He is Jackson's Pride
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The day finally came. At approximately 2:40pm January 22,
2012, the son of two racing titans was born.
Curlin, never raced at two, was wheeled into Triple Crown
competition after impressing in a maiden, the dominating two of Oaklawn’s
Kentucky Derby Preps. Third in the Derby, a heart stopping re-rally to win the
Preakness, and a pulsating and breathtaking stretch battle in the Belmont to
finish second, showed just how great this colt was. In his career he earned
over 10 million dollars, won the Dubai World Cup, Preakness, two Jockey Club
Gold Cups, the Stephan Foster, the Woodward, and the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He
was a modern day iron horse and for his brilliance and toughness he was awarded
Horse of the Year in 2007 and ’08.
Jess Jackson, owner of both Curlin and Rachel wanted to
breed a superhorse and believe he could with Rachel and Curlin. Even though
such high profile breedings, especially ones involving a great racemare, tend
to never come to fruition, there is no doubt the hype this newborn colt will
bring. It will be two years before he ever sets foot on a racetrack and already
there are high expectations.
Despite such lofty expectations, one cannont look at a
picture of Rachel’s new colt and not melt. Personally I was hoping that the
foal would inherit Curlin’s coppery coat, but instead he took his mother’s dark
bay. The star on his head is a large splotch, right in the middle of his
forehead. He weighed approximately 125lbs. Also a good note, those around her,
reported was a natural mother, but who would have expected anything
else?
This foal was the dream of a man who was a pioneer for our
sport. He campaigned his best against his best, and wanted to bring into this
world foals that would return this sport to its former glory. Jackson wanted to
see this day more than most things, this foal would have been his pride and
glory, which is why even though I love both his dam and sire, I hope the foal
bears Jackson’s name.
It may be corny, but after Jackson’s passing, and considering
how much he wanted this, I think a fitting name would be Jackson’s Pride. This
foal is his more than anyone else’s, even in his death. This foal is his
legacy, and I know no matter win or lose, Jackson will be beaming down from
above.
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