Vagrant, 2nd Kentucky Derby Winner

Here's a picture of Violet, taken by Barbie in September. I include it because she is related to the second Kentucky Derby in history, but I couldn't find an image of him to share.

Vagrant was a gelding by Virgil and Lazy by Scythian. He was born in 1873 and was eventually purchased by William Astor. His dad, Virgil, sired three Kentucky Derby winners -- Vagrant, Hindoo, and Ben Ali.

Vagrant ran for 9 years, from 1875 to 1883, as a 10 year-old horse. His final record was 88: 20-12-12. Then, get this, as he could not be bred, and he no longer could race, he was sold. He spent the rest of his life as a cart horse on the streets of Lexington.

Can you believe that? Imagine the book that horse could write? Raced 9 years for the richest family in America and not even earn a retirement!?! I mean, win the Kentucky Derby and not earn a cushy retirement! Then have to pull a Black Beauty or a Godolphin Arabian and have to haul a cart around a city? I just can't believe it.

So, next time you are in the beautiful city of Lexington, driving around, just give a thought or two to Vagrant who won the Kentucky Derby and then worked like a proud horse on the streets.

Hindoo and My Girls!

My girls both are related to one of the most important racehorses ever, one who reinvigorated the Byerley Turk line in thoroughbreds. Hindoo was born in 1879, and raced 35 times. He never was out of the money, winning 30 times, placing 3, and showing twice. His dad, pictured here, was Virgil, and his mom was Florence. He was trained by two Hall of Famers, Ed Brown, one of the most distinguished Blacks in horse racing and training, and the also inestimable, James G. Rowe, Sr. He was truly extraordinary. In his third year, he won the 1881 Kentucky Derby and the Travers Stakes, but what was truly exceptional is that he won 18 straight races between May and August of his 3rd year, 19 if you include a dead-heat run-off on the same day! No horse has ever equalled this prodigious accomplishment. Not surprisingly, he was voted the Champion 2-year-old, Champion 3-year-old, and Champion Handicap Horse. When the National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame was first started, he was inducted in 1955. He retired as a leading money winner and was a fantastic sire. He was also a good boy. Here's what one reporter said of him, "A sweeter tempered colt never sported silk. He was like wax in the hands of the jockey. He would never do more than what was asked of him, yet his courage was the highest. He did what was required, and after he had his field beaten, was content to drop down into a canter. He was never excited by contest nor crowd, and was business-like under all circumstances."



My girls are lucky to have some of his most wonderful children in their pedigree, including Sallie McClelland (in Whisk Broom's tree), and Hanover. Hindoo is also responsible for my girls' Pocahontas! You can read more about their Kentucky Derby fella at the following links:
http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/Hindoo.html
or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindoo_(horse)
or
http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall/horse.asp?ID=90
or
http://www.spiletta.com/UTHOF/hindoo.html
or
http://www.thoroughbredchampions.com/biographies/hindoo.htm