As I recall correctly, someone once posted on the old forum that they had seen or been around Hawkster during his racing days, and that the horse was "a machine" on the track. If that person is still around, I'd be interested in hearing a little more about Hawkster, especially in light of Afleet Alex's contention for the Derby.
Laurie
Hawkster - Who Knew About Him?
Moderators: Roguelet, WaveMaster, madelyn
Hawkster - Who Knew About Him?
So many pedigrees...so little time. (C)
Hawkster was a grass freak, but was good enough to win the Grade 1 Norfolk S. on the dirt as a 2yo. At three, when moved to the turf, he scored a brilliant wire to wire win in the Oak Tree Invitational-G1 at 12 furlongs, over older horses. Although he won a number of other good races, the Oak Tree race was his shining moment, for he set a new course record of something like 2:22 4/5.
As I recall his temperament was typical Silver Hawk (not nice!), but as a sire he could not have been more unlike his sire. In spite of great opportunities at Airdrie Stud, Hawkster was a miserable failure at stud. He is somewhat resurrected as a broodmare sire, a fact partially attributable to all those good mares he covered in his first 5-6 years.
As I recall his temperament was typical Silver Hawk (not nice!), but as a sire he could not have been more unlike his sire. In spite of great opportunities at Airdrie Stud, Hawkster was a miserable failure at stud. He is somewhat resurrected as a broodmare sire, a fact partially attributable to all those good mares he covered in his first 5-6 years.
Michael.... exactly dead-on! 
I loved Silver Hawk... what a character... and I liked Hawkster to be a "surprise" broodmare sire (for the exact reasons you gave). I was afraid the Hawksters would never really get a chance because of the almost predictable level of sires they would "visit". But, perhaps they will be given a second chance now.
And, no... I don't own one... I had found two I really liked... but someone with deeper pockets liked them more.
I loved Silver Hawk... what a character... and I liked Hawkster to be a "surprise" broodmare sire (for the exact reasons you gave). I was afraid the Hawksters would never really get a chance because of the almost predictable level of sires they would "visit". But, perhaps they will be given a second chance now.
And, no... I don't own one... I had found two I really liked... but someone with deeper pockets liked them more.
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parsixfarms
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If I remember correctly, Hawkster is the only horse to finish fifth in all three legs of the Triple Crown (1989). He was a real nice turf horse; he held the world-record for 10F on turf, although that record was set just after Santa Anita redid its turf course in the early 1990s and super fast times were the norm.
Thanks everyone. I was lucky enough to purchase a daughter of Hawkster out of a Marshua's Dancer mare (who's fourth dam was bred by Marcel Boussac 
) last fall just as Afleet Alex was making a name for himself. It's difficult to find a lot of information on Hawkster, so I appreciate all the input.
Laurie
) last fall just as Afleet Alex was making a name for himself. It's difficult to find a lot of information on Hawkster, so I appreciate all the input.
Laurie
So many pedigrees...so little time. (C)
Re: Hawkster - Who Knew About Him?
ZiaLand wrote:As I recall correctly, someone once posted on the old forum that they had seen or been around Hawkster during his racing days, and that the horse was "a machine" on the track. If that person is still around, I'd be interested in hearing a little more about Hawkster, especially in light of Afleet Alex's contention for the Derby.
Laurie
That may have been me, Laurie. I have pics that I can post of him in his stall in 1990, in McAnally's barn at Santa Anita. I recently contacted the Japanese International Racing Club (hoping to be able to assist in facilitating his safe return to the U.S.) and I found out (or was told) that Hawkster retired from stud in October 2002 and was allegedly retired to a riding club, where he allegedly died of a heart attack in June 2003.
(Just about all my old friends are gone now
)
He was awesome on the track. He would get so far out in front and go so fast...which is why is set a world record on the turf. You couldn't rate him. He was all business! And while he wasn't mean, he was no pussycat. He was smart and had a sense of humor. I'll try to get the pics of Hawkster posted by tomorrow. Bayakoa too.