The Thoroughbred Thread

Originally published on Twitter Fall 2017

Unless you’ve followed horse racing for a really long time, you’ve probably never heard of Tabasco Cat. His sire was a horse named Storm Cat, who is considered the most expensive stallion in history. His trainer was Wayne Lucas, his jockey was Pat Day. These are Boldface Names in thoroughbred racing.

In other words, Tabasco Cat was valuable.

In 1993, there was a terrible tragedy. Tabasco Cat trampled his trainer’s son, causing permanent injury and irreparable brain damage. But the owners didn’t shoot him, or sell him, or do anything they wouldn’t have normally done. They kept racing him.

Tabasco Cat was the 9:1 favorite in the 1994 Kentucky Derby. He was bumped coming out of the gate (ironically by the horse who went on to win.) He made up a lot of ground but never quite recovered. He placed sixth.

Tabasco Cat went on to win the Preakness, and then the Belmont. That’s right, if not for a freak incident, Tabasco Cat would have been the Triple Crown winner of 1994. It didn’t quite happen, but there’s no question: Tabasco Cat was a champion.

Some people thought the owners were cold and heartless. How could they keep that horse around? How could they expect us to cheer for him? How could they celebrate his victory?