Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

Davids — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 03:55:33 GMT

Steve, although I have read this piece many times before, after hearing that Dick Small had passed away I re-read the story. Happier times.

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

rpres43 — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 21:41:54 GMT

Steve, your wonderful article sure brought back some memories. We drove down to Calder for the Bull's In Reality and I tried to beat him. After the race, I turned to my two friends and said "I'm never betting against that guy again"!

I was at GP for that fateful Holy Bull/Cigar Donn Hcp when the Bull was pulled up. It was a long drive back to Orlando. A few years later, while enjoying a cup of burgoo at Keeneland, who was standing next to me but Jimmy Croll! We had a wonderful chat about Holy Bull, and Jimmy graciously invited me out to Jonabell to see some of the Bull's first offspring, but alas I had to fly back to FL the next day. I'll always cherish that chat with that wonderful man!

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

Lammtarra's Arc — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 18:46:49 GMT

I am a huge Holy Bull Fan. He is my favorite Handicap horse along with Ghostzapper from the past 24 years. Go to the lead and never get caught! All heart.

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

Ranagulzion — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 00:00:16 GMT

BelmontBarb: From a bloodhorse standpoint, Cairo Prince isn't the only colt in this 3YO crop that is a kin of Holy Bull. The potential superstar of the crop, Social Inclusion, also sired by Pioneerof The Nile, has a lot of Holy Bull's ancestors in his pedigree: inbreeding to Mahmoud on the maternal side and Rough N'Tumble X Aspidistra (via the immortal, Dr Fager, top and bottom).

As Steve has written, Cairo Prince does give Holy Bull the opportunity to become broodmare sire of a Ketucky Derby winner (having already sired a Derby winner in Giacomo) but the chances are slim based on the facts that Cairo Prince is tottering on exclusion from the Derby with possibly insufficient points and that none of Holy Bull's daughters have to date produced an offspring that has won arace at 10 Furlongs.

Nevertheless Holy Bull's legacy will live on for years through his sons Macho Uno and Giacomo as well as grandson, Mucho Macho Man.

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

alhattab — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 03:06:38 GMT

When you read a piece of work like this remember that outstanding writers have a gift. There is nobody that comes remotely close to the racing storyteller thar Mr. Haskins is. In the summer I see Mr. Haskin at Mth Park, and every time I tell him how much I love this introduction to my beloved Monmouth Park in the Richard Stone Reeves art book, "Crown Jewels": "As you drive along the quire, tree-shaded street that leads to Monmouth Park's North Entrance, the scene suddenly changes and it's have if you have emerged from the Forbidden Forest in the Land of Oz and are gazing upon the Emerald City. Before you, in all it's pristine beauty, is the Jewel of the Jersey Shore. Awaiting you is another season of ocean breezes, family picnics, weekend activities sitting at umbrella-shaded tables overlooking the walking ring. But most important" it is a return to first-class racing the way it was meant to be enjoyed."

In those 95 words, Mr. Haskins as captured the utter essence of a day at Monmouth Park. Anyone who has been to Monmouth Park and reads those 95 words is immediately brought back to that specific time and place that IS Monmouth Park. Truly fantastic work. You have a gift Mr. Haskins that you choose to,share with is, and for that I am extremely grateful.

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

TerriV — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 20:42:42 GMT

Love him love him, love him!!! Thank you, Steve.

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

shaban — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 14:49:29 GMT

Holy Bull has always been one of my favorites. I flew down to Gulfstream for that Donn and he looked fantastic in the paddock - grey coat gleaming, all sucked up and in seemingly perfect shape. I don't know how many in the crowd even saw Cigar cross the finish line - most were watching Holy Bull being pulled up and hoping that it was not a catastrophic injury. I still wear my Peb t-shirt to the Derby every year. Interesting sidelight to that Donn. The day before, Eddie Arcaro was holding court, answering questions from fans. I asked him which Derby he considered "the one that got away", thinking that he would talk about the decision to rate Bold Ruler. Instead, he immediately answered "Nashua".

