this filly goes out and beats em all!

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newsline2 — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 13:13:59 GMT

Ghost...Date With Destiny makes it impossible to forget the tragedy of her sire's death.

The US press may have thought they buried him for good in publicity for the winner (dramatic break-downs often overshadow the win but not this one) but a Ghost lingers at the edge of memory. GW was a victim of poor decisions, but is brought to life once more in his only off-spring.

DW Destiny did well first time out and will be exciting for the world to watch as she matures.

re: George Washington Filly Brings Back Memories

Sharon — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 04:48:13 GMT

I was there, that day, too, at the Breeder's Cup and saw Georgeous George up close and personal in the paddock and he was just that, gorgeous. I have video of him walking and then moments later, we had a great view at the rail of the race. Of course I prayed as I always do, and was just starting to be so happy when they started crossing the finish line that all the horses came home safe over those days in the horrible conditions and then I looked back and saw poor George and I couldn't believe it and started freaking out, especially when they started putting the curtains up. I had some small hope because once in a blue moon it doesn't mean death and my friend was trying to give me hope, but I pretty much knew it was a slim slim chance. What sticks with me to this day and what made me cry forever was the look of fear I saw on his face when they were putting the screens up I think because he didn't know what quite to make of all that was happening. When the ambulance left people clapped I believe because they thought he was still alive and maybe going to be alright like when an injured player leaves the field. I kept asking people around the park and nobody knew or didn't seem to want to tell me and I finally found out from someone that worked there that he had been put down. We went back to the hotel and I couldn't stop crying. This gorgeous horse that raced his heart out and was almost finished didn't deserve this (as the many others it has happened to, re: Eight Belles, Barbaro, Ruffian, Go For Wand and on and on and all the less famous ones). It did feel worse because you thought, they should have scratched him, or why didn't he race in the Breeder's Cup Mile where he surely would have won on the turf dominantly, but that didn't bring George back. I'm not sure the lack of coverage had to do with not caring, but more with we had had alot of sorrow in the sport, I am not sure. Just believe Gorgeous George is never forgotten in many American hearts as well, such as mine, especially the ones that were there and I have been reading every update on his daughter. HOW AWESOME and what a wonderful tribute to her sire that she won so brilliantly today in her first race and she looks just as spirited as he was to race and just as gorgeous. Let's pray she stays safe into old age and continues to do well!

P.S. I always wondered if they buried Gorgeous George's remains in his homeland?

re: George Washington Filly Brings Back Memories

FantasticLight — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 23:30:53 GMT

I know many question why George Washington was entered in the Classic and raced on Dirt for a second time.

But it was well known after Churchill Downs in 2006 that Kinane had felt GW travelled superbly on the Dirt first time and it was also known that Kinane was hinting at running GW in the Cigar Mile because he felt he just never stayed in the Classic. Kinane's judgement wasn't wrong - look at the replay and who he was alongside bumping at the quarter pole. He was as comfortable moving on Dirt as any European horse in the history of the Breeders Cup. He was at least a Graded Stakes horse on that evidence on Dirt.

So Coolmore giving it another go on Dirt wasn't the problem. Handling the sloppy track was. And they clearly knew it would be because Kinane attempted to go to the lead on that day at Monmouth. He wouldn't have done so without discussion with Magnier and O'Brien. It was clearly felt that he wouldn't handle the slop in his face and it their only hope of victory was to go from the front. All they wanted was for him to return home safely as well from the race. I don't think any-one can be blamed, though.

re: George Washington Filly Brings Back Memories

Goldstruck — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 23:22:57 GMT

Wow, what a nice filly! She beat 13 others for fun! How amazing for George!

re: George Washington Filly Brings Back Memories

JRD — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:50:38 GMT

Rise in class beckons for Date With Destiny

By Peter Scargill 11:41AM 10 JUL 2010

TRAINER Richard Hannon will look to step Date With Destiny up in grade after the unique filly made a winning racecourse debut on Friday evening.

