TB Stallions with the BEST and WORST temperaments!

[ASB_Stars]

I am one of those people who really enjoys being around stallions, and I have owned a few. I’ve also had one TB stud of my own, and I stood one for a syndicate.

I’ve heard that AP is a total joy to be around, and others can be challenging. So who, besides AP, is a love and who is a bear to be around?

[Flying_Fox]

The coura![](e, or lack of that quality in the make-up of the thoroughbred, its speed or stamina,
constitution and conformation, is, as a rule accessible - but comment on a questionable disposition
and/or temperament is rare, if ever notated.
In general, unless it is mentioned specifically that a horse is given to ill and uncontrolled behaviour,
then temperament is presumed to be tractable…, well-mannered - always allowing that the
thoroughbred is a highly-strung animal, hall-marks of the cardinal of the breed.
Good behaviour and an equable temperament, however, have been absent in the make-up of many of
the great and best remembered Turf “glitterati”, and racing history is legion with horses of essence
high-mettle through to downright malevolence of nature and behaviour, and yet conincidentally,
racehorses of the highest class and merit:
Eclipse (1764) momentous in the history of the breed of the Thoroughbred, had to be given over to the charge of an Irish rough-rider to make him tractable for racing. A reformed horse was returned after his “schooling”. When asked how he had brought about the transformation, the horse-master replied cryptically: “One of us had to be master.”
Both Galopin (1872) and St Simon (1881), kernals in the development of the modem thoroughbred,
had more than their share of irritabilty in their make-up; and St Simon transmitted high-strung,
nervous irritability to a marked degree. It was said of him at stud that only a brave and poweriful man could be his master; and Charlie Fordham, who “did’ him, once said: “It’s all very well to talk of the patience of Job: but Job never had to groom St Simon.” Undefeated on the racecourse, and a yardstick by which all others are measured both on the racecourse and at stud, has coloured with goodwill all comment of him, rather in the maimer of a muddle-headed poor man being described an “idiot”, whilst
the rich man will be more kindly judged “eccentric”.
Castrel (1801), who founded one of the more lasting sire lines through his son, Pantaloon (1824), also
got the “… terribly bad-tempered Merlin.”
St Albans (1857), a son of Stockwell (1849), the winner of Doncaster’s 1860 St Leger Stakes, was a horse with a vile temper. But this aberration of temperament was absent in the riature of his son Springfield (1873) despite his dam Viridis (1864) being a daughter of the savage Marsyas (1851).
The Irish horse, Solon (1861), was an unambiguously savage, although a high-class racehorse. He transmitted his obstreperous nature, his sons, the great Barcaldine (1878) inheriting the genes of his malevolence, but also genes which sustained the Matchem sire line in Europe. Many of his sons were suspect of disposition, whilst Morion (1887, a winner of Ascot’s Royal Hunt Cup and Ascot Gold
Cup, was described as :“… an evil-tempered animal.”
Obtuse nature leaked through another son of Solon, Arbitrator (1874), who bequeathed his son Kilwarlin (1884) with a bad temper, dormant within him, but alive in his genes. Kilwarlin was the
winner of the 1887 Doncaster St Leger, compliments of the field, for, in a pig-mood at the Start, when the tapes sent the field away, he dug-in his toes, absolutely refusing to gallop. The field had covered a conservative 150 yards before, surrendering to the urgings of his rider, Kilwarlin lashed a vicious kick at the starting post, and set off in pursuit of the field. The pace, no more than a slow gallop, he quickly attached himself to the rear runners. Then threading his way through the field, he caught the leader in
the shaow of the post, winning by a neck.
Incidentally, the Matchem-line flourished in America on the foundation of another bad-tempered,
brutish animal, Fair Play (1905).
One of the most versatile, brave and generous horses of the last century - when racing - Tristan
(1878), winner of placed in 47 of 53 career starts, a “hat-trick” winner of Ascot’s Hardwicke Stakes,
Grand Prix de Deauville and Newmarket’s Champion Stakes (astonishingly twice sharing the victory in
this later race), was a fierce demonic scoundrel whose temper became his end. In a fit of rage, and
without anyone on whom to vent his spleen, he crashed his head against a brick wall, killing himself!
Fortunately, he left the legacy Canterbury Pilgrim (1893). She inherited much of her sires racing ability

