The renowned C.C. Cook aka “Cookie'” sent this Christmas card of Citation and Eddie Arcaro in 1948.
THE VAULT wishes its many readers all the very best of the holiday season. It has been a year of wonderful happenings: connecting with Australia’s primary equine photographer, Bronwen Healy (“When The Image Speaks,” “Just Call Me Nelly” & “From Down Under With Love”) and author, Dorothy Ours (“Battleship: The Pony Who Conquered Aintree”); reading all of your wonder-full comments and personal stories; meeting Mrs. Judith Mappin, daughter of E.P. Taylor, to exchange stories about Northern Dancer and some of his progeny; and being selected by The Paulick Report for “Best Blog” for our article on the fabulous Frankel and his connections (“It Takes A Team”).
I want to thank each one of our readers for their continued support. It means the world to me because you are my inspiration.
The great American educator, Maxine Greene, said: “We are born human beings, but we need to learn how to be human.” Love is a huge part of that process, breaking down individual isolation to open a world of possibilities.
One common experience that VAULT readers share is their love of horses. Loving a Frankel, or a Rachel, or a Zenyatta, a Black Caviar, an Igugu or a Man O’ War is a passionate affair. We humans give our hearts away. Or else, find that they’ve been stolen by a magnificent beast that manages to reach out to us across space and time to say, “Go ahead — love me.” And when we answer, we find that we are delighted, moved, inspired……and, somehow, more fully human.
So please join me in a photo essay that celebrates the power of love and the magic of the inter-species affair.
Northern Dancer was many things to many people, but one thing he wasn’t was well-behaved. Remarkably, he formed a deep attachment to Winifred Taylor, wife of the Dancer’s owner-breeder, E.P. Taylor. The little guy terrorized just about everyone, but when the Dancer heard Mrs. Taylor’s footsteps he whinnied a “Hello” and transformed into a gentle, sweet pony.
Ferdinand with jockey, Bill Shoemaker. The Shoe loved the handsome, gentle colt and Ferdinand returned the feeling.
Determine, the first grey to win the Kentucky Derby, went on to sire another grey Kentucky Derby winner, Decidedly. He is shown here as a 3 year-old, giving some love to his stables’ mascot, Roxey.
A legend greets two more: British jockey, Lester Piggott, already an icon in his own country, fulfilled a life’s ambition when he got to meet the mighty Kelso. Giving the champ some sugar is Leslie Combs, one of America’s top thoroughbred breeders.
The legendary trainer, King T. Leatherbuy, gets a smooch from one of his horses. The King’s been in the business for a long time, but the passion that drives him has never diminished.
Kentucky Derby winner, Gallahadion, and his best buddy. Although it has only been recently that the men and women who care for the thoroughbred have been acknowledged, they nevertheless leave us a legacy of unconditional love.
Hickstead and Eric Lamaze were (together with Big Ben and Ian Millar) Canada’s most distinguished equestrian partnership. Eric had battled personal issues; Hickstead was a colt who no-one seemed able to ride. But when they found one other, two lives were changed forever.
The incomparable Count Fleet, shown here in a tender moment with his regular exercise rider, Frank Kiniry. The Count had just won the Kentucky Derby, but seemed to wax nostalgic as he prepared to leave for Pimlico and the second leg of America’s Triple Crown.
The extraordinary Red Rum (who won the Grand National an unprecedented 3 times) and the man he loved best, trainer Ginger McCain. Until his death in 2011, Ginger left flowers on Red Rum’s grave every year. Man and horse shared such a strong bond that it was virtually impossible to think of one without the other.
Flash, the German Shepherd, was Valdina Rebel’s regular hotwalker. The dog arrived at his friend’s stall each morning with halter and lead in his mouth, then waited for Rebel to be tacked up for their morning walk.
California legend Silky Sullivan meets a young fan and rewards him with a kiss. Silky was a thoroughbred legend — a quirky character who won the affection of thousands of fans.
Trainer extraordinaire Woody Stephens poses with one of his champions, Creme Fraiche. Note the melting expression in the colt’s eyes as he leans toward Woody.
Reckless, the pride of the Marines during the Korean War, was a Korean thoroughbred. Fearless and loyal, little Reckless was beloved by her troop — who shipped her back to the USA when peace was declared, according her the title of Sgt. Reckless.
Although they were overshadowed by the great Frankel, jockey William Buick never conceded that Nathaniel was anything but a champion. Nathaniel remains the only horse to have gotten near enough to Frankel to make a real race out of it. Buick adored his handsome colt and will miss him in 2013. (Nathaniel was retired in 2012. The son of Galileo stands at Newsells Park Stud in Hertfordshire.)
Stymie was The People’s Horse from the very beginning. The gorgeous chestnut brought in fans by the thousands wherever he appeared. Pictured here with one of his biggest fans, trainer Hirsch Jacobs.
Greyhound stands under mistletoe held by Vernor (“Dooley”) Putnam and his wife, Leona. The greatest trotter of all time turns 33 on New Year’s day.
