Biography

Longfellow was referred to as the “King of the Turf” during the 1870s. Racing historian Walter Vosburgh said Longfellow was “beyond question the most celebrated horse of the 1870s. No other horse of his day was a greater object of public notice. His entire career was sensational; people seemed to regard him as a superhorse.”

Bred, owned, and trained by John Harper, Longfellow was a son of Leamington out of the Brawner’s Eclipse mare Nantura. Foaled at Harper’s Nantura Farm near Midway, Kentucky, on May 10, 1867, Longfellow was a massive colt of 17 hands, so ungainly no attempt was made to race him as a 2-year-old while he was still developing physically.

A writer for the Spirit of the Times asked Harper if Longfellow was named after the celebrated poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, prompting Harper to respond, “Never heard much of that feller, but that colt of mine’s got the longest legs of any feller I ever seen.”

Longfellow made his debut in the spring of 1870, but his inexperience showed as he was easily defeated in the Phoenix Hotel Stakes. Harper decided Longfellow needed more time to develop and did not race the colt again until the fall.

Upon his return, Longfellow came into his own. On Sept. 16, 1870, Longfellow won the Produce Stakes in two-mile heats at the Kentucky Association track in Lexington. Two weeks later, he won the Ohio Stakes in Cincinnati, again in two-mile heats. Sent to Nashville, Tennessee, on Oct. 12, Longfellow won the Citizens’ Stakes. He then wrapped up his season with a fourth consecutive win on the Post Stakes in Memphis.

As a 4-year-old in 1871, Longfellow was regarded by many as the finest horse in America. His victories included the Monmouth Cup (defeating standouts Helmbold and Preakness) at 2½ miles and the Saratoga Cup (defeating Kingfisher, winner of the Belmont and Travers in 1870) at 2½ miles, as well as a match race against Pilgrim.

There was another horse in training in 1871 some rated on equal terms or better than Longfellow. The 3-year-old Harry Bassett won all nine of his races that year, including the Belmont, Travers, Jersey Derby, Kenner, Champion, Reunion, and Bowie stakes. A showdown with Longfellow seemed inevitable.

The 5-year-old Longfellow met the 4-year-old Harry Bassett at Long Branch, New Jersey, on July 2, 1872, for the Monmouth Cup before a crowd estimated at 30,000. Harper’s charge dominated, winning by an estimated 100 yards in the 2½-mile contest. Harry Bassett sulked early in the race and seemed disinterested as Longfellow pulled away. The result snapped a 14-race win streak for Harry Bassett.

The two met again July 16 at Saratoga Race Course in the 2¼-mile Saratoga Cup. Unfortunately for Longfellow, he twisted the plate on his left forefoot going to the post. Racing in severe pain, Longfellow still put forth a heroic effort before an inevitable defeat. Harry Bassett won by a length in 3:59, the fastest at the distance ever recorded up to that time.

Longfellow limped past the judges’ stand and his discomfort was obvious. The plate had twisted and bent double during the race and became embedded into the hoof, leaving his front left foot mutilated. Harper brought Longfellow home and retired him with a lifetime record of 13-2-0 from 16 starts and earnings of $11,200.

Back in Kentucky, Longfellow became a successful stallion, siring 42 stakes winners including five champions, and led the general sire list in 1891 when his progeny earned $168,840. His best son was The Bard, winner of 25 stakes, including the Preakness, Jerome, Dixie, Coney Island (twice), Coney Island Cup (twice), Brooklyn Handicap, and Brooklyn Cup (defeating Hanover).

Longfellow also sired Freeland, champion handicapper of 1885 and winner over Miss Woodford three times; Longstreet, champion handicapper in 1891 and 1892; Thora, winner of the Alabama Stakes and Monmouth Oaks, as well as the Washington, Baltimore, and Westchester cups; Leonatus, the 1883 Kentucky Derby winner; Riley, the 1890 Kentucky Derby winner; Long Dance, the 1889 Travers winner; and Passiac, winner of the 1882 City and Suburban Handicap in England.

On. Nov. 5, 1893, Longfellow died at the age of 26 at Nantura. He was buried at the farm near another great of the era, Ten Broeck.

