'I Was a Fan of Him.' Revisiting Summer Bird's Victory in the Belmont.

re: 'I Was a Fan of Him.' Revisiting Summer Bird's Victory in the Belmont.

WhiteCamry — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:07:31 GMT

“It’s ... the first time that a three-year-old horse is asked to run a mile and a half.”

And the only time for most of them, including both Summer Bird and his old man. Such is the state of North American racing.

re: 'I Was a Fan of Him.' Revisiting Summer Bird's Victory in the Belmont.

Delrene — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 04:11:49 GMT

What a lovely remembrance of a wonderful horse. I was such a fan of both Birdstone's boys. Such spunk from MTB and Summer Bird was elegance and regal in appearance. Loved that if MTB didn't win, SB came through, just like his Daddy. I remember your husband in the television coverage. Glad you had the opportunity and such a great memory. Both Birdie's deserve lots more recognition and I enjoy watching Birdstone's progeny. Much sucess to you and your husband.

re: 'I Was a Fan of Him.' Revisiting Summer Bird's Victory in the Belmont.

Tracy27 — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 19:52:37 GMT

This is a very touching piece it says alot about how much you can get from a relationship with an animal if you can open yourself up,its a win-win for both....

re: 'I Was a Fan of Him.' Revisiting Summer Bird's Victory in the Belmont.

Sophiekea — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 11:39:28 GMT

what a great story about a wonderful horse.

I had admired Summer Bird before the Derby and proclaimed him to win the Belmont Stakes long before. Of course people thought I was nuts then when he did I was hailed a genius.

I have many photos of him from that day in the paddock as well as from the Travers. He is a lovely horse and it was a sad day when he was injured and had to be retired.

I can only imagine what he would have went on to do.

Thanks for sharing this story.

re: 'I Was a Fan of Him.' Revisiting Summer Bird's Victory in the Belmont.

merrywriter — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 02:52:47 GMT

Yay! I love this article. I have thought of it often and understand why you have so much insight into racing and horses. I am so glad BH published it. There should be more comments, people obviously don't know what they are missing. Tory

re: 'I Was a Fan of Him.' Revisiting Summer Bird's Victory in the Belmont.

bellesforever — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 16:43:40 GMT

I was a fan of Summer Bird..he was one tough horse..he showed up everywhere and always gave it his all..I have to admit that he was my fav of the two sons of Birdstone.

Thank you for the really nice walk through your memories ..I wish him well as a sire but I would have loved to see him race as an older horse ..thank god that he is healthy and here to do just that.

re: 'I Was a Fan of Him.' Revisiting Summer Bird's Victory in the Belmont.

shuttleworth — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 04:52:19 GMT

Summer Bird was and is a good horse... He seemed to be a throwback grind-it-out kind of horse that seems so rare these days. He will always be a Champion and a winner of the Belmont; no one can take that away from him... I think Tim Rice has some great moments ahead for his career... I hope to be watching!

re: 'I Was a Fan of Him.' Revisiting Summer Bird's Victory in the Belmont.

Terry M. — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 17:16:50 GMT

"It occurred to me that holding a single jewel of the Triple Crown makes a horse a king, even if it is just for a day, whether they hold all three gems or a lone jewel."

That says it all. Wonderful story!

re: 'I Was a Fan of Him.' Revisiting Summer Bird's Victory in the Belmont.

Karen in Indiana — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:08:33 GMT

Sherpa, I couldn't have said it any better.

Jennifer, here's hoping for a long and successful career for Tim. I loved both Birds that year and had Summer Bird on my list at the first of that year, mainly because Summer Squall was in his bloodline. His career wasn't long enough and that's a shame.

re: 'I Was a Fan of Him.' Revisiting Summer Bird's Victory in the Belmont.

