All Hail Yeats

re: All Hail Yeats

Nancy — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:25:04 GMT

Dont forget Yeats won his only start at 2 and was unbeaten as a 3 yr old and favorite for the Epsom Derby when he had a muscle injury. He also won the Grade 1 Coronation Cup at 4 over 1 and a half miles, plus an Irish Classic St Leger so he's all CLASS as well as brave and beautiful! What a sire he'll make!!

re: All Hail Yeats

Soldier Course — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 03:02:45 GMT

Greg J.:

Thanks for the link to the Queen Alexandra Stakes. Caracciola is remarkable.

re: All Hail Yeats

Greg J. — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:30:23 GMT

helsbelles,

Your quite welcome, I hope you purchased the painting?

Gunbow,

Thanks for the comparision of "Lava Man" and "Slew O Gold", It is a shame that such obvious regional Bias continues...

re: All Hail Yeats

Greg J. — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:25:51 GMT

"Can the ole boy hold on here?", That was the track announcers call down the stretch!, And, Yes, The old boy did it!...

"Caracciola", The TWELVE YEAR OLD, Sure did it, He won The Queen Alexandra Stakes, Royal Ascot Day 5. Talk about Stamina, At 2 Miles and 5 1/2 Furlongs, It is the longest race of the meet. What amazing Courage and Heart for "Caracciola"!, The oldest to ever win this race. Also, A funny thing, The Winning owner Piers Pottinger said, "We have banned Nicky (Trainer Nicky Henderson) from coming to racing when Caracciola is running in a big race, as he only ever wins when Nicky isn't here!" He sent Henderson fishing in the highlands of Scotland, though he did manage to watch the race in a remote cottage there, Too funny.

So Congrats to both, "Yeats" and "Caracciola", Two Old Souls...

Queen Alexandra Stakes:

www.youtube.com/watch

re: All Hail Yeats

Abbie Knowles — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:32:29 GMT

I never had the privilege of seeing Sagaro or Yeats live but watched all Sagaro's Gold Cup triumphs and Yeat's victories on TV and that was so enjoyable. Magnificent horses both. If there is a better looking horse in training than Yeats then I have yet to see him!

Seeing history made is always special and Yeats definitely knows he is the Champ! He was prancing around the paddock, regal as a peacock and was so proud of himself afterwards! And why not? What a superstar and what a hero!

Yeats you will always be revered as one of the greatest stayers of all time! Maybe even comparable to Brown Jack!

Thanks old friend!

God Bless you

re: All Hail Yeats

Somethingroyal — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 21:35:35 GMT

Ann in Lexington:

Brovo to you and your efforts. I think we the fan need to stop and ask ourselves. What can we do to get involved? How do we get the farms to understand that we want breeding the classic distant horse a priority?

re: All Hail Yeats

helsbelles — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 18:56:52 GMT

Zookeeper: Great story. Sounds like that might have been Jason? The Lava Man documentary by TVG is very good (it came in second behind First Saturday In May in the Eclipse award voting), as it shows what a wonderful journey that horse took his connections on, and now they are repaying the favor by doing the right thing by him. It's also another success story of horse people who started out in New Mexico, as it was Steve who pushed to claim Lava Man. Mr. Haskin wrote: "It was as if Sagaro knew the Gold Cup was his race, just as Yeats appears to know it." The same can be said about Lava Man and the Hollywood Gold Cup. The sport needs more lovable Lava Mans.

Gunbow: I was trying to avoid your question, because it didn't have a happy ending. To clear up something else you wrote, Snack never did win races over the Santa Anita surface. He had just been purchased with high hopes by Paul Reddam, and his first California race for his new owner was the Santa Catalina, which proved to be a fatal one. That had personal significance for me because I had kept away from horseracing for a while, until a friend lured me back with Smarty Jones' triple crown attempt the year before. So, when I watched beautiful Snack's right ankle snap at the top of the stretch, it was a vivid reminder of why I had stayed away in the first place. But, as you can see, I hung in there. The story of Declan's Moon, the winner of that Santa Catalina stakes and 2-yr-old Eclipse champ, has a happier ending with the gelding being retired to live out his life on a Maryland farm.

Greg J: Thank you for alerting me to that painting on ebay. That would be fun to own a painting of a favorite horse.

re: All Hail Yeats

Ann in Lexington — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:56:54 GMT

A couple of years ago, a net-friend in Arizona and I tried to form a net-group to promote distance racing in the US. It fell apart due to internal bickering, then the BC Marathon came along and rendered us moot. However I continue to campaign for the restoration of classic racing in the US for older horses. Do you realize that there is no G1 race for older horses on the East Coast at 10f until the JC Gold Cup in September now that the Suburban (the SUBURBAN!) has been downgraded ? Disgraceful.

