Invasor Remembered

re: Invasor Remembered

nicolas — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 04:21:22 GMT

from argentina.. GO INVASOR

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lengua92 — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:23:15 GMT

Hi Steve im from Uruguay and i have just read your article. I was there at the Granb Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez early this year, and i feel really identified with this. Invasor got me into racing, and i have now discovered a magnificent new world. Have you read his book, its available here in Uruguay, but i don't know if it is the same in the USA. I also have some amazing and inedit pictures of him as an unraced two year old. Thanks Invasor, thanks Steve Haskin!

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LDP — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 02:22:55 GMT

Greg my order would be slightly different, since Bernardini was the best out of all in my oppinion, and i am not being bias, i am a BIG curlin fan, but my order would be 1. Bernardini, 2/3. Curlin or invasor, i can't decide who'd get what, i think they're pretty even, 4. SS and 5. AGS. I truely believe that if Bernardini had not been moved so prematurly he would've been able to hold off invasor. I still can't believe they retired him, that is one of the worst things ever done in horse racing.

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Greg in Buena Vista — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:29:51 GMT

How quickly people forget! Before Invasor was retired in the middle of last year, I was beginning to think he was pretty close to a superhorse. In physical stature, Invasor would be dwarfed by Curlin, but I still believe that Invasor towers over Curlin, talent-wise. Imagine if Bernardini had kept racing as a 4-yo and they had all met on a fast, dry track in '07 BC Classic! I don't know if Curlin would have been top three in that race, which might have gone: 1. Invasor 2. Bernardini 3. Street Sense 4. Curlin 5. Any Given Saturday.

Anyway, "cheers" to a well-needed reminder of a sensational little horse!

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janet tolbert — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:02:17 GMT

Hi steve with everything that is going on with horseracing today With reading such a amazing story I am glad I got to read such a remarkable story.Its wonderful that there are people who still have stories of this magnatude to tell which shows there is still hope for the sport and people take time to write in depth stories for fans of horseracing that otherwise would not know about thanks alot.

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Steve Haskin — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 03:24:40 GMT

Thanks again for all your comments. I had the privilege of visiting Invasor during the Keeneland sales, and he's doing great. He lives in a palace and it's amazing comparing his stall and barn now to where he resided when he was in Uruguay. I went to his old barn there. Let's just say he's come a long way. It is a shame about Jara. He just lost focus and made a lot of mistakes in judgment. Just like that, Garcia stepped in to fill his shoes and is now as good a rider as you'll find.

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Bradgm — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:54:47 GMT

Steve, read your story on Invasor again, still just as good as it was originally. Any word on what happened to the two unmarried brothers? Fernando Jara apparently went home, too bad he lost direction, he was destined to be a great one, still young though not too late. I have to say that I was thrilled for Kiaran, what a nice guy, with amazing courage.

Also, nice story on Big Brown, that shows how much you love horses, like your other stories hadn't already proved that.

As for me I'm sticking to the old blogs, you didn't think you were cut out to be a blogger at one point. Let me say that you are heads above the new blog stable entry. Jason and I have had our differences but he like you is a writer and a lover of the industry and we all appreciate you guys so much.

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Brian Russell — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:51:43 GMT

I am pretty sure Jara is back in Panama.

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phutc7274 — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:49:35 GMT

This story is the best example of why we all stay with horse racing...stories like these are whispered over and over again...and we read them over and over again...knowing why we can never get the sport out of our hearts...VIVE EEN-VAAAA-SOOOORRRR!

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Ron Thompson — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:56:14 GMT

Steve, We have met a bunch of times at Barn 11 during Invasor's rein. I was glad to read the comments about how under appreciated and uncelebrated he was. When he was forced to retire after one of his typically effortless fast works, he was just at the beginning of people really seeing how amazing he was. I am still not sure why he never did get the acclaim. Maybe with all the furor around Big Brown, fans were looking for an alternative hero. Invasor got swallowed up with the enthusiasm around Street Sense/Hard Spun/Curlin and Rags. I was frustrated with how he would work in the am and folks were looking for Rags or someone else. But it was amazing to be around him. I would pet him or feed him a carrot and just think how privileged I was. But, my wife and I went down to see him and Jazil at Shadwell in Kentucky. He was doing great, had a full book that he covered (as did the clown, Jazil) and was obviously well cared for and was in a pasture opposite Jazil. Sheik Hamdan has limited the book to all his stallions (85 I believe) and doesn't send them overseas. It was great to see them as well as all the other great stallions and mares he has down there. So thanks Steve for bringing back all of these memories for me of a time when we were in the presense of greatness. It doesn't happen that often.

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barb — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:25:25 GMT

I too am a big fan of Invasor. He was one of those horses that I just fell in love with immediatly the first time I saw him and I never thought Bernardini could beat him in the classic. It was a great thing that his connections brought him back after the classic as so many go to the breeding shed way too soon. He was the best! also I'm wondering what happened to Fernando Jara? He came out to Ca. and then disappeared. If anyone can tell me what's up I would appreciate it. Thanks.

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Alex — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:38:46 GMT

Great story!