Achievements

Champion Handicap Male — 1871
Horse of the Year — 1872
Co-Champion Handicap Male — 1872

Biography

Dr. Fager recorded one of the greatest campaigns in the history of American racing when he was named Horse of the Year, Champion Older Male, Champion Grass Horse, and Champion Sprint Horse in 1968.

Bred and owned by William L. McKnight’s Tartan Farms, Dr. Fager was named after Boston-based neurosurgeon Dr. Charles Fager, who saved Hall of Fame trainer John Nerud’s life with two operations after Nerud suffered a serious fall from his pony.

A bay son of Rough’n Tumble out of the Better Self mare Aspidistra, Dr. Fager won the World’s Playground Stakes and Cowdin Stakes a 2-year-old in 1966. The following year, he won the Gotham, Withers, Arlington Classic, Rockingham Special, New Hampshire Sweepstakes, Hawthorne Gold Cup, and Vosburgh Handicap to be named Champion Sprinter with a record of 7-0-1 from nine starts and earnings of $484,194.

As a 4-year-old, Dr. Fager lowered the world record for one mile to 1:32⅕ while carrying 134 pounds in the Washington Park Handicap. He carried 139 pounds and set a track record for seven furlongs to win his second consecutive Vosburgh. Dr. Fager also won the Whitney and Californian stakes, Roseben Handicap, defeated Damascus in the Suburban Handicap, and beat Fort Marcy in the United Nations Handicap in his only start on the turf. With a record of 7-1-0 from nine starts and earnings of $406,110, he was named Horse of the Year and added the three division championships.   

Dr. Fager was retired to stud with a record of 18-2-1 from 22 starts and earnings of $1,002,642. The only time in his career he did not finish in the top three was the Jersey Derby. Dr. Fager crossed the finish first by 6½ lengths in that race, but was disqualified.

Standing at Tartan Farms in Ocala, Florida, Dr. Fager sired champions Dearly Precious and Dr. Patches. He died Aug, 5, 1976, at the age of 12, and was buried at the farm. He was America’s leading sire posthumously in 1977. 

Achievements

Champion Sprint Horse — 1967
Horse of the Year — 1968
Champion Sprint Horse — 1968
Champion Grass Horse — 1968
Champion Older Male — 1968

Biography

At the time of his retirement in 1959, Round Table was the sport’s all-time leading money earner. He had been named Horse of the Year in 1958, grass champion three consecutive years (1957 through 1959), and handicap champion twice (1958 and 1959). He was also the horse that literally saved Claiborne Farm.

The sale of the majority interest in Round Table by Claiborne Farm to Oklahoma oilman Travis Kerr early in his 3-year-old season “more or less held the farm together, paid the estate taxes, and so on,” said Arthur B. “Bull” Hancock, Jr., after the death of his father, A. B. Hancock, Sr.

The majority interest in Round Table was sold to Kerr for $145,000 on Feb. 9, 1957, with Hancock retaining 20 percent interest in the horse’s future qualities (estimated at $500,000). The smallish son of Princequillo—Knight’s Daughter, by Sir Cosmo, had won the Breeders’ Futurity. Lafayette Stakes and three other races for Claiborne as a 2-year-old.

Hall of Famer William Molter took over the training duties for Round Table as a 3-year-old in 1957. After winning the Bay Meadows Derby and the Blue Grass Stakes, Round Table finished a credible third in the Kentucky Derby, three lengths behind Iron Liege. Molter then took the colt back to California, where Round Table won 11 consecutive races, including five stakes at Hollywood Park. In his victory in the Hollywood Gold Cup, Round Table covered 10 furlongs in 1:58⅗, matching Swaps’ track record and claiming the fastest time for the distance ever recorded by a 3-year-old.

Round Table then won the American Derby on turf, defeating Kentucky Derby winner Iron Liege by four lengths. Continuing to show his prowess on the grass, Round Table followed with victories in the United Nations Handicap and Hawthorne Gold Cup. Round Table concluded his 3-year-old campaign with a win in the Malibu Sequel Stakes to give him 15 wins from 22 starts and earnings of $600,383. Only Nashua and Citation had earned more in a single year at this point.

At 4, Round Table was handicap champion on dirt and turf and Horse of the Year. He won 14 of 20 starts, setting five records at four tracks and matching two others. Under 130 pounds, he matched the world record of 1:46⅘ in the nine-furlong San Antonio Handicap. He also set the Santa Anita track record for 10 furlongs of 1:59⅘ in the Santa Anita Handicap.

