Kentucky Horse Park: Paradise Found

by Victoria M Howard

Overview

Kentucky Horse Park: Paradise Found is the first complete book written on the #1 horse sanctuary in the United States--Kentucky Horse Park. Ms. Howard takes you behind the scenes as you meet and discover the dozens of unique breeds of horses that call Kentucky Horse Park home. From the most popular, the Arabian, to the rarest breed, the Marwari, you will discover where and when each breed originated.

Also included is an invaluable, superb photo gallery. This book is bound to become a collector's item passed from generation to generation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781524659011
Publisher:	AuthorHouse
Publication date:	01/18/2017
Pages:	174
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.47(d)

About the Author

Victoria M. Howard is a horse lover and advocate for harness racing and  has been in the racehorse business for decades. She has written 15 books and is an internationally published author who has received the prestigious award for "VIP Woman of the Year Worldwide." Victoria once hosted her own radio show and writes  a monthly column in the local newspaper called "Dear Victoria."

Visit this website for more information about this book:

http://www.wtvq.com/2017/04/05/book-author-victoria-howard-talks-new-book/

Read an Excerpt

Kentucky Horse Park

Paradise Found

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By Victoria M. Howard

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2017 Victoria M. Howard
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-5246-5901-1

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CHAPTER 1

The Four- Legged Champions And Celebrities Of Kentucky Horse Park

Everyone is fascinated with celebrities. The paparazzi thrive on following the so-called icons hoping to snap photos of the often unwary "rich and famous." From the Academy Awards famed red carpet to the tabloids lining supermarket checkout lines, celebrity obsession is everywhere.

For years the common folk have looked to monarchs for social and even fashion guidance. Much celebrity obsession is intentionally cultivated, but there is no stereotype for a celebrity can and does come in many forms. They can be white or black, old or young, fat or thin, and can even have 4 legs, a bushy tail and long flowing manes.

Throughout the centuries there have been many superstar racehorses.

These steeds have captivated us with their power, beauty, stamina and unique personalities.

This chapter is dedicated to the four-legged super stars that have called Kentucky Horse Park home at one time or another. Some are still living and others have crossed the Rainbow Bridge and are buried in the park. They all have incredible stories to tell. I will try to give them the superstar status they rightfully deserve.

We will start with the one horse that is believed to be the greatest thoroughbred of all time. In fact, his bronze statue stands on a pedestal inside the entrance to the Park, where his likeness welcomes one and all. His name is Man O' War.

MAN O' WAR

Lifetime earnings $249,465 Breed: Standardbred

On March 29, 1917, at Nursery Stud near Lexington, a large foal was born. Royally bred, the colt was owned by August Belmont Jr.

Belmont's accomplishments were recognized through the naming of one of Thoroughbred racings classic races — the Belmont Stakes.

Man O' War got his name when Belmont Jr. enlisted and served the United States Army at the age of sixty-five. In honor of her husband, Belmont's wife named the foal after him. When the Belmont's liquidated their racing stable in 1918, the colt was sold at the Saratoga yearling sale with Samuel D. Riddle being the highest bidder at $5,000. (equivalent to $85,000 by current standards)

As a two-year-old, Man O' War was conditioned by trainer Louis Feustel. Making his debut on June 6, 1919, at Belmont Park, Man O' War broke his maiden with jockey Johnny Loftus up. Three days later, Man O' War won the Keene Memorial Stakes, followed by his third win twelve days later in the Youthful Stakes at Jamaica Racetrack. On June 23 Man O' War was victorious in the Hudson Stakes at Aqueduct — a total of four wins in just 17 days. On July 5, he won the Tremont Stakes at Aqueduct and followed that with yet another win in the United States Hotel Stakes.

In his sophomore year Man O' War carried 130 pounds in six races — a weight that few horses can carry at any age. The only race that Man O' War lost was the Sanford Memorial Stakes when he got away tardily at the start and found himself boxed in between horses. At that time there were no starting gates and horses lined up behind a piece of webbing known as "the barrier" and were sent away when it was raised.

In the race Man O' War got confused and had his back to the starting gate when the barrier was raised. Incredibly, the horse managed a furious rally to miss a neck to a horse (ironically) called Upset. The next week, Man O' War rebounded by winning the Grand Union Hotel Stakes at Saratoga, then the Hopeful and Futurity Stakes at Belmont Park, finishing his two-year-old season with nine wins in ten starts.

