Registered Thoroughbred, bay, 3/3/84-3/27/09
1987 Kentucky Derby & Preakness winner
In 1978 I was cheering for Alydar, the chestnut wearing #10, to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness & Belmont races. While the nation watched & rooted for Affirmed (who became a Triple Crown winner), I was an Alydar fan. When Alysheba, a son of Alydar, hit the racing world it was easy for me to become his fan. Every time I saw that bay horse run I cheered for him. I don't think anyone screamed at the tv louder than I when Alysheba ran & won the Kentucky Derby in 1987. I cheered him on for his Preakness win & again in his failed attempt to win the Belmont. He was a great horse who eventually ended up being inducted along side his sire, Alydar, in the National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame.
Fast forward to late 2008. Alysheba comes home to America & will live his remaining years at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Such exciting news for me because I have to be in Louisville in Feb 2009. There's no question that I'll make the trip to Lexington to see one of my equine idols. It was a cold day when I personally met Alysheba. He had already been turned out into the paddock for his daily "out time". His stall had his name plate on the door. As a friend & I walked up the aisle to the Champion Barn, I knew that the bay horse in the paddock was Alysheba. He was clothed in a blanket that went to his knees & a hood to keep him warm in the cold Kentucky winter. He literally took my breath away & I couldn't keep the tears from flowing. It was just so emotional to see that old warrior. My friend & I toured the remainder of the Horse Park & went back to the Champion Barn for a "Fireside Chat". By then it was snowing & there was Alysheba standing in the snow. He came up by the fence & my camera just kept clicking. What a majestic old horse. There were times when I didn't know if was the snow or the tears in my eyes that blurred my vision. He had such a sad, far away look in his eyes that I later told friends he broke my heart. I don't know why I felt the way I did, but I felt I was seeing Alysheba nearing the end. I shouldn't have felt that way because he was the picture of health & he was in very good hands. But something in his eyes told me he was far away from where he actually stood. I wish I could have stood there longer, watching his breath mist in in the cold. He dug down deep into my heart & effected me more emotionally that I would have thought possible, never having personally known him. A month after my visit Alysheba was euthanized. I hope you're running free Alysheba. I will never forget those few moments when only you & I were stan
ding in the snow.
1987 Kentucky Derby & Preakness winner
In 1978 I was cheering for Alydar, the chestnut wearing #10, to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness & Belmont races. While the nation watched & rooted for Affirmed (who became a Triple Crown winner), I was an Alydar fan. When Alysheba, a son of Alydar, hit the racing world it was easy for me to become his fan. Every time I saw that bay horse run I cheered for him. I don't think anyone screamed at the tv louder than I when Alysheba ran & won the Kentucky Derby in 1987. I cheered him on for his Preakness win & again in his failed attempt to win the Belmont. He was a great horse who eventually ended up being inducted along side his sire, Alydar, in the National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame.
Fast forward to late 2008. Alysheba comes home to America & will live his remaining years at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Such exciting news for me because I have to be in Louisville in Feb 2009. There's no question that I'll make the trip to Lexington to see one of my equine idols. It was a cold day when I personally met Alysheba. He had already been turned out into the paddock for his daily "out time". His stall had his name plate on the door. As a friend & I walked up the aisle to the Champion Barn, I knew that the bay horse in the paddock was Alysheba. He was clothed in a blanket that went to his knees & a hood to keep him warm in the cold Kentucky winter. He literally took my breath away & I couldn't keep the tears from flowing. It was just so emotional to see that old warrior. My friend & I toured the remainder of the Horse Park & went back to the Champion Barn for a "Fireside Chat". By then it was snowing & there was Alysheba standing in the snow. He came up by the fence & my camera just kept clicking. What a majestic old horse. There were times when I didn't know if was the snow or the tears in my eyes that blurred my vision. He had such a sad, far away look in his eyes that I later told friends he broke my heart. I don't know why I felt the way I did, but I felt I was seeing Alysheba nearing the end. I shouldn't have felt that way because he was the picture of health & he was in very good hands. But something in his eyes told me he was far away from where he actually stood. I wish I could have stood there longer, watching his breath mist in in the cold. He dug down deep into my heart & effected me more emotionally that I would have thought possible, never having personally known him. A month after my visit Alysheba was euthanized. I hope you're running free Alysheba. I will never forget those few moments when only you & I were stan
ding in the snow.
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