Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

Jan — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:22:52 GMT

What a great and sort of comical story. Those superstars really behave like Divas. I think Dynaformer is Awsome....

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

Cassandra.Says — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:41:20 GMT

I think you have to deal with this temperament prior to adolescence.

A good first impression for the foal is being lifted off his feet by a two-legs.

A custom cavesson (fitted bitless halter with a heavily padded hinged steel noseband) not only gives you leverage and control for longeing but seems to signal this to colts; they don't test it much. But it is so comfortable they also don't resent it. A chain through the mouth is a declaration of war and submission to it is sullen.

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

Ivy77 — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:08:44 GMT

Great article about one of my favorite horses. Dynaformer was on his game the day we visited Three Chimmneys - snorting and kicking for the benefit of us tourists. Don't understand the "behind" view now. Someone must have insulted him!

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

Melissa P — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:36:26 GMT

Perfect Drift (greeting guests at the Kentucky Derby Museum) I am told can also be a biter. He's one of my favorites because he was one of the first Dynaformers to prove I knew my stallions. I got to, finally, spend some time with Drift and he was very kind with me, but they told me that this wasn't always his demeanor. All American is a Roberto grandson. There are several Dynaformers standing stud. I'm anxious to learn when Barbaro's brothers go to stud. There is a stallion "Mr. Big" @stud in KY who is bred on the Dynaformer/Mr. Prospector cross (Fappiano)who is a big boy like Dynaformer. Another "Temple City" has his dark bay looks.

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

Criminal Type — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:05:56 GMT

SouthBend, Thanks for that info on Sunday Silence...I did not know that he was like that. I was all over Easy Goer that season being a son of my beloved Alydar. I still think one of the greatest mistakes ever made was letting Sunday Silence go to Japan. I must say it was gratifying when Criminal Type, got the revenge of the Alydar's when he beat Sunday Silence in the Gold Cup.

The thing about Halo and the tree is hysterical. He musta been really ...umm..hard up.

I have a turning 4 yr old three quarter arab quarter morgan who was castrated in October, His behavior was becoming dangerous, but thankfully he stopped the biting, striking and studdish behavior almost overnight. Also, My horse is at a training center and there is a mare there who is a daughter of Oh Say, a son of Hoist the Flag.....I am being kind when I say she is less then pleasant.

Carol, Yes, Americain is a Dynaformer.

I heard a story from someone who has a family member working at Three Chimneys in the Stallion division and this person told me that they carry a club with them to the breeding shed when the escort Dynaformer over. I have no proof this is fact, but I would not be surprised.

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

DawnStorm — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:50:33 GMT

Respect his authoritay!

Purim's premature death is indeed a shame, but there is another son of Dynaformer who either just sired his first foal, or got his first stakes winner--I can't remember which one.

(senility is not pretty). Hopefully this stallion will do as well as his sire.

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:31:45 GMT

Terry M,

Stallions as a rule require expert handling and a breeding stallion on his way to the shed is going to show his attitude. Even the 'professional' types are not to be taken for granted and should be treated with the utmost respect by people who know what they're doing. Have you ever seen those videos where a stallion is lead out for a viewing and he gets trying to grab the shank and the handle is quick to snatch it away? A lot of people fuss at the handler to stop 'jerking' on the shank but the thing is you can not let a stallion take even an inch, like you would your pleasure horse, because an inch quickly goes to a mile. It is just the mindset of a stallion, if he gets even a little up on you, you're in trouble. Its like Hatfield says, going to the breeding shed, Big D was not going to tolerate anyone, human or equine interfering with his breeding that mare and he would show who was boss. Problem being that when 1200lbs of muscle and attitude decides to show a 190lb human who is boss, the human is coming out of that the worse for wear. I also agree with Criminal Type and Karen, this is probably why most of Big D's colts at least are gelded to curb that breeding imperative and added attitude. That aggression and determination to be on top is an attitude you want on the race track, that's why some of the most wicked tempers (Hastings, Ribot, Nasrullah) are also the foundation lines in today's top runners.

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

carol in utah — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:41:40 GMT

Isn't Americain (Aus) one of his?

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

kitkat — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:54:43 GMT

I wish Dynaformer many more years with us. What a great story. Some of his offspring must get their good looks from Roberto. At least the picture of him on Pedigree Query looks awesome.

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

Linda in Texas — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:41:15 GMT

Convene i so agree. 200 percent right on. A carrot for a shot!

Bless him. And thank him. He is a living legend and i think someone has whispered that in his ear.

Thanks for the article. I love the

older horses and grumpy just seems to come with the territory and i respect him for it.

Linda

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

Melissa P — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:22:16 GMT

Dynaformer is my favorite "find" of all time! We bred to him his first two years at Wafare. He was so magnificent in his carriage and full of himself. I just knew he was going to be special. Not bad as a "fall back" from Kris S. (another good "find") who went from $5,000 in FL to $50,000 overnight. Still love those Robertos!

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

slee — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:00:01 GMT

Barbaro wasn't above some biting. I remember when he was post-op and Dr. Richardson kept telling people that as thoroughbred stallions/colts went, Barbaro had amazingly few vices, but if you gave him any chance, he'd nip at you and it wasn't out of love! Given the circumstances I probably would have bitten a lot of people too!

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

MyBigRed — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:50:40 GMT

I know exactly what you are talking about! When I went to visit Dynaformer, the groom showed us the bent bars on his stall where he had kicked them. I totally respect Dynaformer and the staff at Three Chimneys!!

