A History of Quality - By Eric Mitchell

re: A History of Quality - By Eric Mitchell

Melanie G — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:12:46 GMT

Thank you so much for the video! I have been compiling a pedigree history of Nasrullah and his legacy for some time. It is amazing to see him in action!

re: A History of Quality - By Eric Mitchell

Catbird — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:45:04 GMT

Love the history (and especially the video)! I remember being at Claiborne only a few months after Nasrullah died. He was still the first topic of conversation, much like, I am sure, Secretariat was long after he was gone.

By the way, if I'm not mistaken, Mrs. Nichols had Walnut Hall Farm and Mrs. Jenney Walnut Hall Stud, which subsequently became the Kentucky Horse Park.

Would love to see more articles like this. The Thoroughbred breed has such a rich history.

re: A History of Quality - By Eric Mitchell

Cowboy Adventure — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:23:16 GMT

My Gosh that video was incredible!

Thank you so much for sharing. Someday I will visit Claiborne farms; they really know how to breed a horse the right way.

re: A History of Quality - By Eric Mitchell

Barbara W — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:41:55 GMT

We have a little piece of history, as he is in our horse's pedigree also.

When we were at Claiborne, our guide told us that Nasrullah used to stand on his hind feet and knock out the light bulb over his stall. The ceiling is very high!

re: A History of Quality - By Eric Mitchell

TerriV — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 21:19:28 GMT

Loved this video! He was such a beauty and what spirit. It is such a special treat to see video of a horse who has such a place in equine history and was only before a black and white picture. Thanks.

re: A History of Quality - By Eric Mitchell

Dianne — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 21:07:37 GMT

I visited Claiborne when Secretariat was in residence. He was a magnificent horse and Claiborne was kind enough to allow visitors to pet one of the greatest thoroughbreds in America. I will never forget stroking his neck while he stood calmly as befitted his position as royalty.

re: A History of Quality - By Eric Mitchell

joe c. — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 19:40:55 GMT

I was too late for Secretariat, but visited Claiborne in 1996 and saw Conquistador C, Danzig, Mr. Prospector, Seeking the Gold and Cox's Ridge. High point: Was allowed into a half-awake ('was a hot day) Unbridled's stall for a close-up. Unforgettable. Thanks!

re: A History of Quality - By Eric Mitchell

annie — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 02:39:28 GMT

It's amazing Nasrullah didn't get hurt, out of the van, into that hugh paddock. The good old days!

re: A History of Quality - By Eric Mitchell

Toral — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 20:32:28 GMT

Look at the bone on him! Amazing. Too bad they don't make them anymore like that. Thanks for the video!

re: A History of Quality - By Eric Mitchell

Somethingroyal — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 14:16:28 GMT

Great post John T.

Arthur Hancock Sr. imported Nasrullah in the early 50's, correct? He looked like he could be a handful.

re: A History of Quality - By Eric Mitchell

John T — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 01:24:31 GMT

Nasrullah finished second in the 1942 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket to a very hard knocking filly called Ribbon who would go on the following year to finish second in both fillies classics the 1000 Guineas and Oaks.Nasrullah

himself would go on to finish third in war time 1943 Epsom Derby

to Straight Deal run that year at Newmarket.But it was when he came to America he became famous as a sire.One of the most beautifully balanced thoroughbreds of all time

he give us Nashua followed shortly

by Bold Ruler who would go on to be the sire of Secretariat and one of his other son,s Reviewer would produce Ruffian.

re: A History of Quality - By Eric Mitchell

Robin from Maryland — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 03:43:15 GMT

Visited KY a few years back. Toured several farms - Claiborne included. Beautiful places with wonderful histories. Can't wait to go back.

re: A History of Quality - By Eric Mitchell

s lee — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:05:35 GMT

What a great story, thanks very much! How wonderful to be reminded that tradition and patience still work.

The video of Nasrullah in his new paddock is fantastic! You can almost hear him bugling to "the boys" in the other paddocks, "look out kids, the king is here"!

re: A History of Quality - By Eric Mitchell

Ted Kuster — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:55:05 GMT

Quality is outstanding in all three of these Farms, the love of horse and family have caused these outstanding Farms to thrive for over 100 years, Look at what racing and breeding thoroughbred is all about; the stallions and broodmares that the Hancocks' have taken careof over the years, the foundation of our industry, note where the Clay family is this weekend , fulfilling a dream,in a small way , from Paris, Kentucky to Paris France, and mares in Ireland and Japan, what vsion for my 86 yearold neighbor and friend, and Mill Ridge, the Headley name says it all Keeneland, Sir Ivor, etc. Our hats off to this great trio who raise horse like horses should be raised. Thanks to all, Ted Kuster

re: A History of Quality - By Eric Mitchell

BNIJINSKY — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:36:56 GMT

NIJINSKY was left out of the Claiborne profile. NIJINSKY was the last horse to win the British Triple Crown in 1970, one race was 1 3/4 miles. NIJINSKY stod his entire career at Claiborne. Bull was at the Arc d'Triomphe to watch Piggot ride the worst tactical race of his career. Bull on Nijinsky's defeat in the Arc, "Well if they run often enough, they lose." NIJINSKY was a great last "iron horse". NIJINSKY eventually got his revenge in the Arc through his tremendous genetics with Zarkava, Lamatarra, Ferdinand, Quiet Fling, to name a few. American columnists unfailingly neglect to give him is due.

re: A History of Quality - By Eric Mitchell

Trebloc — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 11:56:29 GMT

What a great looking horse! Thanks for sharing the video.

re: A History of Quality - By Eric Mitchell

moodygirl — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 01:09:30 GMT

No comment about Hamburg Place, started by the great breeder & trainer, John E. Madden? The first part of the farm was bought with earnings from the sale his sire Hamburg. The farm was handed down to Preston Madden, who owned T.V. Lark. Has the family gone completely out of the TB business? What a shame if they have.

re: A History of Quality - By Eric Mitchell

Gina Powell — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 01:00:59 GMT

Utterly amazing sire! The best conformation, virility, and sense of well-being. Claiborne knows how to take care of champions. Thanks for sharing the video. It gave me such inspiration as a trainer.

re: A History of Quality - By Eric Mitchell

shep — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 22:24:42 GMT

WOWOWOW, Nasrullah was magnificent! Small wonder he was so successful as a sire. That video is a huge treat - Thank you!

re: A History of Quality - By Eric Mitchell

Somethingroyal — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 21:36:23 GMT

Great article Eric and the video of Nashrullah enjoying his new paddock. Was a wonderful bonus. He was a beauty.

re: A History of Quality - By Eric Mitchell

mz — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 19:21:20 GMT

Thank you for the video of Nasrullah. After so many years of seeing him in major pedigrees, it's wonderful to see him "in the flesh".