2024 in review: 10 feel-good stories to remember this year
There are times when it may seem all gloom and doom out there, but it is not. Here is a look at 10 feel-good racing stories from 2024:
Great good. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance continues to do awesome work on behalf of horses who no longer are able to race. In November it announced a new round of grants totaling $4.14 million to 83 accredited organizations. Since its inception in 2012, TAA has made more than $36 million in grants devoted exclusively to equine care to assist approximately 18,500 Thoroughbreds at 175 facilities.
Popular triumph. The sport of kings does not necessarily have to belong to royalty. Thanks to entities such as MyRacehorse, which sells micro-shares in racing prospects, the sport is accessible to most everyone when expenses are shared. The beauty of the concept was on full display as some of the 2,570 investors in MyRacehorse’s Seize the Grey, trained by 88-year-old D. Wayne Lukas, overflowed the winner’s circle after the $300,000 yearling captured the Preakness. MyRacehorse struck again to the delight of average fans when Seize the Grey took the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby and Straight No Chaser scored in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
Flashback: Seize the Grey wins Preakness.
Cherishing life. Sean Flanagan listened to words no one wants to hear when he was given two years to live in the summer of 2019 because of a malignant tumor in his abdomen. His desperate search for help led him to Dr. Michael Blute, chief of urology at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. A mass the size of a grapefruit was removed, eliminating the threat and giving Flanagan a new lease on life. That led him to spend $725,000 on Chancer McPatrick, a Kentucky Derby prospect after Grade 1 victories in the Hopeful and Champagne.
Remembering Cody. Few people make an impact on the world. The late Cody Dorman, born with the rare genetic disorder Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, did. Although he needed a tablet to communicate and was unable to walk, Dorman’s almost mystical connection with Godolphin homebred Cody’s Wish that began with a meeting arranged by the Make-A-Wish Foundation inspired fans everywhere. And now countless other wishes will be granted after the establishment of the Cody Dorman Legacy Fund, which raised $65,000 as soon as it was announced at Keeneland in October.
Horse of a lifetime. Most breeders toil in anonymity without ever coming upon a big horse. Judy Hicks, who owns Brookstown Farm near Versailles, Ky., with her husband R.W., was beginning to think it would never happen for her. “I was going to quit. My glass was no longer full. It was almost empty,” she said. Then she bred Thorpedo Anna, a daughter of Fast Anna, and reluctantly put her up for sale. When Kenny McPeek bought her for $40,000 as a yearling in 2022, Hicks was so sure Thorpedo Anna was special she asked to stay in as a partner in what became the horse of a lifetime.
Medical care. When Robert and Beverly Skinner read about the great work done by Old Friends with retired Thoroughbreds in Georgetown, Ky., they visited the farm to explore what role they might play. After being told emergency medical care alone cost well in excess of $100,000 to tend to more than 260 four-legged retirees, they stepped up by creating the Robert and Beverly Skinner Medical Fund. Robert also has done his part for his country, commanding nuclear submarines as part of a distinguished U.S. Navy career before his retirement.
What a ride. Karl and Cathi Glassman were eager to salute Karl’s father Arthur by naming a horse after him. Before he died in June 2022 at 91, Arthur often commented on what a great ride he had enjoyed while raising a family and becoming a successful businessman upon his graduation from high school. They found the right horse in a Florida-bred son of Tapit, a $250,000 purchase at Keeneland’s September yearling sale. Arthur’s Ride presented the Glassmans with their first Grade 1 triumph with a front-running victory in the Whitney at Saratoga.
More than a name. With jockey Tyler Gaffalione riding for his father-in-law Bob Edwards of e5 Racing Thoroughbreds, Carl Spackler scripted one of the season’s sweetest comeback stories. Although his career was once in doubt following intestinal surgery necessitated by a severe case of colic, the Edwards homebred swept 4 of 6 starts this year with more than $1.1 million in earnings. Whimsically named for the assistant groundskeeper played by Bill Murray in the 1980 comedy “Caddyshack,” Carl Spackler’s successes included consecutive Grade 1 triumphs in the Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga and the Turf Mile at Keeneland.
Aging gracefully. Exercise rider Danny Ramsey played an integral role when Ken McPeek became the first trainer since Plain Ben Jones in 1952 to sweep the Kentucky Oaks (G1), with Thorpedo Anna, and the Kentucky Derby, with Mystik Dan, in the same season. Ramsey drew on his vast experience in helping McPeek develop both runners. How vast? The native of the Bahamas is 74. He attributes his longevity to an excellent diet and exercise regimen. He avoids red meat and has not consumed a soda since 1987.
Drawn together. Barb and Bill Jackson were drawn to Old Friends by their desire to do their part to help retirees by conducting tours of the Kentucky farm. Along the way they fell in love with former star sprinter Green Mask. And with each other. Bill proposed to Barb in front of Green Mask’s stall. They were married on the beautiful grounds of Old Friends in June.