I have wanted to write about this great thoroughbred since THE VAULT first opened its doors, but the available information about KINCSEM was scarce and, well, boring…..
Then three great finds and one great “horse source” changed everything. The source was the fabulous website, COLIN’S GHOST ( http://colinsghost.org ) which I read with devotion. Its writer recommended a book called “STEP AND GO TOGETHER” by B.K. Beckworth (1967: A. S. Barnes & Co., Inc.), which I promptly hunted down on abebooks.com (international online bookseller who offers just about everything in print @ reasonable prices). “STEP AND GO TOGETHER” is indeed a little treasure, featuring stories by B.K. Beckwith that first appeared in THE CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED. Within its pages, I was delighted to find Kincsem’s story, which Beckwith wove together using German sources, particularly Philipp Alles, a find that hadn’t been accessible to English researchers since Alles’ account of Kincsem had never been translated into English. (In fact, it may only still be available in German today.)
Another invaluable (book) source proved to be Charles Justice’s “The Greatest Horse Of All: A Controversy Examined” in which I found the information cited here about Kincsem’s race record, annual racing schedules and imposts the great filly carried.
A less sensational, but essential, discovery was a Hungarian to English translator. KINCSEM is a Hungarian thoroughbred and much is written about her in her native Hungarian. The translator helped me to read sources I otherwise would have found inaccessible.
Without these resources, the article would have been much less than it became.
The tale of The Ugly Duckling is a family classic. And the story, of course, is about a swan who was mistaken for a duck and who had to learn that he wasn’t so much an unacceptable duck as he was “a bird of a different colour.” Kincsem’s story is much like the tale of the little cygnet who transformed into a swan. And, as if that’s not enough, Kincsem’s life also features some unique twists on standard heroic myth.
Heroic myths begin with either a confused line of descent or an incident which results in losing one’s parents. In other words, all our heroes/heroines need to be orphaned, in order for them to tell their own stories of courage and resolve. And although Water Nymph’s daughter wasn’t literally orphaned, the dispute over Kincsem’s lineage gives her the kind of muddy beginnings that portend a heroine of mythic proportions.
…The filly was, by all accounts, not much to look at. That was the kind way to say it. Those attending her dam, Water Nymph, despaired: as tiny as she was, the filly foal was downright ugly.
Although some accounts of Kincsem’s birth, notably that of Horace Wade, claim that she was bred in Hungary by Prince Esterhazy, it was in fact a Mr. Ernest von Blascovich who owned and bred her. But something went awry when Kincsem was conceived: her dam had been booked to Buccaneer (1857) but as a result of a misunderstanding, she was covered by Cambuscan (1861) instead. By Newminster (1848), whose dam, the incomparable Beeswing (1833), was a heroine of the turf during her racing days, Cambuscan was a respected stallion. He just wasn’t supposed to meet up with Water Nymph.
Water Nymph (or Waternymph), Kincsem’s dam, was either the daughter of an illustrious mare named Catherina (according to Philipp Alles, quoted in Beckwith) or the daughter of The Mermaid (1833) {according to the majority of English pedigree sites}. However, all the sources consulted do agree that Kincsem’s broodmare sire was the British stallion, Cotswold (1853), who was imported to Germany in 1858.
And it was in this haze of happenchance that the liver chestnut filly foal came into the world on March 17, 1874. She was born at the Hungarian National Stud, whose patrons included the leading horsewoman of her day, the Empress Elizabeth of Austria. The best of the best were bred at the Hungarian National Stud; it was the home of Hungarian thoroughbreds destined for immortality.
The humans surveying Water Nymph and her filly foal clearly believed that beauty was a kind of magic talisman. A magic that Kincsem would seem to have been denied. But whether she was as ugly as some reports contend is a matter of debate, like so many other details of her life.
For example, stories are told of de Blascovich selling the colts and fillies born in Kincsem’s year as a lot, to one Baron Orczy. Orczy took all of them except two — and Kincsem was one of the pair he rejected as “too common-looking.” So it was by still another intervention of fate that Kincsem remained under de Blascovich’s ownership at all.
