March 10 - Nyquist

Nyquist was raced by Paul Reddam, a Canadian by birth, and evidently a big hockey fan, as this Kentucky Derby winner takes his name from the NHL Nashville Predators Gustav Nyquist.

Here is an example of how horse racing can shrink the world into a tight community of friends. I have painted two of Mr. Reddam's horses, both were Kentucky Derby winners, the other horse being I'll Have Another. I painted I'll Have Another for the Okada family's Big Reg Farm in Japan. I had previously painted Roses In May for Mr. Okada, so the relationship was already in place when I'll Have Another won the Kentucky Derby and was sold to Big Red Farm. A few years go by, and Mr. Reddam wins the derby again (great trivia questions as to who has won the derby twice in the 21st century, add in WinStar with Super Saver and Justify).

I've painted Nyquist twice with one of the paintings going to Chip Muth who now owns the farm where he was foaled, the late Gerry Dilger's Dromoland Farm in Lexington, KY.

And then, last year I was asked to paint the dam of Nyquist, Seeking Gabrielle, for Tom Hinkle who bought her when Nyquist was a wealing weanling by first crop sire Uncle Mo.

Small world between connections in Japan and just around the corner in Paris, KY.

Nyquist looks just like his dad, that sleek brown bay coat and hardly any white to be found. Mom is a stunning looking chestnut, that kind of chestnut that looks as if she was cast in bronze.

Oh, one more bit of trivia - did you know that back to back winners of the Kentucky Derby were foaled at Dromoland Farm? Yep, Nyquist and Always Dreaming.