A 320,000gns purchase by Julie Wood, Date With Destiny is the only foal from George Washington's short stud career and she showed some of her sire's talents when overcoming a slow start to score tidily in the 7f maiden at Newbury.

Hannon admitted he had felt under a lot of pressure training such a high-profile individual and was delighted with her success under jockey Richard Hughes.

"There was a lot of pressure on us, not from Julie, who has been a star, but with such a high-profile filly you just don't want to mess things up," he told his website.

"She was naturally a bit green, but could not have done the job better and we can now build on this and look to move up the ladder."

According to trainer's website, races such as the Sweet Solera at Newmarket on August 7 and the Prestige Stakes at Goodwood on August 28 are under consideration for the daughter of 2,000 Guineas and Queen Elizabeth II winner George Washington, who wasput down after breaking down in the 2007 Breeders' Cup Classic at Monmouth.

re: George Washington Filly Brings Back Memories

Rhonda from Saskatchewan — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:06:15 GMT

I think of George on a regular basis and relive in my mind some of his great races and the pictures of his tragic breakdown. And still wonder what he was doing back on the track when he had earned enough to enjoy a carefree retirement even though he wasn't producing in the breeding shed.

I sent an email to his connections expressing my sorrow over his death and sending my condolences to his caregivers. I also apologised for the lack of concern and coverage that the sporting press showed over the loss of this great champion.

I hope that Date With Destiny does well and that she some day bears a great champion and sire. That would be some justice for George.

Miss you Gorgeous George.

re: George Washington Filly Brings Back Memories

Heather Grace — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:35:17 GMT

Congratulations Date With Destiny!! I know your dad is looking down from above and is so very proud of you!! I miss you so much, George Washington, you didn't deserve your fate. I hope your daughter continues to make you proud!

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Don from Delaware — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 13:12:13 GMT

Thanks so much for sharing Catherine, I just started reading this blog this morning and was beginning to recall the tragic GW, and scrolled to the end of this blog and there was your comment, "She WON"

would love to watch this race and hope she goes on to glory and safe care....Don

re: George Washington Filly Brings Back Memories

lazaro — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 06:14:43 GMT

i go to an o.t.b. three or four days a week and not one day goes by that a horse doesn't break down somewhere.

in a recent article dealing with artificial vs. natural surfaces, it stated that more than 5,000 race horses died in the last four years as a result of injuries sustained during a race or training. to me, that is an absolutely apalling figure.

i had a horse in a 16,000 claimer some years ago and a $300,000 yearling purchase broke down alongside him in midstretch. the following day, this barn sent out another horse to break down. needless to say, they were both euthanized.

go for wand fell right in front of me and all i remember is that she got up and ran toward the outside rail with that broken leg.

of course, that was the last event in a tragic day for the world of thoroughbred racing, but the beginning was the sprint where two horses lay on the track for what seemed like forever. that image is still very vivid in my mind and i can't erase it.

is there a logical answer to this question of breakdowns? i am aware of the fact that there are many intangibles involved and it is a given that when you have 10 or 12 horse in a race weighing on the average of 1,000 pounds and going at great speed, the laws of physics are greatly accelerated.

under such circumstances, anything can and does happen, but in my opinion, it all starts with the horse before it even leaves it's stall to go to the starting gate.

some people want to get the last drop of blood out of these horses and a perfect example of that is a horse by the name of scooter roach who earned over $800,000 and last ran for a claiming tag of about $3,500 at ten years of age. an even better example is a blue grass winner with earnings greater than $700,000 who broke down in new york racing in a $5,000 claimer if my memory serves me well enough.

from what i heard, scooter roach has a much kinder fate thanks to people who really care about the "horse". god bless them and scooter roach.

in a letter i wrote to the blood horse years ago, i alluded to the misconception that the bottom feeders in racing are responsible for it's ills, but it all starts in the breeding shed.