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

Ta Wee — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 12:44:52 GMT

When thinking of the great rivalries that were Dr. Fager-Damascus, Affirmed-Alydar, Sunday Silence-Easy Goer, and those that could've been Secretariat-Forego,Buckpasser-Graustark, the Holy Bull-Cigar one is the most recent of pure heavyweights. Another fairly recent one that could've been was Ghostzapper-Afleet Alex.

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

Alydar — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 12:11:59 GMT

I am pretty sure Holy Bull was the best horse of his time. One of the best ever. Could be Holly Bull better than Cigar? Probably YES. Wonderful horse without any doubt.

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

HolyBullet — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 02:11:34 GMT

Thanks for this story about the Bull. I didn't know anything about him until I found out that my OTTB -- Holy Bullet -- was his offspring. I was privileged to meet Holy Bull at Jonabell last year. What a treat! Thanks for this article. I especially like the part about "...His get ... tending to have minds of their own..." My horse looks exactly like pictures I pull up on line of Holy Bull; and he definitely has a mind of his own, but I wouldn't trade my Crazy Gray thoroughbred for the world.

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

Ranagulzion — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 20:41:48 GMT

Its been 20 years since the 3YO campaign of Holy Bull and we've not seen the likes of him since ...truly an immortal.

Had he not broken down in the 1995 Donn Handicap I think that the great Cigar would've been a lesser light than he became in Holy Bull's absence.

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

BelmontBarb — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 04:17:12 GMT

What a story! What a script!

What a pleasant sound it is to hear the name "Holy Bull" and the great ones that surrounded him as he dug in to defeat the giants of racing. Incomparable and such a fitting name.

This story also gives awareness and example of the current problems we have in the business of racing as you mention the "lethargic colt" and Jimmy Croll being suspicious that someone may have got to him.....some thing I don't think many of us heard at the time but proof that the issue is not a new one just not the same (we can go as far back as Phar Lap).

and

The Cairo Prince - Holy Bull connection is upon us in the Florida Derby and a victory here for Cairo will be ~ The Bull's spirit running through him.

What a superb piece Steve ~ showing the spirit of the game through your voice; easy to sense the sincerity and excitement you have and share with us....

Thank you so very much.

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

hopalong — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 03:40:58 GMT

Wicked Strong wheels into NY Sunday afternoon, so long Gulfstream.

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

TerriZ — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 03:22:21 GMT

Thanks for sharing this wonderful article about Holy Bull with us. It was really amazing that the Bull's grandson, Cairo Prince, had such a dominating victory in the race named for his grandsire. It looks like Cairo Prince might be another grandpa's boy (like Mucho Macho Man). I'm glad that Darley supports the progeny of the Bull by becoming a partial owner of Cairo Prince. And I hope that they keep him running as long as Mucho Macho Man.

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

Racingfan — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 02:46:46 GMT

As always, great article Steve! No wonder Mike Smith had said he was the greatest horse he had ever ridden, until Zenyatta..... I was "taking a little break" from closely following racing during those years so what a treat to hear about him in your words! ***Steve from St Louis, there is a book on Mr Prospector called "Gold Rush, How Mr Prospector Became Racing's Billion Dollar Sire", by Avalyn Hunter. It has been available through Bloodhorse but they seem to be clearancing all their books so if they no longer have it you can probably find it on EBay.

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

ThoroGreats — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 01:59:10 GMT

Holy Bull was great. Interesting to note Steve, Easy Goer and Sunday Silence were ranked both in the Top 30's of all time by Bloodhorse. Holy Bull ranked #64 all time.