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SmartyCat — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:32:53 GMT

Thank you Steve for rekindling the majesty and greatness of Invasor. I also believe he was terribly under-rated and under-celebrated, perhaps because of his humble origins or misconceptions that greatness can surely not originate in places like Argentina and what in the world do Uruguayans know about bloodstock. I was smitten by Invasor the moment I first saw him run on American soil (albeit via television) and cried after reading your deeply moving commentary: "Invasor a Horse to Remember". Had he not suffered that career-ending injury, I truly believe he would have broken the great Cigar's earnings record. Like Ranagulzion, I hope he is given the opportunities he deserves in the breeding shed to pass his brilliance and class to his offspring. For those of us who may never have the chance to see true greatness in the flesh, thank you for bringing us closer to the character and personality of these gifted athletes with your inspiring and truly justified words. Long live the champion Invasor!

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Whatever — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:13:06 GMT

I wanted Invasor to make it to the next Breeders Cup because I was curious to see how he would have done against Street Sense, Hard Spun and Curlin, THAT would have been a very interesting race, considering the year before he beat who? Oh, now I remember the name, BERNARDINI, yeah another great racehorse that will go down in the history of horse racing as the Preakness winner who couldn't run in the Derby or the Belmont Stakes, NOW that is a great race horse, certainly shows his true diversity because his connections knew that a mile and a half would have cooked this horse, but hey, he won the Preakness so he must be great. Throw him in with the other great one, what was his name?? Oh, now I rememeber, Red Bullet.

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Joaking3 — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:04:59 GMT

I was attending the Pimlico Special in 2006 with friends. The program favorite was Zito's horse but I pointed out that at 6:1 Invasor had won the Uruguay Triple Crown and had a good finish in Dubai. His sire also impressed me because of Candy Ride. We all bet Invasor to win and I continued to bet him to win in all of his subsequent races. The ease with which he won the BC Classic was memorable. Invasor is one of the top 20 great ones and has not received the appreciation he deserves. I look forward to his sons and daughters.

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Karen2 — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:08:49 GMT

I know this is an article about Invasor and I don't want to take away from that but I didn't know where else to post this. Technology is a beautiful thing. I just watched Curlins work on the 13th and I had butterflys in my stomach and a tear in my eye. Wow, he looks AMAZING! His coat is shiny and he worked effortlessly. Thank goodness for You Tube! I LOVE IT!!!!! Poetry in motion!!!

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Tiznowbaby — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:20:59 GMT

Beautiful. Perfect.

Even when things are wrong in racing, or indeed the world, the horses are still pure and so is our love.

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syed ahmad — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:21:34 GMT

great story, how sad i was when i read on web about injury of invasor and his subsequent retirement. i reside in pakistan and i can see only the videos of such great horses

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txhorsefan — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:55:44 GMT

Thanks again for bringing to life another great story of a wonderful horse. I agree with you that Invasor does not get the recognition that he deserves. The thing that makes me sad is that he did not get to race more in the US because he had so much potential. I hope he is not overlooked as a stallion and I can't wait to see his first babies.

Thank you!

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Ranagulzion — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:48:15 GMT

Thanks Steve for a wonderful story about one of the truly great international champions of recent memory. Invasor is one of the most under-rated and under-celebrated horses of recent times. I believe that his quality and accomplishments still need to be put in proper perspective. It is hoped that he wont be underestimated in the breeding shed given that the sons and grandsons of Blushing Groom obviously carry extraordinary class in their genetic constitution e.g Arazi, Candy Stripes, Cherokee Run, Candy Ride, Congaree, Orientate, Leroidesanimaux and War Pass, to name a few. His performances in both the Breeder's Cup Classic and the Dubai World Cup were arguably more impressive than our current hero Curlin (no disrespect to the latter). Invasor would certainly make my top ten list of champions of the last forty years of Thoroughbred Racing.

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MIKE RELVA — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:43:03 GMT

HELLO STEVE:

YOUR WORK IS WONDERFUL! AS A HUGE FAN OF INVASOR NEVER HAD THE PLEASURE OF SEEING HIM UP CLOSE,BUT I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT BIG TIME RESPECT FOR EVERYTHING HE DID IN HIS CAREER. A TRULY REMARKABLE RACEHORSE.

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mg — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:39:08 GMT

A fine tribute to a very fine horse from a very fine writer. Thanks.

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Karen2 — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:02:36 GMT

I agree with Da3hoss. Thank you Steve, for everything you are and for everything you pour your heart into. This industry would be lost without you. You add an element to horse racing that goes beyond it just being a sport and your not afraid to show it. Thank you for your article today "Cup Countdown, no ordinary horse". I admire your tribute to BB. He truly deserves it. I was deeply saddened by his retirement due to injury and found myself reflecting on his races and his courage and his heart and to the attention he has brought to this sport this year. I was looking forward to his match up with the great Curlin but am thankful his injury is not life threatening. I guess its just one more reason to plan my trip to Three Chimneys. Thanks for the ride BB. In my heart, you go out a true champion!!!!!! Steve, you are my human hero!

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DONNA — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:59:55 GMT

GREAT STORY ABOUT A GREAT HORSE!!!

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da3hoss — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:58:51 GMT

In*VAH*sor...Steve*HAS*kin...two very good things that happened for racing.