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Haskin Photo Blog: Journey with the Greats

Step back in time and enjoy the images of racing and the horses who made history.

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Hangin' With Haskin: Colors of the Mind

It was Damascus who breathed life into a hollow existence, numbed from years of toiling mindlessly on Wall Street.

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Skip Away's Skipshot Surprises in Swaps

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
The cross that produced Swaps Stakes surprise winner Skipshot appears to be based on an affinity of Skip Away for Halo-line mares.

Whiteley, Trainer of Ruffian, Dies

Hall of Fame trainer Frank Y. Whiteley Jr., 93, the trainer of Ruffian, died May 2.

Frank Whiteley Jr., Hall of Famer, Dead

Hall of Fame trainer Frank Yewell Whiteley Jr., the hard-nosed "Fox of Laurel" and conditioner of superstars Ruffian, Damascus, and Forego, died today in Camden, S.C.

Big Brown and the Domino Factor

Floyd Oliver digs into the similarities between Kentucky Derby favorite Big Brown and Domino.

Travers Flashback: Damascus Blew 'Em Away in '67

With rival Dr. Fager skipping the 1967 Travers, Damascus was 15 1/2 lengths behind the leader before making a huge run and drawing off to win by 22 lengths in a final time that equaled the track record.

Boundary Pensioned at Claiborne Farm

Claiborne Farm stallion Boundary has been retired from stud duty due to declining fertility, said Bernie Sams, farm spokesperson.

Hero's Tribute to Buck Pond

Hero's Tribute, a 6-year-old son of Sea Hero--Eastern Dawn, by Damascus, has been retired from racing and will stand the 2005 breeding season at Doug Arnold's Buck Pond Farm near Versailles, Ky. The three-time stakes winner, who arrived at the farm Sept. 11, will stand for a fee of $5,000.

On This Day...

March 25, 1967
Damascus

Damascus Is Most Underrated Horse of All-Time

By Steve Haskin -- In 2000, I wrote a book on Dr. Fager for the Thoroughbred Legends series. My admiration for the good doctor knows no boundaries, as he was the swiftest, most dominating, and in general, most unique Thoroughbred I have ever laid eyes on. But not one second went by while writing the book that I didn't feel like a traitor. It was his archrival Damascus, you see, who got me interested in Thoroughbred racing.

Try to Imagine

By Steve Haskin -- The Gotham Stakes rekindles memories of the Dr. Fager-Damascus showdown 35 years ago.

On This Date In History...

Damascus Third in Haskell at 3-5 Odds; Dearly Precious Posts Fifth Straight Win