The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

Householder — Tue, 05 May 2009 23:39:19 GMT

"The two Derby horses hit the wire together." Man they don't make Breeder's Classics like that one anymore. People often forget that before Ferdinand there was Bet Twice. I have often said that IF Alysheba had been allowed to run on Lasix in the Belmont he would have won the Triple Crown. I still have fond memories of Alysheba kicking his hind legs up in the walking circle at Santa Anita. He was the most fit horse I have ever seen. And that redish coat...magnificent. Got kind of spoiled at the time watching Alysheba, Ferdinand, Good Taste battling it out. Every Saturday at Santa Anita seemed to bring out such stars...Bayakoa, Sunday Silence, Winning Colors. The late 80's early 90's...Wow.

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

Barbara — Tue, 05 May 2009 03:54:18 GMT

Becky,

Thank you so much for this tribute. I'm printing it to keep in my notebook. You see, our daughter has Alysheba's great-nephew. We adore him. I was planning to visit Alysheba later this month when we travel from Texas to Lexington. Alas, it was not to be. If you live near there, I would love to meet you and learn more about him.

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

Lisa Andres — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:15:44 GMT

Thank you for the tribute to my favorite horse of all time, Alysheba. I was lucky enough to attend all of his 3 & 4 yo west coast races, and was thrilled that he had returned to the U.S. to live out his remaining days. I cried the day he died, as I had been planning a trip to KY this fall and had hoped to see him in person one last time. At least we can pay tribute to the great moments in horse racing that Alysheba gave us.

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

My Juliet — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:50:31 GMT

I have enjoyed so much the above comments. I have been a horse racing fan for years but I admit did not tune in as much during the mid eighties, and missed the apparent very special times of this champion. I do agree that the Easy Goer/Sunday Silence rivalry was a great one.

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

jillian — Mon, 04 May 2009 03:31:18 GMT

If ever a horse was loved..........

I never thought I would love a horse the way I did Alydar, and then came his progeny!! Alysheba, Turkoman, Strike the Gold, Criminal Type, Althea and many more. Champions all.

Alysheba was so special. Their blood will live for centuries.

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

Julie L. — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:04:57 GMT

There are few horses that truly capture my heart, Alydar had captured mine in a big way back in the 70's, he is the only horse to finish 2nd in all three triple crown races and if not for Affirmed would have won it. With Alydar retired I waited patiently for his babies and then came Alysheba. Something told me he would win the Kentucky Derby and maybe give his dad a triple crown winning son. Though it didn't happen I still loved Alysheba in the biggest way. In fact he stole my heart beyond what his father had. I made sure I saw him in the Breeders Cup Classic at Hollywood Park and was so overjoyed that the starting gate was placed right smack in front of me as I stood at the rail. I saw the beautiful horse standing right in front of me, that will stay with me forever. I cried when he left America, cried when he returned and cried when I read of his passing. I had so hoped to visit him. With Alysheba gone my heart is vacant but some of it is filled with the great Curlin who I saw in the Breeder's Cup and was close enough to reach out and touch. Another beginning to fill my heart is Einstein. If we look the great ones are there and a person's heart will fill with joy again. Pioneerof the Nile is beinning to find a place in my heart as well. But none will fill the spot that held Alysheba.

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

Becky Johnston — Sun, 03 May 2009 01:19:02 GMT

but it didn't span three seasons and nine meetings.

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

Chip McGruff — Sat, 02 May 2009 16:39:01 GMT

Alysheba was for sure one of the best Derby winners! And is one of the few racehorses that deserves to be called "GREAT"!

Even though Alywow gets all the attention,Alysheba was also the father of a Canadain gelding by the name of Desert Waves who was a multiple stakes winner of over a million dollars.He was owned by SamSon Farms.

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

Lmaris — Sat, 02 May 2009 04:54:32 GMT

How long was your generation? Just a year later the Sunday Silence/Easy Goer was at least as big a rivalry.

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

John T. — Sat, 02 May 2009 01:29:47 GMT

Alywow was indeed the best filly sired by Alysheba,I can still remember her giving lots of weight away in the Maple Leaf Stakes at the now defunct racetrack Greenwood in Toronto and winning with the greatest of ease.

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

Rggc — Fri, 01 May 2009 23:30:16 GMT

I got to see Alysheba when he ran in the Belmont and then when he was at Lanes'End. Alydar was my favorite horse and I loved his son almost as much. On the farm, his paddock was across from Bet Twice's and I think they must have formed a kind of truce/friendship since they seemed to be at peace with one another. I imagined when they were alone, they would run the fence line in mock battle, each of them taking a turn in victory. Alysheba was a true champion and a wonderful gentleman. I would like to thank Lanes End for allowing me the chance to see him when I did. I will never forget him. RIP old fella.

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

Mike Relva — Fri, 01 May 2009 22:37:36 GMT

HELLO BECKY:

Thanks for the great tribute. I was lucky to see Aly fir the first time in Feb. of this year. I just can't believe he's gone. It was my wish as so many others' he would enjoy good years ahead at KHP.

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

joe — Fri, 01 May 2009 20:08:41 GMT

I can never forget Alysheba's grit, courage, tanacity-whatever-which powered him past that Derby stretch stumble. He and McCarron averted a tragedy for themselves and those behind in the stretch. I'm sorry I never saw Sheba at the park, but I have the memory of him in the stretch, blasting before me to a Preakness victory. I'll never forget that moment, in the flesh!