Round Table won his first eight races of 1958, giving him 19 wins in his past 20 starts. He surpassed $1 million in career earnings by winning the Caliente Handicap. Round Table later surpassed Nashua’s all-time earnings record when he defeated Swoon’s Son in the Hawthorne Gold Cup.

As a 5-year-old in 1959, Round Table won nine of 14. He carried 132 pounds eight times that year, and twice carried more. He won six times under 132 and once under 136. A quarter crack kept him out of action for almost four months, but he returned to win the Citation Handicap and then set a nine-furlong course record on grass in the Stars and Stripes Handicap at Washington Park. After losing the Equipoise Mile on an off track, Round Table won the Arlington Handicap, setting an American grass record for one and three-sixteenths miles. He also won the Washington Park Handicap in track-record time. After losing to Sword Dancer in the Woodward, Round Table defeated Bald Eagle in the Manhattan Handicap, but Sword Dancer again got the better of Round Table in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Round Table was retired with a career record of 43-8-5 from 66 starts and record earnings of $1,749,869. He entered stud at Claiborne in late 1959 and went on to sire 401 foals. Eighty-three of his foals became stakes winners, and his daughters foaled 124 stakes winners. Round Table died on June 13, 1987, at the age of 33.

Achievements

Champion Turf Horse — 1957
Horse of the Year — 1958
Champion Turf Horse — 1958
Champion Male Handicap Horse — 1958
Champion Turf Horse — 1959
Champion Male Handicap Horse (Thoroughbred Racing Association) — 1959

Biography

One of the most durable and consistent racehorses in the sport’s history, Pan Zareta won 76 races, more than any filly or mare in history. Her remarkable exploits included carrying 130 pounds or more 28 times and setting or equaling 11 track records.

Bred in Texas by James F. Newman, Pan Zareta raced in the Midwest and Mexico for her breeder her first five seasons, mostly for $300 purses at six furlongs or less, her richest purse amounting to only $1,050.

Pan Zareta’s sire was 1902 Tennessee Derby winner Abe Frank, a son of the great Hanover out of English import Cheese Straw, but rumor had it that he was bred by what the Thoroughbred Record called “artificial impregnation.” Pan Zareta’s dam, Caddie Griffith, also had a clouded background. While her sire, Rancocas, was impeccably bred, her dam, Boston Girl, was a granddaughter of Mittie Stephens, whose known ancestry overlapped early Quarter Horse lines.

Pan Zareta debuted in Juarez, Mexico, at Terrazas Park on Jan. 7, 1912. Terrazas had a colorful history, as Mexican revolutionary leader Pancho Villa was known to steal horses from the track. Although it took her three starts to break her maiden, Pan Zareta won 13 of her 19 races as a juvenile while racing in Mexico, Idaho, Utah, and Montana. She raced throughout the West in the next three years, winning 15 of 33 races as a 3-year-old; 13 of 28 at age 4; and 15 of 26 in 1915 at 5. She won carrying as much as 146 pounds.

Speed was Pan Zareta’s calling card. In December of 1913, she equaled the North American record of 1:04⅗ for 5½ furlongs in two consecutive handicaps at Juarez. At 5, also at Juarez, the mare set a world record of :57⅕ for five furlongs. The time stood as an American record until Encantadora clipped a fifth of a second off it at Centennial Park 43 years later in 1956.  

James Newman died in 1914. In June of the following year his son, Harold Newman, assumed full ownership of his father’s estate. After spending the rest of the summer on the Canadian circuit, Pan Zareta raced twice at Churchill Downs before going to Fair Grounds in New Orleans for the winter.

Pan Zareta became a fan favorite at Fair Grounds, as she racked up four wins, a second, and three thirds there in the 1916 winter meeting. She then won three races at Oaklawn Park in March, setting a track record for one mile of 1:39 in her first start there. 

In 1917, at age 7, Pan Zareta returned to Oaklawn to win a six-furlong handicap on March 24. She defeated the good stakes horse Colonel Vennie by a head, with 1914 Kentucky Derby winner Old Rosebud six lengths back. After another win four days later, Pan Zareta was sold to owner/trainer E. T. Colton for $10,000.

