This marks the latest edition of “Stackin’ Cheddar: Looking Back”, a new biweekly series on America’s Best Racing. Here, we’ll look back on an early race in the careers of some of the greatest horses of all time, including spots where they went off at a big price.
Tag: Legends
Horse Racing’s First Superstar of the 20th Century: Undefeated Colin
He was the most unexpected phenomenon—an unbeaten racehorse. The first racing superstar of the 20th century, Colin defied the odds, retiring with a perfect 15-for-15 mark. Overcoming an ugly lump on his hock, bucked shins, and a series of infirmities as a youngster, when Colin hit the racetrack nothing slowed him down during the 1907-1908 seasons. The handsome seal-brown colt, who sported a star on his forehead with an elegant blaze, would be the last major racehorse to retire unbeaten in the United States until Personal Ensign in 1988.
Woody Stephens: Hall of Famer Won Remarkable Five Belmont Stakes in a Row
A list of Woodford Cefis Stephens’ accomplishments could pretty much fill a chapter of an encyclopedia. In a career that started in the 1930s and lasted into the 1990s, the Hall of Fame trainer known as “Woody” was revered as one the sport’s most respected and beloved figures. He won eight Triple Crown races, saddled nine champions and received enough trophies from his stakes wins to stock a three-story museum.
Triple Crown Turning Point: How War Admiral Nearly Slipped Away From Owner Riddle
Into each horse’s career comes a fateful moment, a decision or an injury or some outside force that changes the trajectory of their career. For Sir Barton, it was a cough caught from a stablemate. Gallant Fox’s came when Earl Sande agreed to ride the Belair colt in every start of his Triple Crown season in 1930.
