The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

Donna Melendz from Grayslake, IL — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:20:34 GMT

So well said and so very true. The regular guys run their hearts out and give their all and some people don't even give them a second thought. I have ridden many wonderful ex-race horses at my barn and have such a high regard and respect for them. They seem to have something extra, even if they were a "no name" in the businees. They seem to have this over achiever willing attitude to learn and adapt. They are all my heros.

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

The Second Race — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:01:01 GMT

Bravo, Bravo and all hail the "ordinary" race horse that keep many people employed, and sharing with us their "ordinary" lives, in an extraordinary way. I know my life has been blessed beyond measure giving back to these "ordinary" horses, when their racing days are over. No matter how big or how small the earnings.

Loved this piece!

Sharla Sanders

Founder

The Second Race www.thesecondrace.com

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

Sunny Farm — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 17:45:53 GMT

I really loved this positive story. While one seems to read so many negative thoughts on owners & racing, and that they just don't care, this article brought back a point. Many owners and trainers DO care.

They care about the horses and take good care of them. While not everyone is a "good person", there ARE still quite a few who are.

Being ordinary is still being in the racing game & Mz. Wirth is right, a lot of extra-ordinary things happen with "ordinary" horses . Thanks for the story Mz. Wirth.

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

Deb — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 17:05:35 GMT

Its all about the horses and their people at all the tracks that make racing. Some will be great and others will be great in their own way. No matter what, everyone is touched some way or another when encountering these brave steeds and the feeling stays......

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

Dawn in MN — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 23:23:59 GMT

Jennifer Wirth, Your writing makes clear a sentiment that you and I share. Most of the Thoroughbreds, like all horses through their long history of domestication have been partners to mankind in ingnominy. Each and every horse has the potential to interact with us and to enrich our lives and their own with their faithful service. As intelligent and useful as horses are their value is in their faithful and enduring desire to work for us.

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

RGGC — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 17:50:57 GMT

Thank you for that wonderful article. I wish every racing fan could have the chance to read it. It really says what I feel about horses in my heart as a fan and especially what is in the heart of every racehorse out there; greatness.

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

Mike Relva — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 16:52:13 GMT

Thanks for the nice article.

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

Jennifer Wirth — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 22:48:14 GMT

Thank you for the beautiful comments! I appreciate hearing all of your perspectives and opinions. Go Gretl! :)

- Jennifer

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

quarterhossgal — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 20:12:49 GMT

Jennifer Wirth, I love your writing, it is straight from the heart. Tim Ice sounds like my kind of trainer. I hope Gretl breaks her maiden soon. Mares have a better chance of a second career after racing than most geldings, I hope Gretl has a chance at a solid future in good caring hands.

Jennifer, I enjoyed your article about ZENYATTA, future HOY.

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

Zen4Zen — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 19:45:25 GMT

Lovely!

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

Zen's Auntie — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 19:18:15 GMT

Timely piece and nice insight. I have always valued Thoroughbreds.

Every sound retired OTT I have ever seen given a shot at something else has become a "great horse" for someone else.

Nearly every Thoroughbred I have EVER met had the potential to be great in some way. Some are great racers But more can acheive thier own greateness in other things - some are therapy horses, some are brave eventers, some cut cows some dance and some just are best pals to kids.

I agree that the "ordinary" Thoroughbred is and extrordinary thing.

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

Convene — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 17:42:46 GMT

How true it is! There is more to be said for those who go about their business, quietly doing their jobs to the best of their ability - and oh, how often the pure nobility of their merit goes unsung! When I watch a day's racing on TV from tracks all over the world, I see so much real beauty as the most ordinary of the ordinary horses dances his or her way through the post parade, ears pricked, coat gleaming, eyes full of pride and fire and intelligence - and in those moments there is no difference between the cheapest claimers and Zenyatta or Blame. Hopes and dreams ride on their wings and, first or last under the wire, all of them are winners because they are giving their best and staying in the game. Thank you for acknowledging every special thing they are.

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

Kim — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 17:26:50 GMT

I appreciate the article I hope that if she never wins a race she will still end up in a good home and a new career.

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

Shelby's Best Pal — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 16:26:22 GMT

Good article.

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

Ragsy — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 16:00:22 GMT

Beautiful story and when I go to Oaklawn I would love to meet such a darling.

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

Love 'em all — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 15:44:27 GMT

Thank you for the lovely article and for introducing us to Gretl.

Wish the friendly chestnut filly the best.

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

TBDancer — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 14:28:07 GMT

I too have an "ordinary racehorse" that won his first race "handily" with Chris McCarron in the saddle. He won twice more, raced a total of five times, and was then purchased by someone who saw the kindness in his eye and his willingness to please and retrained him for a career after racing. He is now my dressage horse with a whole lot more talent for that discipline than his rider (;o) I agree with those above who write that the unheralded masses of equine athletes deserve handling by owners and trainers who regard racehorses as more than just a means to an end, animals that deserve to be treated with care and kindness and given the chance to retire with dignity and live out their lives in second careers.

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

Anordinaryhorse — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 14:21:20 GMT

Thank you for this wonderful article. It really hits home!

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 14:16:01 GMT

What a wonderful article. It brought tears to my eyes. May all the horses out there who step their hooves onto a racetrack, bask in the glory of being an ordinary racehorse-in my book, all are winners whether they win a race or not. To Gret1 and those alike, you all are superstars!

Love & Blessings to the wonderful horses who give their all!

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

horsemen — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 13:07:00 GMT

youve but only to be aboard one time to understand the heart of every thoroughbred. they try so hard; fast or slow; jumps or trail; all extraordinary

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

Pat g — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 12:52:13 GMT

I always said the breeders cup should offer a race to honor the claiming horse on breeders cup day. These horses are what keeps the game going thanks Pat g

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

GhostTown — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 03:39:16 GMT

I think most owners and trainers do appreciate these "ordinary" horses, they would not be in the business without them. I think fickle race fans are the bigger problem. I will have TVG on practically all weekend, and when I am able to make a trip to the track I am there for the first race and there for the last regardless what level it is. I have always taken great pride in the fact that I give the same amouth of respect to all of the horses and their connections. I just wish more people could say the same. Track attendance is good around the big races, but as soon as they are done the place clears out. Fans have a bad habit regardless of your sport of choice to only support the successful teams, or let's say the major leagues instead of the minor leagues. Because we place so much emphasis on winning the big one, we forget about the journey getting there. Diehard fans don't care who they are watching, just that they are there and part of the moment. Racing more than ever needs fans that can appreciate and support every horse that steps on the track.

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

txhorsefan — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 01:30:09 GMT

It's wonderful to see your blog being published here on the Bloodhorse site - congratulations! You are giving us an opportunity to look at the every day racehorse in a new light and I hope that many will see the beauty in these competitors. They are all trying and while they may not reach the highest pinnacles, they definitely deserve our respect and our compassion. Thank you!

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

Leanne — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 01:08:36 GMT

Well said, go Greti!

re: The Extraordinary Endeavor of Being an Ordinary Racehorse

John T — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 00:45:07 GMT

I have been a student of breeding

for many years now and I have seen

lots of horses bred in the purple some of them sold for millions of dollars never accomplish anything,

and I have seen horses like John Henry by the unfashionable sire Ole

Bob Bowers go on to achive absolutely amazing results on the racetrack.But what is so easily forgotton in horse racing there are

thousands of horses each year who never break their maidens so when a

horse does win a race no matter what level of racing it happens to be,it is tremendous joy to those connected to the horse.