Why does Chrome inspire such fanaticism?

[frehley]

At the risk of being flamed…

I have been following racing for many years. Never before have I seen such crazy fanaticism surrounding one horse. Yes, he won two legs of the TC, but so have many other horses, and he has not won a race on dirt since the Preakness.

I am not downplaying his accomplishments, but I just do not “get” the craziness that surrounds this horse.

On social media, people call others names if they do not agree that he is the “best” or “as good as Secretariat.” They now have a facebook page called “Bring Chrome Home” where they outwardly insult his majority owner and imply that the horse is being mistreated since he is in England. Then I read that they had to relocate Chrome’s siblings because crazy fans were trying to access them. It’s absolutely crazy, and - I’m sorry to say - does not help the sport.

The majority owner is just that and has the right to do what he wishes with his horse. I have seen nothing to make me think the horse is being mistreated in any way.

I just don’t get it. Is it simply the craziness that the Internet generates?? Will these same people latch onto Pharoah? Or is it just something about the Chrome story that brought out the wackos??? It is downright scary.

[ravenclaw]

I don’t think it’s just Chrome. Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra have their nutcase fans. Barbaro did too.

When Blame beat Zenyatta in the Breeders Cup Classic, there were people making death threats on Blame.

Maybe it’s something that has come about with the rise of social media. All the loonies can band together on social media.

[Laurierace]

Really? It pales in comparison to the fans of Barbaro who have elevated themselves to cult like status. People get attached to horses who gave them a thrill. His owner acting like a jack wagon didn’t help matters either.

[frehley]

<<en Blame beat Zenyatta in the Breeders Cup Classic, there were people making death threats on Blame.>>

PLEASE tell me this is not true.

What is wrong with people ???

[ravenclaw]

[QUOTE=frehley;8139264]
<<en Blame beat Zenyatta in the Breeders Cup Classic, there were people making death threats on Blame.>>

PLEASE tell me this is not true.

What is wrong with people ???[/QUOTE]

When I visited Claiborne Farm, the groom who did the tour told us that they had extra security for a while when Blame retired there (because of the threats).

[Angelico]

The only explanation I can come up with is that there are a lot of stupid people in the world.

As for American Pharoah, I don’t think Baffert and Zayat will “feed the monster” like California Chrome’s owners did, so I don’t forsee his fan base being quite so bad. Also, to put it bluntly, AP isn’t as “pretty” as California Chrome, at least not to non-horsey folks, I know it sounds silly but the loonies tend to latch on to the “pretty” ones the worst.

The radical “fans” really makes me sour towards people and outsiders in general. I feel like the public doesn’t deserve to see or hear about good horses any more, and I know that’s the wrong attitude to have to help the sport but that’s how these people make me feel.

[Shammy_Davis]

A great deal of the attention and controversary that surrounds a horse is based on the character and personality of the connections. Don’t recall any reports about “death threats” on TONALIST, BIRDSTONE, etc. As an aside, gotta think with new innovations in “plastic surgery and botox” Mary Lou Whitney is going to live forever and she is definitely more interesting than BIRDSTONE. I actually believe Mary Lou has been sharing “beauty tips” with D. Wayne Lukas.

MIND THAT BIRD was front page news not only because of his KD win, but also because of his interesting connections. You can’t write better stuff than a trainer with a black wide bream western hat, on crouches , spitting tobacco juice, and driving a trailer across the continent with a racehorse no one had heard of to the most coveted race in the horse world.

JMHO but fans tend to gravitate to the “emotions” surrounding the horse. Like BARBARO, we read the headlines. We as fans like the highs and the lows. Insignificant issues don’t get noticed. Nobody seemed to notice that SHAM broke a tooth in the gates before the break of the Kentucky Derby. SECRETARIAT had charmed the media and thus the nation.

Steve Corbin is an example. Everyone is anticipating his newest “steve-isms.” Or Corbinism. Then you have someone like Dinny Phipps. 99% of the racing world hasn’t a clue of who he is. If they knew what a poor chair of the JC he has been, he’d be getting “death threats.” If he keeps low key and his mouth shut, he may actually outlive Mary Lou.

