When it comes to horse racing, there are some horses that we all wish were on the race cards that we spend our time inspecting as we think about where best to place a stake. There are some horses who are so synonymous with the sport that even those who have never seen or attended a race could name them at the drop of a hat. One of those horses is Seabiscuit. A legendary horse and with a legendary story, Seabiscuit is a name that will never be forgotten. Grab a drink, relax and look forward to meeting Seabiscuit – the horse that went down in history.
Seabiscuit was an American horse that rose to fame in the 1940s. He was a thoroughbred bred by Gladys Mills Phipps.
Seabiscuit was a small horse and measured only 15.2 hands in height. This made him stand out a little, but also made some question his power and potential. However, in the early days, his racing ability did little to make him stand out as he started out on what would become a famous and prolific career. He got off to a slow start, and only won a quarter of his first forty races.
As the horse started to mature and to gain experience, Seabiscuit became a prolific and popular winner. When he beat the 1937 Triple Crown Winner, War Admiral, in 1938, he grabbed the attention, and later the hearts, of the nation. He was named American Horse of the Year in that same year.
Seabiscuit’s performance started to change when he was paired with trainer Tom Smith. Smith was known as a bit of an eccentric due to his unorthodox training methods. However, he and Seabiscuit worked well together, and the horse started to chalk up the wins, and to bring punters some much needed joy.
In the early days of his success Seabiscuit was paired with Canadian jockey Red Pollard. They raced successfully together, and Pollard clearly got the best from Seabiscuit as the pair enjoyed a happy and fruitful relationship. They won the Santa Anita Handicap in 1937.
Seabiscuit continued to win races across America, and wowed spectators and bettors in some of the country’s most well-known, lucrative and prestigious races.
The 40s were a tough time for America and her people, and the bleakness of the Great Depression left many feeling isolated and downbeat. Seabiscuit and his wins was a beacon of hope and enjoyment in the dark days of The Great Depression, and his exploits cheered the nation no end.
There have been many books, films and TV shows made about Seabiscuit, and all chart not only his fantastic career, but also the way in which he won the heart of the American nation.
Seabiscuit died in 1947, and was just shy of his 14th birthday. A memorial statue of Seabiscuit was erected at Santa Anita, and still remains a popular attraction for bettors and race lovers alike.