Mountain High, River Deep - By Nick Ben-Meir

re: Mountain High, River Deep - By Nick Ben-Meir

Kim Heath — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:48:36 GMT

would like to talk to you about printing this story in a horse rescue magazine. It eloquently expresses the sentiments of, not just Thoroughbred ownership, but all horses. Well done!

re: Mountain High, River Deep - By Nick Ben-Meir

sophiekea — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:59:20 GMT

I remember handicapping the Virginia Derby and saying Sailor's Cap would win and he did, and when I saw him running again at Belmont recently I was cheering for him again.

When I heard the news of his death I was so sad for his connections. My heart goes out to any owner, trainer, rider, etc who has to go through this. Nick certainly says it all in this article. He coudnt have written a better one. Although it brought me to tears thank you Nick,for letting everyone know your feelings on this matter. People with your heart deserve horses like Sailor's Cap.

re: Mountain High, River Deep - By Nick Ben-Meir

luv the boy — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 23:03:51 GMT

great story, Nick. there is a website called group barba candles, and you can light a candle as you were talking to a horse you love. I rembember clicking onto barba, which is Barbaro, and lighting a candle and telling a horse named Sailors Cap had come to the Rainbow Bridge and he would be confused and to help him. there are 7 horses on this site and a Horse site and it feels better to light a candle and "talk" to them. I don't light a candle for all horses that pass, just wanted to for this pony named Sailors Cap. finally got through your column through the tears. thanks for writing.

Nola

re: Mountain High, River Deep - By Nick Ben-Meir

d zak — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:37:11 GMT

Thank you, Nick,what a great tribute to Sailor; he certainly earned it! Just for the record, that fantastic horse willingly ran the race of his life with so much determination and desire! Unfortunately this lead to severe depletion of his immune system. This, in turn, allowed clostridial colitis to attack and rapidly overtake him.

I spent his final moments with him, ensuring his eternal passage to sea was as comfortable and peaceful as possible.

How beautiful it is to see that he still has so many fans! Sail on.

re: Mountain High, River Deep - By Nick Ben-Meir

lulu — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:39:02 GMT

I lost my daughter's horse to Colitis X and it was devastating. He was a member of our family and we would have done anything to save him. We took him to the best equine clinic in our area, 3 hours away, and I would drive there each day after I dropped my kids off at school and just stay with him. The vets did all they could, but like Sailor, he died of cardiac arrest. We brought him home and buried him in our yard on our farm. My husband, who doesn't really care for my animals, was in tears. My daughter, who was 8, got down in the hole we had made for his body, and would not let him go. It was so sad. It made it even more difficult that no one knows why they get Colitis X and we struggled for answers. I feel for you all, and for Sailor. I remember when he won last year in a driving rain and I thought about the courage and heart he must have. Even though I thought Kippy would win, I was just as happy for Sailor, coming back from the layoff. My heart breaks for all of you, but mostly those who were with him everyday.

re: Mountain High, River Deep - By Nick Ben-Meir

Runfast159 — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 04:26:13 GMT

My heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your beautiful boy. Our horses seem so strong and invincible at times, and their untimely loss is always a shock.

I like to believe they race on, waiting to thrill us again someday with their beauty, grace and heart.

re: Mountain High, River Deep - By Nick Ben-Meir

trooper — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:39:00 GMT

I was so sorry to hear of this horse's death. I was there at Colonial Downs last year when he won in a driving downpour. What a classy horse and classy connections.

I will never forget the impromptu interview held in the Grandstand by a rain- soaked owner surrounded by the media. I listened in and was so impressed with the owner's words about the horse and the jockey who rode him so well.

I was so excited when he won the Poker, sure that he was on his way to a banner year. The news of his death just days later was devastating.

As a breeder I know how glorious and how painful our partnerships with horses can be. Thank you for being caring owners and I hope that you will soon return to the happier side of racing.

re: Mountain High, River Deep - By Nick Ben-Meir

Anand — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:04:22 GMT

Great letter Nick! I'm an owner of Sailor's Cap with you! I remember always the great time I had with you and the others at Colonial, it was simply magicial!!! He was a great horse that meant a lot to us, and those around us! I knew when Barry called that morning, it was bad, 'cause he never calls us that early! Sailor meant a lot, not just to the owners, but to our many friends (who weren't involved in racing, but followed him nonetheless)! I can't even name the countless others, who came to the races, and bet him, and watch him grace our presence. On a small scale, and hopefully bigger, he truly embodied Thoroughbred racing and improved it!! It was a tough loss, and more so, cause he was such a nice horse. He never missed the camera, and always loved attention! Of all the horses I own, I always brought everyone to see Sailor, he was so friendly, gracious, and frankly LOVED to be in front of the camera!!! I too, with you, have a couple of great 2 y/o in the barn, but I will NEVER forget the LOVE and EXCITEMENT my little baby boy provided us!!!!!! 'Sail on, Sail on, Sailor's....'

