The 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships marks the 38th year the best Thoroughbreds in North America meet up to compete in races that usually determine divisional championships at the Eclipse Awards.
Some might say that Charlie Whittingham was the best and most famous trainer California has ever known.
As true as that might be, Whittingham deserves to be viewed in a context much greater than even a state as large as California.
Though synonymous with the Golden State, Whittingham was unquestionably one of greatest trainers in the long and glorious history of Thoroughbred racing anywhere in the United States.
In its 37 years, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships has produced many stretch duels that have become part of racing’s lore, from the very first Classic in 1984 to Tiznow’s back-to-back Classic wins in 2000 and 2001, and on through Blame’s defeat of Zenyatta in the 2010 Classic and
Even as a teenager, when some youngsters are inclined to think the world is theirs for the taking, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott did not dream big.
“I was 18 years old and hauling horses around in a two-horse trailer to the bush tracks,” recalled the native of Mobridge, S.D. “I never imagined training for anybody else other than myself.”
There are racehorses, and then there are racehorses, the ones who seem born with an innate desire to excel in competition and outrun opponents no matter the distance, conditions, or level of competition.
There can no doubting that the great Miesque was a racehorse in the truest sense.