Without interesting connections even the greatest horse, IMO, is doomed to the dark shadows of racing history.

I think the horseracing fans perk up a little when a “blue collar” horse makes good. That’s how we think as a nation. SEABISCUIT, JOHN HENRY, SWAPS, KELSO, and STYMIE are some that come to mind as examples.

[frehley]

Well said, Angelico and Shammy.

I still find it bizarre that they are accusing the majority owner of “mistreating” the horse.

[GoneAway]

[QUOTE=Angelico;8139347]
The only explanation I can come up with is that there are a lot of stupid people in the world.

As for American Pharoah, I don’t think Baffert and Zayat will “feed the monster” like California Chrome’s owners did, so I don’t forsee his fan base being quite so bad. Also, to put it bluntly, AP isn’t as “pretty” as California Chrome, at least not to non-horsey folks, I know it sounds silly but the loonies tend to latch on to the “pretty” ones the worst.

The radical “fans” really makes me sour towards people and outsiders in general. I feel like the public doesn’t deserve to see or hear about good horses any more, and I know that’s the wrong attitude to have to help the sport but that’s how these people make me feel.[/QUOTE]
Agreed. And social media allows them to share that stupidity with the world.

I don’t really follow racing, but seeing the social media hoopla about Chrome going to England got me reading some of the “fan”(atics) comments. Who do these people think they are? Using terms like “our horse” and pleading for him to be “chain free” because he’s “regal” and “trustworthy” stallion make me cringe. It’s flat out disturbing.

I understand horses being in the public eye and the connections having to deal with the public opinion, but the Bring Chrome Home gang take it two a whole new level, like they really believe that they (the fanatic nutjobs) are OWED an explanation or have some sort of say in what happens to the horse. Zenyatta fans scared me, but this seems way worse?

[frehley]

It is disturbing. And it’s terrible how much they badmouth one of the owners (Mr. Martin). I read that he had some kind of threat made against him, but I’m not sure it is true (although, sadly, I wouldn’t doubt it).

They (the fanatics) are lucky that the owners share as much as they do with the general public.

[Christa_P]

I think it was that he didn’t come from big name connections or breeding. people thought of his connections as more blue collar types like Funny Cide. His breeding was also along those lines -his success comes across as more chance than the so careful planing that most horses of that caliber seem to have.

[Texarkana]

I still get mail from Barbaro Fans. I received a Christmas card this year from a FOB thanking me for my care of him-- which is really impressive, since my address has changed 5 times since Barbaro days! I definitely wouldn’t piss the FOBs off… they will hunt you down! :lol:

As for Chrome, it makes me happy to see a horse inspire folks. :yes: Horse racing needs fans!

[danceronice]

[QUOTE=ravenclaw;8139242]
I don’t think it’s just Chrome. Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra have their nutcase fans. Barbaro did too.

When Blame beat Zenyatta in the Breeders Cup Classic, there were people making death threats on Blame.

Maybe it’s something that has come about with the rise of social media. All the loonies can band together on social media.[/QUOTE]

Yep. Zenyatta’s fans can be outright INSANE (I’m actually surprised CZ wasn’t even money in his first start and the moaning when he tanked could probably be heard on the moon.) And the Barbaro worshippers I think have a genuine mental illness–go ahead and suggest that he wasn’t going to sweep the Triple Crown and wasn’t a legend for the ages (I understand that far less than I get the Chrome fans/haters.)