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

SOUTHBENDFARM — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:40:59 GMT

Criminal Type....Sunday Silence was a carbon copy of Halo....disposition wise. He was in a paddock opposite Halo for the little time he was at Stone Farm and he and Halo took turns running the fence and roaring at each other. IT was almost like they knew they were Father and son. The Ribot line has always been tough. Ribot bred a TREE when he was at Stud in Ky. The toughness of these two lines are probably the reasons that sires from these lines produce winners of the highest quality, and that can go a distance. I have a Fly So Free mare out of a double Tom Rolfe mare...by that I mean the 2nd dam is by Alleged, who is by the forementioned Hoist The Flag that you mentioned was tough. The mare is not bad, but her offspring have been a little tough. They have all been able to run though. We have a just turned 2 year old by Quiet American out of her, that has a wonderful mind and is not mean at all. Can't wait to get him to the races and stretch him out.

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

Convene — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:53:50 GMT

Love this story! I think, considering the impact he's had on the breed, he's worth whatever it takes to manage him. And to keep him happy.

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

Karen in Indiana — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:28:19 GMT

Terry M., I think that's why so many of his sons get gelded. If the attitude is hormone driven, that would take care of it. I have heard that a lot of his offspring have strong minds. That's different than a bad attitude and when you find where they fit, they shine. Read about McDynamo. They tried him flat racing & he stunk. But they found out he loved to jump and he ended up winning an Eclipse award for steeplechase. It seems like with Dynaformers, everything works out better when you go with their flow instead of trying to make them fit in your box.

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

BerttheWonderHorse — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:54:35 GMT

Love this guy! Got to meet this big bad boy last summer - most of the time he stood with his back to all his admirers but finally turned around to look at everyone in his crabby way! I love horses with attitude, mine is a grouch too but much gentler as he is an old gelding. Hope big D has many more years of curmudgeonly living to come!

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

Criminal Type — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:16:30 GMT

Terry, Im guessing that is the reason so many of his male offspring have become geldings. I know from my experience with my own horse, castration makes a huge difference in attitude. My horse, when he was intact, you could not get near him without him trying to take a chunk out of you. He stopped doing that immediately after the surgery. Not once in the past 4 months has he tried to kick me or bite me and we are progressing nicely in training. His mind has also changed, he is more focused, more willing and a whole lot more fun to be around.

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

ksweatman9 — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:11:05 GMT

Well, I've had my laugh for the day. I've heard that Goldikova is alot like Dynaformer, has a real nasty disposition. Perhaps they'd make a good pair. I wonder what kind of little devils they would have?

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

Stellar Jayne — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:04:36 GMT

Thanks for the interesting piece about the alpha horse Dynaformer. I spotted the muzzle in the picture and thought it curious, now I know why. Wasn't Northern Dancer (unrelated)an aggressive horse also? I agree with Alex'sBigFan - Barbaro was especially beautiful and his siblings are very attractive as well. None of them seem to have aggressive tendencies.

A few years ago I made the acquaintance of man on a riding trail and we turned to talking of racing and thoroughbreds. He owns one of Roberto's sons which he rescued from death. He is unridable, but very beautiful and is living his life out peacefully in a pasture in Long Island, NY.

Sometimes life provides a happy ending!

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

spectacular bid — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:12:23 GMT

ahhh, reminds me of halo. loved that black stallion..course, i never had to try and handle him.

i remember going to stone farm and seeing halo in his paddock. the groom told me they would not go get him for me to take a picture but if i wanted to lean in and take pics as he was running down the fence to eat me, i was welcome to. sure enough, as soon as i leaned into the paddock, halo came running and i backed out and stood away, he turned his head towards e and gave me the look to let me know it was his world and i wasnt welcome in it. i took a great head shot of him that day, and you can see the fire in his eyes, still have and love the pic. i got to see him again at 31 and dispite age, he hadnt changed much,just a little slower..halo, storm bird, dynaformer. they definitly make for some good stories..i hope dynaformer lives well into his 30s

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

captainsmistress — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:06:52 GMT

Great story, thank you! So true, he is nothing to look at! But he gets the job done!

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

Terry M. — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:44:07 GMT

It's a good thing his foals can run. What about the ones that can't? If they inherit that nasty, dangerous temperament but not the racing ability, they will be useless for any other career. He sounds outright vicious, and that is not a good trait. A horse can become a champion runner without being dangerous to be around.

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

Paula Higgins — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:57:00 GMT

I loved this blog. I knew all horses were not warm and fuzzy (Ribot) but didn't know Dynaformer was one of them LOL. Very interesting but nice to know he is in a place where they can still handle him while treating him kindly. He sounds like quite a character but I do feel bad for the person who lost a finger.

re: Racing's Favorite Grump - By Deirdre B. Biles

Alex'sBigFan — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:38:50 GMT

This is a great story. Thanks for sharing it! I guess this is the equine version of "Grumpy Old Men!"

What a pistol he is, I feel sorry for his main wife, La Ville Rouge! Wow, Barbaro did not seem at all like him. Barbaro seemed very calm and highly intelligent and aware. It must be a sight him going to the breeding shed in a muzzle. I wish all of his handlers well and please guard your fingers. I can't imagine Dynaformer going through what Barbaro had to endure, the fractures, the surgery, the hardware in and out, the infection, the laminitis. Imagine handlng Dynaformer through all that? He comes with quite a stud fee too. All I know if I was La Ville Rouge my hair would be standing on end when I saw him walking over!!!!!!!!!