In 1920 Man O' Wars' regular jockey, Johnny Loftus, was denied license renewal license and the horse was replaced with Clarence Kummer.

At age three, Man O' War was a large horse, standing 16.2 hands high and weighed a hefty 1,500 pounds.

Man O' Wars' owner did not enter him in the prestigious Kentucky Derby because he did not favor racing in Kentucky, convinced it was too early in the year for a young horse to negotiate the mile and a quarter Derby distance.

In the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, Man O' War won handily setting a new track record of 1:38.3 for the mile, then was eased up for the final eighth to finish in a time of 1:51.3. Man O' War was then sent to Elmont, New York for the Belmont Stakes. Again he won easily by 20 lengths, setting another American record with a time of 2:14.2.

He continued his winning streak with victories in the Dwyer Stakes, the Travers Stakes, the Stuyvesant Handicap and the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Earning a reputation of being unbeatable, trainers refused to enter their horses in any race he might appear in, but in the Lawrence Realization Stakes a horse named Hoodwink was reluctantly entered. In that race, Man O' War won easily by 100 lengths, setting a world record of 2:40.4 for a mile and five-eighths.

The final start of Man O' Wars' career came in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, in the Kennilworth Park Gold Cup. He breezed home again beating the first Triple Crown Champion, Sir Barton. Exterminator, affectionately named "Old Bones" was scheduled to be in that race, but raced elsewhere. Man O' War won 20 of 21 races, setting two American records and three track records.

Man O' War was then shipped to Lexington to enter stud duty at Elizabeth Daingerfield's Haylands Farm but was later moved to Riddle's Faraway Farm. He was a successful sire, producing more than 64 stakes winners and various champions. Some of his progeny were American Flag and Crusader who won successive Belmont Stakes in 1925 and 1926. Others were the 1929 Kentucky Derby winner Clyde Van Dusen, Battleship, and War Admiral -- the Triple Crown winner in 1937 who was forever immortalized for his match race against Seabiscuit.

During his 22 seasons as stud Man O' War sired 379 named foals and his daughters kept him listed in the "Top 10 Leading Broodmare Sires" for 22 years. Man O' War appears at least 17 times in the bloodline of American Pharoah-- the 2015 Triple Crown winner.

The great Man O' War died on November 1, 1947, at the age of 30 of an apparent heart attack. He is buried at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Major races won

Tremont Stakes
Hopeful Stakes
Grand Union Hotel Stakes
United States Hotel Stakes
Futurity Stakes
Youthful Stakes
Travers Stakes
Jockey Club Gold Cup
Lawrence Realization Stakes
Stuyvesant Handicap
Miller Stakes
Withers Stakes
Potomac Handicap
Dwyer Stakes
Preakness Stakes
Belmont Stakes

DA HOSS Lifetime earnings $1,932,000 Breed: Thoroughbred

In all fairness Man 0' War is a tough act to follow. Nonetheless, the others in this chapter are champions in their own right, deserving praise and admiration also.

Born in Kentucky on January 18, 1992 was a foal named Da Hoss. Sired by Gone West out of Jolly Saint, Da Hoss was owned by Wallstreet Racing Stables and Prestonwood Farms.

Da Hoss was bred in Kentucky by Fares Farms and was purchased as a yearling for $6,000 by Keeneland Farms, Kevin Eikleberry, and Cliff Thygesen. As a two-year-old, Da Hoss was undefeated — winning 3 of 3 starts. At three, he won the Grade III Best Turn Stakes, the Grade II Jersey Derby, and the Grade II Gotham Stakes.

When he was four, Da Hoss won the Grade I Breeders' Cup, the Grade I Fourstar Dave Handicap and the Pennsylvania Governors' Cup. After he won the 1996 mile by one and a half lengths, Da Hoss did not race for almost two years. On his return, Da Hoss won an allowance event in 1998 then came back to take his second Breeders' Cup by a nose over Hawksley Hill. That would be his final race.

While in his care his assistant trainer taught Da Hoss to give kisses, and he continues doing this today in his retirement — his way to get treats.

Da Hoss now lives at the Kentucky Horse Park in the Hall of Champions.

Major Races Won

Best Turn Stakes
Del Mar Derby
Fourstardave Handicap
Jersey Derby
Pennsylvania Governors Cup
Breeders' Cup Mile

FUNNY CIDE

"Funny"

2003 Kentucky Derby Winner

Lifetime earnings: $3,529,412 Breed: Thoroughbred

Funny Cide, the winner of the 2003 Kentucky Derby is known as "Funny" to his fans and caretakers at Kentucky Horse Park.

