Darby Dan Revisited

re: Darby Dan Revisited

Jim of G — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 20:31:48 GMT

Well I'm 70 and don't forget Native Dancer as the equal of any thoroughbred that ever raced or bred.

But there can be no greater achievement in the annuals of American racing than Secretariat's Triple Crown in record times.

Baeza once told me that His Majesty couldn't shine Graustark's shoes.(a funny idea, did he mean couldn't paint his hooves?).

I once had a Northern Flagship gelding out of a Cormorant mare and whenever he went to the back of his stall and threw himself down I'd think Ribot. I think Ribot means "sour" in French as years ago in a restuarant I saw lait ribot on the menu and a waiter brought me a sample and it was a fermented milk drink that i found exotically interesting.

re: Darby Dan Revisited

sceptre — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 20:36:56 GMT

Big_Red_4ever:

I'm also 66, hae faint memories of Swaps and Nashua, rooted for Tim Tam in '58, and became passionately interested by early '61. My initial favorite was Globemaster, later became very smitten with No Robbery and Tosmah, but it was Buckpasser and Graustark who captured me most-to this day. I too was in the clubhouse for Secretariat's Belmont (also attended his Derby). Yes, we all have our favorites (and opinions re-who was the best). Do you recall Forego's performance in the race leading up to Secretariat's Belmont? I think a more mature Forego could have given Secretariat all he wanted that day, and had Secretariat stayed in training at 4, who knows the outcome of a Secretariat-Forego rivalry. But for my money, Buckpasser and Graustark were the best I've witnessed, followed probably by Dubai Millennium.

re: Darby Dan Revisited

Old Old Cat — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 19:04:52 GMT

Steve, you, or someone else, should eventually write a book or anthology of your writings. I say print them off, read them and place them into piles of similar topics, then publish them, maybe with little comments, like Isaac Asimnov did with science fiction stories. But your vignettes don't even have to be compete stories. Your writing and photos are priceless.

re: Darby Dan Revisited

Big_Red_4ever — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:15:26 GMT

Sceptre, with all due respect, I'm 66 years old and have seen all the good ones starting in 1959-60. I've loved most of the top horses of each decade since. Kelso, Carry Back, Ridan, Northern Dancer, Buckpasser, Damascus, Dr. Fager, Graustark, Bowl of Flowers, Cicada, and so many others were my sports heros in my youth. Heck, I even remember Spanish Riddle. But there is NO question whatsoever who is the greatest horse ever to look through a bridle, in my lifetime at least. That is the incomparable Secretariat.

We all have our favorites. I've been lucky enough to have many through the years. My list is very long. But none come remotely close to Big Red. It's such a tragedy that Mr. Chenery didn't live to see his great colt's achievements, and that his death caused Secretariat to be hastily syndicated. The deadline to get him to stud instead of letting him race as a 4-yr-old put a sense of hurry to his 3-yr-old campaign, leading to a couple of decisions that weren't in Red's best interest. Racing him at Saratoga even though the colt was ill, for example. Yet Red overcame all of it and left a remarkable legacy.

One of the true highlights of my life is June 9, 1973, as I stood in the club house stands to witness Secretariat's Belmont. I don't think there was a horse ever born, or who ever will be born, who could have run with him that day.

re: Darby Dan Revisited

Between Friends — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 13:10:10 GMT

The racing world was so fortunate in the mid-1960s to be visited by Buckpasser and Graustark, and then Damascus and Dr. Fager a year later, four incredible horses who all gave the fans some great races and unforgettable memories. Can anyone who witnessed or read about the 1967 Suburban ever forget Buckpasser snatching a victory with his wait-until-the-last-few seconds finish? Makes you wonder what would have happened if Buckpasser and Graustark had run against each other.

