What is (was) a race horse?

...................

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Dixie Porter

Answer: Carry Back

Breeding - Saggy/Joppy
Trainer - Jack Price
Racing: Ran and won everywhere against all comers. Beat Kelso @ his best, fair and square.
Retired: Sound as a bell of brass.

I like the quote Billy Turner made posted by Pup. "Good horses and good sires can't be bred, they just show up". Wish I said that first.............

Fred Hooper: "Good horses make good trainers" Damn right Hoop.........

I would like to see some opinions of who were REAL race horses.

Hopefully the Grand Master will help me out here.

BTW, there are TWO reasons and ONLY TWO reasons why today's thoroughbreds are a sad joke.

1) Inbreeding
2) Drugs

Skip Away was a real racehorse.

[timmgirvan]

How about John Henry?

[sham]

Bold Ruler - as racehorse and sire, maybe the best of them all

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by sham

Bold Ruler - as racehorse and sire, maybe the best of them all

naaaah.
northern dancer or slew. i think i'd give the nod to the former, he's world-wide!!

[sham]

Originally Posted by Danzig188

naaaah.
northern dancer or slew. i think i'd give the nod to the former, he's world-wide!!

Now there is a potential topic for debate. Which was the best racehorse...which was the best sire...which was best overall, between Bold Ruler, Northern Dancer, and Seattle Slew. Perhaps Native Dancer also belongs in the discussion. BTW, any of these four probably fit Dixie's criteria for real racehorses.

[Cajungator26]

I would say that Cicada was a real racehorse as well. I definitely wouldn't call her breeding fantastic, but she was a game filly...

[Cajungator26]

And let's not forget Exterminator.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Dixie Porter

I know you may find this astonishing, but he was before my time.

UNREAL!

(Kidding.)

[Linny]

Bid and Affirmed were professional race horses. Moderately bred they outran pedigree.
Skip Away was another, more recent example. John Henry fits as does ol' Spooky Mulder who has yet to win a graded stakes but he's a pro, no doubt. I think that Lava Man fits and his connections have been quite sporting, including a trip to Japan last fall.
The sad reality is that in today's world the only horses who stick around long enough to "take on all comers" are those of modest parentage for whom the breeding shed doesn't becon. Had Skippy been by A P Indy or Mr P or Danzig, he'd have had a much shorter career.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Linny

Bid and Affirmed were professional race horses. Moderately bred they outran pedigree.
Skip Away was another, more recent example. John Henry fits as does ol' Spooky Mulder who has yet to win a graded stakes but he's a pro, no doubt. I think that Lava Man fits and his connections have been quite sporting, including a trip to Japan last fall.
The sad reality is that in today's world the only horses who stick around long enough to "take on all comers" are those of modest parentage for whom the breeding shed doesn't becon. Had Skippy been by A P Indy or Mr P or Danzig, he'd have had a much shorter career.

That's very true... I agree completely.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Dixie Porter

Affirmed had one of the best trainers of all time. (Laz)

Buddy Delp (Bid) was a superb conditioner.

I gotta get outta here or I'll be on this thread all day.......................
I love Lava Man, but the O'Neil thing is what makes that guy go.

I threw in skip away at the beginning and you didnt address it. Does he not fit your criteria?

[MISTERGEE]

For Some Reason Forego Seems To Fit Here Very Well

[boswd]

Zippy Chippy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Heritage of Gold was a tough mare

[Pedigree Ann]

Native Diver. Never got the respect he deserved. THREE Hollywood Gold Cups, and under real handicap weights. How about Best Pal or Budroyal? Professional racehorses all.

[Antitrust32]

umm Seabiscuit anyone?

No pedigree - unheard of trainer - one eyed jock - faced everyone and beat the blue blood War Admiral

[Downthestretch55]

My vote goes to Round Table...for yesteryear.
Current runner...hmmm, can't make up my mind. I'll defer for now.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

umm Seabiscuit anyone?

No pedigree - unheard of trainer - one eyed jock - faced everyone and beat the blue blood War Admiral

Seabiscuit was raised on Claiborne Farm and had a better than average pedigree. He happened to be smaller, knobby kneed and considered lazy... but his pedigree was definitely not lacking IMO.