• and most of his temperament. Winner of Epsom’s Oaks Stakes, she was a shrew when she-so chose:
  Dam of Chaucer (1900), who did not have the best of tempers, this “fire” appears as little more than
  ashes in her other son, Swynford (1907).
  Derby winners who suffered temperamental failings, included George Frederick (1871), a “foul-natured beast”, a disposition he inherited from his sire, the “extremely savage brute”, Marsyas (1851)… Ladas (1891) benignly described contemporaneously as “… delicate and high-strung, was, in fact, an ill-tempered beast, although and routinely, absolutely genuine when racing… Yet another ferocious winner was Diamond Jubilee (1897). He had a nature more befitting the bull-ring than the racecourse, and before his Epsom victory, walked almost the length of the course on his hind-legs. At
  stud, though, he became more tractable, reserving the spitefi.il side of his nature for occasions.
  Another savage was Lowland Chief (1878) Over the years, a tendency towards spitefulness deteriorated into a meanness of nature which by late age was inbridledly vicious and he was put down in 1898 to save possible misdeed; almost the same may be written of Alcantara 11(1908), whose mean
  streak deteriorated until he became a danger, and he was destroyed in 1930.
  Flying Fox (1896), a conseqeunce of the ‘hot” Galopin blood through his dam, Vampire (1889), a daughter of Galopin. Vampire possessed a wicked temper, and killed her first foal, savaging a groom who try to stop her mayhem. Flying Fox inherited nervous irritability, and the superabounding ability of his forebears, proving outstanding on the racecourse before establishing a sire line familiar to all, through the names Ajax (1901), Teddy (1913), Sir Gallahad HI (1930, Asterus (1923), Ortello (1926),
  Bull Dog (1927) and Citation (1945).
  Santoi (1897), famous for his toughness, and the strain of hardiness he bequeathed, was another bad-tempered individual, a trait he inherited from his maternal grandsire, the “fiendish” Broomielaw.
  Corcyra (1911), a high-class son of Polymelus, was always, to be kind, wilful, and at stud became “very queer.” Never a horse with the sweetest of dispositions, those who tended him were always at pains also to humour him. Potentially a high-class stallion, he met with an accident when only 9 years
  old, and was put down.
  More close in time are Nearco (1957), Nasrullah (1940) and Ribot (1952).
  Nearco was always referred to as of high-mettle. In fact, he was strong-willed to the point of
  mulishness, a quirk of temperament he passed to many of offspring, including Nasrullah. A high-class racehorse, widely regarded as the best horse in England to ten furlongs, he failed to win a Classic, and
  often as not, it appeared that lack of resolution rather than lack of ability that brought about his defeats. This undesirable psyche he bequeathed. Grey Sovereign was a victim, a strong-willed and irresolute character, handed down to hint by his brilliant forebears. On his better days he was a handful for the very best - but on others, he would sulk, and refuse to race, standing stock still when the tapes
  released for racing.
  Arguably, Nasrullah’s most talented son in Europe was Zucchero (1948). Endowed with Immense
  ability, he rarely lived up to his promise, and the pefformance, more often than not, was wanting.
  “Tiineform” delivered terse assessment: “.,. brilliant, but exasperatingly erratic.” He strode to majestic
  victory in Epsom’s Coronation Cup, trouncing the capable Wilwyn, first winner of Laurel’s
  Washington International, and Worden II, also successful in this event, but sulked his way to the
  winning post in the 1953 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, in which Worden took third place. Never, even
  on his best days, sweet tempered, he transmitted his ability, siring many good winners in Europe
  before his export to Japan, and his relatively early death.
  Other unreliable sons of Nasrullah, were the American-breds, Red God (1954) and Bald Eagle (1955). High hopes were held that Red God would prove good enough and go one better than his sire, and
  win an English Classic. His victory in Goodwood’s Richmond Stakes confirmed his ability and
  potential, but a wayward temperament negated his obvious worth, and his form was always suspect as
  his capricious disposition got the better of him. Bald Eagle, likewise, after showing promising form,
  allowed his dark side sway. Returned to America, his mind-set was eventually brought under control,
  and he was twice a winner of Laurel’s Washington Tnternational Stakes.
  Another of Nearco’s sons to display irascibility was Amerigo (1955). After a contemptuous eight S
  lengths victory in Ascot’s Coventry Stakes, the tetchy side of his nature took rein. Ill-tempered, he became almost impossible to control Sold to America, his fiery pugnacity was a hair trigger At one
  Meeting, he put on a rodeo-like exhibition,” turning the saddlmg enclosure into a Wild West display, and dining on chunks of attendants “But when the more “amiable” side of his nature emerged, he showed prize ability It was an ability he transmitted, but, sadly, he died all too young, aged just ten
  years
  The great champion Ribot, was an amenable enough a character during his years of racing - but his disposition deteriorated at stud His attendant succinctly described his hazard to the unwary “Ribot”
  he said, “would climb a tree”
  If there is an inference that ability and suspect temperament go hand-in-hand, then there is the opposite side of the coin. Mieuxce (1933), Princequillo (1940), Petition (1944), Nijinsky (1967),
  Dancing Brave (1983) were all notably “decent” and placid individuals, as are the vast majority of the
  breed who are not of any extreme but fall within the “norm” of behaviour:[IMG]https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.trackwinners.com%2Fimages%2Fsmilies%2Fgaah.gif&t=1582138574&ymreqid=90706185-cd17-1e4d-1ca8-340000010e00&sig=S_LQcLj5M8AzZkIaKJVukw--~C)

