Dayjur died this week

[erins isle]

At the age of 26 years old Dayjur (the horse that jumped over a shadow) died in Kentucky. The son of Danzig was a sprinter trained by major Dick Hern and ridden by Willie Carson. R.I.P.

http://bloodstock.racingpost.com/news/b ... 36747/top/

[FOS]

hi erins isle

At the age of 26 years old Dayjur (the horse that jumped over a shadow) died in Kentucky. The son of Danzig was a sprinter trained by major Dick Hern and ridden by Willie Carson. R.I.P.

http://bloodstock.racingpost.com/news/b ... 36747/top/

Very soon after his retirement from racing, I viewed Dayjur at the farm.

When I arrived at the office, I asked if Dayjur might be available for viewing.

I was kindly advised, that someone would bring him up. I waited outside and, soon after, what appeared to be a very tall fellow (maybe in the vicinity of 6'4"/6'5") was seen walking about with what appeared to be a VERY small horse in tow. My first thought, maybe he was a groom walking a pony-like teaser to a turn out paddock.

The very tall gentleman waved me in his direction, and asked if I was there to see Dayjur. I told him yes, thank you, and thought maybe he'd tell me he'd go get Dayjur after turning the teaser pony out.

To my surprise he said this is Dayjur.

I had read that Dayjur was small, but didn't think much of it; after all, what does small really mean. With a rider on his back, as I had seen him in publications and on TV (in the Breeders' Cup), I didn't get a sense Dayjur was this small. Maybe it was the reality that Dayjur was being handled by such a VERY tall fellow, that affected perception. Whatever, Dayjur was SMALL.

Regardless, he was clearly an outstanding, world class sprinter; worthy all the respect and accolades showered upon him .

He was a very good one; yes small, but a VERY good one .

He will be remembered.

Respectfully

[erins isle]

Thank you FOS for this interesting story.

Remember that Hyperion was very small too. There is this book worth reading:
Hyperion introduced by The Earl of Derby and edited by Clive Graham. 202 pages.

[mini's mom]

and wasn't mr propsector sort of a runty small unsound horse - saw fernand & diesies at claiborne in l993 - diesies was on the smallish side but fernand was a huge chestnut horse with terrible feet -

[Sylvie Hebert]

Northern Dancer was very small too,advertised as 15.2 was hardly 15 hands,but what a presence and attitude...

[mini's mom]

you know it takes a small horse less energy to get going and running - a larger bodied horse takes for ever to get going and is prone to injuries - smaller ones stay sound longer - and they easy keepers - and stay sound -

[Jorge]

"Small".. quite typical in sprinters as opposed to long-distance horses.
I think that the mold established by Native Dancer, along with the mold
later established by the Unbridled's Songs and others has changed the traditional concept and propelled a new ideal mold.

[FOS]

hi mini's mom

and wasn't mr propsector sort of a runty small unsound horse - saw fernand & diesies at claiborne in l993 - diesies was on the smallish side but fernand was a huge chestnut horse with terrible feet -

Mr Prospector was NOT a runty small horse. In his advanced years at Claiborne though, he did appear to be a somewhat a smaller/shrinking version of the impressive individual he was in his younger days at the races, and while standing in Florida.

As for unsound that's a a big word; too all encompassing (to my way of thinking). Likely all VERY Fast horses have an issue or two, or more . In the case of Mr Prospector, he wasn't simply a VERY Fast horse ... he was FREAKY Fast

Respectfully

[Patuxet]

FOS is right! According to John Sparkman Mr. P was a "medium-sized, lengthy horse with a very long, powerful hip and slightly plain head, Mr. Prospector himself turned out his right front slightly but was otherwise correct."

Here is Sparkman's astute assessment: http://www.drf.com/news/john-p-sparkman ... zing-speed

[Fireslam]

Mr. P was a sale topper as a yearling, and you're calling him runty and small?