I guess he wanted to see one more Derby..........Oddly enough, I just posted the following on a thread the other day, a joke based on McGrath's thread title of "Who Slew Johnny."
Perhaps Johnny was the victim of a Seattle Slew...........Gawd knows he slew a lot of others.
Okay, sorry, but it's Derby weekend and it had to be said. If you don't know, Seattle Slew was one of the greatest American race horses in history, the ultimate "blue collar" horse. Bought for a paltry $17,500, he earned his owners over 1.2 million in just three years and was then valued at 12 million dollars. When put to stud at age 5, he amazingly turned out to be a superlative stud siring a literal "slew" of winners. He was the only horse to enter the Triple Crown unbeaten and then to go ahead and win the Triple Crown. Slew is and will always be remembered for having more heart and courage than any other horse, giving 110% even in his few defeats later on.
Ol' Slew is still alive and kicking. In 2001, at age 27, he still put 90% of his mares in foal!!! This was after the first of two neck surgeries. The second, just completed successfully, left him weak but still so "interested" that he had to be moved to another stable because he was too close to the stud barn and wouldn't rest!
So now he's gone. A great horse with an inspiring history. Watching Slew race was something special....He hated to train and do all the things that are part and parcel of a Thoroughbred's racing life, but on the track, at the race, he came alive and showed the heart, courage, strength, and determination, that few others possessed on such a grand scale.
Goodbye Slew. Thanks for the great memories and the inspiration.