Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

JoyJackson21 — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:47:17 GMT

Hi Steve,

Thank you for a fabulous article about Mr. Nerud. I wish him a very Happy 100th Birthday. What a life and career this man has had! I am very impressed.

I am also very impressed with the wealth of knowledge you have on pedigrees, Steve. I found it fascinating reading about Quiet American, Unbridled, Cequillo, etc., etc. It's always interesting how the brillance of one man, in this case Mr. Nerud, can influence generations of a breed and leave a large footprint in the sands of time. I had both Real Quiet and Grindstone in the KY Derby (and four other 1990s KY Derby winners - not bragging, just a statement of fact), having no idea how interesting their breeding history was and how it related to the great ones of racing history. Of course, I was really young back then, I was doing great just being able to pick a Derby winner at all at the time! - LOL.

I grew up hearing incredible tales from my grandparents and parents about Man 'O War, Seabiscuit, Gallant Man, Whirlaway, Count Fleet, Citation, Dr. Fager, Northern Dancer, Majestic Prince, Riva Ridge, Canonero II, Secretariat, etc., and I just love the rich history of the game and the majesty of the horses. Mr. Nerud was a historian of all of these horses and had a hand in shaping history with their progeny. Wow! That's amazing!! It's humbling just reading his story!

This has been a wonderful experience for me. Thank you, Steve, and thank you Mr. Nerud. Fabulous article!

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

Pedigree Ann — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 15:58:42 GMT

Classic Go Go -

I saw your namesake at Keeneland! He won the Forerunner Purse, a non-stakes midweek Derby prep. I guess it became the Lexington S. later on. ANYway, I have photos of him in the paddock somewhere in the basement. Love idiosyncratic breeders like the Winchells and Tartan - they keep us from developing a completely homogenized gene pool.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

Jermon — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 02:46:11 GMT

When Nerud's career is reviewed in the context of a time, it becomes even more commendable. During the heydey of racing, the day of the big blue blood stables racing the best bred horses, sired by an influx of foreign bred elitish stallions and the American Bold Ruler, John held his own. He competed. One of the very few outside the establishment to do so. To one who began becoming familiar with his career before his arrival in New York, then the epicenter of racing in this country, Ta Wee and Dr. Fager are just exclamation points in an outstanding body of work. He did it all!!!

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

tom mallios — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 01:22:17 GMT

got to meet mr.nerud at belmont park sitting in the box next to him.a true gentleman.one of the great horsemen of our time.still had his binocs and went to the paddock for most races.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

nickie — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 22:50:05 GMT

remarkable article Steve, and Nerud a big part of why I grew to love the game. 'Fager my fav, but you mentioning Hot Dust knocked me out as it was my first Travers, and I remember he was a price[being against the likes of Chateaugay, Never Bend and Candy Spots...none who were the winner and the "thin man" in the saddle Johnny Sellers[RIP]...truly a mountain of memories Steve...thanks!

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

Blum Gone — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:42:25 GMT

Old Timer, the only book on Fager was written by Steve H. And "they" just don't make 'em like Kelso anymore, do they?

Steve, it will also be interesting to see what Star Guitar produces, old Iron Horse that he was for many years!

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

Linda in Texas — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:53:51 GMT

Steve I am curious, why did Mr. Nerud not believe in the Derby and only ran Gallant Man in 1957?

Brilliant piece of history and writing and is giving me so much to study. I loved the tidbit about how Mr. Nerud chided Mr. Savin into breeding Mr. Prospector to his mare Killaloe.

Mr. Nerud sir, you are priceless and one of a wonderful kind for sure. And a Very Happy One Hundredth Birthday, sir.

I can just imagine the stories you could tell about your experiences.

Thanks, Steve for repeating them.

And what a treat to have Mr. Whiteley post here. I do believe he is the breeder of my pick

Itsmyluckyday and also Rydilluc and Crop Report. I bet Mr. Whiteley has a few stories he could share with us.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

Rob Whiteley — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:38:03 GMT

Unbridled was competitive tough and surprisingly athletic for a big horse, like so many from Nerud's legacy. Unbridled as Steve writes was also "brilliantly conceived" and so was this article ... both masterpieces.

Historical reviews don't get any better than this, nuanced with perspective and detail and written by someone who "sees" and "knows."

I hope this article will later appear as a chapter in a book by Steve Haskin which traces the threads and stories that made American racing what it is today in order to remind us of what it might someday become again.

The quality of this article also reflects in the thoughtful quality of the responders' numerous interesting comments.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

Old Timer — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:02:14 GMT

Steve, this is a wonderful article with lots of great background information. I agree fully that this family tree is the best one to have going into the Kentucky Derby. Unbridled and Real Quiet gave me a couple of my best wins at the betting windows on the first Saturday in May.

The other thing I'd like to add is to agree with steve from st. louis regarding Hedevar. I was present for a few of the Dr. Fager vs. Damascus duels and I hated the way they stuck Hedevar in there to soften up the Dr. It just did not seem fair and I always wished that they would have a match race with the Dr. and Damascus. IMO it would have been a runaway for Dr. Fager.

Now the question is which one of the offspring of these great champions to bet in Kentucky Derby 2013!

