Very entertaining Bloodhorse article

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I knew it was Iskra and I guess the similar name made me think of Naskra as I am almost sure he was a half to somebody noteworthy.

Unfortunately ... Wajima is one of the most forgotten champions of the past 30 years.

He didn't race as a 4YO because he came along when stallion syndications were booming ... and the cost of insurance to keep him racing became prohibitive.

And both his 2YO and 3YO campaigns were very brief ... his 4 starts as a 2YO covering only six weeks ... and his stakes efforts as a 4YO covering less than 4 months ... much too short a time to attain noteworthiness in the era of Secretariat, Forego, Ruffian, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Alydar, and Spectacular Bid.

Also ... he was one of the world's worst stallions ... so his name no longer appears in the pedigrees of good horses.

But ... his titanic efforts against Forego, Foolish Pleasure, and Ancient Title ... and his ten-length runaway in the Travers ... stamped him as truly remarkable talent in an age of legends.

Fortunately ... his name will always appear in the record books as Champion 3YO of 1975.