[skydy]

Well @ASB Stars , you asked. :lol:

[skydy]

American Pharoah has a sweet temperament and the late Dynaformer was known to be no nonsense, to say the least.
That’s all I’ve got.

[Texarkana]

Some active stallions whose temperaments stood out as exceptionally good to me:

American Pharoah, Curlin, Get Stormy, California Chrome, War Front

Kingmambo is one who earned a reputation for being difficult, but a) I never witnessed him being difficult in person when he was alive (although I didn’t meet him until he was older) and b) his offspring have some of the consistently sweetest temperaments out there. “Puppy dogs” are how I would describe most of his kids.

And I’m with you OP, I’ve always really enjoyed stallions. I grew up with arabian show people who geld almost nothing, so stallions were a way of life. :lol: It’s always been my pipe dream to be in a position to invest in my own for breeding.

[LaurieB]

Because we breed TBs, I’ve probably seen/met several hundred TB stallions. But for the most part, my opinion on their temperaments would not be particularly valid in that I’ve mostly interacted with them in a highly controlled environment. Handlers will almost always tell you that a stallion is great to be around whether that’s true or not.

A few impressions: from an open house gone wild where “tourists” were literally hanging off of Curlin. His handler was visibly nervous but the horse himself was super chill.
Runhappy who lived in the barn next to us at a training center was also very easy going.

Dynaformer was notoriously grumpy. Everyone was always warned to keep their distance.
I once asked to see Silver Ghost. He was shown with 2 handlers, one on each side, both holding chain leadropes and carrying baseball bats. I drew my own conclusions.

[LaurieB]

One more: we went to see Storm Cat. I asked if I could pat him. Was told that if I approached from the front, he would probably bite me, but I could pat his hip.
Kidding, I said, “If I do that, won’t he kick me?”
“Yes,” I was told. “But he’ll probably miss.” :lol:

[Texarkana]

Handlers and location both play such a big role in influencing temperament, too.

Not to knock any professional stud farms-- it’s just different farms have different behavioral expectations and different management styles.

I’ve known stallions who went from rank and dangerous to bonafide pets with a change in location… and vice versa.

