On Sunday evening, October 14 2007, one of the greatest racehorses of all time lost an heroic battle with old age. His name was Slew O’ Gold, and he was one of the greatest sons of the legendary and immortal Seattle Slew.
Slew O’ Gold was born at historic Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky in the early spring of 1980. He came from Seattle Slew’s very first crop of foals, and was one of his very first sons. He would become one of his greatest ever.
By the summer of 1982, Slew O’ Gold grew into a big, tall, strong, handsome, and striking thoroughbred. A towering figure, he stood over 16.2/5 hands tall, and weighed nearly 1150 pounds. His golden brown coat lent way to his wonderful name. The colt was owned by Jim and Sally Hill and Mickey and Karen Taylor. They were the same nice people who owned Seattle Slew. It was during that same year that Slew O’ Gold would begin his initial training under the watchful eye of Mr. Sydney Watters. The big horse trained quite well, and began to pick up racing tactics with relative ease. As a result, he won two of three starts in 1982, before being put up for the winter.
The following year, 1983, would be a break out time for Slew O’ Gold. He would win five of twelve starts in dominating fashion. Three of these would be the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes, the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes, and the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. The latter two were extremely impressive because Slew O’ Gold whipped up on some of the finest thoroughbreds in the world. They included: Bates Motel, Highland Blade, and the venerable John Henry.
Theses tremendous exploits earned Slew O’ Gold the Eclipse Award for Champion Three-Year-Old Male of 1983. Many of his most ardent supporters strongly believe that he should have been named Horse-Of-The-Year for 1983 as well.
Believe it or not, in 1984, Slew O’ Gold was even better. This time, being trained by John O Hertler, he won five consecutive races with dynamic performances. They included: an Allowance, the Grade 1 Whitney, the Grade 1 Marlboro Cup, the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes, and the grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. In winning the final three, Slew O’ Gold became the first, and to this day, only thoroughbred in all of recorded history to sweep the Fall Classics Series at Belmont Park. That was quite a feat, to say the least. Interestingly, the year before, he just barely missed out on the sweep by a short neck at the Marlboro Cup.
Slew O’ Gold won yet another Eclipse Award that year as well. This time it was for Champion Older Male of 1984. Truth be told, the 1984 Eclipse Award voting was both shameful and disgraceful. During that year, two great sons of Seattle Slew, Swale and Slew O‘ Gold burned up the tracks all year long. Between the two of them, they won virtually every major stakes race in existence. For example, Swale won the Hutcheson Stakes, the Florida Derby, the Kentucky Derby, and the Belmont Stakes in smashing fashion. Then, later that year, Slew O’ Gold swept the Fall Classics at Belmont Park.
Based upon rudimentary logic, both of them should have been Co-Horses-Of-The-Year, for 1984. It should have been one of the most obvious votes ever cast. Yet, perhaps out of jealousy, the Horse Racing Writers’ Association, awarded Slew O’ Gold Champion Older Male and Swale Champion Three-Year-Old-Male, instead. They were both very deserving of those awards, to be sure, but, should have been awarded the main one on top of it all as well.
Slew O’ Gold finished his stellar career with 12 victories in 21 starts, and earnings of $3,533,534. At the time, it was the most money ever won by a thoroughbred on the racetrack, and is equivalent to about 7 million in today’s dollars.
When his racing days were over, the big colt retired to stud at Three Chimneys’ Farm near Midway, Kentucky in early 1985. This was a real big deal to Three Chimneys, because Slew O’ Gold was their very first stallion ever. Shortly thereafter, he would be joined by his legendary father, Seattle Slew, and many, many, many talented brothers.
Slew O’ Gold was an outstanding stallion. In fact, during his very first year at stud, he would sire four Grade 1 winners. That was a feat only surpassed by Seattle Slew himself! Amongst Slew O’ Gold’s first champions were: Golden Opinion, Gorgeous, Awe Inspiring, and Tactile. His second crop was nearly as impressive. That one contained two Grade 1 winners: Thirty Six Red, and Dr. Root.
All told, Slew O’ Gold’s 17 crops of foals produced 28 stakes champions, 12 of which were Grade 1 winners. Together, they amassed close to 27 million dollars in winning purses, a very impressive total.
Upon Slew O’ Gold’s passing, Robert N. Clay, the owner of Three Chimneys’ Farm, issued the following statement: “Slew O’ Gold was truly one of the great ones, and we will be forever grateful to the Hills and the Taylors for giving us the opportunity to stand our first stallion.”
A few weeks ago, Seattle Slew lost Capote, another fine champion son, and Eclipse Award winner. All three of them spent many wonderful days and evenings together at Three Chimneys’ breathing in the fresh Kentucky air. Now, with the passing of both sons, there are two empty stalls in the stallion barn where great athletes with big hearts once stood. An entire generation has come and gone. It is quite sad when one stops to think about it.
When Slew O’ Gold ascended to the Heavens above, there to greet him were his father Seattle Slew, his brothers Swale and Capote, and his sister Landaluce. Together, they formed the single greatest and most talented family in the long and profound history of sports. There is no doubt that they are all having lots of fun together frolicking around, and will continue to do so until the end of time.