One tale about Kincsem’s early life that appears consistently in almost everything written about her is that she was stolen by gypsies from de Blascovich’s stable when a juvenile-in-training. The stable was shocked to discover that Kincsem was gone. In fact, she was the only horse missing. She was eventually located by the police in a gypsy camp and when the culprit was asked why he had snatched such a plain-looking horse, he replied: ” Gypsy gold does not chink and glitter. It gleams in the sun and neighs in the dark. This filly may not be as handsome as the others, but she will prove the greatest of them all ” (as recounted by Horace Wade).
Kincsem’s name (pronounced ‘kink-chem’) reflects the impact that the gypsy’s prediction had on her owner: in translation, Kincsem means “my treasure,” “my precious one,” “darling.” However moved he might have been by the gypsy’s prophecy, de Blascovich started Kincsem at two in Germany, worried that she might bring shame to his stable and reputation. And you couldn’t really blame him:
” She was as long as a boat and as lean as a hungry leopard … she had a U-neck and mule ears and enough daylight under her sixteen hands to flood a sunset … she had a tail like a badly-used mop … she was lazy, gangly, shiftless … she was a daisy-eating, scenery-loving, sleepy-eyed and slightly pot-bellied hussy …” (Beckwith in “Step And Go Together”)
Kincsem more or less went to post on June 26, 1876: in the absence of anything vaguely resembling a starting gate, the filly wasn’t forced to fly. So she waited awhile. But when Kincsem finally decided to run, it was all over for the rest of the field: she won by 12 lengths. In her second start, she was sent off against a field that included Germany’s best colt, Double Zero (1873). Not that it mattered: Kincsem won by daylight. (Double Zero would go on to win the German Derby that same year.) She ran eight more races, winning them all, and concluded her 2 year-old campaign with 10 wins in 10 different cities in 3 different countries. The average rest between races was slightly more than 14 days and in her debut year, Kincsem won at distances from 4 f. to 8 f. (Ten would have been considered a reasonable number of races in the late 1800’s; in fact, some of the greats who ran before Kincsem raced as many as 20+ times in their juvenile season. )
The filly was quickly becoming a Hungarian notable. No-one cared that she wasn’t as dazzling as Eclipse, who figured in her pedigree, as did many other thoroughbred giants. Kincsem seemed to overflow with personality and her antics won her the love and admiration of all who saw her. The filly put on quite the show for her enamoured Hungarian racing fans in one of her last starts at 2.
Alles’ reports that Kincsem habitually walked to the start looking like “… an old gal with rheumatoid arthritis,” ears flapping and neck bobbing. On this day, she wasn’t really thinking about racing, as her young jockey, Elijah Madden, a native of Manchester, England who rode her for 42 of her races, would later confess: in fact, she was thinking about grazing. At the start, Kincsem found a succulent plot and began to munch away. After repeated attempts to get her into line, the starter gave up and let the field go. Kincsem just stood there, chewing thoughtfully and watching the other horses recede into the distance. Then, suddenly, she seemed to decide that it was time to move and was off after them. She won with ease — some said with a mouthful of grass still hanging from her lip — and the crowd went wild.
As she was led into the winner’s circle, de Blascovich unwittingly added still another quirk to his already-quirky filly’s repertoire by fastening a bouquet of flowers to Kincsem’s bridle. In all of her subsequent races, Kincsem would refuse to enter the winner’s circle until she had received her customary flowers. Philipp Alles’ (in Beckwith) adds: ” On one occasion de Blascovich forgot them and she refused to be unsaddled until he hurried off to buy some {flowers}”
Kincsem’s “come from behind” style never really deviated, although she gave a new definition to the term as a result of the mind-boggling advantage she gave her opponents at the start. It’s easy to imagine how she won the hearts of fans across Europe and in the UK when we think about the sheer excitement of watching famous thoroughbreds of today like Secretariat or Zenyatta, who also appeared to favour coming from well off the pace. And, whereas today we would say that thoroughbreds who run this way are always courting potential disaster, covering huge distances to get to the lead never fizzed on Kincsem.
