
A Giant Among Horses
Giant's Causeway became a world-class sire on both grass and dirt. To Europeans, he will always be "The Iron Horse," indestructible and indefatigable.
Giant's Causeway became a world-class sire on both grass and dirt. To Europeans, he will always be "The Iron Horse," indestructible and indefatigable.
Much like in his racing career, Quality Road’s stud exploits reflect the versatility of both his wide-ranging female family and his sire.
A BloodHorse magazine (issue of May 15, 1937) recap of Affirmed's 1978 Kentucky Derby victory. The story carried the headline, "Like He Always Does."
Recorded in 2008, jockeys Steve Cauthen and Jorge Velasquez recount the Belmont battle between Affirmed and Alydar.
Recorded in 2008, jockeys Steve Cauthen and Jorge Velasquez recount the Preakness battle between Affirmed and Alydar.
Recorded in 2008 as part 2 of 4, Steve Cauthen and Jorge Velasquez talk about their trips aboard Affirmed and Alydar the Kentucky Derby.
Recorded in 2008 as Part 1 of 4: Jockeys Steve Cauthen and Jorge Velasquez recall the beginnings of their friendship and the 2-year-old seasons of Affirmed and Alydar.
One of the favorite memories evoked around bucolic Mill Ridge Farm is the tale of Begum, a daughter from the first crop of the legendary Alydar who was given a chance by the farm's founder Alice Chandler to overcome odds previously not tackled.
Turkoman, the 1986 Eclipse champion older male, was euthanized due to infirmities of old age Dec. 21 at E.A. Ranches in Ramona, California. The pensioned son of Alydar was 34.
The 106th Champagne Stakes (gr. I) may not have pointed out the best 2-year-old colt, but it certainly pointed out the two best 2-year-old colts.
Tom Pedulla writes of Affirmed's rare talent and equally rare competition, Alydar.
Most Inspiring, from the first crop of three-time champion Gio Ponti, breaks her maiden in her first attempt July 31 at Woodbine, winning a six-furlong maiden special weight on the turf in 1:10.36.
Recorded in 2008, Jockeys Steve Cauthen and Jorge Velasquez look back on the rivalry between Affirmed and Alydar during the 1978 Triple Crown.
Recorded in 2008, Jockeys Steve Cauthen and Jorge Velasquez look back on the rivalry between Affirmed and Alydar. Part 1: Cauthen and Velasquez recall the 2yo seasons of Affirmed and Alydar.
The top three Kentucky Derby finishers have only all hit the board in the Preakness twice since Affirmed, Alydar, and Believe It filled the frame in both races in 1978.
The extraordinarily reclusive new owner of this 91-year-old Thoroughbred nursery has revealed little about his plans since purchasing the most public of Lexington properties, but one goal is clear: breed Triple Crown runners.
The extraordinarily reclusive new owner of this 91-year-old Thoroughbred nursery has revealed little about his plans since purchasing the most public of Lexington properties, but one goal is clear: to breed Triple Crown runners and, hopefully, winners.
Examining the most successful descendants of Courtly Dee, by Never Bend out of Tulle.
Insurance adjuster Tom Dixon's account of a legendary racehorse's tragic demise.
Tom Dixon, the insurance adjuster who gave the go-ahead to euthanize Alydar after he was found in his stall with a broken hind leg, provides his never-before-released recollections of Alydar's injuries, death, and the legal aftermath of the tragedy.
Toasting past winners through a selection of images including Riva Ridge, Alydar, Forty Niner & More!
A selection of past winners including Riva Ridge, Alydar, Forty Niner & More!
Kandaly, winner of the 1994 La. Derby (gr. III) who was scratched the day of the Kentucky Derby, died Sept. 12. The 23-year-old from the last crop of Alydar died of founder at Main Street Thoroughbreds near Lake Charles, La.
Prominent California stallion Benchmark, sire of champion Points Offthebench and several other grade I winners, has been pensioned from stud duty due to fertility issues, Ballena Vista Farm announced April 21.
It was 25 years ago this spring. There hadn't been a sweep of the Triple Crown in what then seemed to be an interminable 11 years.
The Retirement Assistance and Care for Equine Fund (R.A.C.E. Fund), a 501 C 3 non-profit organization, launches its spring fund drive with an online auction on eBay May 25 at 8 p.m. The auction ends June 1.
