Mandy and the Greats Part 2

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

Alex'sBigFan — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 02:26:31 GMT

I cannot help revisiting this for the umpteenth time!!!! Mandy and the Greats is a big hit.

I can just hear His Majesty in the photo that looks like it came right out of a fairy tale:

"Well, hello there my little princess Mandy and how are you today?"

"Good afternoon Your Majesty."

"Tell me how is your journey through the land of thoroughbreds?"

"Oh it's such fun Your Majesty. Oh it's tons of fun, I saw so many great horses. Oh Your Majesty they told me such wonderful stories!"

"That's good my little one. You have fun and I'll give you a ride later. Remember one day you will be the Haskin Queen."

"Ok, bye Your Majesty, see you later."

Agnes,

Just go to Zenyatta's website and they post updates all the time and all the news, photos, videos of Zen and 12Z. There is a recent video of the Mosses October visit

with a pregnant Zenyatta still pawing at the ground. You can really see the love Ann Moss has for that horse in her eyes. It's a wonderful thing.

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

Louisville Native — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 22:55:48 GMT

Any pics with Spectacular Bid ?

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

Lise from Maine — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 18:28:21 GMT

Hi!

For clarification purposes, Scarborough Downs outside of

Portland, Maine is a harness racing track.

I prefer thoroughbred horse racing instead.

Thank you!

Lise from Maine

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

Lise from Maine — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 18:24:44 GMT

Hi!

Oh no! That is disgusting that Ferdinand went to the slaughter house.

Wasn't "I'll Have Another" sold to someone in Japan this year?

Oh my! I hope that his fate is not the same as Ferdinand when he is done with stud work.

Thank you!

P.S. Had fun at Suffolks Down on October 13, 2012 and received a "grand tour" by one of the managers. He learned that I arrived from Maine and was very accomodating. He even allowed me into the "members" only dining room. Wow! What treatment! I will never forget it.

Lise from Maine

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

lorraine — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 17:57:07 GMT

What great pictures, thanks so much for sharing. I read all the comments and found a lot of people "jealous" fortunately I would be if Mandy would have been able to meet my love and favorite horse, Man O' War! But she sure is lucky to have met all these great great champions. And, for the one who talked about Easy Goer and Ferdinand looking alike YES! I thought it was another pic of Ferdinand, poor Ferdinand. And, speaking of looking alike, does anyone think Business Is Boomin resembles Secretariat? Secretariat, the most beautiful horse EVER! Great pictures, brought back a lot of racing memories. Thanks again.

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

Bill Two — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 19:12:41 GMT

Amazing. That girl sure has a way with a horse....and stallions to boot! Wow.

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

Agnes — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 01:52:25 GMT

The sight of that gorgeous Ferdinand brought tears to my eyes. I'm going to save all those wonderful pictures with Mandy so I can look at them over and over again.

Off the subject, I am filled with cravings to see Zenyatta and her 2012 foal. Why are their pictures NEVER published??

Thanks to you and Mandy again for sharing this wonderful album with us.

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

Tiz Herself — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 18:19:35 GMT

Wow Steve - the pictures that you have of Skip Away absolutely melted my heart. He was the horse who started it all for me and the first year I went to Kentucky with him in mind to see and meet him was in 2010... I was too late, that was May that he passed on and I went in October. Always watch over and over his 97 Breeders Cup Classic and have a shrine for him in my home. Any chance that prints that you may have of him are available to purchase?

I envy you and your daughter, to be able to have seen the greats of the sport up close, to touch. Reading your books and your articles definitely makes a person feel like they were there.

Agreed that Ferdinand and Easy Goer looked so much alike. I'll never forget Ferdinand as well, even though I was born the year he won the Derby, I always watch his Breeders Cup Classic victory and his Derby win. Such a beautiful animal.

Thanks for sharing Steve as always. Any chance that prints that you may have of Skip Away may be available to purchase?

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

TripleCrownKaren — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 17:30:15 GMT

To Lise from Maine;

Ferdinand was exported to Japan for stud duties. As time wore on, somewhere along the line he actually became a riding horse (a very kind one at that) and then his final indignity was to be sent to slaughter. So ended the tale of a Kentucky Derby winner and kind soul.

