Anyone remember a big, crazy black horse?

jumper77 · Postby **jumper77** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 3:23 am

Ok, no serious question here, just wasting time....

I recall seeing this horse probably within the last year or so. His name was something like Rafiki or Rajika something with an R that sounds similar to that. He was a huge dark bay or black horse, and was known for his wild temperment. The clip I saw had him busting out of the start gate, then taking off down the track, leaping, bucking, jumping around, and generally acting like a fool. It took a couple of minutes for the poor jockey to get him back under control and back to the starting gate to restart the race. (Although I don't remember if he won....hmmm.) Apparently this was a regular race day routine for him.

Sound familiar to anyone?

Indychase · Postby **Indychase** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 9:00 am

Rakti was known for his pre-race antics. I can't remember what he looked like but it could be him.

jumper77 · Postby **jumper77** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 4:58 pm

That sounds like it might be it. Looked him up-- he's dark bay.

Secretariat73 · Postby **Secretariat73** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 10:28 pm

Sounds like Rakti. Saw him once last year. During post parade some lady by the side of the track was doing something inocuous and his jockey begged her to stop because he knew that it would cause the horse to take off on a tear, which he did. They rounded him up and got him in the gate by covering his head. Jockey kept the cover on until the very start when he whipped it off. I think the horse ended up coming in second.

I believe he's standing at stud now.

jumper77 · Postby **jumper77** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 11:15 pm

Oh, yeah! I totally forgot about the blindfold. That was the most distinguishing part about him! They had to blindfold him to keep him from throwing a fit in the gate; the jockey had to rip it off his head right as the bell rang. Can't believe I forgot that part. That's definitely him. I think that's the same clip I saw, too.

Thanks, everyone. I knew y'all would know who I was talking about.

Skipitgirl · Postby **Skipitgirl** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 5:18 am

http://www.chatswoodstud.com.au/

There you go!

skeenan · Postby **skeenan** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 8:27 am

Secretariat73 wrote:I believe he's standing at stud now.

Nice... like THAT'S a quality I'd want to pass along... ha ha! :wink:

It would give "tear-offs" a whole new meaning... :roll:

Shannon · Postby **Shannon** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 1:02 pm

I had a look at The Chatwood website at his pedigree. It diodn't look all that impressive to me...not much blacktype until him. Are they banking on his successes to make him a stud, or am I missing something totally in his pedigree that will help him through?
Looks as though he could run like a demon though by the pics. Wonder if he's mean to be around on the ground, cause he sure looks tough in the photos.

gustav · Postby **gustav** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 5:51 pm

Although psychotic at times, Rakti is one of the most freakishly gifted racehorses to compete anywhere in the world in the last 10 years. He is also a bull, 16.2 and good looking. A bit hit and miss on the track but a bad temperament doesn't always guarantee failure at stud.

Ribot, War Admiral, Sir Tristram et al were all mean buggers

erins isle · Postby **erins isle** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 12:51 am

I saw the whole adventure on TV. The first thing that came to my mind was: ''If he would be racing in the USA this wouldn't happen with your habit of bringing the thoroughbreds to the track with a leadhorse.'' If they would do that in Europe it would solve a couple of problems.
However I felt great admiration for the jockey Philip Robinson who showed great skills to handle him so well.