Farewell to Skip Away

re: Farewell to Skip Away

loveskippaway and his son skippy — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:52:24 GMT

hello my name is kristen i have skipaways son looks the same as skipaway i named him skippy in honor of skipaway he is four years old i am not SELLING HIM TO YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!reast in peace skipaway i told your son he misses you dearly i love u skipaway by the way i am 11 and the person that lets me keep him works at churchill downs love u leslie<3

re: Farewell to Skip Away

Steve Haskin — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:09:06 GMT

Prepster, e-mail it to me at sehaskin@aol.com

re: Farewell to Skip Away

Prepster — Wed, 26 May 2010 17:49:39 GMT

Hi Steve . . .is there a way to send you a Skip Away story (I own one of his sons, hence the display name) that would be a little longer than something to post on here? Thanks!

re: Farewell to Skip Away

Mike — Tue, 25 May 2010 17:42:57 GMT

I saw "Skippy" live and in person win the Blue Grass Stakes and the Breeders' Cup Classic!. Both perfomances are forever ingrained in my memory. I got to see Skip at Hopewell early this spring, he was such a kind animal with a heart of a lion.

Farewell Skippy..

re: Farewell to Skip Away

Steve Haskin — Tue, 25 May 2010 15:23:49 GMT

Hi Pete, it's been a long time. I haven't seen you since you were working for Kenny McPeek. What have you been up to?

Thanks for writing. You were the backbone of Sonny's stable and you sure taught me a lot in the short time I worked there, especially about hotwalking.

I'm sure you miss those days in the '80s and '90s. How can anyone forget the steady stream of people coming to the barn for bagels and donuts that Carolyn would bring.

I guess Skippy's passing was the end of an era. We'll never see one quite like him again.

Please keep in touch and I hope you're doing well.

re: Farewell to Skip Away

1 week — Tue, 25 May 2010 15:06:14 GMT

thanks steve i miss both sonny and skippy, after working with them both i truly miss them.racing has never been the same. pete [ sonny's assistant for twenty- two years]

re: Farewell to Skip Away

racingheart — Tue, 25 May 2010 03:38:57 GMT

Thank you all so much for you heart felt sympathy. It is something that one never stops feeling, the loss of a child. & I am sure that Carolyn is feeling a very deep loss now. Sonny, Carolyn & Skippy always seemed like such a happy family & it touched me so to see the pride & joy that Sonny & Carolyn shared over Skip. Yes, Skip was truly a gift but he too was blessed with a grand set of "parents"!!

Carolyn, I know that there is emptiness now, but I pray that the outpouring of love from everyone who has responded to this blog will ease the loneliness in your heart for you are NOT alone in your grief, dear lady.

re: Farewell to Skip Away

johnny d — Tue, 25 May 2010 02:28:12 GMT

Well done Steve as always. I saw him at hollywood park as he came through the paddock to the track and i had to take a step back, he was the most huge, imposing horse i've EVER seen and the guy was bouncing on his toes all the way to the winners circle. Scary, freaky good animal.

re: Farewell to Skip Away

alybar — Mon, 24 May 2010 22:57:26 GMT

Once again you pulled at the heartstrings. ^You are the best at writing about horses and kwoing how to touch our hearts.

When I first read about Skippy's death, my heart immediately went out to Carolyn knowing how much she loved this horse. As I never had children, my animals mean everything to me, My deepest heartfelt sympathy is extended to Carolyn Hines.

re: Farewell to Skip Away

Kim R — Mon, 24 May 2010 20:57:09 GMT

Beautiful!

re: Farewell to Skip Away

Suzie in Highland — Mon, 24 May 2010 18:34:54 GMT

Aw, Steve ... how beautifully you told Skippy's story. I saw him at Churchill in the BC Classic; even though I was disappointed that he didn't win, it was such a thrill to see him "in person." The thunderous applause and cheers of "Go, Skippy!" that swept through the grandstands as he pranced past us during the post parade gave me goosebumps. He was one in a million!

re: Farewell to Skip Away

Linda in Texas — Mon, 24 May 2010 15:25:44 GMT

Kimberly --

What a lovely remembrance you present of such a majestic specimen of a true thoroughbred horse. You will have that visit in your own memory bank for the rest of your life. Thanks for sharing your visit with us.

Skip Away knew he was special and showed you that he appreciated that fact by his actions. You were there for such a short time, so you can see the impact that he had on Mr. and Mrs. Hine. He clearly communicated with humans through his actions, antics and movements.

And those who cared about Skip Away heard every word he said.

A very nice story indeed. Thanks for telling us about your visit to Hopewell Farm.

re: Farewell to Skip Away

Skippy's Biggest Fan — Mon, 24 May 2010 14:51:20 GMT

Of course I always considered myself Skip Away's biggest fan. But I'm sure many of the rest here did as well. He will forever be my most favorite race horse. I have the race call from his Breeders Cup memorized. He was the most perfect race horse. He was truly campaigned like a race horse, unlike so many these days... He was strong when racing was turning weak, he was healthy when all the other three and four year olds were defecting and then there were his owners. A little eccentric but so in love with the horse. I followed Skippy's every move and had disks full of pictures of him. One of my biggest goals in life was to make it back to Kentucky to meet him... Sadly that day hadn't come yet and now it's too late... Rest In Peace Skippy. Live on in our hearts.

re: Farewell to Skip Away

Cris — Mon, 24 May 2010 11:40:36 GMT

Goldstruck, I think I read a story in the Baltimore Sun about the Hines going to Denny's for dinner after winning a big stakes race at Pimlico. A sports writer followed them there, wanting to see if they're homespun story was changing with Skippy's long winning streak. After a country fried steak dinner with the Hines he got his answer.

