The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

RossRPearce — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:49:57 GMT

Hi Steve, My name is Ross Pearce, and I'm a retired racehorse trainer that once worked for Buckland Farm. I would like to get my father, David Pearce, blacksmith for Seattle Slew, in the Horseshoer Hall of Fame at Churchill Downs. Would you be willing to help me? Thanks, Ross

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

Zues — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 06:52:05 GMT

I have the grandson of Seattle Slew and he has been the love of my life. He runs with his whole heart and has the same wild spirit. He likes applause because the louder it gets, the faster he goes, it's kind of funny. I wish they would make a movie about Slew, he deserves it. But until then I'm spending everyday of my life with the wind in my hair with wings on my back when my gelding starts to fly. =) Loved the article.

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

Holly — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 03:51:37 GMT

When I was a little girl my dad took me to Longacres racetrack (near Seattle) to see Seattle Slew. I bought a vinyl 45 record of a song about Seattle Slew. I still remember most the words but no longer have the record. I don't even know who did the recording. I can't find ANYTHING on the web about it which is so odd. Does anyone rememmber this song?

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

Jon — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 17:29:06 GMT

Thank's so much Steve for the great article on the best-ever thoroughbred, Seattle Slew!! I loved watching his races on TV and visiting him in Kentucky many times over the years after he retired. I flew from Virginia as often as I could to see him. The final visit was in September 2000 when he was recovering from his first surgery. I was so fortunate to see him being walked by the Taylor's. They allowed me to walk along with them and Slew and ask questions and talk about their great horse and all his races. I was actually meeting and talking with Mickey and Karen Taylor!! It was thrilling. I told them in my mind, Slew regained the lead in the Jockey Cup Gold Cup at the wire instead of one jump after. I couldn't see it any other way. Slew was immaculately groomed that day in 2000. His coat shined with good health and he was dark black and very racy looking as he pranced along. Karen watched his every move. I had never seen him look so good as he did that day. He was 26 and looked much younger..like he did when he was still racing. When it was time to leave and Slew was back in his stall, I stood briefly...and quietly...at one of his windows for one last look. He noticed me and walkked over. I knew I was not supposed to touch him, but I could not resist. I reached my finger through the bars of the window and touched his nose. We made eye contact and I talked (whispered) to him briefly and thanked him for everything he had accomplished and for "just existing." I told him how important he was to me and how I had followed his career and those of his sons and daughters. His races excited me and to see him thrilled me. I sort of had the feeling that I may not see him again after that visit, so I wanted to tell him just what he meant to me. He just had that special something that captured my attention and imagination from the moment I first saw him in the Champagne Stakes to his final race at Aqueduct. I loved his catch-me-if-you-can racing style. I still love watching his Flamingo Stakes victory on YouTube, to see how effortlessly he left the competition behind. He could easily have won by 20+ lengths had he not been put back in first gear in the final 1/8th. He could lay down those fast fractions one furlong after the other. And I love watching him trounce Affirmed in the Marlboro Cup, and seeing the pre-race coverage of the dancing he did in the post parade to the gate, lead by Forego. His life would make a compelling movie. I hope one gets made. But, if not, I have many many memories of him, and they are vivid. I revisit them all the time.

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

Zenyattasbiggestfan — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 03:50:06 GMT

Slew and Zenyatta are my heros.

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

steve aguirre — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 22:17:36 GMT

Seattle is a great inspiration for horse owners anywhere. I always thought what if i could have an offspring someday. I am a small time owner. Well now i have one and the more i read about the slew the more i can relate to my mare by the name of lady icon. Very little races for her age and i have three races behind me with three seconds and she is one healthy horse that actually looks like the slew and runs like him. Loves to come from the back. She is resting now and i may start her up again in the spring. Don't know why more wasn't done with her being a grandaughter of the Slew. I read about the Slew and then go out to the barn and spend alot of time with her. I think she is a replica of the Slew just a little taller and now i am proud to be part of the great Slew. I hope to find the right cross to bred her and try to keep the legacy going. Thanks for the inspiring story about the Slew

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

Joe Elario — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 02:30:26 GMT

The Slew will always be my favorite of all athletes , I met him as a four year old in Saratoga , I photographed him at Spendrift Farms in "79 .

I do have one of his shoes ( & Affirmed as well ) that I treasure .

He was a Great Racehorse & Sire , long live is story.

JM E

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

AJ from SC — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 21:52:54 GMT

I have always been a Slew lover and one of his sons is the foundation stallion at my farm. For all of Slew's independence and fight, he passes a certain gentleness to his offspring and down to theirs. My horses by other stallions are much more flighty than the ones by my son of Slew. Thank you so much for the insight this has given me.

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

Audrey Heiligman — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 05:17:12 GMT

seattle slew!!!

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

Dr Drunkinbum — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 15:51:38 GMT

Slew

Wolf House did burn down, but there is a stone home still there that he lived in while he was building Wolf House.

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

Slew — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 14:17:17 GMT

DR D: Wolf House; I thought it burned down. Had a great weekend, but no sleep or food on Saturday, so many races...so little time.