Forty-four races lay before her and Kincsem became a veteran of railroad travels. She seemed to love travelling, watching contentedly from her box as field and town rolled by. Throngs of admirers habitually appeared to greet her and Kincsem acknowledged their affection with a regal dip of her head. Of course, she had her own railway car, which she welcomed with a spirited neigh. But she refused to board it without the company of her two very best friends: a stableboy named Frankie and a cat named Csalogany. In typical mythic tradition, some sources maintain that Frankie was, in fact, Kincsem’s trainer, although extant paintings of the great filly seem to picture Robert Hesp in that role. But there was without question a boy named Frankie with whom Kincsem shared a deep, loving bond and Frankie accompanied her everywhere, caring for her every need. The lad was known to the racing public as “Frankie Kincsem” and when he died, this was the name that appeared on his tombstone.
Csalogany was no less important to the filly than was her human companion. A rather famous anecdote illustrates the point.
When Kincsem disembarked from the ship that had carried her over the English Channel from Dover to France following her victory in the Goodwood Cup, the then-4 year-old filly refused to board her railway car because Csalogany was missing. Kincsem stood on the pier for 2 hours, feet firmly planted and ears pinned back, making it clear that she wasn’t leaving without her feline friend. Finally the cat emerged, tripping down the gangplank. Kincsem turned her head and muttered a greeting, at which point Csalogany jumped up onto her back. Together, cat, filly and Frankie entered the railway car.
The 1878 Goodwood Cup marked Kincsem’s only trip to England and the only race she ran in the UK. Only two horses were prepared to face her: the 7 year-old Pageant (1871) and Lord Falmouth’s Lady Golightly (1874). Both of these were very good horses. Lady Golightly had won the Nassau and Park Hill Stakes, as well as the Yorkshire Oaks, while Pageant had won the Brighton Cup (1876), the Chester Cup (in 1877 and 1878), and the Doncaster Cup the same year he met up with Kincsem.
As you might imagine, the race was greeted with tremendous enthusiasm. For many, just a chance to see the fabled Kincsem was enough; the press hotly anticipated the meeting between the filly who was undefeated in 36 starts and the mighty Pageant. The build-up was intense and a sobering reminder that it is always the potential defeat of a superstar that oils the sport, giving it a cathartic appeal.
Crossing the English Channel has been the demise of many a seasoned sailor and it was Kincsem’s first — and only — adventure at sea. Predictably, the mare that stepped off the ship at Dover was shaken and sickly-looking. The press seized on this, speculating that Kincsem was doomed even before she set foot on the Goodwood course. Her appearance on the track on August 1, the day of the race, did little to dispel the feeling. Kincsem shuffled to the start, her head hanging so low that her nose seemed to scrape the turf, her neck bobbing crookedly. Thrilled as they were to actually see her, most in the crowd of thousands had no idea that Hungary’s National Treasure always went to the post this way. As usual, she stalled at the start, gazing at the heels of Pageant and Lady Golightly as they sped away. She seemed to be thinking about whether or not the race held any interest for her. Then, in a streak rather resembling a thunderbolt, she was off after the leader.
Kincsem won the 1878 Goodwood Cup by a solid 3 lengths, going away. At first, the crowd was stunned into silence by what they had seen. Then the applause and shouts began, until the roar was deafening. The besotted ran alongside the rail as the filly returned to the winner’s enclosure, getting as close to her as they possibly could. Kincsem, who always seemed to know when a race was over, just as she seemed to calculate how far to let the other horses run before she went after them, pulled herself up and headed back to the place where she would (of course) be presented with a bouquet of flowers by her delighted owner.
It is unclear whether or not His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales was in attendance at Goodwood on the day, but the claim that he attempted to buy Kincsem after her victory may, indeed, be true. According to Philipp Alles, this is indeed the case. But Ernest de Blascovich refused, telling the future king, ” If I sold Kincsem I would not dare return to my native soil.”