After a few races in Canada, her new owner took Pan Zareta to New York. At 10-1 odds, she won a 5½-furlong handicap on June 19 at Jamaica by two lengths and set a track record of 1:05⅗ in the process. She then defeated 1915 Preakness winner Rhine Maiden while giving her 15 pounds.

By this time, New York track handicappers were convinced Pan Zareta was legitimate and began increasing her weight assignments. She carried 135 while finishing second in a handicap at Aqueduct before being bumped up to 137 in the $1,100 Katonah Handicap at six furlongs on July 20 at Empire City. Conceding 10 pounds to the good sprinter Leochares, Pan Zareta won by three-quarters of a length. It took 48 years for a female sprinter to win under as much weight again in a New York stakes race — achieved by Affectionately in the 1965 Vagrancy Handicap — and it was another five years after that until Ta Wee bested both by winning under 140 pounds in the 1970 Fall Highweight Handicap. 

Pan Zareta then won under 140 pounds at Empire City, giving 18 pounds to runner-up High Noon. In its Aug. 1, 1917, edition, the New York Times referred to Pan Zareta as the “Queen of the Turf.”

Shipped to Saratoga and given 142 pounds as a burden, Pan Zareta finished sixth in her next race. She was sold shortly afterward to Joseph Marrone, who took her to Kentucky. Pan Zareta raced 12 more times in 1917, winning her final race on Oct. 26 at Latonia. She concluded her final year with 13 wins from 34 starts and earnings of $8,965.

Pan Zareta became ill in late 1917 and died in her stall at Fair Grounds on Jan. 19, 1918. A few days later, she was buried in the track infield. Overall, Pan Zareta posted a record of 76-31-21 from 151 starts and earned $39,082 in one of the most unique careers in racing history.

Achievements

Champion Handicap Mare — 1914

Biography

A son of Nasrullah out of the Discovery mare Miss Disco, Bold Ruler was bred and raced by Gladys Mills Phipps’ Wheatley Stable and foaled at historic Claiborne Farm in Kentucky. Trained by James “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons, Bold Ruler was regularly ridden by. Eddie Arcaro.  

Bold Ruler won the first five races of his career in 1956 and won the Belmont Futurity on the same day his stablemate, the great Nashua, won his farewell race in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. With his success as a 2-year-old and Nashua’s retirement, Bold Ruler was being hailed as Nashua’s successor, as both were sired by Nasrullah. Bold Ruler concluded his juvenile season with a record of 7-1-0 from 10 starts and earnings of $139,050.

As a 3-year-old, Bold Ruler began his campaign by setting a track record in the Flamingo Stakes. He then won the Wood Memorial, Preakness Stakes, Jerome Handicap, Vosburgh Handicap, Queens County Handicap, and Trenton Handicap. As a sophomore, Bold Ruler won four stakes in which he carried 130 pounds or more and set three track records. His best effort of the year is generally considered to be the Trenton Handicap, in which he defeated Hall of Famers Gallant Man and Round Table. Overall, Bold Ruler compiled a record of 11-2-2 from 16 starts and earnings of $415,160 as a 3-year-old.

Bold Ruler continued to excel as a 4-year-old in 1958, winning both the Suburban Handicap and the Monmouth Handicap with 134 pounds. Bold Ruler also won the Stymie, Carter, and Toboggan handicaps that year. He injured an ankle carrying 136 pounds in the Brooklyn Handicap and was retired to stud with an overall record of 23-4-2 from 33 starts and earnings of $764,204.

Standing at Claiborne, Bold Ruler sired Triple Crown winner Secretariat and the Hall of Fame filly Gamely. Other standouts sired by Bold Ruler included Bold Bidder, Lamb Chop, Bold Lad, Queen Empress, Successor, Queen of the Stage, Vitriolic, and Wajima. He was also the grandsire of Ruffian, Bold Forbes, Foolish Pleasure, Bold ’n Determined, and Spectacular Bid, as well as the great-grandsire of Seattle Slew.

Bold Ruler was the leading North American sire each year from 1963 through 1969. He died at Claiborne Farm in 1971 at the age of 17.

Achievements

Horse of the Year — 1957
Champion 3-Year-Old Male — 1957
Champion Sprint Horse — 1958

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the Preakness Stakes — 1957
 

Biography

Damascus was named Horse of the Year and set a single-season earnings record in 1967 when he turned in one of the most impressive seasons by a 3-year-old in American racing history.