I was lucky enough to visit Darby Dan Farm in 1968 and to get a photo of Graustark and see *Ribot while waiting for the other stallions to be brought in from turnout. I didn't hear any stories about *Ribot climbing trees that day but did read later about his reaction to a small peephole (he apparently stood up on his hind legs to take a close look at it) that had been placed in his stall so staff could keep an eye on him.

re: Darby Dan Revisited

sceptre — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 04:16:13 GMT

Few will read this, because there's now a new blog piece, but I feel compelled to add this:

Baeza may have stated that it was his belief that Graustark was superior to Buckpasser, but such an opinion isn't necessarily reality. Braulio once trained a colt I later owned, and confided that this colt had as much ability as Dr. Fager, Buckpasser and Graustark. As a matter of fact, I used his quote in a stallion ad...I think it's impossible to realistically compare Buckpasser and Graustark. For me, they were the two greatest I've ever witnessed, but their running styles and acomplishments were so different as to defy comparison. Buckpasser's racing temperament was such that he generally won by small margins, but it could be argued that he should have never been defeated. He also displayed great talent from sprint to marathon distances. Graustark was a free running phenomenon, but hinted at an ability to also excell at classic distances. I have the feeling that had either been completely sound, there would now be little debate as to who were the greatest racehorses in history.

re: Darby Dan Revisited

dfayad — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 02:50:11 GMT

Steve, ever since I met you at the museum in Saratoga, and you mentioned seeing Graustark as a 2 year-old at Arlington, your columns have been so enjoyable. And, because of my infatuation with Graustark and Buckpasser, this one really hits home. Thank you for a great story. Baeza does think Graustark was superior to Buckpasser, at least to confidants. It is a true shame we never saw them go at it. I don't think Buckpasser could have ever caught Graustark. I have tried so hard to find video of Graustark. Absolutely, no luck. It's too bad Conway did not get the horse. History probably would have been quite different.

re: Darby Dan Revisited

sysonby — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 02:07:31 GMT

SCEPTRE....I also heard the Swaps as sire rumor, both when i was on the backstretch in the early 70's and knew people with Darby Dan and when I often visited DD after moving to Lexington in 1974 when you could still drive in and see history....The grooms wouldn't deny it so it lived on....Another was that Ribot would try to climb a tree....Wonder if Steve H ever heard that one....I actually had a photo of Graustark biting a sign warning that HORSES MAY BITE....couldn't make it up if it weren't so....thanks for keeping the legend alive but the breeding stats mentioned may put it to rest

re: Darby Dan Revisited

sceptre — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 21:19:19 GMT

Big_Red_4ever:

Nice of you to remind us of Brookmead's Bowl Of Flowers; I remember her well. Darby Dan had her full-brother, Cup Race. He was exceptionally quick, and talented (thought he might become another Ahoy), but didn't race long enough to make a name for himself...And, re-that female line; the great King Ranch Champion, Gallant Bloom, was out of a 1/2-sister to Bowl Of Flowers.

re: Darby Dan Revisited

Big_Red_4ever — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 20:43:03 GMT

While we're on the subject of Flower Bowl's sons, let's not forget her magnificent daughter, Bowl of Flowers, champion 2-yr-old filly, 1960, champion again at 3, and a member of the Hall of Fame. She's the dam of Whiskey Road, who sired international champion Strawberry Road. Bowl of Flowers was one of the first racehorses I fell in love with, and still love her today. She had a wide forehead with long, floppy, wide-apart ears, and her stable nickname was "Mommy." She wasn't a big filly, standing only 15.3 hands, but she was an amazing racehorse. By the way, this is the female family of Your Host, sire of the great Kelso. Your Host's sister, Your Hostess, produced Gay Hostess, dam of Majestic Prince.

re: Darby Dan Revisited

Ted from LA — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 20:05:07 GMT

Steve,

I will compile all your articles and make a book. You will receive 8%, Ted from LA 46% and Bob from Boston 46%. I think this will be a great deal for all three of us.

re: Darby Dan Revisited

sceptre — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 18:03:48 GMT

Been trying to jog my memory for other Darby Dan related stories. I can recall their very bad run of luck in the mid-late 70s. In 1975 Darby Dan had two quite talented 3 yr. old colts, a top talent, Prince Thou Art (Hail To Reason-Primonetta), and the very good Sylvan Place, a son of Graustark. By the fall of their 3 yr.old year both, within weeks apart, broke down and died during morning works at Belmont. Price Thou Art was a particular favorite of mine, and I have (somewhere) a roll of super 8 movie film of him scampering the field as a weanling. He was an elegant, leggy real beauty (as a racehorse), and who knows what he may have accomplished as a stallion. A few years later their Champion 3 yr. old Graustark filly, Tempest Queen, died at 4. It was quite a blow, as she was among Graustark's greatest fillies-and Graustark did become one of the best broodmare sires of the latter part of the last century.

