Greatest Horses - Seabiscuit

Seabiscuit  who was one of the great US racehorses of the 1930's.  Born in 1933 in Lexington, his sire was Hard Tack and his dam Swing On.  

The little bay horse did not appear to have much talent at first as he loved eating and was quite lazy! He started his career with the trainer James  Fitzsimmons (Sunny Jim) where he raced 35 times when 2 years old and only won 5 times, and was 2nd on 7 occasions. 

This poor showing led to him being sold on for a bargain price of $8000 to Charles Howard (a car salesman) who sent him to the trainer Tom Smith.  With his new jockey, Red Pollard, Seabiscuit began winning and went on to win many races.

In 1936: they won the Detroit Governor's Handicap, Scarsdale Handicap, Bay Bridge Handicap and the World's Fair Handicap.

In 1937: 2nd in the Santa Anita Handicap but won 11 of his 15 starts that year

1938: ridden by George Woolf (Red Pollard was injured) Seabiscuit  beat War Admiral at the Pimlico Racecourse.  He was named Horse of the Year in 1938 and retired to California.
Seabiscuit was injured but following rest and rehabilitation he returned in early 1940 to win the San Antonio Handicap and the Santa Anita Handicap.

Seabiscuit was retired in April 1940 to California as horse racing's leading money winner of all time!  He spent 7 years in his retirement before he died of a suspected heart attack.
Seabiscuit had a late turn of speed, which often surprised his rivals and Red Pollard trained him to make the most of this skill!   

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Until next time!

Jo