Dr. Fager and trainer, John Nerud. Said Nerud of the Doc, ” I never gave a damn who rode him. He was such an amazing horse…”
Calvin Borel with Rachel Alexandra at Stonestreet in the summer of 2012. The photo says it all.
Ann Moss with her Zenny, Mother’s Day 2011. When asked where she would like to retire Zenyatta, Ann replied, ” I’d like her to stay in my backyard.” Now at Lane’s End, Ann and Jerry Moss visit Zenny regularly and were in attendance when she gave birth to a colt by Bernardini in March 2012.
Australia’s Bronwen Healy and the pony she adores, Nelly, aka Black Caviar. Bronwen’s first great love, the fabulous mare, Sunline, succumbed to laminitis on May 1, 2009. Nelly helped Bronwen to deal with the loss and has since become Healy’s “best girl.”
Frankel and his very best friend, Sandeep (Sandy) Gauravaram. The life of a race horse is very controlled, repetitive and for many, boring. Frankel was having none of that. He insisted on being housed where the action was at trainer Cecil’s stables. And he loved his time with Sandy.
- Havre de Grace and Plum Pretty, December 2012. As the HOTY and her gorgeous companion prepare for a new career, it appears that they’re already forming a friendship. Broodmare friendships are powerful and, if it works out given breeding cycles and so forth, enduring.
Smiles through tears, always, whenever I look upon these wonderful creatures. It is always gratifying to see their human caretakers moved, as well, which these pictures certainly depict. Always great to see photos of historical horses, alongside today’s stars. Nice to see Havre de Grace and Plum Pretty chumming up…hope their foalings stay in sync so they can keep close. I can never keep from anthropomorphising my feelings with horses. There is just something all too human about them. Thanks for a lovely retrospective, and may your Christmas and New Year be merry and bright! Best wishes for all your wishes and dreams to come true! Hugs!
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Ann Maree: What a GREAT comment!!!! Thank you so much. I send you my warmest wishes for a holiday season filled with fun, laughter, great food & drink and some time for yourself. Love & hugs, dear friend.
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Abigail,
Thank you for sharing these heartwarming photographs with us! I love to study pictures of these incredible athletes and depict them through either writing or drawing. It has always brought me closer to the horses. I hope you enjoy the holidays! You have certainly made my spirits bright!
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Bunny: Thank you so much for taking the time to write and for the birthday greetings. Wishing you a beautiful holiday and may we continue the friendship in 2013, Abigail
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An amazing and heartwarming post…exactly as it should be at this time of year when drawing “the family” around one is the tradition. Such an incredible selection from today and yesterday. A bonus and surprise to meet horses from a little “off the pace” so to speak, as in Private Reckless. A story that begs to be told, huh? Thank you, Abigail, for a wonderful Christmas present.
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Liz: Thank you, as always, for another fabulous response to my attempt at filling the season with a sense of kindness and love. Reckless really deserves her OWN story, as it’s a great one…..I’ll do something just on her in 2013.
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Another wonderful post Abigail. So many wonderful horses, attended by so many wonderful, selfless people. The breeders and trainers receive the accolades and so often the people who look after these amazing animals are forgotten. This is changing and thanks in no small part to people like the Mosses who gave credit publicly to those from the “backstretch” who are arguably the most important people in the sometimes short but hectic lives of these remarkable athletes.
Congratulations on your well deserved recognition from The Paulick Report and here’s to your continued success in 2013 and beyond.
Enjoy this holiday season and come back rejuvenated and with lots more stories to fill us with awe.
Merry Christmas
Lorrie
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Lorrie: You know, long before Frankel and the article that got picked up by the Paulick Report, my fascination was centred on horses and their people. Many of the photos in my personal collection feature horses with the people they loved most. Sadly, so many of them are nameless. Even getting the information on Will Harbut for the story of he and Man O’ War took about 3 years of research. Thank you for the kind comments & season’s greetings!
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smiling through the tears- missing my boys still, but in a good way now. Thanks for showing us yet again that these great horses still love & were/are loved by their humans!
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Dearest Casey: Lovely hearing from you and so glad that you could feel the love in these mini-stories. After all that’s happened I just wanted to tell the kind of stories that would lighten hearts. I send you the warmest holiday greetings and all the best in 2013, Abigail
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Thank you so much Abigail for the beautiful tribute to the love shared between horses and their owners. It’s such fun to read your informative articles always sprinkled with the love you have for these noble animals. Special thanks for adding the Great SGT Reckless to the mix. She was greatly rewarded for the lives she saved during the war and certainly deserves being included in the group. Merry Christmas to you and all our Canadian friends!! Sue Fredrick
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Sue: How lovely to hear from you. I’m sending you my warmest wishes for the holiday season and throughout the coming year. And thank you once again for the lovely comments. Love & hugs, Abigail
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That you Abigail for these beautiful photos and comments. Have a blessed Christmas and New Years. I love all of these beautiful creatures and enjoy your blog very much.
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SO SORRY, “THANK YOU”
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