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FERDINAND (From HRTV's "INSIDE INFORMATION" Series)
Everyone has a few special horses in their lives who you know personally, who touch your heart, and who hold onto a piece of your soul. FERDINAND was one of those horses for so many. He was as kind and gentle as they come and this feature is a proud tribute to his memory.
An offspring of NIJINSKY II and grandson of NORTHERN DANCER, FERDINAND sported an impeccable pedigree. Yet, despite his regal bloodlines, he offered an exceptionally kind temperament and an underachieving racetrack personality. It would take a pair of Hall of Fame horsemen - iconic trainer, Charlie Whittingham, and legendary jockey, Bill Shoemaker - to unearth FERDINAND's underlying talents. And they did it masterfully.
FERDINAND became one of only four horses to win the Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic double. His untapped potential was nurtured by Whittingham, and fully realized with Shoemaker at the controls. He earned more than $3.77 million in a career that included numerous stakes wins.
After retiring to Claiborne Farm in 1989, he was later sold to Japan breeding interests in 1996. It was the beginning of an unconscionable end for one of the sport's most prominent and beloved stars. In 2003, in a location believed to be the northern part of Japan, FERDINAND was sent to a slaughterhouse due to an unsuccessful stallion career. An unsuspecting racing industry tried to come to grips with an unfathomable ending. Stunned and shaken, the industry vowed never to allow this to happen again.
FERDINAND's legacy has been honored by an industry that acted resolutely. Since then, a host of Thoroughbred retirement organizations have been created, contractual clauses have been added to stallion agreements, and the future of retired champions is now more closely monitored.
Among those interviewed for this feature were: Janet Johnson, Whittingham's assistant and FERDINAND's exercise rider; Peggy Whittingham, Charlie Whittingham's widow; Del Hancock of Claiborne Farm, and numerous others.
(28 Minutes)
Listing Info: | |
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Listing ID: | 811 |
Format(s) Available: | DVD And VHS |
Category: | U.S. & Canadian Flat Racing |