Filly, cat, Frankie and the rest of her entourage went on from Goodwood to France, where Kincsem annexed the Grand Prix de Deauville. Her remaining thirteen races in 1878 were run in more familiar settings: Austria (5 times), Hungary (7 times) and Germany once. According to Charles Justice, in his book The Greatest Horse of All, Kincsem had had an average of 13.07 days rest between the 15 starts she made as a 4 year-old, winning 11 of her starts by an average of 2.45 lengths, distancing the field 3 times and cantering home once in a walkover. In the Grosser Preis von Baden, she finished in a dead heat to Prince Giles the First (1874), possibly due to the fact that she carried 137.5 lbs. to his 122. German racing rules stipulated that the two face off against one another again to determine the winner: the second time around, Kincsem dismissed Prince Giles by 5 lengths, going away. Throughout 1878, the filly would carry an average of 144.9 lbs. — an incredible burden by modern weight-for-age standards. And she had stepped up in distance, winning races from 8f to 20f.
Although a consummate traveller at this point, Kincsem was as fussy about certain rituals and traditions as might be expected of a thoroughbred Queen. Other than what’s already been acknowledged, it seems the filly would only eat the food and drink the water from her home, Tapioszentmarton, when she was on the road. At Baden-Baden on one occasion, Kincsem didn’t drink for 2 days because her home water supply had run out. Desperate, someone discovered a well in a town near Baden-Baden where the water had the same earthy taste as the water from the farm. (We’re betting that “somebody” was Frankie.) At any rate, much to everyone’s relief, Kincsem consented to drink it. To this day, that well carries the name “Kincsem’s Well” and is a treasured Baden landmark.
1879 was Kincsem’s final racing year. The mare went undefeated in 12 starts, 3 of which were walkovers, winning at distances from 12f to 18 f. The lowest impost she ran under that year was 136 lbs., with the heaviest 168 lbs., giving her an average of 153.3 lbs. to carry. An unbelievable weight by any standards.
Kincsem ended her career on the turf undefeated, with 54 wins in as many starts, including 3 consecutive wins in the Grosser Preis von Baden and an equal number in the Hungarian Autumn Oaks, which was her final race.
In retirement, Kincsem proved a very successful broodmare, only adding to the legendary status that Europe and particularly her homeland had conferred upon her. She produced 5 foals in all, including the filly Ollyan Nincs (1883), winner of the Hungarian St. Leger and the colt Talpra Magyar (1885) who went on to become a very successful sire. Ironically, both were by Buccaneer, the stallion Kincsem’s dam, Water Nymph, had been booked to (but never saw, going instead to Cambuscan) on the day that Kincsem was conceived. A third offspring, also by Buccaneer, was the filly Budagyongye (1882).
Kincsem had 2 other foals by the British stallion Doncaster (1870): a colt named Kincs-Or (1886) and her last foal, a filly named Kincs (1887). The former was an impressive stakes winner and American interests were mulling over his purchase from de Blacovich when the 3 year-old was found dead in his stall.
Shortly after the birth of Kincs, Kicsem sufferred a severe bout of colic. Less than a day later, the champion was gone. And like everything else about her life, even her untimely death was marked by the kind of “sign” one expects to find in a fairy tale or myth: Kincsem died in 1887 on March 17, the same day on which she was born. A circle had closed. But if there was an augury in such an odd coincidence, it might well be that, like a circle, the spirit of Kincsem had neither beginning nor end.
Hungary lost more than a great thoroughbred when Kincsem died: they lost a quirky and majestic figure who had raced right into their hearts. In her homeland, her passing was officially mourned for three days. Flags stood at half-mast and the borders of Hungarian newspapers were framed in black. And, as fate would have it (and depending on the source), either trainer Robert Hesp or Frankie, her beloved friend, died 39 days after Kincsem.
