On DVD or VHS: Picture above is of ASSAULT, the 1946 Triple Crown Winner

 

King Ranch, the 825,000-acre noted horse breeding farm and beef cattle ranch in Kingsville, Texas, founded in 1853 by Captain Richard King, that bred two classic winners (ASSAULT and MIDDLEGROUND), celebrated its 150th year of operation in 2003.

 

King Ranch entered the Thoroughbred industry in 1934 with the purchase of CHICARO, who was acquired to add his genetic qualities to the Ranch's Quarter Horse line. He was also crossed with Thoroughbred mares bought in 1935, thus beginning the study and experimentation of crossing American and European strains and the use of line-breeding to develop the Ranch's Thoroughbreds. This technique has also been successful in producing King Ranch Quarter Horses.

 

BOLD VENTURE, 1936 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner, was added to the breeding program in 1939 and became the only horse to sire two Kentucky Derby winners, both out of King Ranch mares. In 1946, ASSAULT became the 7th Triple Crown champion in turf history and the only Texas-bred horse, to date, to win the Triple Crown. MIDDLEGROUND, also by BOLD VENTURE, won the 1950 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes and finished second in the Preakness Stakes; see generous footage of each of these King Ranch homebreds - many scenes never released to the general public from the farm's private collection.

 

Several now retired ranch-hands are interviewed and share precious recollections of both ASSAULT and MIDDLEGROUND in detail. The story of ASSAULT, with the breeding of a champion in his bloodlines, is one that epitomizes the heart and courage of a race horse. By BOLD VENTURE and out of IGUAL, he became the greatest of King Ranch's major stakes winners, completing a racing career that brought eighteen victories and total earnings of $674,720. Health problems plagued him throughout his racing years. Not only did he suffer from kidney, splint bone, wrenched ankle, bad knee and bleeding problems; he overcame a major injury sustained as a foal, having stepped on what was believed to be a surveyor's stake, which caused the foot to become infected and the damaged hoof to be cut almost entirely away. He wore a special shoe on that foot for the rest of his life and limped at a walk or a trot, but ran a perfect gallop: hence the nickname, "The Club-Footed Comet." It is incorrect to say that he was club-footed, when he was in a standing position, the misshapen foot showed no discernible defect. Early in 1948, ASSAULT was retired and made an unsuccessful attempt at stud with Thoroughbred mares. After running a few more races in 1949 and 1950, he retired, for good, to a life of ease at his birthplace on King Ranch. He was twenty-eight years old when he died on September 1, 1971. He is still remembered for having brought honor to Texas with his courage and stamina.

 

This feature is a MUST-HAVE for anyone interested in horse racing, particularly the 1940's golden era, and especially anyone who would like to know more about ASSAULT or MIDDLEGROUND and also the history of King Ranch...a very interesting and unique feature.

 

AS AN ADDED BONUS...rare and vintage film footage of ASSAULT's 1946 Preakness and Belmont Stakes is re-visited after the main feature ends in addition to a very nice segment comparing the many similarities between ASSAULT and BARBARO in remembrance of ASSAULT's 50th Triple Crown Anniversary (1946-2006).

 

 

52 Minutes.

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