[ASB_Stars]

[quote=“Fly![](ng Fox,post:2,topic:465992”]

The courage, or lack of that quality in the make-up of the thoroughbred, its speed or stamina,
constitution and conformation, is, as a rule accessible - but comment on a questionable disposition
and/or temperament is rare, if ever notated.
In general, unless it is mentioned specifically that a horse is given to ill and uncontrolled behaviour,
then temperament is presumed to be tractable…, well-mannered - always allowing that the
thoroughbred is a highly-strung animal, hall-marks of the cardinal of the breed.
Good behaviour and an equable temperament, however, have been absent in the make-up of many of
the great and best remembered Turf “glitterati”, and racing history is legion with horses of essence
high-mettle through to downright malevolence of nature and behaviour, and yet conincidentally,
racehorses of the highest class and merit:
Eclipse (1764) momentous in the history of the breed of the Thoroughbred, had to be given over to the charge of an Irish rough-rider to make him tractable for racing. A reformed horse was returned after his “schooling”. When asked how he had brought about the transformation, the horse-master replied cryptically: “One of us had to be master.”
Both Galopin (1872) and St Simon (1881), kernals in the development of the modem thoroughbred,
had more than their share of irritabilty in their make-up; and St Simon transmitted high-strung,
nervous irritability to a marked degree. It was said of him at stud that only a brave and poweriful man could be his master; and Charlie Fordham, who “did’ him, once said: “It’s all very well to talk of the patience of Job: but Job never had to groom St Simon.” Undefeated on the racecourse, and a yardstick by which all others are measured both on the racecourse and at stud, has coloured with goodwill all comment of him, rather in the maimer of a muddle-headed poor man being described an “idiot”, whilst
the rich man will be more kindly judged “eccentric”.
Castrel (1801), who founded one of the more lasting sire lines through his son, Pantaloon (1824), also
got the “… terribly bad-tempered Merlin.”
St Albans (1857), a son of Stockwell (1849), the winner of Doncaster’s 1860 St Leger Stakes, was a horse with a vile temper. But this aberration of temperament was absent in the riature of his son Springfield (1873) despite his dam Viridis (1864) being a daughter of the savage Marsyas (1851).
The Irish horse, Solon (1861), was an unambiguously savage, although a high-class racehorse. He transmitted his obstreperous nature, his sons, the great Barcaldine (1878) inheriting the genes of his malevolence, but also genes which sustained the Matchem sire line in Europe. Many of his sons were suspect of disposition, whilst Morion (1887, a winner of Ascot’s Royal Hunt Cup and Ascot Gold
Cup, was described as :“… an evil-tempered animal.”
Obtuse nature leaked through another son of Solon, Arbitrator (1874), who bequeathed his son Kilwarlin (1884) with a bad temper, dormant within him, but alive in his genes. Kilwarlin was the
winner of the 1887 Doncaster St Leger, compliments of the field, for, in a pig-mood at the Start, when the tapes sent the field away, he dug-in his toes, absolutely refusing to gallop. The field had covered a conservative 150 yards before, surrendering to the urgings of his rider, Kilwarlin lashed a vicious kick at the starting post, and set off in pursuit of the field. The pace, no more than a slow gallop, he quickly attached himself to the rear runners. Then threading his way through the field, he caught the leader in
the shaow of the post, winning by a neck.
Incidentally, the Matchem-line flourished in America on the foundation of another bad-tempered,
brutish animal, Fair Play (1905).
One of the most versatile, brave and generous horses of the last century - when racing - Tristan
(1878), winner of placed in 47 of 53 career starts, a “hat-trick” winner of Ascot’s Hardwicke Stakes,
Grand Prix de Deauville and Newmarket’s Champion Stakes (astonishingly twice sharing the victory in
this later race), was a fierce demonic scoundrel whose temper became his end. In a fit of rage, and
without anyone on whom to vent his spleen, he crashed his head against a brick wall, killing himself!
Fortunately, he left the legacy Canterbury Pilgrim (1893). She inherited much of her sires racing ability

