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Dear BYRH,
On Friday, July 14, 1995, I lost a very special friend on the main track at Woodbine. His name was Naked Spirit, a beautiful gray three year old gelding, a Florida Bred, who had the kind of personality and heart thoroughbred owners and trainers could only dream of. Although he wasn't well known to racing fans yet---this would have been his year. He was improving tremendously on the turf in his last two races and we were hoping for great things to come this year. We were even talking stake races!
How quickly our dreams shatter! As quickly as his sesamoids shattered in the middle of a routine 3/8 work, a distance he could do with his eyes closed.
How does a horse who is 100% sound and so full of life and energy take a "bad step" and so quickly end such a promising career? I asked his rider, trainer, and friend, Phil Gracey what happened and he says there was no reason. I couldn't blame the track-there was nothing wrong with it. I tried to blame myself but there was no indication of any problems-- his ankles that day like every other day, were ice cold, no heat, no swelling, no lameness--no indication of the tragedy to come. My book says that they break their sesamoids when their timing is off--was it really that simple to end his life so easily; or did he perhaps have a congenital defect in that ankle? Is it fate, destiny, or just bad luck? I guess I'll never know for sure.
Like many others, I didn't think it would happen to a sound horse, only sore horses break down--right? Wrong!! Spirit had never been lame a day in his short life. The only time he ever had bute was after he was gelded. He was not on steroids or any medications--he was just high on life. I raised Spirit from a weanling, broke him, trained him, and prepared him for this year's racing. He was in superb physical condition. We were training him off the farm this year as he was so unhappy being stabled at the race track last year. He was being turned out every morning and was as happy as could be. You never saw his ears pinned and he was never sour. As the jockeys who've ridden him could tell your, he was a bit peculiar with his incessant curiosity, for he was always looking at everything. He never spooked 'cause there was always too much to look at. He wasn't afraid of anything and was fit enough to run all day. So where did it all go wrong??
They say this is a tough business and I'd have to agree now. Spirit was my first and only thoroughbred as an owner and trainer and I guess it was just too easy. I spent twenty years with show hunters and found the race track quite an exciting change, but now I don't feel there is a future for me here. I love these animals too much to watch then die so needlessly. Although Spirit is no longer physically in my barn to greet me each morning with the loudest of whinnies and he's no longer in the paddock to play tag with anymore, this courageous and talented horse who was a friend and pet to me, will live on in my heart for many years to come. For I do miss him dreadfully.
And to every owner, trainer, jockey and exercise rider involved with thoroughbred horses, I ask that you remember how very fragile these beautiful animals are and that each time you send a horse to the track to work or race, you ask God to bring that horse safely back to you. For there is nothing in this business worse than going home with an empty trailer to an empty stall.
Farewell Naked Spirit, for you were a true and honest friend.
Trish Andros, Andros Farms Inc. Ocala, Florida & Schomberg, Ontario
I have known Trish for years now and met Naked Spirit at the backside of Hialeah. He was a lovely kind eyed gray that looked terrific. As you can see from the story, this horse had every advantage and tragedy still struck. I hope that Trish will keep in mind that she did everything she could to protect her dear friend. But you never know if there is a genetic default or some kind of weakness or even just plain bad luck that can strike at any time. I hope she remembers that this could have even happened while he frolicked in the pasture. Trish is a person that we really need to keep in racing. She is caring and competent. You don't get to the top of the mountain without crawling through some tough valleys. Maybe by now Trish will have had enough healing time to consider trying again. Thank you for sharing this-you speak eloquently for all of the horse lovers in racing! -- Editor