What is (was) a race horse?

[timmgirvan]

How about John Henry?

[sham]

Bold Ruler - as racehorse and sire, maybe the best of them all

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by sham

Bold Ruler - as racehorse and sire, maybe the best of them all

naaaah.
northern dancer or slew. i think i'd give the nod to the former, he's world-wide!!

[sham]

Originally Posted by Danzig188

naaaah.
northern dancer or slew. i think i'd give the nod to the former, he's world-wide!!

Now there is a potential topic for debate. Which was the best racehorse...which was the best sire...which was best overall, between Bold Ruler, Northern Dancer, and Seattle Slew. Perhaps Native Dancer also belongs in the discussion. BTW, any of these four probably fit Dixie's criteria for real racehorses.

[paisjpq]

ruffian was a real racehorse. I don't know if she meets all of dixie's criteria but she was a real racehorse none the less.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by paisjpq

ruffian was a real racehorse. I don't know if she meets all of dixie's criteria but she was a real racehorse none the less.

she was that!

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by paisjpq

ruffian was a real racehorse. I don't know if she meets all of dixie's criteria but she was a real racehorse none the less.

What are Dixies criteria? From what I can see its merely "ran and won everywhere against all comers".

Hard for me to put Smarty Jones in with that criteria considering how little he raced.

[Danzig]

actually smarty raced a fair amount for the amount of time he was actually active. he was just getting started...and of course he ran over several tracks, at differing distances each time.
shame they couldn't bring him back for another year.....
where are people like the wolfsons, the meyerhoffs and the turners these days????

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by Dixie Porter

The Grand Master is back. I appoint him to take over. I'm not gonna play teacher around here. ONLY because it's Bethani I will make this one last comment.

Ruffian was bred in DEEP PURPLE (Reveiwer/Shennanigans by Native Dancer) owned by a Blueblood, and trained by an excellent horseman (Frank Whitely).

It wasn't exactly a surprise when she could run.

The above being said, she was the GREATEST horse to ever set foot on a race track. I saw every one of her races and saw her 100's of mornings.

I knew she didn't meet your modest pedigree requirement...But I still think she deserved mention.

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by Dixie Porter

As I stated above, "it's like trying to herd cats".

'meow'....

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by sham

Now there is a potential topic for debate. Which was the best racehorse...which was the best sire...which was best overall, between Bold Ruler, Northern Dancer, and Seattle Slew. Perhaps Native Dancer also belongs in the discussion. BTW, any of these four probably fit Dixie's criteria for real racehorses.

i'd say all around, i'd give it to northern dancer. when you look at what he accomplished (and the lack of mares in his book, much like bold ruler) it's just amazing. and then to have the top stakes producers all come from him--danzig with the north american record, danehill with the world record, and then sadler's wells....the diminutive stallion was a huge success--both on and off the track. and got short or long, dirt or turf...
altho seattle slew was successful (i give him the edge track-wise) i don't think he has made as big of a mark as the dancer.
i think native dancer fits as well, a fabulous runner, and raise a native has added to his legend.
bold ruler was outstanding as well...

but if you have to choose one for all around--i'd give it to the canadian sensation.

Originally Posted by Danzig188

i'd say all around, i'd give it to northern dancer. when you look at what he accomplished (and the lack of mares in his book, much like bold ruler) it's just amazing. and then to have the top stakes producers all come from him--danzig with the north american record, danehill with the world record, and then sadler's wells....the diminutive stallion was a huge success--both on and off the track. and got short or long, dirt or turf...
altho seattle slew was successful (i give him the edge track-wise) i don't think he has made as big of a mark as the dancer.
i think native dancer fits as well, a fabulous runner, and raise a native has added to his legend.
bold ruler was outstanding as well...

but if you have to choose one for all around--i'd give it to the canadian sensation.

To some extent, Slew is still a work in progress. He came on the scene thirteen years after Northern Dancer. A son with much potential is waiting in the wings: VINDICATION.