As a way of assuaging their grief, Hungarians set about punctuating the life and times of their beloved. Hungary boasts a Kincsem Park, a Kincsem Horse Park, numerous hotels and even a golf resort that carries the champion’s name. Kincsem’s skeleton is on display in the Hungarian Agricultural Museum. And statues were erected in her honour, the most famous of which stands in Budapest. As far away as America, Kincsem was remembered: another statue of her stood at the entrance to Keeneland’s walking ring for many years and a smaller bronze statue still inhabits the Chandelier Room of Santa Anita.
As befits a legend, Kincsem endures despite the ravages of two world wars. Although she only had five foals, one of whom died at three, the remaining four — one colt and three fillies — produced offspring that guaranteed Kincsem’s legacy.
The majority of Kincsem’s descendants were bred and raced in Europe. Their numbers are large and include exceptional individuals like Seventh Bride, Polygamy, Tom Seymour and One Over Parr (mentioned above), as well as Viglany (1900), Dicso (1906), Tokio (1892), Caplan (1953), Djurdjevka (1937), Morpeth (1903), Vaduva (1955), Sikar (1928), Well Made (1997), Welluna (1996), Wicht (1957), Well Proved (1980), Napfeny (1896), Miczi (1910), Bank (1945) and Waldcanter (1956).
Although America lost out on acquiring Kincsem’s son, Kincs-Or, her bloodlines found their way to these shores through the mare La Pastorale (1955) who was imported to California by a Major Pauley. And while La Pastorale failed to make much impact as a broodmare, Tarfah (2001) an American-born daughter of Kingmambo (1990) traces back to Kincsem’s daughter, Budagyongye, on her tail female. And Tarfah is the dam of the 2012 Epsom Derby winner, Camelot (2009), a colt brilliant enough to inspire hopes of the first British Triple Crown since Nijinsky (1967) in 1970.
It seems fitting that the breath of an Immortal should find its expression in Camelot.
Staggering.
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I quite agree!
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I laughed and I cried…an incredible story and so beautifully written, by you.
A beck to the dazzler.
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Thank you, my friend. As I had said, it was so exciting to discover the details of her life!
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Awesome story, awesome horse! Hard to believe how talented she was to overcome through 54 races being managed and trained by fallible humans! The travel, the many things that can go wrong over time. Just hard to imagine how she held together through all that travel, getting on and off trains, trailers. Was amused that she was smart enough to know in traveling she should not drink the local water! lol!! Once again you topped yourself, Abigail! Your research is impeccable. As usual, I’m at a loss for words to express how very much I enjoy and appreciate all that you put into your pieces.
Also, I like your new layout and I’m glad you brought back the nostalgia “look”. The original was nice, but loved how you found your new header. It is absolutely unique and provides an appropriate “atmosphere” for your stories about history’s equine heroes! Love the “wallpaper”, too!
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Ann Maree: Thank you so much for taking the time to write this beautiful response. I will never stop appreciating your feedback! Yes, I’m glad that I brought back the “nostalia look” too and I’m especially charged about finding MISS VAULT — whose photo I’m hoping to pick up @ my post office either today or tomorrow!!!!
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Thank you once again, Abigail, for filling in the blanks on a name often heard, but unknown just the same. Your research and depth of details bring this wonderful mare to life in such a way that now I can know more than she was a race mare who remained undefeated in 54 starts and for that I thank you. The weight she carried – wow!! Before I ramble on and on I will simply say how much I appreciate your writing. I am so thankful you have shared your talents with us!
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Celeste: Thank you so much for these heartfelt words/ Did you know that you & Ann Maree are the “Alma Mater” of THE VAULT? Making it even more special to hear from you, my friend. This year I’d like to do a few more “international stories” and especially something on the Australian champions of the past, other than Phar Lap, who everybody knows. KINCSEM was a first stab at that, but what an inspiration she has proven to be!
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Amazing story – thank you for the great insights and information. This was an exceptional mare
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Victer: Thank you so much. Yes, she really was something & it was just that fact that took me forever to determine a suitable title!
