Spectacular Bid

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

I just saw a video clip of his victory in the '79 Derby, it amazed me how darker his coat was when he won that race. The photos of him at stud in his later years...he was almost white. I guess when horses get old, they get gray too!

[Sightseek]

I saw that too, this show "Down the Stretch" is really good sometimes.

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I saw that too, this show "Down the Stretch" is really good sometimes.

Your location is 20 mins. from "the greatest track on earth", I'm 45 west...
you N/S or E/W?

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Hickory Hill Hoff

Your location is 20 mins. from "the greatest track on earth", I'm 45 west...
you N/S or E/W?

LOL, I drive really fast...for most people it would be 25/30 minutes I think. (Albany area)

Johannesburg Star's connections on the show next.....

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Hickory Hill Hoff

I just saw a video clip of his victory in the '79 Derby, it amazed me how darker his coat was when he won that race. The photos of him at stud in his later years...he was almost white. I guess when horses get old, they get gray too!

most greys lighten with age. he was a beautiful dark charcoal gray when he raced.

[Linny]

DTS is a very good show. Great guests. I guess Joe Parker got stage fright. I know that he was all excited to do the show.

BTW, I'm about 28 mi. due south of the world's greatest racetrack.

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by Danzig188

most greys lighten with age. he was a beautiful dark charcoal gray when he raced.

Even though I knew this I remember how surprised I was when I went to see Skip Away...he was so dark and dappled when he raced...just looks almost white these days.

[Pedigree Ann]

Originally Posted by Danzig188

most greys lighten with age. he was a beautiful dark charcoal gray when he raced.

They called it 'gun-metal gray' and looked brownish on TV (at least, my TV). All grays are born some other color (bay, chestnut, etc.), then the gray gene takes over and changes more and more hairs to white. The more white hair, the lighter the shade of gray. Vigors at 5 was already nearly white (nicknamed "The White Tornado" from the Mr. Clean commercial - he closed like a whirlwind from the back of the pack). Other grays fade more slowly.

When they are youngish, many bright red chestnuts look pink in color - I remember an Arab 2yo filly I photographed in black-and-white; she looked in the prints like a normal gray gray, but I tell you she was PINK. I imagine that is how Pink Viper got his name.

[The Bid]

Linny you live in Strongsville Ohio? Thats about 28 miles from Thistle.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by Hickory Hill Hoff

I just saw a video clip of his victory in the '79 Derby, it amazed me how darker his coat was when he won that race. The photos of him at stud in his later years...he was almost white. I guess when horses get old, they get gray too!

H H H,
Too true. Gray/roans usually get lighter as they age. Ciel Bonne, my filly was almost black when she was born last March. She's getting lighter already. Her mother is 8 and has gotten whiter as well.
Spectacualr Bid was always one of my favorites. He lived out his life at the Mifler Farm in Unadilla, NY. Very distinguished looking in his aging years.
Now, if you want to see a horse of a different color, wait until the summer when a chestnut has been out in the sun for a while. They glow like honey.

[Linny]

Actually grey and roan are genetically two very different things, only the JC thinks otherwise. Roans don't lighten with age, greys do. Bid was his usual charming self when last I saw him about 2 years before his death. He tried to bite my son! Without a doubt he's my all time favorite, with Affirmed and Forego running a DH for place.

hey Bid, did you get right onto MapQuest when I posted that?

[sumitas]

Oh, what an honor. He definately noticed his presence.