Tales of legendary trotters – Page 7 – Remembering the heros of yesterday

The juvenile delinquent

10 min read

The third horse to win the trotting’s Triple Crown, Ayres, was always an great talent, but at 2 there were question marks surrounding the future of his immense ability. Could, and would, it be harnessed properly – or would he go into history as another could-have-been? Despite setting a rather extreme world record at two, Ayres had a mind of his own and had serious issues with authority. A trainer who laid down the law turned the unruly kid around an into a real superstar and Triple Crown-winner.

The criterium trotter

European

17 min read

He was a nasty colt, and the only – to date – Elitlopp-winner to be led to the winners’ circle by two grooms holding a chain. The blue-blooded trotter Jorky was no treat to be around, and he was a handful for his opponents as well. The only horse to win all four group I-Criteriums in France, Jorky was a mean superstar.

The big fella bred to the queen

American, European

12 min read

To many he appears to be an average American trotter bred to the first French trotting queen. However, the story of Great McKinney is that of a good horse who just needed a bit of time and then flourished in the US before he was sold to France. Together with French trotting queen Uranie he produced two talented trotters who turned out to be excellent stallions with a big legacy.

The Old Grey Mare of Long Island

American

22 min read

Known as the “The Queen of the Turf”, she was the first to break the magic 2:30 barrier. A victim of bad and harsh treatment on many occasions, Lady Suffolk never sulked or quit.

The good brother

American, European

9 min read

He was the talent that didn’t quite live up to his pedigree and the expectations. Sold to Europe, Brother Hanover produced tremendously well at stud in both the Netherlands and Germany and was an active stallion until his 30s.

The vicious superstar

American

19 min read

The only horse in history to set world records at 1, 2, 3 and 4 before eventually becoming one of the great stallions in history, Peter Volo was a champion both on and off the track. He was not a friendly horse, though, and had a terrible temperament. Though considered one of the pillars of harness racing history, Peter Volo was on track to be forgotten as a stallion given his poor production. One man, however, refused to give up how in the foul-tempered stallion and persisted in his efforts to buy him – a purchase which would change history.

The foundation stallion

American

12 min read

He is a Hall of Fame sire and one of the initial stallions at Hanover Shoe Farms, who owned 31 broodmares by him upon his death. Though largely forgotten now, Dillon Axworthy was one of the best young trotters of his day – even as a yearling he showed a lot of speed – even though his manners were far from perfect. At stud he was even better and became a massively important stallion.

The great horse of San Mateo (and the Captain’s mare)

American

20 min read

She was one of the most famous trotters around the time Hambletonian was born, but we don’t even know her name. In the mid and late 1840s, one gray mare was dominating among the New York roadsters. That was Captain Roberts’ mare. Her name, breeder and pedigree is lost to history – but not her abilities. The unnamed gray wonder founded a family that has thrived throughout trotting history.

Big Mama

American

32 min read

She was voted the “Greatest of All Time” in an online poll in 2020, and for good reason: Moni Maker put in numerous memorable performances on two continents to forever cement her place as one of the best in trotting history. Her regular driver Wally Hennessy is certain: “She is the greatest trotter who ever lived.”

The rambunctious one

American

18 min read

An exceptionally fast trotter with soundness problems and chronic mental issues, Arndon sometimes posed a huge challenge to his legendary trainer. But when he did what he was supposed to he was a terrifyingly good trotter – and the first three-year-old to trot in 1:54.