Dear Horse Racing Industry: You – we – have a problem. According to numerous daily reports, far too many horses are dying on our racetracks. It does seem as if there has been a spike in them over the past couple of years. Whether or not the fatality rates are any higher today than they’ve … More Jim Gath~Dear Horseracing Industry: You – we- have a problem.
There was a girl one time. But only one time. * She won every race she ever finished – by an average of 8-1/3 lengths * She set new stakes records in every stakes race she entered * She was U.S. Champion 2 Year-Old Filly… * She was U.S. Champion 3 Year-Old Filly * … More Jim Gath: Ruffian ~ There was a girl one time. But, only one time.
THE SAGA OF SOLO I lost one of the best friends I’ve ever had in the world, today. Well, I didn’t really ‘lose’ him – he went to join The Great Herd. Let me tell you a little about him……maybe you’ll understand. I met Solo a whole bunch of years ago. Probably about 14? I … More JIM GATH: THE SAGA OF SOLO 6/12/18
It’s about the smell of pine oil in the shed row as you walk in your barn, and hearing your horses whinny for you, knowing they are going to get a great meal. It’s about grabbing a halter off its hook on the stall door and grabbing a shank and putting halter on a horse and walking him … More Ralph Nester: Horseracing is about the Backside…Keep the Glamour!
The year was 1970…I was putting a stable together; friends were sending me horses. I was scouting on my own and getting advice from other trainers. First, I went to Mrs. Samuel duPont at Hextonia Stables in Georgetown, Maryland on the Sassafras River. My brother Howard and I looked at this one filly who was sired by Map Maker, a … More Ralph Nester – 1970 Early Training Days
Being in Louisville during Derby week in 1973 was magical for me…never mind the media frenzy it has become these days. Silly hats, the gold jewelry of star the athletes, etc. It used to be that Wide World of Sports did the real story on T.V. They showed us gorgeous horse farms, lots of beautiful … More Laurie & SHAM: 1973 Kentucky Derby
Here is Joe in 1942 Suffolk Downs!!! He died in 2010; his ashes were spread at the quarter pole at Rockingham Park, Salem, NH. Joe’s Obituary January 30, 2010 Mariano Joseph “Joe” Dattilo was born in St. Louis, MO on May 7, 1918. Were horses always his passion? No! Growing up, animals didn’t much … More Jockey Joe Datillo: 1918-2010. RIP at the 1/4 Pole at Rockingham Park!
Golden Arrow. Born 1961, died 1989. He raced from 1964 to 1979. To say this horse raced past his prime doesn’t do him justice. In today’s world of thoroughbred racing, we’re lucky and thankful if a great horse races until they’re six. We thank the connections for keeping them in the game for so long. Then, … More THE WONDEROUS WAR HORSE OF A LIFETIME: GOLDEN ARROW
Beautiful words written by Jim Gath of Tierra Madre Horse Sanctuary…my favorite writer! BARBARO. The world lost Barbaro eleven years ago today. But, really, we didn’t lose him. See, his magnificence still shines through on this dark morning. It shines through hearts & spirits & in fields & paddocks & pens & stalls all … More Jim Gath: BARBARO
Lots of things to love about this story. The bravery and toughness of this jockey, one of the pioneers of female jockeys at the time; the jockey she battled down the stretch against, the late Jockey Jill Jellison; and the horse himself. Rich One, a direct male descendant of Man o’ War, powerful looking horse for sure. … More Jockey Debbie Downing: Battling it out with Jill Jellison at Rockingham Park
The Backside Beat 