• and most of his temperament. Winner of Epsom’s Oaks Stakes, she was a shrew when she-so chose:
  Dam of Chaucer (1900), who did not have the best of tempers, this “fire” appears as little more than
  ashes in her other son, Swynford (1907).
  Derby winners who suffered temperamental failings, included George Frederick (1871), a “foul-natured beast”, a disposition he inherited from his sire, the “extremely savage brute”, Marsyas (1851)… Ladas (1891) benignly described contemporaneously as “… delicate and high-strung, was, in fact, an ill-tempered beast, although and routinely, absolutely genuine when racing… Yet another ferocious winner was Diamond Jubilee (1897). He had a nature more befitting the bull-ring than the racecourse, and before his Epsom victory, walked almost the length of the course on his hind-legs. At
  stud, though, he became more tractable, reserving the spitefi.il side of his nature for occasions.
  Another savage was Lowland Chief (1878) Over the years, a tendency towards spitefulness deteriorated into a meanness of nature which by late age was inbridledly vicious and he was put down in 1898 to save possible misdeed; almost the same may be written of Alcantara 11(1908), whose mean
  streak deteriorated until he became a danger, and he was destroyed in 1930.
  Flying Fox (1896), a conseqeunce of the ‘hot” Galopin blood through his dam, Vampire (1889), a daughter of Galopin. Vampire possessed a wicked temper, and killed her first foal, savaging a groom who try to stop her mayhem. Flying Fox inherited nervous irritability, and the superabounding ability of his forebears, proving outstanding on the racecourse before establishing a sire line familiar to all, through the names Ajax (1901), Teddy (1913), Sir Gallahad HI (1930, Asterus (1923), Ortello (1926),
  Bull Dog (1927) and Citation (1945).
  Santoi (1897), famous for his toughness, and the strain of hardiness he bequeathed, was another bad-tempered individual, a trait he inherited from his maternal grandsire, the “fiendish” Broomielaw.
  Corcyra (1911), a high-class son of Polymelus, was always, to be kind, wilful, and at stud became “very queer.” Never a horse with the sweetest of dispositions, those who tended him were always at pains also to humour him. Potentially a high-class stallion, he met with an accident when only 9 years
  old, and was put down.
  More close in time are Nearco (1957), Nasrullah (1940) and Ribot (1952).
  Nearco was always referred to as of high-mettle. In fact, he was strong-willed to the point of
  mulishness, a quirk of temperament he passed to many of offspring, including Nasrullah. A high-class racehorse, widely regarded as the best horse in England to ten furlongs, he failed to win a Classic, and
  often as not, it appeared that lack of resolution rather than lack of ability that brought about his defeats. This undesirable psyche he bequeathed. Grey Sovereign was a victim, a strong-willed and irresolute character, handed down to hint by his brilliant forebears. On his better days he was a handful for the very best - but on others, he would sulk, and refuse to race, standing stock still when the tapes
  released for racing.
  Arguably, Nasrullah’s most talented son in Europe was Zucchero (1948). Endowed with Immense
  ability, he rarely lived up to his promise, and the pefformance, more often than not, was wanting.
  “Tiineform” delivered terse assessment: “.,. brilliant, but exasperatingly erratic.” He strode to majestic
  victory in Epsom’s Coronation Cup, trouncing the capable Wilwyn, first winner of Laurel’s
  Washington International, and Worden II, also successful in this event, but sulked his way to the
  winning post in the 1953 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, in which Worden took third place. Never, even
  on his best days, sweet tempered, he transmitted his ability, siring many good winners in Europe
  before his export to Japan, and his relatively early death.
  Other unreliable sons of Nasrullah, were the American-breds, Red God (1954) and Bald Eagle (1955). High hopes were held that Red God would prove good enough and go one better than his sire, and
  win an English Classic. His victory in Goodwood’s Richmond Stakes confirmed his ability and
  potential, but a wayward temperament negated his obvious worth, and his form was always suspect as
  his capricious disposition got the better of him. Bald Eagle, likewise, after showing promising form,
  allowed his dark side sway. Returned to America, his mind-set was eventually brought under control,
  and he was twice a winner of Laurel’s Washington Tnternational Stakes.
  Another of Nearco’s sons to display irascibility was Amerigo (1955). After a contemptuous eight S
  lengths victory in Ascot’s Coventry Stakes, the tetchy side of his nature took rein. Ill-tempered, he became almost impossible to control Sold to America, his fiery pugnacity was a hair trigger At one
  Meeting, he put on a rodeo-like exhibition,” turning the saddlmg enclosure into a Wild West display, and dining on chunks of attendants “But when the more “amiable” side of his nature emerged, he showed prize ability It was an ability he transmitted, but, sadly, he died all too young, aged just ten
  years
  The great champion Ribot, was an amenable enough a character during his years of racing - but his disposition deteriorated at stud His attendant succinctly described his hazard to the unwary “Ribot”
  he said, “would climb a tree”
  If there is an inference that ability and suspect temperament go hand-in-hand, then there is the opposite side of the coin. Mieuxce (1933), Princequillo (1940), Petition (1944), Nijinsky (1967),
  Dancing Brave (1983) were all notably “decent” and placid individuals, as are the vast majority of the
  breed who are not of any extreme but fall within the “norm” of behaviour:[IMG]https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.trackwinners.com%2Fimages%2Fsmilies%2Fgaah.gif&t=1582138574&ymreqid=90706185-cd17-1e4d-1ca8-340000010e00&sig=S_LQcLj5M8AzZkIaKJVukw--~C)