I still can't talk about it without seething with rage and tearing up anger at the stupidity and WASTE of a wonderful horse who should have come back HOME to USA to enjoy his last years. I still have a dislike for ANY of our horses going to Japan or any other country where they might be in danger of becoming FOOD! Probably why I rally so hard and work to encourage my riding students to seek out Retired TB's when they are ready to buy one of their own.

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

Far Out East — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 06:25:00 GMT

His Majesty's most notable influence in the thoroughbred world is his daughter Rizyana. She is the dam of the super sire, Danehill.

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

Lise from Maine — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 18:35:27 GMT

Hi!

Why are you sad about Ferdinand?

What happened to him?

Thank you!

Lise from Maine

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

Lise from Maine — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 18:32:15 GMT

Hi Mr. Haskin,

Your daughter is so fortunate that you are in the horse racing business so she could meet the wonderful horses.

Love those photos. Thank you for sharing them.

I joined as a fan of horse racing when a friend of mine took me to Scarborough Downs just outside of Portland, Maine to watch Barbaro win the Kentucky Derby (2006). I have been a fan ever since, and I fell in love with Barbaro.

I have never been to a race track before but I am planning on visiting Suffolk Downs (Boston area) before it closes in 3 weeks.

I am waiting for a sunny weekend.

I am eager to see a race track for the very first time.

Thank you!

Lise from Maine

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

Special Art — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 17:54:26 GMT

Another batch of awesome photos!

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

Pamela M — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 03:01:07 GMT

Back in 1974 I visited Claiborne just after Secretariat retired. It was a rainy day and no one else was there and the groom was kind enough to lead out Damascus (all muddy after rolling) and Sir Ivor (who I photographed with his tongue lolling out). Secretariat was peacefully grazing. I remember friendly Le Fabuleaux with his big blaze. Those old yellowed photos mean so much to me. It makes getting older (ha) more bearable when you can say you saw Secretariat.

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

SJ — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 00:45:07 GMT

Thanks, as always.

Steve J

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

deb — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 17:43:13 GMT

Maybe a book with the photos? I could look at Mandy and the horses all day long. Thank you for sharing. More please?.....

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

Melissa P — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 17:03:28 GMT

Oh, these are just WONDERFUL! Thank you so very much for sharing them with us. I got to know El Senor (the real one - Mr. Luro) pretty well before he passed. It's wonderful to see his best known pupil! I especially loved the photo of the late, great Theatrical. I've never known a horse who loved to have his tongue pulled as much as he did. I spent many an hour at Brookside visiting Theatrical (and Strawberry Road, Palace Music, and Jade Hunter). Theatrical always heard someone coming and stuck that old tongue out for a pull. Happy memories!

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

WildThing — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:31:56 GMT

I am very humbled that you would share private family photos with your Blood Horse family. When these photos were taken, no one knew that this would be a photo diary of your crowning achievements; the progression of your greatness as a writer and your daughter Mandy. You must look at these and flashback to the memories of what was happening at that moment in your family and professionally. And what was to come.

As an outsider of these private moments, the photos are proof that these were real horses; pretty, curious, goofy, hungry and loveable. Mandy had a warm smile for every single one. My guess is there was that same smile for all horses and probably all creatures.

Thank you for sharing glimpses of your private life with some very well loved public figures.

Thank you also for your incredible talent as a writer. When I see there is a tag for a new story from Steve Haskin, I know that I am about to read something really, really good.

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

Mike Relva — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 14:51:20 GMT

Steve, thanks for all the great photos. Planning on visiting Cigar this weekend.