re: All Hail Yeats

Montauk Lite — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:06:38 GMT

Dear Mr. Haskin: A toast, too, to the people like yourself who also have longevity, perseverance, courage and stamina .... to keep with this wonderful sport year in and year out, and to keep everything in perspective. So many people think only of what they've just seen on youtube, so quick to declare a horse "the best ever," when people like yourself realize they are not just the video dujour but a thread in the fabulous tapestry that is TB racing. So much of racing is its tradition and history; and people like yourself with the long memories are vital to keeping this all alive. Great piece on Keats ... and putting his win in the light of your 77 experience shows how truly special it is. Thanks for tending the flame!

re: All Hail Yeats

Golden Gate — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:07:07 GMT

Thank you Steve for telling this true story through your eyes. I wish we did have some one trying to get us longer races here. I am trying to breed more stamina into my own small herd of tb's but where would I race them?

re: All Hail Yeats

silverscrngirl — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 06:34:53 GMT

somethingroyal: I agree with you about the Jockey Gold Cup. We need more races that test the stamina of the thoroughbred and we need a change to stamina when breeding. I would also like to follow a horse's career for more than 2 years on the national scene. Most of my older favorites are locals, but I love seeing them and cheering them on.

re: All Hail Yeats

Johnny — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 04:20:21 GMT

I just loved watching Royal Ascot, the beauty, pageantry, Her Majesty the Queen, the charming dialect of the English and their graciousness to our American contingent. I thoroughly enjoyed the analysis by the British, and their insights. And best of all of course were the horses, running on grass, from five furlongs to 2 1/2 miles; and Yeats was the absolute high point of the entire meeting.

It was absolutely smashing! Well done and cheers!

re: All Hail Yeats

GunBow — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 03:31:18 GMT

Port Stanley:

I second you in congratulating Fort Prado. It seems like Fort Prado has been running for more than half the deacde out here in the Midwest. Oh yeah, he actually has!

re: All Hail Yeats

GunBow — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 03:28:54 GMT

Soldier Course:

Thank you for replying. Poor Snack.

Greg J:

About Lava Man, I'm not sure those in the East or Midwest understand how much fans in California love Lava Man. Because Lava Man ran so poorly outside of the state, he unfortunately is seen by many as a regional phenomenon.

For those outside of California, particularly those in New York, the horse I use as a rough equivalent for how Californians revere Lava Man is Slew O' Gold. Like Lava Man, Slew O' Gold was largely a "regional phenomenon". I'm sure there are some in New York gasping at such a comment, given the belief that races like the Woodward, Jockey Club Gold Cup, and Marlboro Cup are national or even international events. My point, however, is that those races are no more prestigious or national than races like the Big Cap, Hollywood Gold Cup, and Pacific Classic.

Both Slew O Gold and Lava Man won 7 grade 1 races in their careers; Lava Man won all of his in California, and Slew O Gold won all of his in New York. Slew O Gold won both the Woodward and Jockey Club Gold Cup twice at ages 3 and 4, the Marlboro Cup at 4(after losing by a neck at 3), the Whitney at 4, and the Wood Memorial at 3. He also won the Peter Pan by 12, and ran 2nd in both the Travers and Belmont.

Outside of New York, Slew O Gold did not fare as well. He was 3rd and 2nd in the Sam Davis and Tampa Bay Derby, 4th in the Kentucky Derby, 6th in the Haskell, and 3rd(moved up to 2nd) when 3/5 and going for 1984 Horse of the Year in the first Breeders Cup Classic at Hollywood Park. Prior to the Classic, Wild Again's owners openly talked about how they had been waiting all year to meet Slew O' Gold outside of New York, and on a harder track which would play more towards Wild Again's speed and possibly rattle Slew O' Gold's brittle feet and hooves.

Deservedly, Slew O' Gold was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1992(?), and Bloodhorse ranked him #58 in their top 100. I'm sure there were a few folks out West surprised to see a horse that had won all of his career races in New York, and failed to win either a Triple Crown race or a Breeders Cup race ranked 58th while Exceller was only 95th and Cougar, Precisionist, and Best Pal were left off the list entirely. For those mainly Western fans who feel Slew O' Gold being ranked that high was a miscarriage of justice, remember that this is exactly how some Easterners respond when Californians make comments like "Lave Man is one of the 4 or 5 best horses of this decade" or "Lava Man is an all-time great and should be elected into the Hall of Fame on his first ballot".

Regional biases continue to be strong. In my opinion, there are few horses that provoke as many differing opinions, which largely fall along regional lines, as Slew O' Gold and Lava Man.

re: All Hail Yeats

Zookeeper — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 01:25:53 GMT

Yes, Lava Man...California's beloved ex-claimer. He was so exciting to watch, because victory wasn't assured. People bet him because they loved him and then kept their fingers crossed that he wouldn't dissapoint.

