Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

ufgrits — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 02:59:59 GMT

Firenze was foaled at Elmendorf Farm in Lexington, Kentucky.

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

ufgrits — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 02:53:45 GMT

Trainer was my great grandfather. Seems Hall of Fame has neglected to include his contributions to racing. Those were the days of the "greats"--horsemen, trainers, jockeys and thoroughbreds--all should be remembered. They were the keystones of racing today. Pierre and George Lorillard, James Ben Ali Haggin, Senator Marcus Daly, the Dwyer Brothers, ad infinitum. And then there was Ike Murphy who I maintain was poisoned not drunk on Firenze!

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

downhomesunset — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 02:07:42 GMT

Another one is 6/03/2000 g named Little I. Bred in Nebraska by Donald Heldt and owned as of May'09 by David G Hollimon & Dan Klingman, the horse has won over $36,000 in 45 starts. He also Tail-females to Firenze(her progeny produced a large percentage of mares, as well), by Yankee Fan(Our Native)-Itandream by Dr Stat. An intersting addition to a rescue farm or adoption program?

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

downhomesunset — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 01:55:17 GMT

I traced Firenze using Pedigree Query and found a 10 year old mare that traces direct tail-female back to her. The mare's name is Merry Myrtle- a grey by Pauliano (Fappiano)-Safe deposit by Run a Native. No word on her racing or foaling achievements. If anyone can track her down.....This is only the first decendant that I lucked upon;there may be more. Firenze had 5 known foals, all mares. I had found a stallion in the 50's....but who knows?????

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

Jeff — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:27:43 GMT

Any idea where Firenze was foaled?

Her owner, James Ben Ali Haggin, had

a 44,000 acre ranch on the NE side of

Sacramento, CA. Wondering if Firenze came from there, as Ben Ali did.

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

NEED YOUR HELP ~ PETE FRPOM LAUREL — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:54:49 GMT

Just found a small glass tumbler from Bowie, MD. on it reads, Locust Hill Farm on one side and a pic of horse and name Ruffian on the other! WOW! Tried to search the horses stats and can find no place that says anything about running there? Anyone help me? Thanks and Happy 4th of July!

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

Shawn P — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:57:57 GMT

So, anyone actually going to go support their local track this weekend?

Should be fun tomorrow nite at CD.

I can't wait for Saratoga myself.

Those old hard knockers were great. No one thought a thing about running them a couple times a week from what I've been told. Some thrived on it.

For those of you missing Draynay? Just mosey over to Steve's blog, he still posts there. Not as abrasive but still not Mr.Charming.

Don't get the infatuation with him, but to each his own.

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

Greg J. — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:51:19 GMT

Jason,

Off subject, First off Good article on Mr. Wiggins and "Brassy Boy", The Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs, Race 10, Friday Night is one of two races I am looking forward to this Holiday weekend, But, One of my favorites is in that race with "Brassy Boy", "Mission Impazible" will be my pick, Another would have to be "Grand Slam Andre"(Just because I am a Huge Agassi and Tennis Fan!), So, Would love to see, Mission Impazible, Brassy Boy, Grand Slam Andre finish in the top three :)

The race I cannot wait for though, Has two "Old Warrior's" in it, The United Nations Stakes at Monmouth, July 4, Race 10. You have the eight year old, "Brass Hat" and the ten year old, "Better Talk Now", I also love the six year old, "Presious Passion", Hope all three do well and return safely....

I cannot believe Dray makes his return in only five days!, Ugh, Should be interesting when he returns, It was fun while it lasted...

Finally, I Hope Everyone has a Great Holiday Weekend...

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

Jason Shandler — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:54:24 GMT

Thanks for everyones insight on this subject. It's been very informative.

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

julie o — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:37:48 GMT

when I was a kid I had a book called The History of Thoroghbred Racing in America by w.p. Robertson. It was a treasure and covered racing from before the first real important sire (Diomed) through Kelso. It was amazing and I learned more from that than from any other source. I hope they reprint it someday. The author considered the foal crop of 1884 to be the best of that century, like 1954 (Bold Ruler- Gallant Man-Round Table) or 1970(Secretariat- Forego- Mr. Prospector). Firenze was always one of the best of her crop, and was always the best female. One of her few unplaced efforts was when her jockey (the great Isaac Murphey) actually fell off of her back.

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

Alex — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:17:23 GMT

Great story Jason. After reading it, I went on the racing museum.org site and was disappointed. As someone who has visited the museum several times and enjoys every minute of it, I found the site extremely pokie and boring. Hopefully they will take the time to revamp it in the future and make it as enchanting as the museum is.

