Ive been reporting almost daily on the injuries and deaths of TBs on the racetrack and those toss-a-ways going to slaughter but I would like to validate the history here and how I was once a fan of horseracing. As a young girl in the 50s, my dad and I were huge fans. We followed the races, we watched the races on TV and we shared the excitement and glamour of the sport....what we believed was the Sport of Kings. I dont think we were unfeeling fans but we just didnt realize in those early days what went on behind the scenes. And perhaps that scene wasnt quite as bad as what has evolved over time. I truly dont ever remember watching a race in those days when a horse broke down. As many young people, I was a star follower but my stars werent in Hollywood. My perfect star was a TB born in 1957. His name was Bally Ache. He was the son of Ballydam (Irish TB) and Celestial Blue(USA TB). I believe it was reported that the stud fee was $50. Bally Ache had 31 starts in his lifetime...16 firsts, 9 seconds, 4 thirds. By 1959, his earnings were $758,522(a hell of a lot of money in those days). As a 2-year-old, he won the Comely Stakes, Great American Stakes, Juvenile Stakes(Belmont), Mayflower Stakes and the Hialeah Stakes. As a 3-year-old he was 2nd in the Kentucky Derby, 1st in the Preakness and the Flamingo Stakes, Florida Derby, Jersey Derby, Hibiscus Stakes and the Bahamas Stakes. He was syndicated at 3, April of 1959,by the Turfland Syndicate for $1,250,000. He was dead by Oct. of 1960 of Colic. I adored this gallant-hearted horse. Do you know his name? Will he ever make his mark in the hearts of anyone? Bally Ache was special; he had heart and try...He was Deep Through the Heart and yet who remembers him? Maybe only the people who lost money syndicating him. He is buried at Lands End Farm in Versailles, Kentucky. I know I will never forget him and it is horses like that little trooper who started to make me realize what horse racing was really all about.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 00:25:54 +0000