SWALE (From HRTV's "INSIDE INFORMATION" Series)

SWALE

The intriguing story of Claiborne Farm's home-bred star-crossed dual classic winner, SWALE, is the subject of this long overdue documentary.

In 1984, Claiborne Farm which currently is celebrating a century of standing, caring for and raising some of the most successful thoroughbreds in North America (1910 - 2010), finally found a horse to fulfill their dream of reaching the Kentucky Derby winner’s circle. In addition, a horse that would lay the groundwork for the farm's future. But just eight days after capturing the Belmont Stakes, SWALE would remind his owners of the unpredictability and fragile nature of the sport.

Time has dulled the brilliance of SWALE and what he meant to some of the most important people in the history of the American turf. For five magical weeks, he exemplified everything racing is supposed to be and then in an instant...he was gone.

The Hancock family has been synonymous with Claiborne, one of the most successful breeding farms in Kentucky. Founded in Virginia and thriving in Kentucky since 1915, Claiborne Farm has been guided by four generations, all pursuing the sport’s most elusive prize – the Kentucky Derby. His son Seth Hancock witnessed his father’s obsession first hand. "It consumed him, it truly did, to the point it was almost maniacal," Seth recalled.

Their dream would come true with a son of SEATTLE SLEW out of Claiborne-bred TUERTA, a mare with only one eye.

Said Dell Hancock: “Momma actually named him, we couldn’t find him, he was down in this bottom, in a swale, just flat out asleep.”

Under the guidance of Woody Stephens, SWALE captured the 1984 Kentucky Derby running in the Claiborne silks. It was SWALE who brought Hall of Fame jockey Laffit Pincay, Jr. his first and only Derby win, and the son of SEATTLE SLEW went the distance a few weeks later in the Belmont Stakes.

The euphoria was short-lived, cut short when the burgeoning star tragically died after a routine gallop at Belmont. His death is still a mystery as an autopsy proved unconclusive. He was named 1984’s Champion Three-Year-Old Colt and was inducted into the Aiken Hall of Fame the first weekend of March, 2010.

The memory of SWALE will live on lovingly thanks to this touching and deserving tribute that looks back at another one of racings, "fallen angels."


(40 Minutes)