The 2003 Champion arrived at his new home at the Kentucky Horse Park on December 5, 2008. From the minute he was introduced to the other horses the gelding let everyone know who the boss was. In fact, Funny Cide is known as 'The Ambassador' for horse racing and the park with the many travels and appearances he makes.

Funny Cide was sired by Distorted Humor from Belle's Good Cide, who was a granddaughter of the great Seattle Slew. Funny was a multi-millionaire by the time he retired and is the first New York-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby and the first gelding to win since Clyde Van Dusen in 1929.

Funny was consigned to the 2001 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling auction and was purchased for $22,000 as a ridgling (one undescended testicle)- which undoubtedly contributed to his modest price.

As a two-year-old Funny Cide won his first start at Belmont Park by 14 % lengths. The next start he won by 8 lengths. In his next race Funny Cide won by a neck, despite being interfered with, and was named "Champion 2-year-old New York Bred" for 2002.

He began his three-year-old campaign with a disappointing fifth in the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park. After several more disappointing efforts, Funny Cide rallied back to win the Kentucky Derby in 2:01.19 — the tenth fastest Derby ever run.

Funny Cide became the third New York bred to win the Preakness. With a Triple Crown on the line, Funny finished third over a very muddy Belmont track.

In the middle of his three-year-old campaign, Funny Cide was beset with respiratory problems and during his five-year-old season he was also bothered with back problems — a deciding factor in his racing career being cut short.

Funny Cide was only one of two Kentucky Derby winners in 46 years to race at the age of six. (The other being Gato Del Sol in 1982)

On July 13, 2007, Funny Cide's retirement was announced.

For a short time he became a stable pony in the morning, accompanying younger horses in their training. On December 5, 2008, Funny Cide took up residence at the Kentucky Horse Park after his stable pony efforts caused him further discomfort.

Today, Funny Cide enjoys life as a celebrity at the park living in Cigar's stall and grazing in his paddock.

Major Races Won

Bertram F. Bongard Stakes
Sleepy Hollow Stakes
Excelsior Breeders' Cup Handicap
Jockey Club Gold Cup
Kings Point Handicap
Dominion Day Stakes
Wadsworth Memorial Handicap
Kentucky Derby Preakness Stakes

GO FOR GIN

"GIN"

1994 Kentucky Derby winner

Lifetime earnings: $1,380,866 Breed: Thoroughbred

When I first laid eyes on Go For Gin it was love at first sight. Gin is a beautiful dark bay who, at a vintage twenty-five-years old looks like still is ready to race. As of this writing Go for Gin is the oldest living Derby winner in North America. As I was introduced to the 'old man' they were grooming him to take a picture for my book, Rose Runners: Chronicles of Kentucky Derby Winners.

Go For Gin was born on April 18, 1991, in Kentucky. He was sired by Cormorant, out of Never Knock, and is best known as the winner of the 1994 Kentucky Derby.

During his racing career Gin won 5 times and finished in the money 14 times out of 19 races. In the Kentucky Derby he won by two lengths, ahead of Strodes Creek, Blumin Affair, and Tabasco Cat. In the Belmont and Preakness, Gin finished second to Tabasco Cat who won both.

In 1995, Go for Gin retired to stud at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky. In 2004 he was sold to Bonita Farm in Darlington, Maryland where he had modest success as a stud. He has sired seven stake winners and his progeny has netted more than $22 million in career winnings.

On August 11, 2011, Go for Gin moved to the Kentucky Horse Park where he greets visitors daily.

Major Races Won:

Remsen Stakes
Chief's Crown Stakes
Preview Stakes
Kentucky Derby

BE A BONO Lifetime earnings $1.3 million Breed: Quarter Horse

Be A Bono is a Quarter Horse World Champion. During his career, Be A Bono won many graded stakes, making him the 19 richest American Quarter Horse in history. He earned American Quarter Horse racing's top honor when he was named the World Champion of 2004.

Be A Bono was foaled February 22, 2001. He was a homebred; a result of owner Spencer Childers breeding program that spanned more than six decades. Be A Bono was sired by Bono Jazz out of Be Peaceful; both homebreds of Childers.

During his racing career, the blaze-faced gelding won 14 times in 26 starts. In his final start Be A Bono finished in a dead-heat for the win in an allowance race on December 22, 2007 and left the sport as the 19 richest American Quarter Horse of all time.