[/quote]

Thank you, google.

[ASB_Stars]

@LaurieB

One more: we went to see Storm Cat. I asked if I could pat him. Was told that if I approached from the front, he would probably bite me, but I could pat his hip.
Kidding, I said, “If I do that, won’t he kick me?”
“Yes,” I was told. “But he’ll probably miss.” :lol:

THIS is what I was really hoping for- first person accounts of meeting these stallions. The very long diatribe was kind of telling about a google link-- but, if not, that person is really freaking old.

[ASB_Stars]

@Texarkana

Some active stallions whose temperaments stood out as exceptionally good to me:

American Pharoah, Curlin, Get Stormy, California Chrome, War Front

Kingmambo is one who earned a reputation for being difficult, but a) I never witnessed him being difficult in person when he was alive (although I didn’t meet him until he was older) and b) his offspring have some of the consistently sweetest temperaments out there. “Puppy dogs” are how I would describe most of his kids.

And I’m with you OP, I’ve always really enjoyed stallions. I grew up with arabian show people who geld almost nothing, so stallions were a way of life. :lol: It’s always been my pipe dream to be in a position to invest in my own for breeding.

You’re killin’ me smalls! with the line about Kingmambo- did you know him after he was alive? :lol: But, I deeply appreciate the impressions you shared…

I have a 23 year old ASB stallion here who was a bear when he was younger. I know that he was abused, and people can be just stupid with stallions. He still has his moments, but mostly, he is a teddy bear. But, he is MY teddy bear. Stallions tend to be picky about their people.

Witness Man O’ War, and Will Harbut, and Ribot, and and his groom (whose name is not in the books that I have).

I know that Nasrullah was tough, but I have never heard anything negative about Bold Ruler or Secretariat.

I just love hearing about these guys, so thanks.

What about Tapit? They say his colts are quirky- what is he like?

[dressagetraks]

When I toured Claiborne in 2010, the groom showing us the stallion barn said that Seeking the Gold had been kept up with the active stallions even though retired because “they were afraid he’d kill somebody at the retired barns.” They wanted the most on-their-toes staff handling him.

[Mara]

@ASB Stars

THIS is what I was really hoping for- first person accounts of meeting these stallions. The very long diatribe was kind of telling about a google link-- but, if not, that person is really freaking old.

I did enjoy reading that post, history lesson and all! Another interesting note about St. Simon: when he was being particularly difficult, one thing that would bring him under control was an open umbrella. They didn’t hit him with it - not necessary, as he was cowed into submission by its mere presence.

Many years ago I got to meet Affirmed at Jonabell. He was a sweetie.

