I’m trying to find some info on an older TB gelding I have Sport D’Hiver. He’s an 18 yr old TB. By Glitterman out of Rose D’Hiver. So far I’ve only found that he was a blacktype winner and in a brief article it said he was a “multiple stakes winner”. He retired with earnings over a half million. I don’t know how to find out more info. I’d like an actual list of races if possible, or at least a list of wins. It would be nice to get a hold of his Jockey Club papers. I got him for free from his old owners and they couldn’t find his papers. His old owner thought she had given the papers to a woman who had connections at the jockey club to find out more info on him.
So, any advice on how to find out more about him?
He sounds neat. If you find out more, do tell us. I’m glad he’s still around. Photos?
Kissy on the nose to the grand old man.
Here’s a list of his races from equibase:
http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbHorseInfo.cfm?refno=1382203®istry=T
He was a turf horse. He earned that money the hard way- 110 starts and running until he was 13.
Out of curiosity, what do you want his papers for? They don’t mean much after they’ve left the track. Some owners destroy them or purposefully withhold them to prevent their horses from ending up back at the track.
I remember him well. He was still racing although it was towards the end of his career when I had my good turf sprinter Sylvester. There were about 20 good turf sprinters in the mid-atlantic and we pretty much traveled around taking turns beating up on each other. I always groaned a bit when I saw his name in the entries. He was insanely fast.
I remember him…he was really fast! Thrilled to hear he’s in good hands. Any way you can post pictures?
I’ll snap some photos and post them tomorrow. Wow, I can’t believe people actually remember him, that is really cool. I’d like to have his papers for sentimental value mostly. He’s such an amazing horse, it would be nice to have his papers framed and up on my wall like my other gelding.
He’s had a hard life, I didn’t know anything about his racing carreer, but after the track he ended up at a dealer and was shipped to a lesson barn. I don’t think he had any proper training before the lesson barn, and he didn’t get much training once he was there. He ended up with some stifle problems and went back to the dealer. Then a girl that rode him in lessons bought him and brought him back to the lesson barn. She didn’t do enough with him though so he kind of went crazy. She was trying to give him away to anyone that would take him and finally contacted me. I was just about ready to move my other horse home to my farm so I said I’d take him as a companion horse. He had a lot of issues when I first got him. Wouldn’t walk into the wash stall, panicked on the x-ties, couldn’t stand still, he kept rearing up on me and bolting, wouldn’t walk through gates unless they were all the way open, scared of his stall, etc. He was a nightmare at first and I didn’t think I could handle him. But a couple months later he is calm and loveable, and I will hopefully be starting some basic lunge work soon with him.
For all those years racing, he moves great. He can still book it around the field and out run my QH like no tomorrow. It’s amazing to watch. He’s taught me so much and I’m just happy I can give him the retirement he deserves. He’ll be with me forever. 
What a great ending! Myself, I like the “Individual Horse Past Performances-All Lifetime Starts” from Daily Racing Form over the equineline product. It gives you the history of where the horse was at each point of call in a race as well as info about the race, the first three finishers, etc. Much more in depth than the equibase or equineline product. Cost is $20 on www.drf.com Look under the ‘site map’ for the link to individual past performances. Re his JC papers, unless the horse was reported as dead to the JC, you can often get replacement papers. Not certain but believe cost is $150 and you will need a bill of sale/transfer of ownership. They’re located in Lexington, phone # on their website. Give them a call, they may be able to give you a photocopy of his papers at little or no charge.
Another thing that is really fun is getting some of his old win pics and race videos. It’s surprising how long these are kept. Once you have the pps contact the individual track with the race date, race number and name of the horse (this is all shown in the DRF lifetime pp on the left hand side) ask them for the phone number of the track photographer and video dept. They’are separate and sometimes you need to keep calling.
Great job with your horse. With his fear of gates, stalls, etc it is quite possible that he has a memory of banging his stifles hard in the gate or on a stall door.
In any event I would avoid lunging him as circling/bending puts pressure on the stifles and could cause a flare up of the old injury. Perhaps if you are concerned about getting on him at first, you could have a friend help with a long lunge line while you walk/trot/halt in a large enclosed arena or paddock. A few voice command lessons just walking/trotting on the end of a shank is a good aid prior to getting on. Sounds like he already trusts you; I think you will be happily surprised when riding him.
Sport D’Hiver was bred by Gasadell Farm in FL. It’s possible the farm is no longer in existence, but you might want to contact the FL TB Owners and Breeders Association (google website for contact). His breeders would have been really proud of him and he would have been well known. The old timers at FTOB might have contact info for the breeders and or family members and they would be delighted to hear he’s still alive, loved and well cared for. They may even have win pics, trophies or other memorabilia they can scan pics into their computers to share with you.
Your boy must have an incredible amount of courage and heart to have raced so successfully until mandatory retirement age, endure all those tough years in a lesson barn, and STILL be the great individual you love. A Huge THANK YOU on behalf of all the old warriors!
His trainer who I think was also his owner for much of his career absolutely adored him. I think he ran him a little longer than he should have not so much to squeeze the lemon dry but because he just couldn’t admit the ride was over. I am surprised he didn’t do a better job of looking after him in retirement.
He may have done a good job. He could have sold/given him to someone he thought would give him a good home. Sometimes unfortunate things happen. It’s great to know he was loved by his owner. I’ll see if I can get in contact with him.
Ok, so some photos, I hope they show up.
Great story!
What a handsome guy!!
Gorgeous ! Thanks so much.
He looks like a special guy - regal.
I LOVE that horse! What a great campaigner–I remember him well from back MANY years ago when I did the paddock show at Monmouth. So glad to hear he is happy and appreciated. He definitely had a following…my personal favorites are the older class turf horses, and he ranks up there, maybe second to my own now 18yo gelding, Colonel Bart (raced til he was 10, turf only).
Does anyone have any idea how I might be able to get in contact with his old trainer/owner gaston d. sandoval? I’d like to see if he has any pictures of him from the winners circle or anything really. I’d honestly just like to talk to him and find out what my boy was like during his racing days, personality wise. Also, if anyone has any direct contact info for Gasadell Farm in FL it would be great if you could send it to me.
I’m starting to get really into researching this horse’s past, I just can’t believe he was so well known. I know practically nothing about racing (except for the big names and races) so this is all really exciting for me.
Sundance,
What a beautiful story! Thank you, Sundance, for doing right by this grand old boy!
What a lovely boy! He looks great! Thanks for caring for a brave TB, Sundance. :yes:
I am so happy for you and Sport D’Hiver. He looks handsome, fit, and home again, at last. What does he answer to?
Google shows that Gaston D. Sandoval has horses racing in the current Laurel Park meet, including at least one winner this month. You might contact the track and ask for contact info: 301-725-0400.