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

Martha Rattner — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 01:40:05 GMT

Holy Bull was my favorite in 1994. I had just moved to Kentucky and was at CD every day that I could be there before the Derby. I had first seen the grey wonder during the winter in Florida. When I saw him work on the CD track he ran like a giant mountain cat. You never heard a sound. He seemed to swallow the ground and with no effort at all. Holy Bull made it look easy. I go every January during the week of open barns and visit him. I was so glad to see he still lives in the same stall. Stories like this one are why we(horsemen) that live each day with horses can survive the downside and pray for the upside while living the dream. Almost Derby Day ! Thanks for the wonderful story.

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

trackjack — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 00:28:57 GMT

JorgeG: Good luck with her!

Bigtex: Thanks for posting the pics.

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

859greg — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 00:25:38 GMT

I was there by the rail next to the starting gate for that derby,the Bull came down there with his head cocked& bowed,which seemed kind of normal,but you could tell he was not right.I had done bet him but felt a sinking feeling,you know what happened.A few years later Billy Reed wrote story about a long time track vet for churchill& other tracks.The article called DR.Fix It was published in a news letter called Snitch,I still have a copy its very interesting,& it mentioned the 1994 Derby. If you can find a copy read it,it will open your eyes.

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

Bigtex — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 23:00:11 GMT

For those who don't know, I found pics that Steve posted from an article July 12, 2012…

Priceless pic of your daughter wearing her Holy Bull t-shirt and her hand on his nose!

cs.bloodhorse.com/.../new-life-for-holy-bull.aspx

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

Windolin — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 19:10:52 GMT

Now that is horse racing at its best! What a great back story. It never ceases to amaze me that there are so many heart tugging stories behind these horses. And Steve, we need televised diaries with you as the narrator reading from your writings. If that would not change the negative perception about racing, I do not know what would.

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

Melissa P — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 18:49:16 GMT

Another great story, Steve. Holy Bull and his wonderful story are part of the golden fabric of racing. I consider some of the negative stories of today to be the selvedges to be cut away and removed lest they tarnish the brightness of the whole. The love and pure dedication that Mr. Croll had for Holy Bull show that the love of the horse can, and most often does, come before the money and the fame. I'm so glad I got to see The Bull run. I'm also glad that his racing legacy lives on. His son Bull Inthe Heather at Old Friends carries on his sire's garrulous personality.

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

JorgeG — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 18:27:12 GMT

I fulfilled one of my dreams when buying last year a daughter of the last crop of my idol HOLY BULL at the keeneland yearling sale.... With a little bit of luck and specially GOOD CARE, hopefully she could bring unforgettable moments.... can not be happier, truly a dream come true! BULL, thanks for the memories!

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

trackjack — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 18:24:05 GMT

Thanks Steve for telling this story again. You have the ability to paint a beautiful portrait of "The Bull" and what he meant to the people around him and us fans.

My wife fell in love with Bull from the beginning and she still has a 'Holy Bull-1994 Horse of the Year' t- shirt from the Cortez Saratoga Collection of Jenness Cortez, which she wears on only very special occasions. We also have two Fred Stone prints, one of Secretariat and the other of Holy Bull.

According to my wife, Bull had the ability to measure his foes and she recalls the time after one victory when Jimmy Croll went out to get him after a victory and after hooking a loose lead on Bull, Bull just followed Jimmy like a 'puppydog'.

After watching that 1995 Donn many, many times, I still believe that Bull ran into a foe like none he had ever raced before and had to dig down like never before, thus injuring himself, and it took a horse of the caliber of Cigar to cause that.

We were blessed in 1998 to visit Holy Bull at Jonabell, to pet him and take some pictures, what a gentleman. We also saw Affirmed and Cherokee Run on the same visit.

Thanks again Steve. We never tire of the memories of the great ones like Bull. It would certainly be a crowning achievement if Cairo Prince can do it.

re: Holy Bull's Legend Born 20 Years Ago

JorgeG — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 18:10:06 GMT

Mr. Haskin, I started reading your columns because of him...thank you HOLY BULL, without a doubt, my all time favorite! Amazing words.