re: Darby Dan Revisited

Footlick — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 05:48:40 GMT

I am glad sceptre confirmed the story I heard about Ribot's temperament being acquired. I remember a story where some Italians came to see hoe Ribot was doing and they asked what Darby Dan had done to him, because he never acted like that before. Interesting.

re: Darby Dan Revisited

captainsmistress — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 04:43:06 GMT

Thank You, Steve! You give me goosebumps, reading about all this history, the people, the horses, the memories!

re: Darby Dan Revisited

Moodygirl — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 04:24:37 GMT

I have spent the last 7 days on my farm with no electricity here due to the severe storms. I dug back into my TB history books. I savor the stories of the trainers & horses from the late 1800's and early 1900's and later. I also read your "Tales of the Triple Crown" for the first time and loved it too.

I am completely fascinated reading about the old great horses, their quirks, victories, losses and the sometimes oddball humans around them.

I laughed again at the story of the great breeder and trainer John E. Madden whipping up on trainer Sam Hildreth who attacked Madden with a heavy stick one night at dinner. Madden was a former boxing champion & great athlete. Hildreth was angry because William Collins Whitney replaced Hildreth with Madden as a trainer. Hildreth got drunk and made a poor decision to challenge Madden. Later they continued to do business together. These are priceless stories.

I love to see how the bloodlines carry particular characteristics on to their descendants. It is so much more enlightening to hear a story illustrating this with a particular horse than to read a generalized statement like "he passed on stamina or a fiery temperament."

I didn't know specifics about Ribot's antics. I do remember reading of a stallion who had to be put out first and with no other horses and could not stand the site of cattle in a field, so they moved the cattle. Was that Ribot?

It reminded me of the evil tempered Hastings (this acquired from his dam named Cinderella, of all things). The stable boys had to carry clubs to protect themselves.

This passed on to his son Fair Play and how it then was described as the spirit or the fire in the Fairy Play line, he being the sire of Man o' War and certainly had great influence through them.

I read about a MOW's full sister Masda who was speedy but a "problem filly" who once had to be scratched from a race because she refused to be saddled. One time she also whirled around when the starting gate sprung open but won anyway. Unless someone writes these stories down they are lost forever. These are the most fascinating to me, the real stories of the champions, not just their race records or race times. So PLEASE keep writing everything you remember and sharing your photos.

I hope it will all be available in book form one day to further the history of the breed and the real people involved with them. There is always an unusual set of circumstances & characters behind each one.

P.S. the friendship between His Majesty & Good Counsel reminded me of your chapter on the Belmont Winners Arts and Letters and Stage Door Johnny. They raced against one another but became life long friends at the stud farm, racing each other just as you described here & then hanging out under the shade tree together when old. Horses are such remarkable creatures!

re: Darby Dan Revisited

Cris — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 03:53:13 GMT

When I was a child my Dad took me to Darby Dan the same day he took me to Stallion Station. The only horses I ever saw that had taller fences than the other stallions were Carry Back, who was no bigger than a pony and very mean, and Ribot who was a very impressive horse. He was grand and moved like a dream. I wanted a Ribot son or daughter and when I purchased my mare I went looking for a grandson and went to Go For Gin because his grandsire was His Majesty. It broke my heart to read how he died.

This past winter I drove to Three Chimney's to breed my mare to Point Given and remembered when my Dad took me to see Ribot. Since my mare stayed in what was a part of Darby Dan years ago.

God, if those roads could talk! The horses that have looked over those wonderful old paddocks and barns. The decades of planning. The horse that reaches its promise and the one that breaks you heart because he comes so close.

I was too little to know how much Ribot meant to Italy and how great a horse he was. When I go out to groom my colt I tell him about all of his family. He likes to listen to the sound of my voice thank goodness. I pray he finds his life to be long and happy. Maybe one day he will be a important link to all the historic lines he is a part of.