I recently read an HRTV blog where an analyst didn't want Zen to go to the BCC for fear she might lose. Geez...where's the sport gone? All I know is that I love Zen. Most of all, I loved Slew, and it never mattered whether he won or lost. He was so magnificent to watch, and he never gave up. Why on earth would Zen give up now? It's much too simplistic to just tally wins. In horse racing, "how you played the game" still counts...and Zen is a pro.

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

Antoinette Brocklebank — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 01:43:31 GMT

I will always have a special place in my heart for him, lots of happy memories and great stories about him and how I was lucky enough to make Slew's jockey silks and cap for his Triple Crown Win. What a great year 1977! What A Super Horse!

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

Dr Drunkinbum — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 03:46:44 GMT

No, I don't remember, but I did see Jack London's house in Glen Ellen, California. Big weeekend of racing but I was really looking forward to Rachel running also. Am most eager to see Twirling Candy, one of the most talented horses I've ever seen. His first race with the big boys, and he's favored. He will have a dynamic effect on The Classic. We could see a record setting time tomorrow if he likes the surface, then he'll be one of the top four favorites in The Classic despite never running on dirt. Expecting a big run from Blame to propel him to Classic favorite at 2-1. There are many other good races as well. There are about 12 on my list. My top 2yo Jaycito is running too, and now has Mike Smith as his jockey which works out good since he's a closer. Have a great weekend Slew.

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

Slew — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 19:50:05 GMT

Cute Dr. D...but...remember...the key word is crazy. Hey, do you remember "Adventures in Paradise" with Gardner McKay, (from J. Michener) or from the pen of Jack London, the series "Adventures of Captain David Grief"? That's the baby I want..2 masted, hundred foot schooner...heaven!..and Tahiti too. And the grandkids will still be force fed horse racing. oh well.

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

Dr Drunkinbum — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 16:53:19 GMT

Slew

I beg you, don't buy me a yacht.

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

Slew — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 13:37:23 GMT

Steve, I have to share a story with you. My oldest grandson is in the Marines, at boot camp. He wrote in late August, asking me for letters, and begging me not to talk about horses. Aha! Since training at Parris Island is intense, he doesn't have much time to respond to letters, so I have me a captive audience. With our age gap, there's little we actually have in common, and I have been stumped for a narrative. Your blog about Slew was so moving, I thought he should read it, so with every letter I send, I add 2 pages from the blog. Like it or not, he's learning about Slew and Secretariat. By the time he graduates in November, he'll know not only about his weird family growing up, but also about some stellar champions. Hopefully, something will sink into his subconscious, and he'll know not only was grandmom a little crazy, she was also a lot crazy about horses,...and he may even discover the why for himself.

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

Dr Drunkinbum — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 07:21:43 GMT

I would say that's a very good question. He should be in there in my opinion. He trained a Triple Crown winner. That alone should do it, but he accomplished a lot more than that, and had other very successful horses. He's a great trainer.

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

K2 — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:25:37 GMT

Why isn't Billy Turner in the Hall of Fame?

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

glenn — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 03:36:39 GMT

My memories of slew are forever.I took my brother (who passed away last year) to the florida derby to see him race and either the flamingo or fountain of youth.I have pictures of him wearing #5 from the florida derby in the paddock -post parade and entering the starting gate.It was so hard to take snap shots with a throw-away camera at that time with soo many fans .Now -a days tracks are empty except for the triple crown races.He was and will always be my favorite horse of all time.

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

Thinus Verdoes — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 18:42:08 GMT

At Saratoga a few years back I recognized Billy Turner who had a horse in the meet that day. Just going by his business not recognized by anyone. I made my way over to him and said, " You were Seattle Slews trainer weren't you? He replied: :" That is a long time ago. You have a good memory." I felt that I touched Slew that day. I did get Billy's autograph and I think he was flattered. I should call him Mr. Turner. His horse unfortunately ran last that day.

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

wash. horse lover — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 06:37:01 GMT

What a great horse. What excitement it would have been to be there watching him run. Doing what he knew no other horse could do better than him. With this movie coming out about Secretariat it is good to see that Seattle Slew is not forgotten. Thank you Mr. Taylor for sharing your story with us.

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

txhorsefan — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 14:18:28 GMT

Wow. I wanted to add my voice to the chorus of those thanking Mr. Taylor for joining our blog, for contributing more to our knowledge and love of his great horse. In my opinion it's an honor that he chose to speak up and acknowledge how much the great Seattle Slew meant to him and let us have a chance to thank him for the care he gave to our equine hero. Thank you once again, Steve, for your brilliance in bringing us these beautiful stories, and thank you Mr. Taylor for sharing with us.

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

My Juliet — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 02:37:40 GMT

Needler in Virginia, well said, and simply the best question Seattle Slew's owners could be asked.

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

My Juliet — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 02:03:18 GMT

Mr. Taylor, I loved reading @ how much you and Mrs. Taylor loved this great horse, like your own child. What a priviledge to see you on here.

re: The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

Zookeeper — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 01:47:48 GMT

Slew,

I'm floored! This week has been so exciting to me, I can't believe it. Great blogs, great plans and now Mickey Taylor's visit among us?

Big hugs to you and Karen, Mickey. You made our day!!!