This year's Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) winner will ship to Churchill Downs to begin Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) preparations but the most recent Triple Crown winner took a much different path.
Bertram, Elaine, and Richard Klein's multiple stakes winner Country Day will enter stud in 2013 at Pope McLean's Crestwood Farm near Lexington.
Hall of Famers Steve Cauthen, who 34 years ago piloted Affirmed to become the 11th and most recent Triple Crown winner, and Jorge Velasquez, who rode runner-up Alydar, will autograph postcards May 26 at Belmont Park.
Steve Cauthen sees comparisons between Affirmed, the colt he rode to the 1978 Triple Crown as an 18-year-old youngster, and I'll Have Another, poised to become the first 3-year-old to do it since.
Doug O'Neill comments on the rivalry between Bodemeister and I'll Have Another with comparisons to Alydar and Affirmed as well as future plans.
The R.A.C.E. Fund, non-profit organization established in 2004, will launch its spring fund drive with an online auction on eBay starting March 24 to help raise funds for racehorse retirement and rescue from slaughter.
Castleton Lyons' three-time homebred champion Gio Ponti has been retired from racing to stand at stud in 2012 at the Lexington farm.
Seneca Jones, a 21-year-old son of Alydar, died of an apparent heart attack Aug. 1 while in his paddock at the Asmussen Horse Center near Laredo, Tex.
PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter <p>California homebred Grazen's first graded win is more proof that Benchmark is the true heir to Alydar's male-line legacy.
Preston Madden, who bred Alysheba, called the 1988 Horse of Year and racing Hall of Fame member "a gift from heaven" during a memorial service for the pensioned stallion at the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington April 29.
These 10 Thoroughbred greats all ran in the Kentucky Derby, but failed to win. How would you rank them?
Storm Cat, a leading sire who was pensioned last year after experiencing fertility problems at the Young family's Overbrook Farm near Lexington, might return to the sire ranks as a Quarter Horse stallion.
WAVE3-TV in Louisville, Ky., is the winner of the 2008 media Eclipse Award for local television, it was announced Jan. 5 by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, National Turf Writers Association, and Daily Racing Form. WAVE3-TV earned the honor for its documentary on the 30th anniversary of the Affirmed-Alydar rivalry, "A Legend Re-Affirmed â€" The 1978 Triple Crown." The 30-minute telecast aired on May 1, 2008.
Two-time champion and 1988 Horse of the Year Alysheba returned to his Kentucky roots Oct. 31 and took up residence at the Kentucky Horse Park's Hall of Champions, where he will be admired by the fans he thrilled in his Hall of Fame career.
Northlands Park in Alberta, Canada, will host three riders from Legends on Tour during the track's historic Canadian Derby weekend, it was announced June 4.
Jockeys Steve Cauthen & Jorge Velasquez recall the 1978 Triple Crown
<i> by Dan Liebman</i> - There are moments along the Triple Crown trail that remain forever etched in our minds. For this writer, one of those was April 27, 1978.
<i>by Patrice Wolfson </i> - Affirmed was both the focal point and cement that would bind my husband's and my wonderful 35-year relationship. From the outset of our marriage in Miami in 1972, we dearly enjoyed driving up to spend time at Harbor View Farm near Ocala
Kentuckyderby.com will now offer racing fans another way to experience the 2008 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with the introduction of a journalism series focusing on memorable racing moments and personalities.
Immediately following their epic battle in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), in which Affirmed out-dueled Alydar by a head to become the 11th Triple Crown winner, racing fans began looking down the road to the Travers.
Next spring, the International Museum of the Horse at the Kentucky Horse Park will unveil a new, permanent exhibition featuring Triple Crown winner, Affirmed. The exhibition is supported by a loan of Affirmed's racing trophies and memorabilia from his owners, Louis and Patrice Wolfson.
Retired trainer John Veitch, who conditioned famed multiple grade I winner and later notable sire Alydar, has been appointed as the new chief steward for the Kentucky Horseracing Authority and will serve as the presiding steward at Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky., beginning July 9.
Grade I winner Sugar and Spice, a half-sister to grade I winner Alydar and champion Our Mims, died Sept. 13 at the Our Mims Retirement Haven near Paris, Ky.,
April 27, 1978<br><b>Alydar</b>