several years ago, i read about a broodmare who had 16 or 17 foals and ten of them earned $200,000 collectively, which breaks down to $20,000 per horse.

of course, we all know what the draw was and that was a graded stake winner or two out of seventeen horses. that gives rise to the question of what happened to the ten who were not quite so successful. did the breeder keep them on his farm after their lack of success as racehorses? please answer that question yourself.

re: George Washington Filly Brings Back Memories

C J Stable — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 03:15:44 GMT

I really appreciated your article about George Washington. It was very sad that his death seemed to be just a footnote of the 2007 Breeders' Cup. I had the opportunity to take some fantastic pictures of him and admire his beauty before the horrible accident. One minute he was standing before me in the walking ring, and the next minute he was dead. He was the most beautiful horse at the 2007 Breeders' Cup races.

re: George Washington Filly Brings Back Memories

John T — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 01:38:55 GMT

Gorgeous George is the sire of only one foal,but she is already a

winner.It will be interesting to see what her date with destiny will be.

re: George Washington Filly Brings Back Memories

Dona — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 01:19:08 GMT

For those that want to see the race, go to the Maiden Watch site. Had a little problem getting the right race replay but finally figured out to click on the Crystal Management maiden stakes. She is gorgeous and runs just like her daddy. Here's hoping she has a long and lusterious career! Hope Maiden Watch keeps track of her so I will know what's going on but of course, if possible, I will add her to my Equibase stable. This is exactly why I appreciate the bloodhorse so much. Where else could we get all this information about something that is so near and dear to us all. We are truly lucky!

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Phil McSween — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 00:45:09 GMT

So glad to hear that Gorgeous George's daughter won her debut. Amazing.

And i'm so glad to be part of a fraternity of fans and animal lovers that appreciate what these beautiful athletes do...day in and day out, FOR US !

I too was at Monmouth during that monsoon of a week. During the Classic, i just happened to be sitting close to trainer Graham Motion. In 2005, Motion had a filly in the Breeders Cup named Funfair. She tragically broke down early in the race and the awful scene of a horse near the lead being shuffled back so suddenly was gut wrenching. That day, Motion also had his big horse Better Talk Now, the defending BC Turf champ, running in the event as well. After the Funfair tragedy, Mr. Motion was quoted as saying he wanted to leave the premises and not look back, but he still had to run his big horse later in the day. That statement touched my heart in a profound way.

As George lay stricken, i approached Mr. Motion and we both commiserated with HEAVY HEARTS. Yet, at that point, there was nothing we or anyone else could do to reverse Gorgeous George's plight.

The worst part of seeing a beautiful equine athlete go down is the helplessness of it all.

I don't fault the connections from giving GW one more shot at the races. But i do agree 1000 per cent with those that have questioned why he was on the dirt. He had NOTHING to gain by winning the Classic since his fertility was lacking. Winning the Classic would not have enhanced his already dubious breeding value by one iota. So, why in earth, was he in a race on a surface that he was hardly familiar with?

Still, GW was a tremendous specimen and a lovely athlete. He will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN in my heart.

Love ya GW !

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dms — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 00:33:06 GMT

Congratulations to Date With Destiny! She is her father's daughter. Here's wishing her a happy healthy career.

re: George Washington Filly Brings Back Memories

PMAC14 — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:40:03 GMT

Can anyone tell me where I can watch a replay!

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Catherine Owen — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:48:18 GMT

SHE WON!!! Date With Destiny won her first start this afternoon!!! Way to go pretty girl! She is gorgeous!

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TURF DR. — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:22:19 GMT

The fact the GW was a horse from over seas may have played into the lack of press. Although the REAL horse fans will never forget GW. And lets all hope that Date with Destiny does have her date.... Only time will tell.

re: George Washington Filly Brings Back Memories

Ragsy — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 17:50:12 GMT

I will forever add this horse to my prayers that success will follow her throughout her life..

Date With Destiny won her race its just super!!!