Tribute To Artie Schiller

Getaway · #1 08-07-2006, 06:40 PM

Let me start off by saying that I am related to the connections of Artie Schiller. I have followed his career from the beginning, and it has been a great run. Sunday may have been Artie Schiller's last race. He is just not right. He came out of the race sore, and there was talk about a possible suspensory problem.

If you aren't from the Bay Shore, NY area, you might have a hard time understanding how much this horse has meant to so many people. Artie Schiller is a real man, who is known by everybody around our area. A few years back Artie was in bad shape (with cancer), and it looked like he might not make it. He was a long time racing fan, and it was decided that this horse would be named after him. Wouldn't you know it, the horse broke his maiden the first time out, and guess who was there to see it, Artie Schiller the man. After a little bit of a miracle, Artie was able to beat cancer, and has been to every race that the horse has ever ran in. The horse helped him pull through.

I thought I should post this after reading a few negative statements by some members here. It has been a great run. Artie is by no means a super horse. He has lost a few, but he won alot too. His record on the turf speaks for itself. No matter what, he always ran his eyeballs out, and always gave it his best effort. Win or lose, we always had a great time wherever the horse took us. Nothing has been decided yet, and he very well may keep on going, but if he doesn't, In my book he has done enough. Thanks to Jimmy Jerkens for doing a great job, and thanks to all that worked with the horse along the way.

Gander · #2 08-07-2006, 06:46 PM

Great story and dont pay attention to all the gloom and doomers on here. They would love to own a horse as great as Artie Schiller. I love him.

Thanks for posting.

Danzig · #3 08-07-2006, 06:49 PM

that is very sweet.

artie at his best was breathtaking to watch. we all know that a horse can't always run at their peak. that's why they're called peaks. all we can ever do is hope the valleys aren't too far below!

thanks for sharing your story.

2MinsToPost · #4 08-07-2006, 06:51 PM

I love the Human Interest side of stories in sports, and for that matter any activity. Nice to see someone post something positive in nature after a bad weekend for those involved with this horse. Good stuff and thanks for sharing.

sumitas · #5 08-07-2006, 06:55 PM

He's had a great career and you all will know when he's had enough. If he is ready to retire do the right thing and retire him. If he wants to go on just let him be 100% fit.

The very best to all and thanks for the great races he has run.

DiscreetCat=Monster · #6 08-07-2006, 07:35 PM

Salute To The 2005 Bc Mile Winner

Kasept · #7 08-08-2006, 08:30 AM

Thanks Getaway for the info. I wasn't aware of the backstory of "Artie" either..

I was very pleased for Team Artie when he won the Mile last year as I believed he was really due for the one "big" win. Jimmy Jerkens had said it would be the biggest failure of his training career if he couldn't get Artie Schiller to win an important race, and "JJ" is an easy guy to root for...

No matter what happens going forward, it's great that all concerned have the career 'chops' with Artie... He's always tried, even when falling just short. A really nice horse who won the hearts of a lot of fans, and obviously nice people involved with him.

Cajungator26 · #8 08-08-2006, 08:40 AM

Thank you for sharing your story with us. I hope that everything works out for the best with Artie. (Both of them

.)

GPK · #9 08-08-2006, 08:47 AM

I hate to see him not go out on top....and I hope he is not done. It's obvious something is wrong, somewhere.

slotdirt · #10 08-08-2006, 08:50 AM

I'm a naysayer, I'll be honest about that. That's not to say I don't appreciate the horse as an animal, or his story, or what he's meant to the connections. Shoot, anybody who aspires to own horses would probably be satisfied with a horse that's achieve even a tenth the success that Artie has.

Gander · #11 08-08-2006, 09:07 AM

He will always be a BC winner in one of the most exciting BC finishes ever.
He wasnt always good to me in the wagering department but I sure got pleasure out of seeing him run. Never to be forgotten.

Bystander · #12 08-08-2006, 01:09 PM

I'm posting this despite how unbelievably sugary it sounds, but it's a true story. I've been an Artie Schiller fan from the very start, you might even call me rabid. This year I went to the BC with a good friend, who's father used to have a small string of horses at Saratoga each summer. He died about 7 years ago, and she actually scattered his ashes on the Oklahoma track. Anyway, before the Mile I looked over and saw she was in tears. She said she couldn't stop thinking of her father, with whom she'd been to a lot of past BC's. I really didn't know what to say, and the horses were just coming on to the track so I told her to look at the field and try and imagine who her father would have rooted for.
It only took a second, Artie Schiller.
Watching that replay still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up (of course it would have been even greater to me had Migliore been riding.) Artie sure looks done to me, but he's run some terrific races and has obviously provided many of us with memorable racing thrills. He is a very neat horse.

Scav · #13 08-08-2006, 01:10 PM

For gambling purposes I hope he keeps on running, and for sentimel purposes also....

WHEN AM I GETTING A HORSE NAMED AFTER ME?

