In the mid 90s, when Silver Charm was racing, I wasn't paying much attention to the major races, since I owned in a racing partnership, so I was way more interested in my own horses, however talent-challenged they might be. But I did know he was the second horse in a row for future Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert to lose the Triple Crown by a nose. (Ironically, Bob Baffert is the trainer of both Triple Crown winners thus far in the 21st century.)
I also knew that highly likable jockey Gary Stevens blamed himself for the nose loss in the Belmont Stakes, because he didn't turn Silver Charm's head to see Touch Gold coming on in the middle of the track, and therefore the highly competitive Silver Charm didn't dig in that little bit more it would have taken to stay in front another couple of strides. Over twenty years later, Stevens says, "There's not a night that I go to sleep that I don't think about that race." Ouch.
At 55yo Stevens recently retired for the third and surely final time. (He also proved to be an excellent actor in the movie Seabiscuit.) He says he'll never ride again, even for pleasure, because of a troublesome vertebrae. Silver Charm stood stud in the U.S. for five years, and then was purchased by Japanese interests and shipped there to complete his career as a sire. A fan started the Old Friends retirement farm in Kentucky for famous ex-racehorses and ex-stallions, and was able to get the pensioned Silver Charm returned to the bluegrass state when the Japanese were ready to let the old guy go. Due to Silver Charm's immense popularity, the farm has said that it may eventually be able to support itself from admission and gift shop sales, rather than depending upon donations.
In any event, this photo touches me. Two old guys who once shared a few years of glorious experiences, now living quieter lives. I just love the expression on Stevens' face as he feeds Silver Charm a carrot. I know this isn't the only time he has traveled to Kentucky so say hello. When Secretariat died in 1989, jockey Ron Turcotte said that he regretted having not visited him for many years. Top jockeys ride so many top horses that I'm continually amazed when they take the time to commemorate the four-leggeds they partnered with along their journey of success.
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