all in Legends

One of the great ironies tied into horse racing involves how triumph and tragedy can be woven together.

Even at its most distressing moments, racing can sometimes offer a measure of joy, as muted as it might be.

The 1990 Breeders’ Cup Distaff will always be remembered for the heartbreaking tragedy of the fatal injury of Go for Wand. Yet on that fateful October afternoon at Belmont Park, what is often overlooked was the triumph that belonged to the gallant mare Bayakoa.

This marks the latest edition of “Stackin’ Cheddar: Looking Back”, a new biweekly series on America’s Best Racing. Here, we’ll look back on an early race in the careers of some of the greatest horses of all time, including spots where they went off at a big price.

He was the most unexpected phenomenon—an unbeaten racehorse. The first racing superstar of the 20th century, Colin defied the odds, retiring with a perfect 15-for-15 mark.

Overcoming an ugly lump on his hock, bucked shins, and a series of infirmities as a youngster, when Colin hit the racetrack nothing slowed him down during the 1907-1908 seasons. The handsome seal-brown colt, who sported a star on his forehead with an elegant blaze, would be the last major racehorse to retire unbeaten in the United States until Personal Ensign in 1988.

Topped by the additions of champions Beholder and Tepin, chosen in their first year of eligibility, eight new members have been elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame class of 2022.

For most people, the name King Ranch brings to mind images of a sprawling western ranch filled with cattle and cowboys. But for fans of Thoroughbred racing, King Ranch brings to mind a different image — the image of one of the most influential and successful racing and breeding operations in the history of the sport.

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