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What a beautiful story!! I fell in love with her and I knew so little of her. The name I recognized but never knew anything really. What a special mare…loaded with heart and personality. Tear and laughter while reading, written with such warmth and love. A perfect ending to my day!! Thank you Abigail ❤
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Stephanie: Thank you so much for this fabulous response. I am delighted you enjoyed Kincsem’s story! I just found her to be the most exceptional personality I have discovered to date. Although, interestingly, many of the really exceptional thoroughbreds are overflowing with personality. Peppermint kisses to Hedger. I’m loving the video & photos!
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THANK YOU for this, I have been searching for quite a while for Kincsem’s story.
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Kristina: Thank you so much for taking the time to write me. I’m glad that you liked the article. I am in love with this outstanding girl!!!!
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Abigail, this has to be, hands-down, your best piece. I follow your stories faithfully (but I don’t usually post) and love the way you weave impeccable fact-finding skills and illusive old photos into a lovely tale about the past’s greatest racers. I had read Kincsem’s name numerous times in the many horse racing history books I consume on a regular basis but as the others have mentioned, there wasn’t much about her except that she was undefeated in 54 starts. I feel now as if I know her, have even more respect for her – thank you for that. She’s not just a name on a page any longer. How great is it that given her small number of foals delivered, her lineage has come forward to today? Would love for you to do stories on Imp, Exterminator and Domino if you ever have time. Thank you for all you do to spread the love of horse racing!
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Kim: Wow! Thank you for this amazing response. I can’t tell you how important it is to me to hear from readers like yourself. I’m so thrilled, too, that you enjoyed KINCSEM as much as I loved writing it. As this great filly revealed herself (largely through Alles & Beckwith) she completely enraptured me. I’ve already done a (short) bit on Exterminator — and Imp, as well as Domino, are on my hit list to do this year. Here’s the Exterminator link: https://thevaulthorseracing.wordpress.com/2011/04/22/a-kentucky-derby-gazette/
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Thanks, Abigail for the link to the Exterminator story – I actually had read it when you initially published it and completely forgotten! However, I enjoyed re-reading it again. I never tire of reading about horses! I’ll be on the lookout for the stories about Imp and Domino – as a side note – my husband and I will be visiting Lexington, Kentucky in October to attend the races at Keeneland. While we’re there we plan to visit Imp’s grave and due to some connections we have, we will have the distinct pleasure of visiting the farm where Domino is buried and where Man O’War stood at stud. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to pay my respects to these two great champions of the past. Keep up the good work!
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This was wonderful! Kincsem is one of my all-time favorites and it’s so hard to find good reads on her. Thank you!
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My pleasure, Brian. I just loved researching her and was fortunate to come upon some terrific material. Thank you so much for taking the time to write. It’s hugely appreciated. Abigail
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I read about Kincsem as a child from a book MORE THEN COURAGE. For my 62 th birthday my kids got me high speed. I did not think I could find anything about her but I was surprised. Thank you for filling out her story for an older horse woman.
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Becky: You & I are about the same “older.” I’m thrilled that you found the article which I would never have written were it not for the book I mentioned that filled in many of the blanks for me about Kincsem’s life & times. I hope you come back for many more visits! Abigail
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I had not heard of this horse before. Thank you so much for sharing the story of a great champion of the past, and certainly one deserving to have her legacy preserved!
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David: So pleased that you enjoyed it! She was one of the greatest. Abigail
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What a great storie for what i think is the best horse to ever race to give up so much weight to other horses and still win is amazing
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Donnie: Thank you. She was a great, great thoroughbred — probably the best ever — and I’m so pleased that you liked this article! Abigail
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[…] more information on Kincsem the horse, here is an in-depth article about her history, her accomplishments and all the stories that were circulating about her at the […]
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Thank you. Could you also, please, credit THE VAULT: Horse racing past and present. I am desperately trying to attract funds for horse rescue and would greatly appreciate the publicity! Also: when I clicked on the link to the article, THE VAULT did not come up……
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What a Truly Great Story, Thank you. I was born in Hungary. Came to Australia in 1957 with my parents and 3 brothers and 3 sisters. Our family always had an interest in horses which was inherited from my father. One of my brothers became a horse trainer and in 1987 as foreman for trainer Les Bridge, they won the Greatest Race in Australia with Kensei. It was the highlight in my brothers career. He was tragically killed in mysterious circumstances while taking a horse for a swim in 2014. He also loved the Kincsem story. Thank you once more for a great insight into one of the Greatest Horses that ever lived. .