Chrome is pretty (if he were a nobody gelding running in claimers who wound up on CANTER the trainer could double their money just because he has four whites and a blaze), he’s impressive when he’s on and even when he doesn’t quite get there, and he’s got a great PR story–cheap mare (who’s not that badly bred, but that’s nitpicking) to inexpensive stallion with non-PC-owners who are in it because they love owning racehorses and who use a trainer who’s an old-school mainstay who once galloped Swaps, wins Kentucky Derby sells to the folks at home. You can’t pitch AP like that–expensively-bred colt owned by incredibly rich people and trained by a go-to guy for top young horses is not the stuff Disney movies are made of. Unless a horse is like Zenyatta (on a winning tear and being a mare helped) or has what for narrative purposes is a well-timed tragedy (ie no further opportunities to do wrong) it’s hard to pick up “Rich people own expensive horses and pay top dollar trainers to run them” as something to grab the imagination of the masses. People love a good backstory–Metaboss got articles this year not just because he had a shot of drawing into the Derby and a nice class jump, he got articles because he’s owned in minority partnership with a group of people who met on Facebook. (To everyone who ever asked why I waste my time on facebook, I got four win pictures on my wall, one from a G3 stakes, of horses I have a piece of. Bite me.) We’re a STORY, not just a decent horse. Everybody who owns a stakes horse ultimately has the same sort of issues–we all obviously actually have more resources than Joe Average, we all have the same tough calls to make or bad racing luck, but some horses get there with connections who aren’t there by the typical route. Chrome combined atypical backstory with good looks and results, plus owners who don’t keep their light under a bushel.

And Chrome has (largely because of his owners, but also because people love schadenfreude) probably more outright haters than most, too. The “He’ll never win a graded stakes again”, “…okay he won a G1 on turf but he beat nothing…” “He sucks compared to Shared Belief…” crowd.

As long as no one makes a pilgrimage to wash a statue and dance around it in the moonlight (seriously, that is not a sign of a race fan, that is a sign you need professional help.)

[skydy]

[QUOTE=Texarkana;8139628]
I still get mail from Barbaro Fans. I received a Christmas card this year from a FOB thanking me for my care of him-- which is really impressive, since my address has changed 5 times since Barbaro days! I definitely wouldn’t piss the FOBs off… they will hunt you down! :lol:

As for Chrome, it makes me happy to see a horse inspire folks. :yes: Horse racing needs fans![/QUOTE]

Horse racing does need fans but… Texarkana, I’d be a little creeped out by your FOB. :yes:

[frehley]

I agree that the sport needs fans, BUT…

I wonder if these “fanatics” really love the sport, or just latch onto one horse. Do the FOBs follow other horses, or just worship Barbaro (who, by the way, I did think was a superior animal - not his fault he attracted the crazies).

The “Chromies” that I see on social media seem to have no interest in other horses. In fact, they were lamenting that this year’s crop is “dull” compared to Chrome. (LOL)

While I respect his accomplishments, I personally never found CC that “pretty.” He has nice coloring and markings, but conformation-wise? No thanks.

[Angelico]

[QUOTE=frehley;8139700]
I agree that the sport needs fans, BUT…

I wonder if these “fanatics” really love the sport, or just latch onto one horse. Do the FOBs follow other horses, or just worship Barbaro (who, by the way, I did think was a superior animal - not his fault he attracted the crazies).

The “Chromies” that I see on social media seem to have no interest in other horses. In fact, they were lamenting that this year’s crop is “dull” compared to Chrome. (LOL)

While I respect his accomplishments, I personally never found CC that “pretty.” He has nice coloring and markings, but conformation-wise? No thanks.[/QUOTE]

Agree.

I realize every sport has its own crazies, pro athletes have to deal with stalkers and angry fans and every decision a coach ever makes is “wrong” in someone’s eyes, etc. etc. But I still despise them.

Are they really “fans” of racing or do they just latch on to certain horses? IME they claim to be fans of the sport while demeaning everything about it and everyone in it. I view them as “the kind of fans we don’t need”.

[LaurieB]

[QUOTE=Texarkana;8139628]
I still get mail from Barbaro Fans. I received a Christmas card this year from a FOB thanking me for my care of him-- which is really impressive, since my address has changed 5 times since Barbaro days! I definitely wouldn’t piss the FOBs off… they will hunt you down! :lol:

As for Chrome, it makes me happy to see a horse inspire folks. :yes: Horse racing needs fans![/QUOTE]

The fanatics are just plain scary to me–especially since it seems to be a very short trip from “they’re not treating my horse the way i think they should” to “horse racing sucks and all racehorse owners are cruel.”

