Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/16/sports/othersports/16curlin.html?ref=sports
Can’t say the news is stunning, but it’s finally confirmed. The great Curlin, thoroughbred racing’s 2007 Horse of the Year, has been retired following his 4th place finish in the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita in October.
This means we’ve seen the majestic chestnut for the final time. For once in my life, I’m at an absolute loss for words. I knew it was coming, but somehow waiting for the blow to land didn’t soften it’s impact at all. I’m not sure if I’ll ever have another one I love as much as him. Really gonna miss you there, big guy. The run for the past year and a half has been the stuff legends are made of.
The sport will be hard pressed to replace the class of Curlin. His connections were unafraid of putting him on the line through surface changes, rough weather conditions, and overseas shipping in order to prove his claim to being best in the world. Never did he disappoint. Apart from a 4th place finish in the final race of his career over a turf impersonating Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita, the son of Smart-Strike was in the money in every other race going 11 for 16 lifetime and taking in over $10.5 million in earnings.
The winter just got a lot bleaker from where I’m sitting, but there is reason to be hopeful. The sooner Curlin goes to stud, the sooner we see his offspring popping up all over the place. Imagine – not one Curlin, but many! Of course, asking anyone’s offspring to live up to such big shoes may be too tall an order for any to achieve. We shall see. I’ll tell you one thing though – if they get just a fraction of his heart and guts, watch out!
For now I’ll be pouring a glass of my finest Pinot Noir, lighting up a cigar, and saying farewll to my favorite horse of all time. It’s horses like this guy that makes us thank god we are alive. What lucky bastards we are to see these magnificent animals in all their glory.
I tip my hat to Curlin one final time.
May we be so lucky as to see greatness like yours again in our lifetimes.
Now as I always do when such news breaks, although this time with a heavier heart than ever before – let’s take a walk down memory lane with Curlin. I’ll never forget where I was the first time I saw him in the Rebel Derby. To say it was life changing would be a tremendous understatement. Having the honor to see him live at the Preakness was a dream come true.
I think the way I’ll always remember him, and always get a chill up my spine thinking about, was making his move to go after Street Sense in the Preakness stretch. That was his moment. His date with destiny. His announcement that a new star was born. I’ll never forget being choked up with pride and unable to speak following his victories in the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic and the 2008 Dubai World Cup.
To say goodbye in a special way, here’s a walk down memory lane with the biggest moments of Curlin’s career. Enjoy.
February 3, 2007 – Curlin debuts at Gulfstream Park and a crushes the field
Curlin blows away the field in the Rebel Derby, his first stakes win
4/14/07 – Curlin destroys the competition in the 2007 Arkansas Derby
5/19/07 – Curlin nails Street Sense at the wire to win the Preakness
9/30/07 – Curlin defeats Lawyer Ron in the 2007 Jockey Club Gold Cup
10/27/07 – Curlin runs away with the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic to win Horse of the Year
3/29/08 – Curlin unleashes his devastating strides against the field of the Dubai World Cup, becoming an international superstar
6/14/08 – Curlin triumphs in the Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs
8/30/08 – Curlin travels to Saratoga and pulls off a victory as the heavy favorite in the Woodward
9/27/08 – Curlin’s final victory – his second consecutive Jockey Club Gold Cup victory at Belmont Park
Wow – what a grand tribute to a grand horse! How fortunate we all were to witness his race to greatness!!!
Thank you, Jess Jackson. You are a hero among men to have shared your champion of all horses.
I wanted to offer my condolences to you in these hard times of mourning and waiting for offspring to be um, offsprung. You made a very nice tribute.
Kev, must be a pretty rough day for you. I’ve really enjoyed reading your Curlin posts over the last year and this one takes the cake. Jess Jackson and Curlin were both inspirational in our little sector of the world.
“Courage is the discovery that you may not win, and trying when you know you can lose.” ~Tom Krause
Curlin was the definition of courage.
Thanks guys -it’s a sad, sad day, but I’m already anxious to see his first crop a couple of years from now.
Geno – standing applause for that Tom Krause quote. Truer words never spoken!
Great write-up Kevin, I can’t express how dissapointed I am to see Curlin leaving the track. I feel amazingly honored to have seen this horse race in person five times, there will never be another Curlin. He was a champion of champions, and of hearts. I will miss him terribly!!
Go Curlin!!
Jackson left open a slight possiblility that Curlin could race one more time this year if there is a really good offer. I’ve already started praying!! That’s what makes this sport so awesome, with the dissapiontments comes great hope, and man am I hoping!!!! (-:
Goodnight my Sweet Prince
This article suggests that there is a little hope…..
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2008/November/16/Curlin-will-retire-to-stud-in-2009.aspx
Anyway, once he is out of training, there will be stud farm open houses and such. Maybe even opportunities for fans to visit him at his new home. Perhaps you can get to meet him now?
Other thoughts: It occurs to me that out of training is also out of danger. Also, he is a very strong, very sound horse and he will be very popular. The breed needs stallions like him.
@Brian – thank you for faithfully following him around to 5 races. That’s incredible…and he deserved that kind of fanship. Oh to love another such as him again one day. They’ll never be him, but perhaps they can be equally special in their own right?
@riffkind1969 – solid points (as usual)
I’d like to see him bred to a Giant’s Causeway or A.P. Indy mare personally. I don’t know a lot about breeding but what little I know makes me think that would be something.
Here’s hoping I get to see him at a stud farm. That’s sort of been a private hope of mine for a year or so.
Hmmm, seems I’ve heared of an AP Indy mare who was sent to Giant’s Causeway recently…..Rags something…..
Curlin and Rags breeding would be awesome.
Also, I wanted to say that I am now a Zenyatta fan (since Curlin won’t be there to root for next year). Not that I wasn’t before, but when she started threatening Curlins second horse of the year title she went too far and my fanship was put on hold untill I was sure he would win it again. I really hope he does, that would be yet another feather in his cap, and god know he deserves it!! (-:
Go Curlin!!
Hey, I just realized something, I actually went to SIX of Curlin’s races!! The Preakness, Belmont, Classic, Man ‘O’ War, Woodward Stakes, and Jockey Club Gold Cup!! (-:
I’ll never get tired of watching the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic…. Curlin ran the perfect race and Trevor made the perfect stretch call.