"A great many horses do not perform well when it isn't worth it to them, but there are horses who have an active connection to their human beings and do remarkable things."

Seattle Slew....case in point.

One of the great Thoroughbreds of the 20th Century, rated in the Top 10. Slew hated training and would do nothing on training days. He went through the motions but it was impossible to get anything meaningful out of him. He came from excellent breeding but was such an unlikely prospect as a yearling that he sold for a paltry sum, something under $20,000. But he matured and even though seemingly a lazy training horse, he went undefeated as a two year old. Then as a three year old won the Triple Crown and is still the only horse to do so undefeated. He raced a few more years with some dramatic results and then went on to a spectacular stud career.

On race days, Slew was a different horse. As he did the parade before entering the gate, only then would he do this funny prance they called "Slew's War Dance." On the track he was fearsome and was equally capable of running at the back and coming on late or rabbiting out to a blistering pace in the lead. When the racing was done, he lazed out as if saying, "I'm the greatest and I don't need no stinking training!"

Said of Slew........."He had that special something that no one can ever really truly describe. He had character and a pizzazz that enhanced the raw talent that he displayed as a runner. He simply was the most electrifying and magnetic horse the industry has ever witnessed."

................and he knew it! Big Red (Secretariat) might well disagree but not many others!   Seattle Slew


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