Life on the Farm: Spring foaling
As bitter subzero temperatures melt into warm, dew-kissed mornings of spring, activity whirs around McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in upstate New York.
The Senior Senator Story
Joe Davies has trained plenty of horses. Senior Senator is nothing like the others. A flop (and something of a rogue) on the flat at Penn National for Flint Stites, the now 7-year-old has bloomed into a star over timber. He’s crossed the finish line first or second in every timber race he’s started with … Read more
Trainer Jack Fisher and Good Night Shirt
Jack Fisher got his Horse of a Lifetime when Good Night Shirt showed up in 2005. The big, raw Maryland-bred’s meteoric career wound up one of the best ever with eight Grade 1 wins and more than $1 million in earnings, joining McDynamo and Lonesome Glory in the seven-figure club. In August, Good Night Shirt … Read more
Turney McKnight on riding, the Manor, more
Turney McKnight has been an owner, a trainer, an amateur jockey and more. He won the 1982 Maryland Hunt Cup aboard Tong, a horse bred by his mother June. In 1978, McKnight became chairman of the My Lady’s Manor Races in Monkton, Md. He was an ideal choice as someone who knew all aspects of … Read more
Here & There – April 5
The action came fast and furious late March folded into April, with Triple Crown preps, Dubai World Cup, the start of the National Steeplechase Association season and New York Thoroughbred Breeders Annual Awards Dinner keeping everyone in our camp busy. We reported on all those events and more in recent weeks but as always we’re left with a little extra that didn’t make it in print or online.
Rick Abbott’s Horse Who Changed Everything
Bloodstock agent, sales consignor and breeder Rick Abbott gives credit to broodmare Christmas Strike for changing everything. She produced nearly $1 million worth of horses to sell at auction – helping fuel Charlton, the sales consignment business Abbott owned with his wife Dixie. The Abbotts retired last year, and expected to enjoy at least a few more years of Christmas Strike and her foals. She died this month at 19.
Dixon Stroud’s Horse Who Changed Everything
An amateur steeplechase rider, polo player, owner and race meet director, Dixon Stroud has worn more than his share of hats in the horse industry. He won the 1984 Maryland Hunt Cup aboard Bewley’s Hill, a horse Stroud trained for his wife Lisa. But, Stroud’s Horse Who Changed Everything is a polo pony who came to Pennsylvania by way of Montana. His name was Snort.
Throwback Thursday: Good Night Shirt Part II
Good Night Shirt, Part 2. Last week’s Throwback Thursday reviewed the new Hall of Famer’s early steeplechase days – from 2005 maiden win to 2007 championship. As good as that climb was, Good Night Shirt’s 2008 campaign rivaled that of any steeplechase champion in history.
Throwback Thursday: Good Night Shirt’s climb to the top
Time flies. Or something like that anyway. Wednesday, two-time champion Good Night Shirt and trainer Tom Voss were announced as steeplechase inductees into Thoroughbred Racing’s Hall of Fame. We covered both extensively in Steeplechase Times, The Saratoga Special and thisishorseracing.com
Michael O’Callaghan and Bogini
In 2011, my dad and I bought Bogini as a 2-year-old from Tracey Collins. I was 22, still preparing breezers and didn’t have a trainers license, so we left her in training with Tracey. She won an average maiden for us in Down Royal, which got her a rating in the low 70s, then I brought her home to Millgrove Stud, where I was operating at the time, and gave her the winter off.
