Sean Clancy

There have been so many, all the way back when Dad was running Owhata Chief in the Samuel K. Martin at Essex, I decided to stick with ones I rode. Here’s my Top 10 rides from Far Hills, 1983-2000.

Ian Wilkes bends down on one knee and feels the right hoof, then the left, then the right, then the left. Over and over, the trainer feels the horse’s hooves. Hoping for nothing, hoping they feel cold.

“It’s OK, Dad. I’ll pat your back.”

And, with that Miles Clancy, 2 1/2, departed Saratoga.

There, but for the grace of God go I . . . Jorge Torres died this week of injuries suffered in a fall at Camden in November. It sounded dire when it happened – head injury, coma, life support – and wound up dire in the end. We heard he had died the night after the race, then we heard good news a month or so ago and hoped for a miracle. Miracles are hard to come by. 

Ruby is back. Ten days into a comeback from breaking is leg, the leading Cheltenham jockey in history added to his total with an efficient and motional triple to open the Cheltenham Festival. A cool and calculating ride on Al Ferof to upset the Supreme, a cool and calculating ride on Hurricane Fly to win the Champion Hurdle and – you guessed it – a cool and calculating ride on Quevega in the David Nicholson.

It was like talking to my dad and my high-school guidance counselor all at the same time. He’d lean in like he had a secret and then, in his best parental/counselor voice, he’d say, “Now, Sean …” When I was a jockey, it was about winning the race because he could really use the money. Later, it was some lesson or some mission.

Thirty-one years since upsetting the Grand National with 40-1 invader Ben Nevis, America’s Charlie Fenwick will return to Aintree Racecourse to ride in the Bob Champion Cancer Trust fundraiser. The flat race will be carded as the first race on the John Smith’s Grand National card April 9,

Wednesday morning. 10 o’clock. Clocker stand. Turf works.

How many clockers you have up here? It won’t be enough. Can’t catch them. The most important move is the one who’s just galloping, Booby Trap, with Kent over there.

Coming to the 6. I’ll take Proctor, wire to wire. You got it. Bobby, you take contestant number one coming to the half. Meg, you’ve got white towel, contestant number two. Charlotte, you get the set, contestant number three. Chris, which one you want, brother? Get ready guys, here we go.

Carlos Martin, in a tan suit, read Sunday’s overnight in the racing office. His assistant, Dave, asked him why he was dressed up.

I nearly spat on the floor.

Respect.

Respect for Saratoga.

Green Acres is the place for me . . .

The farm, the year-long project my wife and I have been involved with, still creeps along, steadily making progress but it’s a lot like watching your kid grow – it takes an outsider to see him for the first time and tell you how much he’s grown.