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

TripleCrownKaren — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 13:13:04 GMT

Steve, once again....You "got" me! Damascus AND Northern Dancer AND Mr. Prospector? Whew, I hope everyone here realizes how much Thoroughbred history is represented in those pix. And then to have my all time favoriter gelding the mighty Forego...well, This article has been eye candy for my "soul". So many great horses and races come galloping back into my memory. And Yes, that may mean I'm an "old baby boomer" but I wouldn't have missed this time in TB racing history for ANYTHING! (Sigh!) you Do know we all are living "vicariously" through you, right? :)

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

Cassandra.Says — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 11:25:06 GMT

Don't eat your hearts out. Nowadays, most great racehorses have been perfectly captured on film at least a few times -- perhaps with their essence better revealed than later in life, bored, unfit and aging.

I rose very early and drove very far to see Secretariat train, and found that seeing him in the flesh added nothing to my sense of him from photographs and TV.

Northern Dancer -- I think you had to be there. Only in person did I feel in the presence of a carnivore. I suspect Ribot was a horse like that too. And films from Ribot's time are poor quality.

But think of Hansen's pure joy in using himself. It's a subtle quality, but it comes through on videos. Think of Affirmed in the stretch with his right ear cocked sidewise clocking Alydar's progress to the inch.

With modern equipment and abundance of pix and videos, slo mo, halt, rewind, if you have a strong sense of a horse, you probably wouldn't add to it by visiting. We know Zenyatta, for instance. A journalist described The Minstrel in the Epsom Derby showing "sheer bloody-minded refusal to be beaten." He was on the spot, I assume, but the stretch photo would give rise to exactly the same words -- a Blood-Horse cover photo I think.

If you never had a chance to be there, let Steve take you there, and enjoy.

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

Debbiek — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 03:11:04 GMT

Dr. D. really loved your dream. I have thought many times when I am reading one of Steve's blogs that I would just love to hang out with him one day and just listen to his stories. Steve, one of the things on my bucket list is to do just that; so if you ever have a free moment... lol. I just got done showing all of these photos to my daughter and her boyfriend. She knows of my love for Secretariat. I'm a little sad today, the 23rd. anniversary of his death. He will forever be my favorite.

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

PioneerCountry — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 01:47:48 GMT

Yep, talk about a 'who's who' - wow. In 2002, when Seattle Slew died, I gave myself a smack. I had been procratinating for years. Right then & there I put a trip to Ky as 1st priority. I had missed Mr P, Secretariat, Nijinsky, Slew etc & told myself to just go! 8 wks later I was on the road to Lex, Ky w/ my best friend. Best road trip EVER! And it didn't take long before I realised how wise that was. In the years since (& I try to go yrly BTW), I may have missed the above horses but because I went in 2002, I met Danzig, Slew O'Gold, Capote, Storm Bird, Woodman, Seeking The Gold, Dixieland Band,Summer Squall, Rahy etc. Others were sold/pensioned etc but because I went I got to get up & personal over the yrs w/ Charistmatic, Silver Charm, Empire Maker, & so many others. And the star horse (really) I got to hug in 2002 was my honey Lure at Ashford. I remember the groom at Ashford that summer (Larry) looking at me & wide smile - you came just to see Lure? No one comes to see him, I'll bring him out for you, wanna picture w/ him? Are you kidding me? I have my treasured photo of me w/ Lure.

I have many treasured pics of AP Indy, Mineshaft, Smart Strike, Pulpit, Dynaformer (from a distance..),& on & on. I have many more that I've not mentioned.

Tx for your photos Steve - esp those horses I didn't get to see.

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

skyfire — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 01:13:59 GMT

Thank you for all of these fabulous photos -- they have so much personality...they show great racing machines as horses that people can get close to! Way more interesting than standard farm photos!

Special thank you for the one with my personal alltime fave, Affirmed! I also like Gallant Bloom, a great race mare who is rarely brought up. What are your memories of her?

re: Mandy and the Greats Part 2

Lammtarra's Arc — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:39:58 GMT

Mandy met 3 Canadian Breds i would give my left N*t to meet!!!. Northern Dancer, Nijinksy(My alltime favorite), and Awesome Again!. If I would have seen With Approval on there I would have fell off my chair in complete shock and envy...lol. Wonderful piece Steve. Oh and How did she get through the Northern Dancer meeting with out him biting her?...he was known as a real fesity mean colt..lol