I used to share a lot more information about our horses than I do now. In fact, I’ve pretty much stopped saying anything about them on online forums. Because even if you just put a few cute foal pictures out there, some people start to get attached. Then they feel that they are due updates–and that if they don’t get updates, you are hiding something from them. They also begin to believe that their opinions matter–like, for example, that it would be the “right thing to do” for you to let them name your horse.

A few years ago–back when I used to share general info like where my horses were and what they were doing–I arrived at the training center in SC where we had our 2 year olds in training and the trainer said to me, “I worked your fillies for those friends of yours last week like you wanted.” That came as a huge surprise to me. I hadn’t sent any friends. I hadn’t asked for any works. I had no idea who those people were who had shown up at the training center and pretended that I’d sent them to see my horses. :eek:

A year later, someone pm’d me online and asked what trainer I used. I said I no longer gave out that info and related the above story about people using my name to gain access to my horses. The person replied, “So what’s wrong with that?” :no:

So now I just keep my mouth shut. There’s a whole lot of crazy out there.

[Shammy_Davis]

[QUOTE=Texarkana;8139628]
I still get mail from Barbaro Fans. I received a Christmas card this year from a FOB thanking me for my care of him-- which is really impressive, since my address has changed 5 times since Barbaro days! I definitely wouldn’t piss the FOBs off… they will hunt you down! :lol:

As for Chrome, it makes me happy to see a horse inspire folks. :yes: Horse racing needs fans![/QUOTE]

Even with its tragic ending, the BARBARO story is an inspiring look at the bond between man and horse. You are so lucky to be a part of that. We are a much better world because there are thousands and thousands of horses who struggle through great physical adversity to survive and to our credit, for the most part, man does his best to help them.

You may recall the story of KELSO’s sire YOUR HOST.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Your_Host

Allaire DuPont saw something in this broken horse to breed her mare, Maid of Flight, to and low and behold came an unattractive gelding that caught the imagination of horseracing and HOY for seven straight years.

There is a great story that James Rowe the trainer for J R Keene and many great racehorses including Sysonby and Colin wanted, upon his death, only to have “He trained Colin” under his name on his tombstone.

We horsemen and women are so blessed to be able to have this connection.

Most recently DOD and the VA have begun to support legislation to fund the use of horses to aid in the treatment of active duty and veterans suffering from pyschological and physical challenges. I don’t think we’ll ever see the end of horse usefulness. I certainly hope not.

[RolledAway]

[QUOTE=LaurieB;8139771]
The fanatics are just plain scary to me–especially since it seems to be a very short trip from “they’re not treating my horse the way i think they should” to “horse racing sucks and all racehorse owners are cruel.”

I used to share a lot more information about our horses than I do now. In fact, I’ve pretty much stopped saying anything about them on online forums. Because even if you just put a few cute foal pictures out there, some people start to get attached. Then they feel that they are due updates–and that if they don’t get updates, you are hiding something from them. They also begin to believe that their opinions matter–like, for example, that it would be the “right thing to do” for you to let them name your horse.

A few years ago–back when I used to share general info like where my horses were and what they were doing–I arrived at the training center in SC where we had our 2 year olds in training and the trainer said to me, “I worked your fillies for those friends of yours last week like you wanted.” That came as a huge surprise to me. I hadn’t sent any friends. I hadn’t asked for any works. I had no idea who those people were who had shown up at the training center and pretended that I’d sent them to see my horses. :eek:

A year later, someone pm’d me online and asked what trainer I used. I said I no longer gave out that info and related the above story about people using my name to gain access to my horses. The person replied, “So what’s wrong with that?” :no:

So now I just keep my mouth shut. There’s a whole lot of crazy out there.[/QUOTE]

That is just plain scary.

[Texarkana]

Thanks Shammy. I was very blessed to be in the right place at the right time through much of my youth. Not so much these days! :lol:

I did not know that Kelso’s sire had survived such a horrific injury as well!

I think “crazy” fans of all of these popular horses (Zenyatta, Chrome, Barbaro, etc.) are generally harmless. As I said above, even if they are solely obsessed with a single horse, I don’t see how it can be anything but positive overall. Fans in any form are always a good thing… even if they’re a bit unbalanced.

Although in LaurieB’s case, that’s just plain creepy when people are making contact with your animals!