February 15th - Seattle Slew

You know there is tons of information about Seattle Slew, his racing career, going through the sale, Triple Crown winner (the first undefeated Triple Crown winner), and he went on to become the best sire of his generation. Most of his breeding career was spent at Three Chimneys Farm BUT as you know, when I tell a story I like to give the Bill Nack touch, you know, my twist and write myself in the narrative.

Yes, I saw Seattle Slew in person but how I got there is my story. In October of 1982, I had taken 30 pastel portraits to display at the Arabian Nationals at Freedom Hall in Louisville, KY. At the time I was living in Ocala, Florida on a small Arabian Farm. We were surrounded by thoroughbred farms and all my neighbors were pushing me to paint thoroughbreds. To my "Arabian eye", I couldn't see why I'd want to do that. I was 22 and had never been to a horse race (yet).

While in Kentucky, I did as my neighbors encouraged me to do. I made a trip over to the Lexington area to see the farms. I even called Claiborne Farm and talked with the manager John Sosby. He made it clear that they DID NOT show the horses to artists. Ok, I won't be going there, but my wife (at the time) made the drive over to Lexington and just rode around. Shortened version, we stumbled upon Claiborne Farm, and she convinced me to just go in and show Mr. Sosby my portfolio. Reluctantly, I did. Mr. Sosby was very polite and even browsed through my portfolio and kept going slower and slower through every photo of my artwork. Shortened story, "Show Mr. Clark the stallions” and within minutes I was shown the greatest parade of stallions anyone could imagine. It started with Secretariat, the 9th Triple Crown winner, and proceeded through a who's who of thoroughbred stallions.

When we were done taking pictures with a crappie cheap camera in the steady cold rain of Kentucky with horses in their 'winter coats', Mr. Sosby said, "There is another farm you need to go to." He even called and told them he was sending me there. He then sent us to Spendthrift Farm. It was there that I got to see two other very special horses: Affirmed, the 11th Triple Crown winner and Seattle Slew, the 10th Triple Crown winner. That was it. I saw Seattle Slew for all of 15 or 20 minutes but for this kid that blew into town with the cold wind, I was feeling sky high after personal one on one visits with the three living Triple Crown winners all on one beautiful day.