When he won his first Gold Cup, we were sitting in the box next to one of the owners. I cannot describe to you the expression on this young man's face when it became evident that his horse had a shot at winning. The sounds coming out of his mouth were unbelievable. Several stabbings would not have produced such agonizing screams. He was beyond elated...he was on cloud 50 and his enthousiasm was quickly transferred to us as we kept one eye on the track and the other one on this proud owner who had gone stark raving mad!

Unforgettable experience! Unforgettable, beloved Lava Man!

re: All Hail Yeats

Port Stanley — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:07:08 GMT

8-year old Fort Prado won the Black Tie Affair Stakes at Arlington today for the 4th time. It's not Royal Ascot, but it is a $100,000 race.

re: All Hail Yeats

Greg J. — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:42:51 GMT

Gunbow & helsbelles,

First Gunbow, Thanks for bringing up "Lava Man"!, I saw this on E-Bay, It is an incredible Oil Painting of "Lava Man" with Corey Nakatani on him by Judith Berkshire Jones. It really is a beautiful work of Art!, I am not interested, But I figured someone here might be?, Also, Part of the sale price goes to The "OLD FRIENDS THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT HOME", Just thought I would let everyone see it, It is up in Two days and right now it is only $96 Dollars, Seems like a steal, Again, Even if nobody buys it, It still is a Great Painting of "Lava Man"...

cgi.ebay.com/Lava-Man-Original-Oil-Painting-Race-Horse-Art-16-x20_W0QQitemZ170344993856QQcmdZViewItemQQptZArt_Paintings

re: All Hail Yeats

balfour — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:47:47 GMT

Great piece Steve. When watching a lovely horse like this come down the straight at Royal Ascot, it gives one hope that all will be well with the world. Bravo!

re: All Hail Yeats

2 time valley player of the year — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:15:47 GMT

Yeats is a super horse and shows what a difference in breeding theory in America and how much better conditioned horses in Europe are then in America.You didn't mention the weight he carried which I believe was 130 plus pounds amazing.Also hats off to the sire the great and I do mean great Sadler's Wells who has sire 77 grade 1 different runners a world record!!! His offspring have won breeders cups and won every major race in Europe multiple times, as a sire and in my mind one of the greatest sires and one of the best sons of Northern Dancer. No american horse would be able to do what he did because of the breeding and forgetaboutit for a american horse to carry anything over 126 lbs in a handicapp race.The great handicapping days of Kelso and DR Fager who constantly carried over 133 lbs are gone to the wimpy 126 max weights of today or trainers refuse to run if given more weight.One other thought aside from this subject Rachel running in mother Goose against a joke field of 3 yr old fillies , what competition is that for a so called great filly?Padding her record against fields like this is ashame.

re: All Hail Yeats

Soldier Course — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:15:04 GMT

GunBow:

Snack broke his right front ankle in the March 2005 Santa Catalina at Santa Anita, and had to be euthanized.

re: All Hail Yeats

Soldier Course — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 04:38:42 GMT

GunBow:

I believe that Snack died.

re: All Hail Yeats

GunBow — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:40:11 GMT

A possible side effect of all the new synthetic tracks is that they may force breeders to search for greater stamina influences. As with turf racing, speed is not nearly as dominant on synth as it is on dirt. This is why the pace in most synth races is so much slower(and the Beyers lower), as many frontrunners will have difficulty winning unless they are able to set dawdling fractions.

I have very mixed feelings about the installation of synth tracks, but if it encourages breeders to seek stamina influences, then that will certainly be one positive.

re: All Hail Yeats

GunBow — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:32:36 GMT

helsbelles:

I remember now. After racing in Indiana at 2, he was sent to Santa Anita for Derby preps. I was surprised to see the Indiana bred and/or sired Snack trying to make it to the Derby. However, I believe he ran at least 1 decent race at Santa Anita before suffering a significant injury. What was his ultimate fate?

re: All Hail Yeats

da3hoss — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:43:03 GMT

Greg J, thank you for the video link...wow.

re: All Hail Yeats

helsbelles — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:11:49 GMT

Gunbow, thank you for honoring the wonderful Lava Man. I still don't know how he got up by a flared nostril to win his third Gold Cup... that one gets me emotional because it was sheer determination and heart. One more thing worth mentioning is that in his prime he would draw 40-50 thousand people to the track each time he raced. That is saying something; Zenyatta this year drew only a pitiful 8 thousand spectators.

About Snack, I read the article on BH about the newly created Snack stakes and I immediately remembered him. Probably shouldn't have brought him up in the light-hearted movie context, but he did have Secretariat in is pedigree within 4 generations, and I think he resembled him looks wise. IMO, he fell victim to the old Santa Anita dirt track in the midst of a miserable storm. I think the winner of the Santa Catalina, Declans Moon, also suffered a virtually career ending injury that day, which could be used as an argument in favor of the pro-ride surface. I'm just glad that he has a stakes race for 3-yr-old Indiana breds named in his honor.

And yes, Yeats is one beautiful, splendid horse! And, that is one incredible feat he accomplished.