O.K. this is simple. This is your all-time favorite horse. Not necessarily the Best Horse of all-time, but the one that you consider to be your favorite one to watch, root for, etc... Oh, and say why, it don't have to be long, but at least add some meat to the note!!
Also, if you own a horse, you can put it down here too, but also add in your favorite horse of all time.
As for myself. My Favorite Horse of All-Time is Smarty Jones. I was a senior in High School and for whatever reason I was watching the Kentucky Derby, and of course back in 2004, Smarty won. I think after he won the Preakness he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated and the article about him really began to catch my attention. I was almost certain that my first year of watching horse racing that I would see a Triple Crown Winner. Ha, actually, I didn't exactly understand the significance, but only knew that it hadn't been done in forever, so I was hoping to see history, but we all know the tragic truth. I don't necessarily think Smarty was the best race horse ever, and in retrospect I would believe that Ghostzapper would have beat Smarty in one of those two races, but Smarty introduced me to this awesome sport that I now thoroughly enjoy, which is why he is my Favorite Horse of All Time.
Cigar or John Henry........John Henry or Cigar........Both had heart and wanted to win. Alot of fun and excitement watching them run.
Tough call-just ONE horse? How about top three, as it's a tie: Secretariat, because he was dominanant, a physical specimen, and a true super-horse; Ruffian, because she was the best filly ever, arguably. Her record speaks for itself, as she led every race she finished. The "match race" she was in was a real seventies thing, and should not have happened! (death match is more like it) Ghostzapper was lightning in a bottle, and could have been a contender! (his foal should be racing sometime soon, right-anyone?) Right now, Zenyatta is phenomenal. One of the top picks for the Kentucky Derby, I Want Revenge, Pioneer, Friesan Fire, and Dunkirk, could also end up being very good. Seattle Slew and his "war dance", Spectacular Bid, who was indeed, spectacular; Barbaro, Man O' War, Cigar.... Sorry, i'm too much of a blabbermouth to keep it short and down to one horse!
This is a hard one to talk about. I guess my favorite all-time horse would have to be Funny Cide. Being a New York bred and winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness is something special. Not too many New York breds have won a triple crown race. Also getting to see him run at Finger Lakes in 2007 in the Wadsworth Handicap and actually betting money on him was very special in my heart. I have never seen a Kentucky Derby winner but to see him up close was an experience I will never forget. I am also going to have to add Zenyatta in there. I love her running style. She is true champion.
Seabiscuit got me into racing. Smarty Jones got me initiated, Afleet Alex got me hooked.
Love love love Curlin and Zenyatta. Ginger Punch was also special to me
Demido is my favorite horse I hotwalked.
Bank Candy and Hello and Goodbye are favorite to cheer for as they belong to my friend.
As a kid my favorite was Silver Charm.
And I have to say my own exracehorse, Town Ghost :) (plus my non-tb's)
Let us run with perseverance the race that is marked out for us.
-Heb 12:1
I think that my favorite race horse of all time has got to be Seattle Slew, he had heart and was the first and as it is, the only, undefeated Triple Crown Winner, and it wasnt like he only had like 8 starts, he had a lot. And he was gorgeous! That obviously counts for a lot.
Ferd
I'll have to add the class of 2007 to the list too. Basically, the three horses, Street Sense, Curlin, and Hardspun, all had amazing and memorable races during the 2007 Triple Crown run, with all of them being highly competitive. Hardspun may have never won during the stretch, but he was always close. Street Sense's Kentucky Derby was remarkable, especially considering that he was basically last midway through the race. Although Curlin was a bit of a letdown to me during the Kentucky Derby, that Preakness Stakes run was quite stellar. It was the perfect lead into Belmont where the he barely lost the Battle of the Sexes to Rags to Riches, which was equally as amazing. I think if the race were like 10 yards longer Curlin would have won it because it seemed like every 10 yards they were trading the lead. Even though the Breeder's Cup wasn't nearly as exciting to me, I still thought Street Sense, Hardspun, and Curlin (who eventually won) put on another amazing race too. Overall, I think Curlin got the best out of all of them.
Not really into Horse Racing prior to 2004, I've been going back watching past races and all, but nothing really beats the excitement of seeing it live, I'd love to experience actually being there as I'm every bit as sure as its downright the most exciting 2 minutes (give or take) in sports. The 1970's must have been the pristine time to be a Horse Racing fan; if I were around back then, I'm sure I'd add a Secretariat, Ruffian, Affirmed, and Seattle Slew to the list no doubt. Movies and videos don't seem to do the past champions justice, as I said above, nothing beats seeing it live.
I have two and can't separate them for favourite and second favourite.
Males - It's got to be the Iron Horse, Giant's Causeway. We see lots of talent on the racetrack, and some multiple G1 winners, but rarely do you see horses with the guts and determination of Giant's Causeway. His battle with Tiznow down the home stretch of the 2000 BC Classic is one of my favourite races of all time. The Giant is also proving himself as a true heir to the Storm Cat dynasty. He has produced winners on all surfaces, with them setting track records from 7f to 10f.
Females - Ouija Board. A dual BC Filly and Mare turf winner. Japan Cup, The Epsom Oaks, with the list going on and on. She's also just one of a select few fillies that had the ability to go and honestly compete with the colts.
I did not start following horse racing until 1999. I was not raised with it apart of my life. So in my short ten years I would have to say "Point Given". The it was amazing watching him on the rail to barely win the Haskell!!!
Ok, recent horses that I have actualy seen race would have to be Curlin, Big Brown, and Zenyata. But since I love the underdog I would have to say that winning the Kentucky Derby at 50:1 odds, Giacomo would be right up at the top.
I think that Ruffian was the greatest horse ever, and she put on a real show too, but Curlin and Zenyatta are my favorites that are still alive. Late closers are lots of fun to watch!
~*horsekrazee*~