NEWS FEED

Sire:           Hard Tack
Dam:          Swing On
Sex:           Stallion
Foaled :     1933
Country:     United States
Colour :      Light Bay
Owner:       Charles Howard
Trainer:      Jim Fitzimmons, later Tom Smith


Seabiscuit was foaled on May 23, 1933, from the mare Swing On and sired by Hard Tack, a son of Man o' War. Seabiscuit was named for his father, as hardtack or "sea biscuit" is the name for a type of cracker eaten by sailors.The bay colt grew up on Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky, where he was trained. He was undersized, knobby-kneed, and given to sleeping and eating for long periods! Initially, he was trained by Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons. Fitzsimmons saw some potential in Seabiscuit, but felt the horse was too lazy.

But he had a believer in trainer Tom Smith, also known as "Silent Tom". Smith found a jockey in Johnny "Red" Pollard, one of seven children born to a bankrupt brick manufacturer, who spent years at the country's lowliest racetracks, talking his way onto as many mounts as he could. At 5'7", Pollard was too tall to be a jockey. He was also blind in one eye, something he tried to keep a secret. Against all odds, Seabiscuit became an instant success, winning race after race.

Seabiscuit became the most popular horse in America during the Great Depression. But trouble lurked around the corner. While riding another horse, Pollard fell and shattered his collarbone, broke his shoulder, and fractured his ribs. Doctors told him he wouldn't ride again for at least a year.

When a match-up was finally set up between Seabiscuit and War Admirala, new jockey, George Woolf, took the reins of Seabiscuit. In the one-on-one match-up at Maryland's Pimlico Racecourse, Seabiscuit beat War Admiral by four lengths. Sports writers went crazy, calling it the greatest race in history. Pollard returned in 1940 to ride Seabiscuit for the one race that had eluded the horse: California's Santa Anita. Seventy-five thousand people—the biggest crowd ever to attend an American horse race—watched as Seabiscuit came from behind to win in the fastest mile and a quarter (two kilometers) the track had seen until then.

Soon after, Seabiscuit retired. He earned U.S. $437,730 between 1935 and 1940. He died of a heart attack on May 17, 1947. Seabiscuit the fim came out in 2003 which reignited worldwide interest in this fantastic horse.

Why not have your horse featured in Haynets Horse of the Week. Contact HAYNET and we will forward you the email address to send your photo and horses biography to.

Your horse will be featured in a blog post and on the front page of Haynet for a week for all to see! 

WHAT IS HAYNET AND
EQUESTRIAN BLOGGING?

I imagine you have come across in the equestrian media, celebrity and well known riders writing about the trials and tribulations of competing their horses. They are interesting to follow and also it gives us an insight into their lives in the equestrian world.

Have you ever thought about writing about your life with horses? Haynet was started to give the opportunity to the every day riders out there to put "pen to paper" in the virtual world of blogging. There are many equestrian bloggers out there, but before Haynet was launched it was difficult to try and find these great diaries that were out there on the web. Now through Haynet you can follow and read Haynet members writing about their ups and downs and also we have over 180 independant equestrian blog writers. We have blogs on every equine subject that is out there.

Blogging is also a great way to look back over the weeks, months and years to remember what you were doing with your horse. By reading back it will give you encouragement to see how your horse has improved over this time. It is also a great way to get your name out there if you are trying to raise your profile and career in the equestrian world too.

Haynet is now a fast growing, friendly equine community where members are following each others news, giving support and advice where it is needed. So I urge you to give it a go, come and let us know about your horse, what your aims and goals are however big or small or just a quick hello from your neck of the woods!

So come and join Haynet today and start jotting down the goings on in your equestrian life - we look forward to following your news!

Sam
HAYNET ADMIN

SAM AND ZEB