Bred and owned by Edith W. Bancroft and trained by Hall of Famer Frank Whiteley, Jr., Damascus was sired by Hall of Famer Sword Dancer out of the My Babu mare Kerala.

After winning three of four starts as a 2-year-old in 1966, including the Remsen Stakes, Damascus won the Wood Memorial, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, Leonard Richard Stakes, Dwyer Handicap, American Derby, Travers Stakes, Aqueduct Stakes, Woodward Stakes, and Jockey Club Gold Cup as a 3-year-old to earn Horse of the Year and Champion 3-Year-Old Male honors for 1967. He posted a record of 12-3-1 from 16 starts that year and a single-season earnings record of $817,941 (which stood until surpassed by Secretariat in 1973).

It was a season for the ages. In the Woodward, Damascus defeated Hall of Famers Dr. Fager and Buckpasser in what many historians consider to be among the top races of the 20th century. Under Hall of Famer Bill Shoemaker, Damascus pulled away to win by 10 lengths before a crowd of 55,259 at Aqueduct. In the Travers, Damascus won by a record 22 lengths, equaling Buckpasser’s track record of 2:01⅗ for 1¼ miles. He also set a track record in the American Derby.

As a 4-year-old in 1968, Damascus won the Malibu Stakes and San Fernando Stakes in California before returning to the East and adding wins in the Brooklyn Handicap, du Pont Handicap, and Aqueduct Stakes. In the Brooklyn, Damascus set a track record in defeating Dr. Fager and became the eighth horse in North American history to surpass $1 million in career earnings. Damascus bowed a tendon in the Jockey Club Gold Cup and finished last. It was his final career start and the only time in 32 career races he finished off the board.

Damascus was retired to Claiborne Farm in Kentucky with a career record of 21-7-3 from 32 starts and earnings of $1,176,781. He sired 71 stakes winners, including Private Account, Time for a Change, Timeless Moment, Ogygian, Zen, and Crusader Sword.

Damascus died Aug. 8, 1995, at Claiborne at the age of 31.

Achievements

Horse of the Year — 1967
Champion 3-Year-Old Colt — 1967

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the Preakness Stakes — 1967
Won the Belmont Stakes — 1967

Biography

When he won the Triple Crown in 1973 — setting records in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes — Secretariat became the first horse since Citation in 1948 to sweep the series. In the process, the son of Bold Ruler became an American icon and carved out an enduring legacy as one of the greatest racehorses in history.

Secretariat was the product of a foal-sharing arrangement between Meadow Stud and Ogden Phipps, whose mother, Mrs. Henry Carnegie Phipps, bred and raced Bold Ruler. Meadow Stud won a coin toss that determined which party got which foal from the mating of Meadow Stud mares to Bold Ruler. Secretariat’s fate was decided at the Saratoga meeting in 1969 when Meadow Stud, led by Penny Chenery at the time, won the coin toss for the yet unborn foal of Somethingroyal, whose earlier offspring included champion Sir Gaylord.

Bred in the name of Meadow Stud, Secretariat was foaled at The Meadow near Doswell, Virginia, on March 30, 1970. Trained by Hall of Famer Lucien Laurin and ridden in all but three of his starts by Hall of Famer Ron Turcotte, Secretariat broke his maiden in his second career start on July 15, 1972, at Aqueduct. Turcotte was aboard for the first time in Secretariat’s next start and the chestnut colt rolled to an allowance victory at Saratoga. As the 2-5 favorite, Secretariat’s performance drew universal praise.

“You carry an ideal around in your head, and boy, I thought, ‘This is it.’ I never saw perfection before,” veteran sportswriter Charles Hatton said. “I absolutely could not fault him in any way. And neither could the rest of them and that was the amazing thing about it. The body and the head and the eye and the general attitude. It was just incredible. I couldn't believe my eyes, frankly.”

Already generating significant buzz in the racing community, Secretariat proceeded to win the Sanford, Hopeful, and Futurity in succession before being disqualified and placed second in the Champagne Stakes. In the Hopeful, Secretariat covered the 6½ furlongs in 1:16⅕, only three-fifths of a second off the track record.