When his career as a racehorse was over Be A Bono joined the elite group of champion horses at the Hall of Champions. At Kentucky Horse Park, Be A Bono lives his years frolicking in the paddock with his stable mates, Mr. Muscleman and Won the West. It is said that these three are very attached to one another — Muscles, being his best friend, and Bono, the boss of the trio.

Major Races Won:

Vessels Maturity (G1- twice)
Golden State Futurity (G1)
Los Alamitos Winter Derby (G1)
Spencer Childers California Breeders
Championship (RG1 — three times)
Go Man Go Handicap (G1)

MR. MUSCLEMAN

"Muscles"

Lifetime earnings $4,032,206 Breed: Standardbred

When Mr. Muscleman retired from racing he was the richest Standarbred trotter in history. The bay gelding was foaled on April 23, 2000, at Brittany Farms in Kentucky.

He was purchased at the Tattersalls yearling sale for a modest $2,000 in 2011. Mr. Muscleman was from the first crop of Muscles Yankee — still one of the best trotting sires today.

At both 2 and 3, Muscles won several stake races. As a two-year-old, Mr. Muscleman had a hitch in his gait making him go a tad sideways, but by the time he was four his gait had smoothed out.

In 2007, Mr. Muscleman represented the United States in the prestigious Elitopp Trot in Stockholm, Sweden. He finished second and third against an International field after he swooped the field in his elimination.

He was one of only two Standardbreds to make $1 million in two non-consecutive seasons.

After his racing career ended, Mr. Muscleman was shown under saddle for a few months. (He is still ridden by staffers occasionally at the park.)

In the fall of 2009 Mr. Muscleman became the first trotter to retire to the "Hall of Champions" at Kentucky Horse Park.

The people who work with the handsome gelding at the park are amazed at how laid back the horse is. He loves to be around kids which makes him a fan favorite.

Major Races Won

N. J. Sire Stakes
The Harold Dancer
The Walnut Hall Cup
Canadian trotting Classic
Father Foley Stakes
Kentucky Futurity
Transylvania Trot
The Breeders Crown
The Maple Leaf Trot
American National Open Trot
A.J. Cutler Memorial
Titan Cup
Breeders Crown Open Trot

BOLD FORBES

"Bo"

Lifetime earnings $546,536 Breed: Thoroughbred

Born on March 31, 1973, was a horse that would win the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes in 1976. His name was Bold Forbes.

Bold Forbes was sired by Irish Castle, out of Comely Nell. As a two-year-old Bold Forbes was initially campaigned in Puerto Rico, then won the Saratoga Special Stakes and the Tremont Stakes in New York. As a three-year-old, Bold Forbes won the San Jacinto Stakes, Wood Memorial Stakes and Bay Shore Stakes. In the Kentucky Derby he led from the start with jockey Angel Cordero up. Despite setting a blistering pace, Bold Forbes held off the favorite Honest Pleasure to win by a length.

In the Preakness Stakes, Bold Forbes led throughout to prevail by a neck and by the end of his three-year-old year he was voted American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse.

Bold Forbes, also known as "Bo," was retired to stud after his three-year-old season at Stone Farm in Paris, Kentucky. During his career as a stallion he sired 13 crops through 1990. In April 1991, Bold Forbes was moved to the Kentucky Horse Park where he lived nine more years.

He died on August 9, 2000 at the age of 27 after being humanely euthanized due to renal failure and complications from gastroenteritis. Bold Forbes is buried at the Hall of Champions.

Major Races Won

Champion Two-Year-Old in Puerto Rico (1975)
Champion Three-Year-Old (1976)
Winner of Tremont Stakes
Saratoga Stakes
Santa Anita Handicap
Bay Shore Stakes
Wood Memorial Stakes
Kentucky Derby
Belmont Stakes

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from Kentucky Horse Park by Victoria M. Howard. Copyright © 2017 Victoria M. Howard. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Contents

Authors Note, v,
The History of The Kentucky Horse Park, xiii,
1 The Four- Legged Champions And Celebrities Of Kentucky Horse Park, 1,
2 The Breeds Barn, 30,
3 The Gentle Giants, 89,
4 The Kids Barn, 95,
5 The Mounted Police Horses, 98,
6 The International Horse Museum And The Calumet Collection, 100,
7 The Rolex Stadium And The Alltech Arena, 122,
8 Equestrian And Other Events, 128,
9 Statues, Art And Sculptures, 132,
10 Park Memorials, 138,
Epilogue, 143,
About the Author, 153,