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On DVD or VHS: A vintage collection of 8 historic races in their ENTIRETY of the legendary BUCKPASSER - 1966 Horse of the Year!!
1966 was the "Year of the Horse" on the ancient Chinese calendar and in it was quite a year for "THE Horse". BUCKPASSER put together a Horse-of-the-Year campaign that was virtually as flawless as his conformation. Owned and bred by Ogden Phipps, a champion in all three seasons that he raced who had two trainers during his career: Bill Winfrey at two-years-old and Ed Neloy at age three and four. As a juvenile, BUCKPASSER won 9-of-11 starts and earned $568,096 - a record for two-year-olds that stood until 1982.
In this historic time capsule, now a collector's item, you will witness 8 of BUCKPASSER's races - all in their entirety from gate to wire:
1) 1965 Sapling Stakes
BUCKPASSER began to show promise in the summer of his two-year-old season and he won:
1) The 1965 SAPLING STAKES at which is the kick-off race for the important races in the East for two-year-olds
2) When it came to close finishes, nothing in BUCKPASSER's career matched his performance in 1966 THE FLAMINGO; he appeared to be a certain loser with only twenty yards to go but being the great horse that he was, he came through with remarkable closing surges to win - a race which is still talked about to this day that you just have to see to believe! The track executives at Hialeah considered BUCKPASSER such a cinch to win that in a controversial decision, they felt compelled to render the race a non-betting event in order that there should be no pay-out whatsoever even though it drew nine starters. This legendary race was sarcastically dubbed, "The Chicken Flamingo", by columnist Red Smith. BUCKPASSER lead at the 3/16 pole but as the field swept towards the final furlong, BUCKPASSER had clearly lost interest being in front with no challenge, he was then passed by the fleet-footed opportunist, ABE'S HOPE, who charged from last place and looked like a certain winner drawing out to a 2-length lead. The Phipps family was in a cold sweat but not as cold as that of the officials...and not perhaps as cold as the icy stare BUCKPASSER directed at the rear-end of ABE'S HOPE. He quickly put in three devastatingly powerful strides overhauling ABE'S HOPE with what might be described as sheer contempt and won the race decisively by a nose under jockey, BILL SHOEMAKER - no horse has ever demolished that much ground in three strides!
Two weeks after this race, BUCKPASSER suffered a quarter crack injury to his right front hoof and was forced to miss the classics but made a quick comeback that saw almost every horse of any consequence in the country wither before his onslaught. He had to be ridden far behind for he loved to take a swooping pounding run at the opposition and then leave them floundering in his wake. Even without a classic win, BUCKPASSER became Horse-of-the-Year in 1966 having won among other races:
3) The 7-furlong MALIBU STAKES run December 31, 1966, at Santa Anita
4) The 1966 JOCKEY CLUB GOLD CUP contested at two miles at Aqueduct which included a field of such established horses as AMBEROID, POKER and NIARKOS
BUCKPASSER became the first horse in history to win $1 million before he was four-years-old. The next race shown is..
5) The 1966 TRAVERS STAKES featuring AMBEROID and BAFFLE
6) The 1-1/4 mile 1967 WOODWARD at Belmont heralded as "the race of the year"- which attracted three champions: DAMASCUS, BUCKPASSER and DR. FAGER in a field of six which is considered one of the most historical races to this day. 1967 Horse of the Year honors rested on the victor of this race. Slightly injured but still battling, BUCKPASSER was beaten by DAMASCUS...he gave away six lbs. to the three-year-olds in that race and still managed to hold off the closing rush of DR. FAGER. This race is considered one of the most famous races in history bringing together three eventual Horses of the Year: BUCKPASSER in 1966, in 1967 and DR. FAGER in 1968.
AS A VERY SPECIAL BONUS... an extremely rare/obscure short subject film by Owen Murphy Productions called, “1966 BUCKPASSER: Horse of the Year – Ogden Phipps’ Colt Earns His Championship”, a treasure-trove of lost footage unearthed has been added to this time capsule bringing the tally up to 8 entire races. Two more races in their entirety are shown in this wonderful mini documentary of BUCKPASSER as he plows down his competition in the midst of his legendary 15-race win streak:
You will see the entire running of both the:
7) 1966 BROOKLYN HANDICAP from featuring BUFFLE and PLUCK
8) 1966 WOODWARD STAKES from with BUCKPASSER again taking on older rivals such as ROYAL GUNNER and BUFFLE.
In addition, you will see (probably for the first time) extended coverage of the 1966 Travers Stakes showing BUCKPASSER holding court in the paddock being walked around before saddling in front of a packed crowd, then being lead out with Braulio Baeza aboard making his way past a tree-lined area filled with rows of racegoers as he makes his way to the post-parade, then the entire running of the race and lots of post-race coverage of him being lead to the winner's circle by his owner, Ogden Phipps and the trophy presentation - all in glorious color from this priceless film find.
Plagued with quarter cracks and suffering from an arthritic condition throughout most of his career, BUCKPASSER was retired following his 1967 season after 25 victories from 31 starts and earnings of $1,462,014 - third on the all-time list. He was syndicated for a record $4.8 million and was retired to the soft and tranquil acres of his birthplace, Claiborne Farm. He was the first horse to accumulate $1 million prior to his four-year-old year, he was Champion Two-Year-Old Colt, Horse-of-the-Year at three-years-old, Champion Handicapper and Champion Three-Year-Old, best of the older horses at four and youngest horse ever to be inducted into racing's Hall of Fame at Saratoga.
Also included in this historic time capsule is rare training sessions of BUCKPASSER out West at age four. As might be supposed, BUCKPASSER was difficult to train; when trainer Bill Winfrey retired, Ed Neloy took over and his assistant trainer. Johnny Campo, who later became famous as a trainer himself (PLEASANT COLONY) took over part of the Phipps' stable out West. BUCKPASSER had to be persuaded or "tricked" into working in the mornings but he was very competitive. He would rundown any horse he could see in front of him and the tactics were to run relays of horses in the mornings at the big colt to ensure his interest - all this training footage is shown for your viewing pleasure!
BUCKPASSER was a colt who preferred to play it close and never did anything easily - he never won in a big, overwhelming way. Consider that his thirteen consecutive wins in 1966 came by a total of 12-1/2 lengths including one verdict by a nose, two by a head and one by a neck. He gave the crowd palpitations and thrills every time he ran! A tribute to one of racing's greatest "Thoroughbred Heroes" and a truly remarkable piece of racing history honoring the great BUCKPASSER.
FOR A DETAILED CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF THE 8 RACES FEATURED IN THIS TIME CAPSULE, JUST REQUEST A COPY AND A COMPILATION SHEET ALONG WITH THE 1,2,3 FINISHERS WILL BE E-MAILED TO YOU.
40 Minutes. Thanks for looking. Winning bidder pays $6 shipping and handling.
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