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Robert: You’re so welcome! Kincsem is, to my mind, the greatest female thoroughbred ever and it was very enjoying discovering some of her story. And your personal account of your brother & Kensei is so moving. Did you ever check to see if Kincsem figures in Kensei’s pedigree? Thank you so much for taking the time to comment, Robert. I really appreciate it. Abigail
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Abigail: Thank you for your kind words.Loosing my brother has been very emotional for me. He spent 7 months in a coma before he passed away, He was injured on the 26/1/2014 which was Australia Day, At that time he was training a horse called Le Romain for one of his good friends called Mark. Mark hadn’t won a race in Sydney for 17 yrs. Le Romain had to be transfered to another trainer. The horse went on to win a Group One race in Sydney. Amazing.
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Robert: I can only imagine. My two siblings are still alive but I know many who have lost brothers and sisters. It’s just so bloody tough. And then to go through 7 months of hoping and waiting. Words are always inadequate, I find, to give someone a hug in virtual reality. But that’s what I’m doing. Abigail
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Not one Kincsem-book has been written in Hungarian, mostly by Dr. Dezső Fehér. Hopefully we come to see and read in English one day. Instructive story too. The Kincsem movie on the way is about to release around March if all goes well.
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Not one Kincsem-book has been written in Hungarian mostly by Dr. Dezső Fehér. Hopefully we’ll see the day when they come out in English, instructive story is hers, too. The Kincsem-movie presents the time of her age, it’s about to release around March 2017 if all goes well.
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Wow. This is fantastic. I’m sure you would have added it to the story if you had known, but did you ever find out what happened to the cat, Csalogany? Obviously, he would have passed away, but do you know if he outlived Kincsem?
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Eileen: Thank you for taking the time to write. I greatly appreciate it. As it turns out, I don’t know whsat happened to the cat. If you ever find out, please let me know! Abigail
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I’ve been interested in Kincsem for years – she was an outstanding character and probably the greatest racehorse who ever lived. This is a nice, detailed article – I think you are the only writer in English who has actually recorded the name of Kincsem’s cat, who was also an important player in the story! This is also the only article I’ve seen which explains Kincsem’s incredible speed and acceleration by describing her running gait, which seems to have been more like that of a greyhound than a normal horse.
The only detail which isn’t included, I think, is the story that on one particularly cold night Kincsem took off her own blanket and draped it over Frankie, and subsequently always insisted that he should have her blanket. I suspect part of the reason for her eccentric character was that nobody tried to squash her or train her oddities out of her, as so often happens with horses. Her motherly concern for Frankie definitely suggests that she thought of herself as the lead mare of her mixed-species herd, not as anyone’s servant, and so she approached everything she was asked to do as an amusing game rather than a chore..
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Claire: What a lovely anecdote! Thank you so much for sharing it. And I do agree with you: Kincsem was always treated with complete respect and unconditional love. Abigail
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I read the book The greatest of them all, which is where I first heard/read about Kincsem… I believe she probably was the greatest.. but my heart belongs to Secretariat…
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Karton: Yes, I’m a Secretariat lover too and it’s tough to usurp him for a thoroughbred who lived back in antiquity because Secretariat holds my memories!
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what a fascinating story, many thanks. I came across the racehorse as I am trying to trace my great uncle , Charles Joseph O’Hara, an author and journalist who moved to Hungary. He was the grandson of Joseph Osborne, journalist and author of The Horsebreeder’s Handbook. His horse Abd El Kader also won the Grand National 1850 and 51.