I just saw Mrs. Hines in the winners circle with a horse she co-owned and thought to myself how alone she looked without Sonny. She was surrounded by others at the winners circle, but she looked strange there without Sonny. It was a couple of days later I read your notice of Skippy's death. What a loss. Life goes on, but it must be so hard for her.

re: Farewell to Skip Away

Buddy Hogan — Mon, 24 May 2010 04:58:25 GMT

Gen.Duke I believe you Dr. Fager and Skip Away are the three fastest race horses I ever seen. In 1957 the Duke would have won the Derby for Calumet and when he went out at Keeneland that left Iron Leigh. Then came the good Dr. and then Skip Away.

re: Farewell to Skip Away

Kimberly — Mon, 24 May 2010 03:38:56 GMT

What a nice write.

Last April my husband took me on a dream trip (for me) as a 40th b-day present to KY for a week of Keeneland and Churchill Downs leading up to the Derby. While we had an incredible time with a lot of LUCKY twists and turns that allowed us to meet Carl Nafzger/Calvin Borel/Mine that Bird as he arrived at Churchill/Rachel as she worked/General Quaters and his Owner/Trainer...the list goes on. However, the most intimate and wonderful day was when i located my favorite horse at Hopewell and they said-come on over! No frills/tours, etc. We drove right through the property, alone, and actually went into Skippy's barn unattended for about 15 minutes (I was terrified to touch anything)and watched him in his stall. Eventually the man in charge of Skip came by (He likely held 40 titles as opposed to other more commercial farms we visited that had at least 5-6 folks per horse)and just TOOK him out for me, personally. i was allowed to pet him, feed him the most coveted peppermints, and walk him around like a pet. I cried like a baby and was a bit timid for the first time around horses in my life! I've often thought back and wondered if I could've just hoppped onto him, but of course, probably not-wish i tried though!It was the most special moment of my trip as Skip had always been my favorite horse. I couldn't believe my good fortune, but, having read this, I can see why he was at that farm. It was loving and personable, just like Carolyn and Sonny.

I am so grateful to have had the experience knowing he's gone and relatively young. I have great pictures of him just staring into the vast green distance and my husband and i remarked how happy and seemingly pleased he seemed when surveying his LAND so to speak.

I'd love to share the pictures, they are remarkable and he looked really good. Still huge in person but so kind.

Thanks Steve, and yes, I cried too!

re: Farewell to Skip Away

Hole In The Wall Newsletter — Sun, 23 May 2010 23:38:56 GMT

Great Article once again Steve. He was indeed a Super Horse as he was only Eclipse Champion ever to Win at The Big T in The Ohio Derby! All of the other Champions have been embarrassed as the heavy favorites here time after time at The Graveyard of Favorites as it is called. He truly was a special horse. Thanks Again Steve for your Great Article.

re: Farewell to Skip Away

Kathleen — Sun, 23 May 2010 22:39:46 GMT

I met both Sonny and Carolyn one afternoon at Monmouth Park. I was a complete stranger to them both, but they treated my husband and I so warmly, and were so proud and happy to talk about their beloved Skippy. As for Skippy, I was fortunate to see him in person several times. I like to think of him as a true warrior horse. May he rest in peace.

re: Farewell to Skip Away

Brother — Sun, 23 May 2010 21:30:43 GMT

What a great article! Steve you captured the love Sonny always showed for his wonderful wife, Carolyn and his great management and training ability.

re: Farewell to Skip Away

LastingOne — Sun, 23 May 2010 20:36:05 GMT

This is why horse racing can be so great. Skip Away is one of my favorites of all time and I am heavy with grief in regards to his passing. The Hines' love for Skippy was infectious and it showed with every stride he took. This is a terrible loss for the racing world.

re: Farewell to Skip Away

Steve Haskin — Sun, 23 May 2010 20:20:15 GMT

Once again, thank you everyone for all your comments. Native Dancer, that was beautifully stated.

Racingheart, I'm sure youre story will bring tears of joy to Carolyn. Thank you so much for sharing that and showing just what a profound effect a racehorse can have on a person's life. I'm so sorry for the tragedy you suffered.

re: Farewell to Skip Away

Jim P. — Sun, 23 May 2010 19:11:45 GMT

Priceless.

re: Farewell to Skip Away

Paula Higgins — Sun, 23 May 2010 17:46:05 GMT

racingheart, I am so sorry for the loss of your son. I am glad that Skippy helped you during that very sad time. It is amazing how animals can bring joy back into someone's life. I thank GOD for them everyday.

re: Farewell to Skip Away

Native Dancer — Sun, 23 May 2010 17:24:42 GMT

Mr. Haskin thanks to you and your work everyone is and will forever be able to understand why horses and men have cherished an eternal and magical partnership. From being the engines of history to nurturing hopes and happiness in modern days the horse is organically present in our dreams and hearts. The massive response to this blog attests this communion.

Mrs.Hine with my sympathy I just want to remind that your beloved husband and your unforgettable Skippy are now immortals... They will certainly live forever in our minds and hearts.

re: Farewell to Skip Away

Christine — Sun, 23 May 2010 15:54:31 GMT

I recently debated someone who claimed Skip Away was not deserving of HOY. I hope that person read this article. Skip Away was a throwback horse...versatile, durable, fast and powerful. A true racehorse. Wonderful article Steve, and my prayers go out to Carolyn.