Lastly, two of my most treasured books are the Thoroughbred Champions books on Dr. Fager and Kelso.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

Steve Haskin — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 06:07:13 GMT

B-Mac, Cahill Road is a full brother to Unbridled, not Fappiano and he wasnt bred by Nerud. They had sold the dam and he was bred by Frances Genter. I could have mentioned it as a point of interest, ,but it had no bearing on this year's crop of 3-year-olds

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

B-Mac — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 03:46:31 GMT

As awesome as this article is to a pedigree pundit like myself, I'm surprised Mr. Haskin left out an associated detail. Mr. Haskin, how could you forget to mention the full brother to Fappiano, foaled just one year after by the name of Cahill Road. He was retired after winning the Wood Memorial in dominant style and many believe that because he had more natural speed than Unbridled he may have been as good or better. Didn't produce much in the stud barn, but Cahill Road was a running you know what......Oversight Ya Think?

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

classic go go — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:52:40 GMT

Another very good piece . A legend

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

SOUTHBENDFARM — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:10:02 GMT

After reading this article, especially the part about Quiet American, I am very excited about my 3 year old Q.A. colt of of my Fly So Free mare. He has been training lights out in Florida. he is a little like Real Quiet in that his shins are a little tender, but thankfully he is growing out of that. His bottom line is all stamina and he seems to have boundless stamina also. The Damascus on the bottom side of the pedigree seems to be more stamina. I only wish we could have him ready for the Spring races, but he won't be able to get there. This summer and fall and next year should be fun.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

Love 'em all — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:59:07 GMT

A belated 'Happy 100th Birthday' to Mr. Nerud. In case someone missed reading the following, you're in for another treat ...

www.bloodhorse.com/.../nerud-turns-100-in-style-with-birthday-bash

Cheers to John Nerud.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

Blum Gone — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:22:05 GMT

Steve, thanks so much for another wonderfully written article about "my" Dr. Fager. I try to have all of Quiet American's foals in my Virtual Stable and watch them on t.v.

I need to visit the Doc again at Winding Oaks.

Sue, FL

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

derbylin — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:53:15 GMT

Wonderful, wonderful story, Steve.

Dr Fager, one of my all time favorites.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

Zen4Zen — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:35:34 GMT

Steve -- Your knowledge, research, and ability to put both together in a compelling and eminently readable way is awesome (and I don't use that word lightly). Thanks for another great article!

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

The Deacon — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 07:34:10 GMT

Steve: Just sitting here reading this blog over and over and hanging on every word. Nerud is my all time favorite trainer and horseman. What he has done for this sport is immeasurable. His brilliance is second to none, he is the John Wooden of horse racing.

Just reading about the great "Doctor" and Ta Wee, Fappiano, etc gives me goose bumps. Thank you for taking the time to write this.

By the way, my dad may he rest in peace saw one Kentucky Derby in person and it was in 1957 when Shoemaker (as the story goes) mis-judge the finish and Gallant Man got nipped by Iron Liege. He never forgave Shoemaker........

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

Steve Haskin — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 04:31:41 GMT

EOP, yes, I fixed that. Had a brain meltdown on that one. Thanks.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

Jermon — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 04:17:02 GMT

In 1951 when I was in the military and stationed in Colorado, I met a trainer at Centennial through some horsey people. He generally raced the Chicago and Florida circuits. Because his clients had summer homes in the foothills west of Denver and

wanted to see their horses run, he was obligated to ship in for the summer meet. I knew him on and off for a period of years, and in talking about this and that, horses and people, he advised me that should I come across a trainer by the name of John Nerud,

to be aware and pay attention, that he was a sharp horseman, knew the racing game, and if he got a shot would do great things.

That was the best advice anyone ever gave me in beating the races. Although I always felt John was strictly legit, he was very shrewd in placing his horses for a price, whenever possible. As a result, there were times I was able to score for telephone numbers, as we

used to say in Brooklyn.

A sampling, Grand Splendor $82 and

$46. her son Agate Bay, $63. Ruffled Feathers $45 and $82.

I missed Fappiano by a day. He broke his maiden the day before I

arrived in New York for my annual visit. He paid $82 with Cordero up.

I would have all over him if I had been in time.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

El Kabong — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 01:59:37 GMT

Steve,

The first thing I pointed out to my brother after the Sunland Derby was that the grandsons of Real Quiet(Quiet American) finished 1,2 and 4 and Midnight Lucky destroyed her competition. We were looking at the Govenor wondering if the Real Quiet would help him given his sprinting father's history and I guess it did. Didn't hurt to have Silverbulletday over on the other side but he looks like a runner for the distance doesn't he? Could be another feather in the cap for Sunland as well if everyone overlooks the horse for the track.

Mr. Nerud was the guest on the Win Place Show radio program run by Joe Withee and at 98 he was still sharp as a tack and entertained us all with amazing recall of racing history. He's a treasure.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

E O P — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:58:22 GMT

It's a great story. Lots of details. Thanks. I think Lady Liberty, dam of Orb, was foaled in 1999. 2009 would have been a pretty quick turn around.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

Susan from VA — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 23:36:20 GMT

Where would thoroughbred racing be without Mr. Nerud?

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

Cassandra.Says — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 21:39:05 GMT

P.S. Remember when it was believed older stallions could not produce good offspring?

St. Simon was 19 yrs older than Rabelais, who was 23 years older than Rialto, who was 17 years older than Wild Risk, who was 21 years older than Le Fabuleux.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: A Legacy to John Nerud

Cassandra.Says — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 21:32:01 GMT

I always thought the importation of Le Fabuleux was one of the top five inspired breeding moves of the century. Talk about the ultimate outcross. His whole pedigree was built up slowly, and especially his top line which took 80 years to St. Simon in his fourth generation!

He was a gorgeous horse, with a gaiety reminiscent of Secretariat. Of course my most vivid memory of Secretariat is watching him on his way to the breeding shed with all flags flying.