After the Champagne, Secretariat won the Laurel Futurity by eight lengths and missed the track record by only one-fifth of a second. He closed out his juvenile season with a 3½-length victory in the Garden State Stakes. With a record of 7-1-0 from nine starts and earnings of $456,404, Secretariat won the Eclipse Awards for Horse of the Year and Champion 2-Year-Old Male.

In January of 1973, Christopher Chenery, the founder of Meadow Stable, died and the taxes on his estate almost forced his daughter, Penny, to sell Secretariat. Together with Seth Hancock of Claiborne Farm, she instead syndicated the horse, selling 32 shares worth $190,000 each for a total of $6.06 million, a world syndication record for the time, surpassing the previous record for Nijinsky of $5.44 million in 1970. Chenery retained four shares in Secretariat and control of his 3-year-old campaign with the agreement he would be retired at the end of the year.

Secretariat wintered in Florida and made his 3-year-old debut on March 17, 1973, in the Bay Shore Stakes at Aqueduct. Secretariat was an easy winner by 4½ lengths. Secretariat then matched the track record in the Gotham, getting the mile in 1:33⅖. In his final prep for the Kentucky Derby, Secretariat finished a disappointing third behind Angle Light and Sham in the Wood Memorial.

A crowd of 134,476, at the time the largest to that date for a horse race in North American history, turned out for the 1973 Kentucky Derby. Secretariat battled with Sham down the stretch before pulling away to win by 2½ lengths. Secretariat set the track record for 1¼ miles at 1:59⅖, running each quarter-mile faster than the previous one. In the Preakness, Secretariat again defeated Sham by 2½ lengths. His official time of 1:53 (originally recorded at 1:54⅖) set a stakes record.

Following the Preakness, Secretariat appeared on the covers of Time, Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated. William Nack wrote, “Secretariat suddenly transcended horse racing and became a cultural phenomenon, a sort of undeclared national holiday from the tortures of Watergate and the Vietnam War.” 

Only four horses, including Sham, ran against Secretariat in the Belmont Stakes. In one of the most remarkable performances in sports history, Secretariat won by an astounding 31 lengths. He ran the fastest 1½ miles on dirt in history. The time of 2:24 broke the stakes record by more than two seconds. If the Beyer Speed Figure had been developed during that time, Andrew Beyer calculated that Secretariat would have been given a figure of 139, which would have been the highest he’s ever assigned.

Kent Hollingsworth of The BloodHorse said, “Two twenty-four flat! I don't believe it. Impossible. But I saw it. I can’t breathe. He won by a sixteenth of a mile! I saw it. I have to believe it.”

Secretariat became the ninth Triple Crown winner and the first in a quarter-century. A total of 5,427 pari-mutuel tickets were never redeemed, as numerous fans decided to hold them as keepsakes of the iconic performance.

Following the Triple Crown, Secretariat was 1-20 in the Arlington Invitational. He won by nine lengths in 1:47 flat, only one-fifth of a second off the track record for 1⅛ miles owned by Damascus. Facing older horses for the first time in the Whitney at Saratoga, Secretariat broke poorly and suffered a shocking defeat by a length to Onion. Secretariat was reported to not be in the best of health in his Whitney defeat and was sluggish for several days following the loss.

Secretariat redeemed himself in the inaugural Marlboro Cup, setting a world record for 1⅛ miles of 1:45⅖. He defeated his older stablemate Riva Ridge, Cougar II, Onion, Annihilate ’em, Kennedy Road, and Key to the Mint in the star-studded event. Secretariat then finished second to Prove Out in the Woodward before making his turf debut in the Man o’ War Stakes. In winning the 1½-mile Man o’ War, Secretariat set a Belmont Park course record of 2:24⅘.

In his final career start, Secretariat traveled to Canada to contest the Canadian International at Woodbine. With Eddie Maple substituting for the suspended Turcotte, Secretariat won easily by 6½ lengths to conclude his remarkable career with a record of 16-3-1 from 21 starts and earnings of $1,316,808.

Secretariat was again named Horse of the Year and added the Eclipse Awards for Champion 3-Year-Old Male and Champion Turf Horse.

In November of 1973, Secretariat arrived at Claiborne Farm for stallion duty and occupied the former stall of his sire, Bold Ruler. Secretariat went on to sire 57 stakes winners, including Hall of Fame member and Horse of the Year Lady’s Secret , as well as Risen Star, winner of the Preakness and Belmont. Secretariat’s biggest impact came as a broodmare sire; his maternal grandsons included Storm Cat, A.P. Indy, Summer Squall, Gone West, Chief’s Crown, and Dehere.