When this happens, watch out world, guaranteed confirmed hanger that will get beat by a nose EVERY TIME, and not only that, he will open up 15 lengths lead ONLY TO GET BEAT BY SHANE LAVIOLETTE

For the record, this is my ultimate nightmare

Good luck to the real Artie and the connections

moke0043 · #14 08-08-2006, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bystander

I'm posting this despite how unbelievably sugary it sounds, but it's a true story. I've been an Artie Schiller fan from the very start, you might even call me rabid. This year I went to the BC with a good friend, who's father used to have a small string of horses at Saratoga each summer. He died about 7 years ago, and she actually scattered his ashes on the Oklahoma track. Anyway, before the Mile I looked over and saw she was in tears. She said she couldn't stop thinking of her father, with whom she'd been to a lot of past BC's. I really didn't know what to say, and the horses were just coming on to the track so I told her to look at the field and try and imagine who her father would have rooted for.
It only took a second, Artie Schiller.
Watching that replay still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up (of course it would have been even greater to me had Migliore been riding.) Artie sure looks done to me, but he's run some terrific races and has obviously provided many of us with memorable racing thrills. He is a very neat horse.

Loved both stories, and this is a great addition to the thread!

Getaway · #15 08-08-2006, 10:49 PM

Thanks everybody! The X-Rays came back today and everything looked good apparently. I will let you all know as soon as I hear anything.

my miss storm cat · #16 08-08-2006, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bystander

I'm posting this despite how unbelievably sugary it sounds, but it's a true story. I've been an Artie Schiller fan from the very start, you might even call me rabid. This year I went to the BC with a good friend, who's father used to have a small string of horses at Saratoga each summer. He died about 7 years ago, and she actually scattered his ashes on the Oklahoma track. Anyway, before the Mile I looked over and saw she was in tears. She said she couldn't stop thinking of her father, with whom she'd been to a lot of past BC's. I really didn't know what to say, and the horses were just coming on to the track so I told her to look at the field and try and imagine who her father would have rooted for.
It only took a second, Artie Schiller.
Watching that replay still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up (of course it would have been even greater to me had Migliore been riding.) Artie sure looks done to me, but he's run some terrific races and has obviously provided many of us with memorable racing thrills. He is a very neat horse.

I love the original post and thank you for the lovely story.

Reading this though..... not to repeat myself as I posted a little of this elsewhere, but I have my own Artie Schiller story, though not touching like yours.

I thought he was okay. Just okay. Went to the BC last year, i had placed my bets, and returned to our seats just as the horses came on to the track.

Chatting, laughing, and Happy T can attest to this..... I saw this horse and he was absolutely stunning. I mean I stopped and couldn't take my eyes off of him. Who IS that?, I asked.

The others, all Artie fans i might add, started laughing.

THAT'S Artie!

Oh

my

God.

It's just one of those memories that will stay with me. He was beautiful, composed, striking. At that moment? I knew I was looking at the winner.

Best of luck to Artie..... one I was so wrong about and one I respect.

Gander · #17 08-09-2006, 08:09 AM

Great news on the X Rays. Hope Jimmy gives him another chance on the track, which I believe he will this fall at Belmont.

Thanks again for one of the best all time posts on this board.

Getaway · #18 09-14-2006, 02:07 PM

He's done....
http://www.bloodhorse.com/articleind...e.asp?id=35317

Downthestretch55 · #19 09-14-2006, 03:38 PM

Thanks for this thread.
I've liked this one for a long time. I also have all the respect in the world for Jim J.
I hope Artie S makes plenty of nice babies at Hurricane Hall.
If he doesn't, maybe he can come up to NY. I'd love to breed one of my mares to him.
Thanks for the thread.
DTS

philcski · #20 09-14-2006, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Getaway

Let me start off by saying that I am related to the connections of Artie Schiller. I have followed his career from the beginning, and it has been a great run. Sunday may have been Artie Schiller's last race. He is just not right. He came out of the race sore, and there was talk about a possible suspensory problem.

If you aren't from the Bay Shore, NY area, you might have a hard time understanding how much this horse has meant to so many people. Artie Schiller is a real man, who is known by everybody around our area. A few years back Artie was in bad shape (with cancer), and it looked like he might not make it. He was a long time racing fan, and it was decided that this horse would be named after him. Wouldn't you know it, the horse broke his maiden the first time out, and guess who was there to see it, Artie Schiller the man. After a little bit of a miracle, Artie was able to beat cancer, and has been to every race that the horse has ever ran in. The horse helped him pull through.

I thought I should post this after reading a few negative statements by some members here. It has been a great run. Artie is by no means a super horse. He has lost a few, but he won alot too. His record on the turf speaks for itself. No matter what, he always ran his eyeballs out, and always gave it his best effort. Win or lose, we always had a great time wherever the horse took us. Nothing has been decided yet, and he very well may keep on going, but if he doesn't, In my book he has done enough. Thanks to Jimmy Jerkens for doing a great job, and thanks to all that worked with the horse along the way.

Artie happens to be my favorite horse still in training and part of the reason is the story behind him.

He may not be a superhorse but he IS the 2005 BC Mile champion. Mediocre horses don't win that race.