Haskin Photo Blog: Journey with the Greats

re: Haskin Photo Blog: Journey with the Greats

Lise from Maine — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:50:50 GMT

Hi Steve,

You are so fortunate to have had the opportunies to be in contact with so many beautiful horses.

Those photos are so lovely. Thanks for sharing them.

I was introduced to horse racing in 2006 when a friend of mine took me to Scarborough Downs (harness racing)just outside of Portland, Maine to watch Barbaro win the Kentucky Derby, and even since then I was hooked on horse racing.

I have learned a great deal more since then and pay more attention to the races, the horses, the trainers, and the jockeys.

I absolutely love this sport.

Thank you!

Lise from Maine

re: Haskin Photo Blog: Journey with the Greats

Mahuba — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:40:50 GMT

I cannot believe that publishers wouldn't be falling all over themselves to get anything from you and your memories. And the manuscript would be "richly furnished" by your photos. Perhaps appropriate conformation shots or illustrations could be included. But as far as the racing world is concerned, the real draw would be your memories. And I am fairly certain there are people outside the racing world who appreciate looking at famous horses and reading your (and selected others") anecdotes. You could present it as a "coffee table" book! Go Steve!!

re: Haskin Photo Blog: Journey with the Greats

JoyJackson21 — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 01:43:31 GMT

Hi Steve,

All I can say is "Wow!". These pictures are beautiful. Dr. Fager, Secretariat, Riva Ridge, Canonero II, Affirmed, Spectacular Bid, Exceller, Alydar, Forego, Damascus, Seattle Slew, Real Quiet, Silver Charm, A.P. Indy. Just a real Who's Who of incredible Classics chammpion horses. The pictures of all of these great, incredible, champion horses are thrilling to see. I have goose bumps looking at them. You are a lucky man to have been up close to so many incredible champion horses. You have been blessed. Thank you for sharing your photo collection with us, and thank you for sharing your memories with us. I almost feel as if I was there with these great ones myself. I love horses in all of their majesty. I think you do too, Steve. It shows in your photography and in your journlism. Thanks, again!

re: Haskin Photo Blog: Journey with the Greats

Mike Relva — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 03:34:08 GMT

Steve

Please consider on writing a book on Zenyatta.

re: Haskin Photo Blog: Journey with the Greats

Big_Red_4ever — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 15:21:46 GMT

Speaking of great fillies and mares...I just have to pop on to wish Rachel Alexandra all the best after her surgery from foaling complications. Her new foal looked very big. According to this morning's story, the foal has been placed on a nurse mare. Once again I'm thankful for modern veterinary medicine.

re: Haskin Photo Blog: Journey with the Greats

Steve Haskin — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:34:18 GMT

Jean in Chicago, that doesnt sound soppy to me. I appreciate your kinds words, thank you.

Thanks for the thought, Deb, but as I've told people who mention that, it's not easy finding a publisher, and I dont know if there would be widespread interest in it.

Watch it, Donna, I dont take "Love You's" lightly :). But thank you.

re: Haskin Photo Blog: Journey with the Greats

Jean in Chicago — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:37:47 GMT

Dear Steve,

I've debated with myself as to send this because I didn't want to sound too soppy, but here goes. When I want to look at a conformation portrait of a horse, I pull out my Richard Stone Reeves books. But its your photos I look at when I want to see them being horses. Damascus with his tail up and flying, Davona Dale saying 'back off Stud, we girls call the shots' and Silver Charm wondering what this crazy person is doing sprawled on the ground. Thank you again and boy are we glad you got that camera.

re: Haskin Photo Blog: Journey with the Greats

deb — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:18:53 GMT

oh how I wish you would do a book with your wonderful photos and remarks! Everyone loves them and the memories they take us back to...I hope you will do this someday. It would be grand.

re: Haskin Photo Blog: Journey with the Greats

francisco — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 21:31:28 GMT

Looking at the black and white Riva Ridge Photo: Hope Riva Ridge was not hungry because that carrot size kitten could have been in great danger.

re: Haskin Photo Blog: Journey with the Greats

Old Old Cat — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:30:35 GMT

Thank you again Steve for your articles and photos. You really seem to know what strikes a chord in the hearts of your racing fans. The photos are beautiful, for a brownie instamatic they are spectacular..

re: Haskin Photo Blog: Journey with the Greats

Donna M — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:49:47 GMT

Steve, These pictures MADE my day, loved to See Dr. Fager in COLOR! Loved Secretariat with the stick.. wow!! incredible pictures and I was wondering, do you have a book published with your photos and stories? JUST LOVE YOU!!! You are the best!

re: Haskin Photo Blog: Journey with the Greats

Onthebridle — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 04:07:06 GMT

Thanks very much for sharing Steve! All wonderful and an extra special treat seeing Damascus photos I had not seen before. What a warrior! I have a framed photo of him coming to the wire in the Woodward that is my own favorite. What became my fondest memory of Frank Whiteley was a pleasant spring afternoon at his Camden SC home just months before his passing talking about so many great horses and their races. His extreme old age had exacted a toll physically, however, he was sharp as a tack and as he relished doing, opened up a window to a period when he and his charges thrilled us all. But when he talked of Damascus, his eyes lit up like a kid at Christmas and there were no details left untold of every race ran by the horse he considered the greatest ever. I miss more than can be imagined, hearing his vivid descriptions of everything about that incredible Woodward performance. Again, thanks for triggering for me some of my very fondest memories.

