Anyone familiar with the Guitar Hero and Rock Band video game series has no doubt rocked out, at least once, to the anthem “When You Were Young” by The Killers. Go ahead and right click on that to open it in another window to listen along if you like. I always enjoy finding music that makes me think of my favorite race horses, and for quite some time I’ve associated this song with seeing Curlin as a magnificent early 3-year old with a world of potential and the sky as his ceiling.
“…You sit there in your heartache
Waiting on some beautiful boy to
save you from your old ways
You play forgiveness
Watch it now … here he comes! “
From the moment he first entered our lives, our worlds changed. Curlin became a horse of great importance. A dashing colt who went from maiden to World Champion in little more than a year. An almost fairy tale like hero who dominated the dirt division on his way to a record $10 million+ in lifetime earnings.
“…He doesn’t look a thing like Jesus
But he talks like a gentleman
Like you imagined when you were young .”
We’ve cheered him as a Preakness winner. We’ve watched in awe as he won the Classic. Through eternal glory in the Dubai World Cup and courageous defeat in the Belmont. All the while, we have watched. Then, just when we thought we’d seen it all (“just like Bogart and Bacall”), something comes around to remind you that there’s much left to discover. There are hidden gems that are worth seeking out, as they only add to the legacy of a colt for all times.
“…We’re burning down the highway skyline
On the back of a hurricane that started turning
When you were young
When you were young .”
I don’t have authorization to post the photo, so you’ll have to follow the link below for now. Just know that in two years of searching, this is the first image of “baby Curlin” that I’ve ever encountered. Here he is as a weanling at Fares Farms in Lexington, KY:
Two things stand out to me. Firstly, the muscles in his hind section look powerful for that age. Not that I’m an expert on young horses though. Far from it. I defer to anyone with experience on the subject. They just look massive. Secondly, his front shoulder/chest area seems to hint at the jaw dropping physique he will one day possess.
“…And sometimes you close your eyes
and see the place where you used to live
When you were young .”
So there’s our boy as a young lad. The world would be his oyster, and at that moment in time nobody on earth could have foreseen the honor that would be his. There are times in life when greatness enters your presence. I’ll always remember the early spring of 2007 as the age when I first became aware of Curlin.
As the Derby trail continues to heat up, here’s hoping somebody else steps forth to grab our attention in “that away”, which reminds us why we came to love this game and what it means to be a fan.
I’ll be back Wednesday with some thoughts on constructing my “Road to the Roses” stable. If you haven’t signed up yet - what are you waiting for? “Do it!!!” Do it now!!!”
Very creative! Thanks for the youtube link. I love that song but was not familiar with the acoustic version.
Yep its a great song, and one i was delighted to be reminded of.
Horse looks a beauty. Great find, and great photos.
Thanks Kevin!! Love seeing ANY pictures of Curlin!
You know, I was just thinking what would have happened had he been gelded. I bet a LOT of breeders are interested in cloning geldings who turn out to be worldbeaters, but can’t get it past the jockey club. Have you ever written about that? There’d be a huge market if the JC gave approval.
Interesting prospect, Rain. I’d never thought of that….beyond imagining what an “all-time” race with Secretariat, Ruffian, Cigar, Spectacular Bid, Curlin, and all the greats would be like.