Ida Lee — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:56:41 GMT

Great story. I was just thinking about Summer Bird the other day. I too adored this beautiful and talented horse. And I too also loved and still love and am still in awe of Big Red. His 31-length iconic photo signed by Ron Turcotte, as well as a painting, are hanging in my home. But that does not mean I can't appreciate another beauty and great talent as Summer Bird. He was a sight for sore eyes on the track and I miss him very much. Being originally from NYC, I love the Belmont and can't wait for next Saturday. Good Luck boys and come home safely.

re: 'I Was a Fan of Him.' Revisiting Summer Bird's Victory in the Belmont.

thederbydream.com — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:33:58 GMT

Summer Bird was just unreal in how he went from maiden at Oaklawn to go on and win the Belmont, Travers, and Jockey Club Gold Cup. Tim Ice did a wonderful job manageing his 3 yr old campaign and I believe if the Bredders Cup had been run on dirt he would have won that as well. The breeders response to him in the breeding shed has been unreal with him covering nearly 150 mares in his first season. Hopefully Tim will have the chance to train on of his great sons down the road and get to expereience the bond he had with Summer Bird again.

re: 'I Was a Fan of Him.' Revisiting Summer Bird's Victory in the Belmont.

Linda Waltman — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:01:15 GMT

Jennifer - what a moving story about the admiration that Tim has for Summer Bird, and, Summer Bird for him. Trainer and racehorse are so bonded for such a short training/racing time but the time they spent together will not fade from memory for either one. I can only hope that Tim will find another "gem" one day to train and once again experience winning a Triple Crown race.

re: 'I Was a Fan of Him.' Revisiting Summer Bird's Victory in the Belmont.

Fran Loszynski — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:48:34 GMT

I had to wipe a few tears away, what a great story and awesome that Mine That Bird and Summer Bird were from the great Birdstone. I had a similar feeling in my heart when watching Afleet Alex heading toward the Belmont stretch-I yelled to my friends standing with me-"He's going to win it for the Kids!" That last stretch of dirt in the air shooting up as the hoofs go by you never forget. Because of the long stretch these racehorses have for the finish you can almost feel their muscles powering across. Yes-the "Birds" had it that year. He was a beauty to watch jet across the finish line, great race. The Belmont is truly the test of champions. There are times I even relish it more than the Kentucky Derby. Hope you have the NTRA calendar, this year's pic of the Belmont last year is awesome. You feel like you just left the gate with the horses.

re: 'I Was a Fan of Him.' Revisiting Summer Bird's Victory in the Belmont.

Rachel NH — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 10:28:29 GMT

Best racing article I've read in a long time...God bless.

re: 'I Was a Fan of Him.' Revisiting Summer Bird's Victory in the Belmont.

JenniferWirth — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 03:55:19 GMT

Thank you for your wonderful comment, Sherpa. I am very happy that you enjoyed the article.

It was wonderful to see Summer Bird recognize Tim at the farm. I had never seen a thing like it. :)

Thank you for for your kind wishes for the future as well.

Take Care,

Jennifer

re: 'I Was a Fan of Him.' Revisiting Summer Bird's Victory in the Belmont.

sherpa — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 01:15:10 GMT

Jennifer, I read this several times at the "Saturday Post," by link from PR, and again now, and love it better every time. It speaks to the "connection" between horse and man as it was meant to be.

In 2009, I was torn between the two wonderful Birdstone colts - the spunky little Mine That Bird and the gorgeous BIG boy, Summer Bird. If MTB had to lose the Belmont, I was glad SB was the winner. He seemed to come into his own with that race, going on to win the Travers and JCGC and named 3yo HOY.

I was very sad when SB was injured in Japan and owners decided to retire him. Given a decent time to heal, he could have come back. He still had a lot of racing in him. I won't go into that unhappy situation; suffice to say I felt Tim's pain.

So, extra bittersweet that Tim says "He hollered that he'd love to race again." I'll bet that's a true interpretation of the noise Summer Bird made as you and Tim walked away.

The best I can wish for Tim is another as good as this colt, though his Summer Bird will always be the First.

I'm glad BH chose this for posting. It deserves lots of readers.