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Steel Dragon — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 03:00:04 GMT

Maybe the Slew picture was taken after his illness. Baby Huey does look a little gaunt there...

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El Kabong — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 23:21:23 GMT

Boy, that Alydar keeps some tough looking company. Thanks for the stories and pictures. The Spectacular Bid Davona Dale picture and caption was hysterical. I think she looks a bit embarrassed by old saucer eyes starring at her like that.

Slew, I was thinking the same thing about Seattle Slew. Throw that kid a sandwich, a slice, a dog, he looks starving.

re: Haskin Photo Blog: Journey with the Greats

Freetex — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 22:27:51 GMT

It means so much to me read your captions for each fantastic photo.

Thank you for sharing and still caring.

What a treasure. One of my keepers.

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Judi Tilley — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:23:28 GMT

I don't usually comment on your blogs - although I do truly enjoy them, Steve. I could spend days end upon end hearing all your horse stories and enjoying the lives of each of these wonderful, noble souls vicariously through you. So I just wanted to add my humble thanks for appreciating and acknowledging the beauty and value of each of their lives, and how the connections that they have made with us -- each in their own way -- have forged strong bonds even if we have never had the good fortune to meet them in person. Please continue to share your stories and pictures with us so that we can enjoy them for years to come. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

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Big_Red_4ever — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:13:21 GMT

What more can be said of Dr. Fager that hasn't already been said, but I wonder how many remember his half-sister, Ta Wee. A blazingly fast sprinter who could also carry weight, she's also a member of the Hall of Fame.

Ta Wee had 15 wins from 21 starts, was twice champion sprinter, and she won 13 stakes. As a 3-yr-old, she beat older males in the Vosburgh Stakes. As a 4-yr-old, Ta Wee carried 140 pounds in the Fall Highweight Handicap, and 142 in the Interborough Handicap. She won both races. As a broodmare, she had five foals, all winners. Her son, Great Above, sired Holy Bull.

Great fillies and mares...Steve, if you have some photos of them in your collection, I sure hope you use them for one of these retrospectives some day.

re: Haskin Photo Blog: Journey with the Greats

trackjack — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 15:44:29 GMT

Thanks for the memories, Steve. I especially like the one of 'Bid and Davona Dale. What was that saying about a picture says a thousand words?

On our tour of Claiborne in 1984:

'Bid: was already whitening up and our escort warned us to stand back from the fence because 'Bid has a routine. Across his paddock the mighty 'Bid was chewing grass, ignoring us. Our escort gave a whistle and after a moment or two 'Bid lifted his head, straightened himself, looked directly at us and then came flying at us at a full gallop. A few yards from us 'Bid applied his brakes, sliding his front hooves into the dirt, spraying the dirt right at us. As he came to a stop he looked right at us as if to say, "Hi". Our escort said "he loves to do that."

Riva Ridge: in the middle of his paddock, taking his good old time, Riva Ridge finally began to make his way over, trotting horizontally, left and right. I thought for a second I was watching a Standardbred, not a Derby and Belmont winner who saved Meadow Stable. Riva Ridge took his time coming a little closer on each turn until he finally trotted up to us at the fence, draped his head over, as if to say "Hi". What a character.

Thanks again, Steve, you keep these memories alive.

re: Haskin Photo Blog: Journey with the Greats

mcdermott — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:50:25 GMT

Still cannot put Dr. Fager ahead of Damascus, eh?

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Grande Fan — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:41:27 GMT

Thank you, Steve, for sharing these memory evoking photos. Like many Big Red fans, I felt connected to Secretariat - born in the year of horse - the same year as his sire Bold Ruler, graduated high school the year Secretariat won the triple crown and we both started a new chapter in life. All of these great creatures have been a gift to us, to share and to celebrate. You are the one who writes their stories and bring them to life for us to remember and to discover. Thank you, and please continue - you have a rare talent.

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LuLu727 — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:50:33 GMT

Talk about a small world. My sister and I are front and center in the picture of Forego in the paddock of Belmont. This brings back such wonderful memories. Anytime Forego made an appearance we were there, even if we came down with "Forego Flu" and couldn't make it to work. Thanks for the memories!

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Steve Haskin — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:31:02 GMT

Thank you, Dr. D. and Mike. You're making me blush

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Mike Relva — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:21:22 GMT

Steve

As usual your talent goes far beyond writing. My regret is never getting to visit Secretariat and Slew.

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Dr Drunkinbum — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:06:58 GMT

You are such a great gift to us Steve. I really loved your article about John Nerud and his 100th party that I read this morning. It really lifted my spirits. Thank you very much for the gift that is you and keep those fabulous articles, photos, compassion, wit and extraordinary writing style coming.

re: Haskin Photo Blog: Journey with the Greats

Steve Haskin — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:00:37 GMT

Thank you again, everyone, for your kind words. I'm glad the photos rekindled so many memories and provided images of a time many readers werent able to experience.

AndFanofallthree, what can I say? That was extremely nice of you to say. I appreciate it.