re: Mountain High, River Deep - By Nick Ben-Meir

da3hoss — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:11:28 GMT

I hope the insidious enemy of Colitis-X is studied more..I know in working K9's there is a similar predisposition to ulcerative colitis, stress is a big factor in a working dog...

re: Mountain High, River Deep - By Nick Ben-Meir

lory — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:14:59 GMT

i lost my only two year old this spring we had worked with her from birth,thought she was best we had ever raised.fine in the morning dead that afternoon from an encapsulated infection.there are many that fall in training and racing and a lot die even before they leave the farm. i have watched cattle survive bloat and terrific injuries that would fell a horse very quickly. horses are fragile no matter the breed. it is very hard to lose them as you spend so much time with them and can't help but to become attached.

re: Mountain High, River Deep - By Nick Ben-Meir

Junie Wise,Rocky Road Farm — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:59:54 GMT

To me as I get older these stories are more & more painfull for me!!!!...I know it is in the back of your mind when you see a "Bad Step",or a spill.....but it is even harder when it happenss like this one did!!!!

re: Mountain High, River Deep - By Nick Ben-Meir

the_wiz — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:32:12 GMT

It's gut wrenching to hear of such a tragedy. I can only imagine how you feel. I've never been an owner of a racehorse so the closest I can come to this is when my beloved hunting dog was struck and killed by a car. She ran out into the road chasing a duck she had just spooked up in our yard. I didn't breed her but raised and trained her from a very young pup and still get that ache in my heart whenever I think of her. My most sincere condolances.

re: Mountain High, River Deep - By Nick Ben-Meir

tana rae — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:09:32 GMT

I handicapped the Colonial Downs Turf Cup Stakes of June 21, 08 when Sailor's Cap won in pounding rain against tough competition (Adriano, Court Vision). My notes said that he loved soft, wet grass. Because I had remembered him from that race, I was so happy to hear of his latest victory. Then, upon learning the sad news of his untimely death, I unintentionally stumbled across those year-old notes from his Colonial Turf Cup victory. How weird, I thought. I usually throw that stuff away right after the race has run. Well, that piece of paper - with a star by his name indicating he'd won - now has a permanent place in my often used horse-racing file. My deepest sympathy to all who knew and loved "Sailor"...and thank you, Mr. Ben-Meir, for your story.

re: Mountain High, River Deep - By Nick Ben-Meir

Soldier Course — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:26:12 GMT

I have a photo of Sailor's Cap as my desktop background. It has been in place since I heard what happened. I am very sorry. I have been trying to learn something about Colitis X.

I was at the 2008 Kentucky Derby when Eight Belles died. In a flash that spectacular day turned into a nightmare for my friend and me. My friend had not been to the Derby before. It never occurred to me to prepare her ahead of time for the possibility of such a tragedy.

I have a videotape of the 2008 NBC Derby program. There is a moment after the race where you can see Steve Asmussen walking with Larry Jones and Mrs. Jones back toward the barn area. Everyone is smiling and so happy. This footage is about 8 seconds before they find out about Eight Belles. So very sad.

re: Mountain High, River Deep - By Nick Ben-Meir

nina — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:16:44 GMT

G-dspeed Sailor!

re: Mountain High, River Deep - By Nick Ben-Meir

Smarie — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:04:28 GMT

My sympathies go to all those connected with Sailor's Cap. I hate to hear of things like this. I do want to say that Mr. Ben-Mier's statement about Thoroughbreds for the most part being the most beloved and pampered animals on the planet is mostly true - especially when they are under the care of compassionate people.

re: Mountain High, River Deep - By Nick Ben-Meir

patti d — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:09:02 GMT

what a beautiful tribute to such a beautiful horse. i am heartbroken for you.

re: Mountain High, River Deep - By Nick Ben-Meir

cah — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:44:14 GMT

My thoughts are with you guys...I always cry at stories such as these. As a breeder myself, you cannot help but get attached to these magnificent animals. For me, so far, the low has been the 'red bag' baby who fought for nine days only to succumb to an infection in several joints, to the high, the dystocia baby who pulled through after six weeks. Today, she looks every inch the race filly I had hoped for. If I am lucky she will fulfill some racing dreams and continue writing chapters to go along with her name - 'Book of Miracles'. All the best for your future endeavors!!