Secretariat was euthanized on Oct. 4, 1989, at the age of 19 because of complications from laminitis. He was buried at Claiborne.

Achievements

Eclipse Award Horse of the Year — 1972
Eclipse Award Champion 2-Year-Old Male — 1972
Eclipse Award Horse of the Year — 1973
Eclipse Award Champion 3-Year-Old Male — 1973
Eclipse Award Champion Turf Horse — 1973

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the Kentucky Derby — 1973
Won the Preakness Stakes — 1973
Won the Belmont Stakes — 1973

Biography

Regarded as small and scrawny, Dark Mirage overcame humble beginnings to become the first New York Filly Triple Crown winner during her brilliant 1968 campaign.

Standing barely 14 hands and weighing around 700 pounds when Lloyd I. Miller purchased her for $6,000 at the Keeneland yearling sale, Dark Mirage's trainer Everett W. King later said he “had a feeling about her.”

As a 2-year-old in 1967, Dark Mirage did not enjoy much success, winning only twice in 15 starts. After finishing fourth in her 3-year-old debut, Dark Mirage found her form and became a sensation, winning nine consecutive races, including eight stakes. Along with the New York Filly Triple Crown — the Acorn Stakes (by six lengths), Mother Goose Stakes (by 10 lengths), and Coaching Club American Oaks (by 12 lengths) — Dark Mirage won the Kentucky Oaks, Prioress Stakes, La Troienne Stakes, Monmouth Oaks, and Delaware Oaks.

Dark Mirage suffered a foot injury in the Delaware Oaks and missed the remainder of the year. She finished her season with a record of 9-0-0 from 10 starts and earnings of $322,432.

Returning as a 4-year-old in 1969, Dark Mirage stretched her win streak to 10 with a victory in the Santa Maria Handicap. In her next start, the Santa Margarita Handicap, Dark Mirage dislocated her sesamoid in her right front ankle and was retired with a career mark of 12-3-2 from 27 starts and earnings of $362,788.

The ankle injury never healed properly and Dark Mirage had emergency surgery in July 1969 in an attempt to correct the problem. However, the surgery was unsuccessful and Dark Mirage was euthanized later in the year when she could no longer stand without severe pain. 

Achievements

Champion 3-Year-Old Filly — 1968

Biography

At the time of his retirement, Carry Back ranked fourth all time in earnings with $1,241,165, trailing only Hall of Famers Round Table, Kelso, and Nashua.

Bred in Florida at Ocala Stud by Jack Price, Carry Back was trained by Price and ran in the colors of his wife, Katherine. Carry Back was of modest breeding and little was expected of the medium-sized brown colt.

As a 2-year-old in 1960, Carry Back raced 21 times with a record of 5-4-4 and earnings of $286,299. He showed potential late in the year, winning the Cowdin, Remsen, and Garden State stakes.

Known for coming from far off the pace, Carry Back’s late runs made him a crowd favorite as a 3-year-old, as he used eye-catching stretch runs under regular rider Johnny Sellers to win the Everglades Stakes, Flamingo Stakes, and Florida Derby early in 1961.

Following a defeat in the Wood Memorial, Carry Back won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes with two of the greatest stretch runs of his career. Although he finished seventh in the Belmont Stakes, Carry Back added wins in the Jerome and Trenton handicaps in the fall to be recognized as the Champion 3-Year-Old Male of 1961. He finished the year with a record of 9-1-3 and earnings of $565,349 in 16 starts.

As a 4-year-old, Carry Back defeated Kelso in both the Metropolitan Handicap and Monmouth Handicap, setting a track record each time. Carry Back ran the Met Mile in 1:33⅗ and the 10-furlong Monmouth Handicap in 2:00⅖. He also won the Whitney that year while carrying 130 pounds.

Carry Back stood a season at stud in 1963 before returning to race that year as a 5-year-old. He won the Trenton Handicap for the second time in his career that year before being retired with an overall record of 21-11-11 from 61 starts.

Carry Back died at the age of 25 on March 24, 1983.