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

Karen in Indiana — Fri, 01 May 2009 19:54:45 GMT

Love the video of George Washington! That was perfect for him. I have a soft spot for the ornery ones - we relate. :-)

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

Lady Ruffian — Fri, 01 May 2009 18:34:46 GMT

I agree with Frank J. Silver Charm / Free House was the most exciting rivalry since... and since horses race less and less I dont see any real rivalries in the near future... I'd love to see a clash of styles though. Rachel Alexandra v. Zenyatta!

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

helsbelles — Fri, 01 May 2009 18:17:02 GMT

Boy, that's SOME video tribute to Gorgeous George. I like what the creator of it wrote: I made this video for an old favorite of mine, Gorgeous George Washington. Although George died tragically, I like to remember him in his good days; the days when he was biting people and beating ...

I will never forget that ugly day: "We have a situation with George Washington..." What an amazingly talented, and stunningly beautiful creature he was; he was a very special champion. And yes, I choose to believe he got most of that through his wonderful broodmare sire. It's a shame Alysheba didn't live just a little bit longer after he arrived back home.

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

Shoshin — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:23:58 GMT

Thank you so much for the wonderful memories & celebration of a great life...too early gone but so well lived.

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

Dee — Fri, 01 May 2009 16:12:44 GMT

Thank you for the tribute to one of the greatest horses of all time! I always enjoy watching the old races, seeing old familiar faces, and gotta love seeing some of the race coverage again! What a talented group of horses. My first horse racing memory, when I was 5 I picked Alysheba in my first Derby. I have been a devoted follower ever since, so thank you Sheba, for your talent, heart, and beauty... a true hero of the sport.

As for this year's Derby, I can only hope for another hero for our sport. A rivalry I would love to see would be I Want Revenge and Friesan Fire, although Quality Road would have been my top pick of them all, with a Quality Road/I Want Revenge rivalry.

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

Karen2 — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:14:14 GMT

Thank you for sharing this tribute to Alysheba. I also remember Aly like it was yesterday. I was surprised that the Blood horse only did a small write up on his passing. I felt he deserved more. I am not a pedigree expert by any means but I couldn't help notice Mr. Hot Stuff has Alydar in his pedigree.

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

Ryan — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:11:06 GMT

What a horse!!!!! He is one of my all-time favorites. His battle with Ferdinand in the '88 BC Classic is one of my favorite races. Also how many horses can clip heels in the final furlong and still battle on to win. What a gutsy horse!!!

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

Richard Patrick — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:08:08 GMT

I was lucky enough to visit Alysheba at the Horse Park last Thanksgiving. Because he was only used to a sand footing, they had yet to let him run loose in his paddock. He was a handful as an attendant led him around in the open paddock by lead shank. More than a handful! At his late age, he was still a racehorse.

I had no particular affinity for Alysheba during his racing career. Secretariat was my inspiration. But I honestly must admit that Alysheba's courage in the Kentucky Derby, even in light of Secretariat's unbelievable running time, is in my view the greatest performance in a Kentucky Derby. There was one thing for sure about that race -- in Alysheba's mind, he was going to win! It was as if he was thinking, "knock me down, I'll get up. Come out on me again, I'll go around. I am WINNING this race TODAY!"

And the greatest Breeder's Cup race -- again, in my view, Alysheba and Ferdinand, both running full bore at the Quarter Pole, and we all knew these two Derby winners were set for the showdown, which culminated in Tom Durkin's call, "The two Derby winners hit the wire together!" Personal Ensign's Breeders Cup was magic, but Alysheba-Ferdinand, the two Kentucky Derby winners coming together at that particular moment, in that particular race, is the greatest drama the Breeeders Cup has offered.

Again, I had no specific affection for Alysheba -- but, in my view, he was responsible for the two greatest and inspiring performances in the sport's two greatest races!

I'm honored to have seen him (I wanted to pet him, but he was a little jazzed up) and now he does have a special place in my heart.

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

Blue Blue Sea — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:17:31 GMT

'Sheba was a very special horse for me. He was my favorite son of my favorite racehorse of all time and is the maternal grandsire of my favorite horse of all time, Blue Blue Sea. I was not quite 4 when Alydar came on the scene and fell madly in love with him. I'll never forget watching Alysheba do his dad proud. I was delighted when I heard he was coming back in October and took a trip in early January back home to KY just to visit him. I'm so glad I didn't let the Winter stop me. I miss him still. Thanks for sharing your memories of a truly great champion.

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

Frank J. — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:47:03 GMT

The most recent pair to even come close to racing like this was obviously Free House/Silver Charm 97-99. I would have loved to see more of Street Sense/Curlin but oh well. I think the two this year to come out might be POTN/CC?? Just a hunch though. POTN's connections prob won't race him at 4 I would say.

re: The Best Derby Winner of my Generation - Alysheba

da3hoss — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:45:03 GMT

Sadly I don't ever see a true rivalry again, too few starts, a lot of races available to avoid each other "damaging" their breeding shed value...do you really think our next TC winner will ever run another race when that happens? Not unless it's a gelding...