I wonder if his grandson followed the same interests and perhaps was involved with Hungarian racing. Lots to explore!
Meanwhile I have really enjoyed reading this marvellous tale.
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Jane: How interesting! The very best of luck with your research. This article on Kincsem required a long search too, because although she is acknowledged, not much has been written about her. Abigail
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I just saw the Kincsem movie last night and i am so happy a movie made about her to let a wider audiences know about Kincsem. Also reading this articale on Sunday morning a day after the movie a real pleasant read. Thank you. The story about her cat friend (Shultz) made it into the movie too.
Go see it if you have the chance.
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Hi Janos. Thank you for letting me know the movie is finally out. I need to see if it has arrived in North America yet! Pardon slow response please — I’ve been sufferring from bursitis and a frozen shoulder and couldn’t spend much time on the computer. Abigail
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What a terrific article! I had never heard of Kincsem until last year, and was amazed by what I learned. She was not only a great racehorse, but also a pretty flaming “character” also, which I love. It’s a wonder to me that she is not widely known on this side of the Atlantic.
I have been looking for an authenticated photograph of her, and cannot find one.
It appears that all the images of her you have given here, and the ones I’ve seen elsewhere, are paintings or engravings. It’s difficult to believe that such a famous animal wasn’t photographed. What can you tell us about this? Thanks!
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Aug. 31 Marshall: There are almost no extant photographs of most of the great thoroughbreds in the latter part of the nineteenth century and certainly none before that time at all. This would be because the development of photography itself was in its very earluy stages and the access to the kind of equipment needed would have been difficult. Too, the sensibility of the age was still very tied up in traditional portraiture and prints. I was quite shocked to discover the magazine pages that appear in the article — that’s how rare her image is. I do know, however, that a sculpture was done of her that was bought in Kentucky some years ago. But I take it that the sculpture was in fact based on extant prints and paintings. Thank you for taking the time to write. I love to hear from VAULT readers! Abigail
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Great article, I loved each word of it, dear Abigail, many thanks for it! I am writing from Goed (Göd), Hungary, where Kincsem was supposed to live during the top years fof her carrier from 1875 till 1880. Unfortunately I’ve found not much written about it yet, and I am busy with finding details in additon to the local memories and the stories told by Joseph Hesp, who is one of the grand-grandsons of Robert Hesp. The owner Ernő Blaskovich rented the facilities in Göd for its advantages in terms of logistics : 25 kms from the capital of Hungary then called as Pest-Buda; direct rail connection to the city and also to West-Europe thru Vienna by train. The old stable which got almost ruined not long ago, now renovated and soon will be used by the local community. However we plan to furnish a new Kincsem Museum here, it takes time. So, I decided to organise interactive talk-events, like a club, to speak about her and the related stories, to rebuild her local cult, which was vivid till the WWII. I found a picture of the building from 1908, but I am afraid I can not upload it here. I am sending you my contacts, and if you are interested then I would be pleased to share some further information with you.
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Ildiko: What a fascinating story and what a pleasure to “meet” you! This article took a long time to research because there’s precious little information out there about this great, great champion. I would of course love to hear more. I’ll get back to you ASAP — busy week ahead! Abigail
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I first discovered the Vault by searching up Kincsem. I’ve been interested in her for years. The information on her is scarce. There is one article I like on her from tbheritage. There is another one called My Treasure, the Wonder Mare, but it seems to be exaggerated: https://classic.esquire.com/article/1939/12/1/my-treasure-the-wonder-mare
I think you have to log in to read it, but by some chance on day I didn’t have to do anything at all! (I don’t even have an account).
It says something about finishing in a dead heat in her Grosser Preis von Baden because Madden was drunk, and in the runoff a dog chased her.
It also says in the Goodwood Cup she did not bolt off, but rather had a bad start and was slowed down by Madden because there was a slant.
I did not come across any other articles that included this information, so I do not know if this is true of not.
Either way, this is a great article, and I will look forward to more of them.
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