Achievements

Champion 3-Year-Old Male — 1961

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the Kentucky Derby — 1961
Won the Preakness Stakes — 1961

Biography

In 1814, a quarter-century after the death of the undefeated English racehorse Eclipse, Gen. Nathaniel Coles of Queens County, New York, bred a chestnut colt he thought was destined for greatness and named him American Eclipse.

Foaled May 25, 1814, American Eclipse was a son of Duroc out of the *Messenger mare Miller’s Damsel. He arrived at the races as a 4-year-old in May 1818 at the Newmarket Course on Long Island, New York. American Eclipse easily won a pair of three-mile heats for a purse of $300 from Black-Eyed Susan and Sea Grill.

Turned out for the remainder of the year, American Eclipse returned to training at age 5 in 1819 and was sold for $3,000 to Cornelius W. Van Ranst. In his first effort for Van Ranst, American Eclipse won a $500 purse at Bath, near Gravesend, defeating three foes. In October, he won another $500 purse at Bath, again defeating three opponents. Both events were contested as four-mile heats.

At age 6, American Eclipse was retired to stud, attracting a book of 87 mares in the spring of 1821. Van Ranst, however, put American Eclipse back in training in the fall of 1821. For a $500 purse at four-mile heats, American Eclipse met the celebrated Virginia mare Lady Lightfoot at the new Union Course on Long Island. Lady Lightfoot had won 31 races and was a 2-1 favorite over American Eclipse.

American Eclipse won the first heat by two lengths after Lady Lightfoot set the pace early. In the second heat, Lady Lightfoot led for the first two miles, but American Eclipse was able to pull away for an easy victory.

As an 8-year-old in 1822, American Eclipse won a $700 purse in the spring at the Union Course at four-mile heats against Sir Walter. That fall, again at the Union Course, American Eclipse defeated Sir Walter and two mares for a $1,000 purse.

Virginia horseman James J. Harrison then issued a challenge, $5,000 a side at four-mile heats at Washington, D.C., between American Eclipse and Virginia-bred Sir Charles, who had won 20 of 24 races. Van Ranst accepted, but Sir Charles injured a tendon during training and Harrison paid a forfeit fee. Harrison suggested as a substitute a single four-mile heat for $1,500 a side, which Van Ranst accepted. American Eclipse quickly went to the lead, set a leisurely pace and won easily as Sir Charles broke down during the race.

Col. William R. Johnson, who had the biggest racing stable in the country at the time, took exception to a New York horse defeating a star of the South. Johnson proposed a match race for the following year pitting American Eclipse against a southern horse of Johnson’s choosing for $20,000 a side.

On May 27, 1823, American Eclipse, at the age of 9, met the southern sensation Sir Henry, a 4-year-old, at the Union Course before a crowd estimated at 60,000 in the first epochal North vs. South match. American Eclipse carried 126 pounds, while the younger Sir Henry carried 108. John Walden, in the sky blue silks of Col. Johnson, sent Sir Henry to the lead immediately and owned a three-length lead through the first three miles. William Crafts, in the crimson jacket and cap of Van Ranst, finally made his move late, but Sir Henry won by a length in 7:37, a new American record for four miles.

During the 30-minute interval, Van Ranst replaced Crafts with veteran jockey Samuel Purdy, who had previously ridden American Eclipse. In the second heat, Sir Henry again led most of the way, but Purdy successfully navigated his way to the inside and American Eclipse prevailed by two lengths.

In the decisive third heat, Arthur Taylor, Johnson’s foreman and a former rider, replaced Walden aboard Sir Henry. American Eclipse went to the lead and Sir Henry was never able to reel him in. American Eclipse won by three lengths.

Undefeated in eight contests, American Eclipse was retired permanently. Four years later, he was sold for $8,050 and shipped to Virginia, where Col. Johnson stood him for a few seasons before selling him to interests in Kentucky.

American Eclipse stood in Kentucky at Col. E. M. Blackburn’s Equira Stock Farm in Woodford County and later in Shelby County. He died July 11, 1847, at the age of 33. American Eclipse sired several distinguished horses: Medoc, twice America’s leading sire; Ariel, who won 42 of 57 races, including 18 four-mile heats; Black Maria, who won 13 races, including 11 at three- and four-mile heats; as well as Mingo, Mountain Eclipse, Fordham, Bay Maria, Panic, and Zenith.