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

Manoa Tommy — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:47:08 GMT

The Firenze Cafe is on north Eleventh Street in downtown Philadelphia, between Race Street and Cherry Street. And yes they used to race horses on Race Street. Coincidence?

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

Ann in Lexington — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:05:51 GMT

Incidentally, Kingston of the many starts (and wins) was later TWICE leading US sire.

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

Cris McHenka — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:57:49 GMT

What an interesting story. How is the said? I do recall the race that was named after this horse and always wondered who the horse was. I was listing a inventory of the equipment in Bowie's old grandstand and found a picture of Spec. Bid on the floor. I did not know who it was till I looked it up. Funny how things happen like that.

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

Sysonby — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:26:17 GMT

By my user name you may gather that I am a student of racing history. When I began following racing (1970's) I read a great article about some of the greats of the late 1800's and Firenze was among them. There was at that time a Firenze stakes in NY, for fillies and mares late in the year. It was on equal fotting with the Beldame, who was a contemporary of Sysonby. I am not certain but I think that the Firenze Stakes became the Ruffian when NYRA decided that Reviewer's ill fated daughter deserved her own race. I'm not saying that Ruffian was not worthy but when race names are changed like that, they break a link in the chain of racing history.

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

hrseldy — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:14:16 GMT

While I agree that money is also the issue now days I don't agree about the breed itself. I don't understand how anyone could mistake horses like Firenze, Seabiscuit, etc. for the look of the breed today. Breeding has changed drastically. The racehorse of today is taller, finer boned and bred for speed, speed, glorious speed. Mine That Bird, Smarty Jones, Afleet Alex have the look AND stamina of horses of yesteryear. Let's remember the other part of this equation is "heart". I'm sure there were castrophic injuries back then but they cannot compare to the losses we have racked up in recent years especially when you compare the number of races and frequency of races these animals competed in compared to the campaigns of today's horses - there is no comparison. Let's face it, horseracing today is not what it was years ago. I am an avid horse owner and breeder who loved to watch every race I could find but now, I can't bear to watch any race for fear of another breakdown. We need to take a serious look at the breed and redirect our efforts toward breeding a sounder individual. Forget the speed - I'd like to still have them around at 4,5 6,7.......

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

LACS70 — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:53:25 GMT

Reading this reminded me of another great 19th century filly, perhaps the greatest of them all, Fashion (1837-1860). Fashion's most famous race was the North -vs- South match race against Boston(she won). Amazingly, she raced until age 11, with 36 starts and won 32 times! She even beat her old nemisis Boston's daughter, Bostona, at age 11. Talk about endurance!

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

StardustyRose — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:08:46 GMT

Somethingroyal..

Thank You. I will be in the LA area for about a week. Leaving tomorrow. :) Would love to see Zenyatta in real life. I don't care about whether it is a race or not. Just to see her would help me through this time of maddness. She would surely lift up any spirits aye? :)

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

draynays better half — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:40:07 GMT

Is it bad juju to smash an abacus?

draynay's usin one he found buried in the attic to countdown the days till his return. It's the one he used to use for handicapping until he figured out if you choose enough of the contestants your odds of being able to claim you had the winner all along are pretty good. The constant click click click noise is drivin the dogs nuts. I'm not sure when he's clicking his dentures or counting down time anymore.

Just think in less than a week you can have him back. Doesn't time fly when you are having fun without him? Enjoy the rest of your reprieve. He'll be back with a vengance calling your win a "fluke" in no time.

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

Somethingroyal — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:44:29 GMT

StardustyRose:

I have someone I can ask to answer your question. I'm all of 20 minutes from Del Mar and I hope to visit early in the morning for workout photos of Zenyatta. If you haven't seen her in person yet. You're in for a treat. She's gorgeous.

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

AMY ROONEY — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:11:37 GMT

thank you whoapony,

i was beginning to think my age was showing!

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

Paula Higgins — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:03:31 GMT

Great article. As wonderful as it is that she ran 82 races, I feel like there is a happy medium between that and 14 in a career. 82 seems like one race too many IMO. She was clearly a very special horse with stamina that knew no end. I totally agree that the short racing careers is ruining horse racing. Owners do it for breeding purposes, but to what end? This will become self defeating if no on cares about racing anymore.

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

StardustyRose — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:58:52 GMT

Greg J. or Jason or anyone....

Can someone go and see Zenyatta exersise or just see her if they are in the area? If so, can you give me a way to get to her. If not, then oh well. I just figured it could be a good time to see her this coming few days. I know nothing about this.

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

Annem — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:40:47 GMT

There are a few descendants into the 2000's coming down from Frightfully (1967) who comes down from Firenze's daughter Fiesole

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Rita — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:28:07 GMT

Good story Jason it's nice to hear about the great girls along with all the boys. Thanks.