Barbaro Updates: 131
updates are now here.
Update 1031: I just spoke to Peter who had heard from Michael who visited Barbaro this afternoon. While he was not able to go outside (due to the dreary weather) he does remain comfortable.
Update 1030: Frank DeFord offers his vote for Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year: My Sportsmen: Roy & Gretchen Jackson, Michael Matz. The article ends:
But in saving Barbaro, the Jacksons and their trainer made so many people care -- even people who never paid much never mind to horse racing. They embroidered their sport with goodness and nobility and made us all see that sometimes dreams can come true -- even if it wasn't the dream we first had in mind. Barbaro didn't win the Triple Crown. Because of the people who loved him, he won life.
Update 1029: Barbara Livingston has created a Pine Island Album. She sent me the link along with this message:
This album was so tough to put together...
I'll never forget photographing this large, kind lady. People who didn't see the beauty in her face didn't look closely. Her brilliant, large eyes were so trusting and content, reflecting the love she felt from those around her. Her actions were proud and comfortable, her manner quiet..and all wrapped in a most beautiful oversized package.
A girlfriend who worked with her called Pine Island "Big Moose" in the affectionate way possible. I thought of her as a gentle giant. Everyone at her barn adored her and showered her with affection - which she happily accepted. While her long ears swept forward for peppermints, they also pricked at any gesture of kindness.
It's amazing to think of what she accomplished this year - and, to think, she was still learning about the game. She was such a shooting star.
We are heartsick for the Phipps' family, Claiborne Farm's staff and the McGaughey crew.
Update 1028: Britain will morn the sad lose of Desert Orchid who passed away at the age of twenty seven today. Sue McMullen sent this e-mail:
There will be tears shed today all over the UK and beyond with news of Desert Orchid's death. Mercifully, he died peacefully in his sleep, aged 27 and wouldn't have known anything about it. He leaves so many indelible images having made National Hunt racing in the UK his personal stage and since his retirement in 1991 he made numerous personal appearances, at racecourses that were the scene of his greatest triumphs and at charity events to raise money.
It would be impossible to do him justice in a few short paragraphs and there will be numerous tributes to him in the trade press outlining his versatility, the different distances he won over, his four King George chases and Cheltenham Gold Cup, Whitbreads, the weight he carried, his bravery and the following he had. So I thought I would share my own, favourite memory.
He lived a good life, doing what he loved to do, but I nevertheless feel very emotional today as he has been part of my life for so many years. I was at Cheltenham in 1989, the day he won his Gold Cup. I recall shaking with nerves beforehand as 'Dessie' always hated Cheltenham. His greatest victories, apart from that one, were at right-handed tracks and the big question was, how would he cope being there again? It was desperately cold and grey, with the snow-capped hills of Prestbury in the background providing a natural amphitheatre to the drama that was about to unfold on the course. It was so wet they had to inspect at noon to see if racing would go ahead, even the fire service had to pump water from the course. 50,000 people packed the stands, straining to see what the iconic grey horse could do but what a dilemma for his adoring owner Richard Burridge. This was no longer just about a course Dessie hated, but horrendous conditions that would make it even worse for him.
Those of us who were there that day will never forget it and I swear that when he jumped the last fence, upsides the mud-loving Yahoo, 50,000 people gave Desert Orchid wings and carried him up that gruelling, Cheltenham hill. Always flamboyant and a show-off over his fences, he responded to the greatest cheers and screams that Cheltenham racecourse has ever witnessed, before or since, and it was purely Dessie's iron will, bravery and total inability to allow another horse to be ahead of him, even at home, that gave him the strength to dig deeper than he had ever had to and overcome his hated course and the mud. People who had backed Yahoo because of the desperate conditions and Dessie's known dislike of the course, started screaming for Dessie in tribute to his brave attempt to do what so many thought impossible for him, hats were thrown in the air and afterwards, grown men were in tears. I have never experienced anything like it on a racecourse and suspect I never will.
Years later, when I became a trustee of a racehorse charity, Dessie came to stay with us before appearing at our open day, and I got to meet the 'great one' himself, the first of many such, highly cherished occasions. There were none tougher on the racecourse, none as competitive and nothing could leap like him at the penultimate fence at Kempton (where he knew the cameras were) and yet, put him next to a person in a wheelchair or out hacking accompanying a child on a pony, when he was retired, and he was a lamb. I truly believe there will never be another one like him.
A couple of articles from the media: DESERT ORCHID DIES AGED 27 and British Steeplechasing Star Desert Orchid Dies at Age 27.
Update 1027: Mrs. Jackson just called to thank everyone for their support today, and over the next few days, as we continue our efforts re: the anti horse-slaughter bill.
Update 1026: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (sunday night). I saw Michael as I was coming on to the (very grotty) track on Chappy for my fourth set. Michael had heard from Dr. Richardson.
It is raining in spots this morning, but enough to turn the track to a mess. Today was a mix of track, outback (Hawty Creek) and Shedrow.
Today is national call in day for anti-horse slaughter. Debra, WI (timestamp 1:27 pm) details the plan for the day.
Update 1025: I was curious to see how popular the Melbourne Cup is in Australia, when compared to the Breeders' Cup in the US. The Breeders' Cup attained a TV audience of about 770,000. The Melbourne Cup: 2.272 million. I guess if you did a percentage of total population viewing the difference would be much greater. The Melbourne Cup meet also broke attendance records: Melbourne Carnival Breaks Attendance Mark. So while racing in the US seems to be a waining sport at the present, with plenty of problems to fix, this is not the case elsewhere.
I did watch the ESPN broadcast yesterday (over a lovely sunday dinner). A few observations; Ouija Board is wonderful; Trevor Denman was not (and he usually is); Churchill Downs let Fleet Indian down desperately; Pine Island soooo sad; Edgar Prado looked so sad after his win; Fair Hill had a great day.
The Barbaro update this morning may be delayed, the weather looks grim, and if that is the case we will be in the shedrow and I'll get the update after training hours. I say "if that is the case" as it may be clearing up.
Good morning everybody,
Alex, population of Australia around 20 million, USA nearer 300 million. Quite a big difference I think.
Posted by: Liz (UK) at November 13, 2006 11:04 AM