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SHE’S JUST MAGIC: TAKE CHARGE LADY
Mother Nature has out when great thoroughbreds go to the breeding shed, often with disheartening results. But Take Charge Lady is one case where what Mother Nature had to say is absolutely fitting....
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ANTICIPATION……
Twitter and Facebook are already in a flutter at the prospect of these famous babies making their first start. And, because we’re human, we’re inclined to think that this anticipation — which feels...
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HISTORY — IN PICTURES
SEABISCUIT shares a moment with (Mrs.) Marcella Howard. Photo and copyright, THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE. I have often wondered what our knowledge about horse racing would be like without the images of C.C....
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BLOCKADE: MAN O’ WAR’S “OTHER” CHAMPION JUMPER
As the National Hunt season overseas builds to its apex, the Cheltenham Festival, we thought it might be fun to tell readers everywhere about Blockade (1927), a chestnut son of the great Man O’ War who...
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KING OF HEARTS: HURRICANE FLY AT CHELTENHAM 2015 (for Ann Maree)
Trainer Willie Mullins arrives at Cheltenham 2015 with a stable of National Hunt royalty. But there can be little doubt that 11 year-old Hurricane Fly crowns the lot — and all Irish eyes will be on him...
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TRIPLE CROWN 1935: THE COLT, THE KID …… AND THE MURDER OF EVELYN SLIWINSKI
By all accounts, the brilliant William (Willie) “Smokey” Saunders led a somewhat “mysterious” life — both before and after guiding Omaha to win the Triple Crown. Willie “Smokey” Saunders and Omaha’s...
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WHO’S YOUR MAMA? KENTUCKY DERBY HOPEFULS & THE MARES THAT MADE THEM
The dams of this year’s top Derby contenders have had a 50% influence on the makeup of each of these colts. So what does the tail female of the top 5 contenders bring to the table? Mitochondrial DNA...
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TO BE OR NOT TO BE: RACE FOR THE 2015 AMERICAN TRIPLE CROWN
We’ve been here many, many times before and this year it’s all about American Pharoah, whose misspelled name has only made his wins in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness more distinctive. The delight...
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STORM OVER THE AMERICAN TRIPLE CROWN & ROYAL ASCOT 2015
On two continents, over three weeks in June, STORM CAT continues to exercise his influence over the development of the thoroughbred and horse racing history. This tapestry of STORM CAT and...
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GATHER UP OUR HEARTS AND WEAR OUR LOVE FOREVER
Dedicated to Paul Nicholls, Clifford Baker, Rose Loxton, Ruby Walsh, Clive Smith and all those who loved Kauto Star. The thing about losing a legend is that you can’t. And the other thing is that...
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CHANGING A CULTURE, ONE HORSE AT A TIME
Michael Blowen, the former film critic for The Boston Globe, came to his second career via a fondness for handicapping. At the time, he has said, he “naively” believed what he was told: that injured...
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CHANGING A CULTURE, ONE HORSE AT A TIME : THE STORY OF HALE
Dear VAULT reader: As you know, THE VAULT published its very first article in 2011 and now enjoys a readership of over 280,000 worldwide. I cannot thank you all enough for your support and enthusiasm....
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A LEGEND, A TRIPLE CROWN WINNER & A GOLD CUP
In 1920, an American legend and a Triple Crown winner met in Canada to decide who was the best thoroughbred of the year. On August 29, 2015 — 95 years later — another Triple Crown winner goes to the...
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WAYS OF WORLD-MAKING: TINY DANCER 1961-2015
My idea to collect photographs of the progeny of Northern Dancer, our King of Thoroughbred Racing here in Canada, led to the discovery of just how influential this tiny thoroughbred stallion really was...
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TREVE : ABOVE ALL ELSE, SHE IS A WORK OF ART
She is brilliant, beautiful. bold and beloved. But she is also a living work of art, wrought over more than two centuries. Before the Prix Vermeille. Whereas a work of art may take a decade or...
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FOR AMERICAN PHAROAH AND HIS TEAM, WITH LOVE
On November 2, Team Pharoah gave their boy away. Bob Baffert says goodbye. Photo and copyright, TDN. The great horse stopped twice on his way to the van that would take him to Coolmore-Ashford,...
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PICASSO LIVES AT LANE’S END: A. P. INDY
Sending each of you who have supported THE VAULT over the years with commentary, donations, questions and insights my very warmest wishes this holiday season. To those who have sent donations for horse...
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A COLLECTOR’S MYSTERY: EXTERMINATOR……AND BOB DORMAN???????
Most thoroughbred folk know about the great Exterminator. But who on earth is Bob Dorman? I have been a collector since I was a little girl. It started with rocks and model horses. There was a brief...
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“UGLY DUCKLINGS,” OR THOROUGHBRED CHAMPIONS IN DISGUISE
Using history as a guide, if I was shopping for a potential champion, I’d be looking for an “ugly duckling.” NORTHERN DANCER by Brewer, Jr. The colt was royally bred, but so tiny that E.P. Taylor...
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THE VERY FIRST “FANTASY STABLE”
Wouldn’t it be interesting to find out who our great trainers of today would pick, if they were asked the same question? James “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons. The most prestigious American thoroughbred...
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