I want to recognize the contribution that Chris McCarron is making on behalf of retired racehorses. He has given his time and knowledge at Retired Racehorse events at Pimlico, the latest just completing this week.
He was a true sportsman and gentleman in the irons - guiding champions such as John Henry, Alysheba, Desert Wine, Danzig Connection, Precisionist, Pine Bluff, Lady’s Secret, Sunday Silence, Paseana, Touch Gold, Tiznow, Flawlessly, Alphabet Soup, and Go for Gin. That extended off the track, too.
But his concern for the thoroughbreds who didn’t win their way to a sweet retirement speaks volumes about his love for all horses.
Thank you, Chris, for being such an example of a true horseman.
Good thread, FatDinah. Thanks for sharing this. I second your opinion of Chris.
Yep he’s a good man. He has a deep love for the horses and the sport. One horse you forgot to mention wasn’t as famous on the track as he was in the shed. Storm Cat. When I was working for Chris, we talked about Storm Cat and the pictures I had seen of him during those days. He laughed and rubbed his head (he had thick curly hair back then). Despite all the turmoils in his life, he always had a smile and is willing to answer any questions you have.
A true horseman! Don’t forget that he was (continues to be) also involved in the establishment and program development of the jockey program in the KY community college system. The USA is one of a few westernized horseracing countries that does not have an established “journeyman” equine education and development program to meet the needs of not only our horseracing industry, but the horse industry in total.
I remember thinking when he began his career that he looked more like a “first grader” than old enough to get a jockey license. LOL. Eddie Arcaro looked like an old man back then.
Nice thread. It’s nice to hear about good people.
He was cute at the TB makeover. When Nuno Santos finished his dressage ride on “Now and Then” and the judges had some questions, Chris smiled and said “Nuno, who is that horse by?” and Nuno replied “Tiznow”. Chris innocently asked “Didn’t he win the Breeders’s Cup Classic twice”? Nuno responded “You ought to know, you rode him!”
Chris…and his brother Greg, before him, used to ride for us in Maryland. Chris bought and retired two of the horses he rode for us many years ago. Perhaps that was the start of his retirement efforts. He is a great guy and was a great jockey.