[chestnutmarebeware]

The only breeding stallion I ever met up close and personal was Secretariat (I was 10), but his groom walked my mom and me out to his pasture to meet him. Secretariat came right up and stuck his head over the fence, but his groom said he had recently bitten the earlobe off a female journalist (going after a sparkly earring, was the supposed reason) and that I should stay back. I did get to pet his neck, and must have looked suitable starstruck because the groom then asked if I wanted a bit of his mane to keep. After I nodded, a small handful was tugged out and handed to me.

I still have that mane hair and like to tell people that I’m going to clone Secretariat as soon as I win the lottery.

Barbara Livingston’s Old Friends books are great for giving candid stories of how good (or not) many stallions were to be around. Their owners or long-time grooms tell a lot of funny tales about the horses’ youthful indiscretions, and whether or not they were outgrown.

[ravenclaw]

I met Awesome Again at Adena Springs. He was in his pasture and he came up to say hello. He kept biting the fence (maybe cribbing) but he let me pet him and he was nice. The groom told me that they had to be on guard a little when they were taking him out to the pasture or bringing him into the barn but other than that he was easy to work with.

I visited Claiborne and saw Seeking the Gold but was told to stay away from his stall. Pulpit was there too and he was nice. He was one of the stallions that they took out of the stall for people to pet and take pictures. I saw Seattle Slew at Three Chimneys and got my picture taken with him. I asked if I could pet him and was told no because he was grumpy and he always acted like he wanted to bite. Slew o’ Gold and Chief’s Crown were both there too and they were sweet.

I went to Stone Farm and saw Halo and Sunday Silence (right before he went to Japan). I got to feed Sunday Silence a peppermint. He was OK for that, but he seemed pretty tough. Definitely wasn’t a pet. The groom told me that Halo was difficult too and he would do things like attack buckets in his pasture.

[skipollo]

I toured Lane’s End in 2019. Noble Mission was very sweet. He was quiet and relaxed, I patted him and got my photo taken. They also brought out Quality Road. I didn’t get the impression that he was deadly, but I also didn’t feel the need to get close to him either :winkgrin: Tonalist also seemed very kind and pleasant to be around. AP Indy was, of course, a doll baby, but he was 30 at the time so I can’t speak to how he was as a younger horse. Most of the stallions there seemed fairly nice to work around, not gentle lesson ponies but not super dangerous either.

We’re touring Ashford in April, very excited to meet AP!

[Brigid]

@skydy

Well @ASB Stars , you asked. :lol:

Methinks someone is in love Wiki-racehorse-pedia.

[Texarkana]

@ravenclaw

The groom told me that Halo was difficult too and he would do things like attack buckets in his pasture.

I never met Halo himself, but I’ve met enough Halo sons and daughters with deeply ingrained nasty temperaments that I believe every bad thing I’ve ever heard about him.

A couple years ago I was in Ohio and was at a farm that stood one of the last active Halo sons. (I don’t want to share his name here just because I think that’s a little unfair to an active stallion and farm to put his name out there attached to a thread like this, but anyone could figure it out or I’d be happy to PM) He was just exhausting to be around. Jiggy, loud, aggressive. He didn’t seem necessarily dangerous to humans, which may have just been a testament to good handling. But he otherwise seemed difficult in every way. No thank you!

[ASB_Stars]

@Brigid

Methinks someone is in love Wiki-racehorse-pedia.

It’s the reincarnation of PB…:lol:

[ASB_Stars]

Does anyone know much about Nashua or Round Table? I’d heard that Round Table became really rank after being retired, but I do not know if it’s true. Nashua, being by the difficult Nasrullah, would have come by it honestly.

The stallion that I stood for a syndicate was by Nashua, and out of a Round Table mare. He was dangerous, but I learned a whole lot about the bad ones from handling him every day. I was hanging a hay net in his stall one day, and I turned my back on him for a moment, and then he had my leg in his mouth. I was really lucky, because it was a really, really cold winter day, and I had one my flannel lined jeans, and long underwear. Still, I had a lovely set of bruises showing his teeth marks all the way around my knee. Yes, as a matter of fact I did beat him over his head to get him to let go.