A good book to read for those who are interested is a book called Great Horses Of Our Time. It covers several different horses. I have read it many times and like an old friend will read it again soon.

re: Darby Dan Revisited

Bill Two — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 03:30:32 GMT

Some of the great horses of all time, like Ribot, were real head cases and didn't tolerate fools. From what I've heard, Nasrullah's get were pretty high strung. In harness racing the great Nevele Pride had to be approached with great care, particularly when he was at stud. I recall a photo of him being led to the breeding shed by two men holding long poles on either side attached to his bridle. Man o' War's sire, Fair Play, had a fiery reputation as did his sire, Hastings, who according to a source I cannot remember stated he was "dangerous". I guess that's part of what made them the great competitors they were.

re: Darby Dan Revisited

Fortune Pending — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 02:06:33 GMT

Wonderful wonderful stories. You never fail to bring those times alive again. I used to make the rounds of the farms every summer (would squeeze them into a two day trip) in the 70s, photographing all the babies I could... Never missed Darby Dan, Claiborne, Spendthrift, Greentree, and the Keeneland library. There was no need to go anywhere else, those were "THE" farms... Floyd's stories of Ribot never got old. I sure wish I had been able to see him in person.

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kelso fan — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 00:53:23 GMT

ALways love reading your columns, Steve, especially about the horses of yesteryear. And your photos are terrific - so glad you have been including them. My only source of racing news at the time was the local newspaper but being across the river from Aiken, SC at least there was news printed!

re: Darby Dan Revisited

Davids — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 23:55:05 GMT

Thanks Steve, for sharing your life experiences and the treasured images. They bring back halcyon days when racing was more a pleasurable sport, with time to contemplate achievement, than the present era where there appears to be a desire to denigrate rather than praise.

Ribot, Roberto, and Dardy Dan Farm folklore from the glory days of racing.

re: Darby Dan Revisited

Steve Haskin — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 22:58:09 GMT

Future Days, that is quite a comment. I'm flattered and I thank you. And thank you everyone for your comments. Glad you enjoyed the trip back in time.

Bob, you know your Ribot. There was also a rumor that Ribot was the sire of Damascus, not Sword Dancer, who also stood at Darby Dan. I have so many funny stories about Ribot, including one that involved the Japanese visiting the farm. No space here to tell them. I have Champions and Ribot. Both wonderful books.

Marlaine, how is our dear Louisa these days?

re: Darby Dan Revisited

Affirmedfan5 — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 22:52:19 GMT

Hey Steve,

I am so glad you wrote about Darby Dan. When I was 12 my parents brought me to the farms in Kentucky to see the racehorses from Columbus, Ohio. Our first stop was Darby Dan. To this day I feel so lucky to have seen Graustark, His Majesty, Good Council and Roberto. The old training barn in Columbus is now part of one of the metro parks. I went to see it a couple years ago, and just thought about all the great horses that had been through that barn. Loved the pictures much better then the pictures I took when I was 12 back in 1975.

re: Darby Dan Revisited

Scott's Cause — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 22:45:21 GMT

Got the hardback book "Champions" a while back and set it on the shelf. Got it out yesterday and started giving it a quick look. I think I would do faily well in60-70-80 horse trivia and pedigrees. Dr. Fager favored in every race except his first. 22--18-2-1. Damascus favored except 2...32--21-7-3. Buckpasser favored in all except first 31--25-4-1. and the list goes on and on. Holy crap! There were some real race horses back in the day....

re: Darby Dan Revisited

Mike Relva — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 22:25:34 GMT

STEVE

What respect I have for your impressive knowledge on racing, the class you show, unlike a former blog host is just as impressive.

re: Darby Dan Revisited

sceptre — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 22:23:37 GMT

Yes, Ribot was a terror during his time at Darby Dan. The famed equine photographer, Tony Leonard, once told me that he spent the most frightening afternoon of his life while shooting Ribot in his paddock. But, I can recall Mr. Gentry telling me that Ribot became that way only after being exported to his new surroundings at Darby Dan. As many know, Ribot arrived at Darby Dan under a 5 year lease, but remained at Darby Dan for the remainder of his life because (due to his acquired temperament) no insurance company would later write a policy for his return. There was also speculation that Ribot developed a brain tumor...Graustark was an extremely atypical Ribot, both in physique and brilliance. Due to this, it was rumored (at the time) that Graustark was sired by Swaps, and not Ribot. Mr. Gentry swore to me that Graustark was indeed the son of Ribot, and this is supported by the fact that Graustark was bred to many Swaps' daughters. Graustark's full-brother, His Majesty, bore a rather close resemblance to Ribot, but the fine racehorse and exceptional stallion, Ragusa, may have resembled his sire most. For those interested in Ribot, I'd recommend John Aiscan's book "Ribot".