In what will be my final post of 2013, I thought that this would be a good time to reflect on those we lost this year. Among the biggest names horse wise we lost where Storm Cat, Unbridled's Song, and Harlan's Holiday. Two legendary stallions and one who looked like he was a possible candidate for joining them. Racing wise it was a rough one, Dullahan and Take Control, a brother and son of big name horses passed away. Of course Monzante's fall from grace ended with his breakdown in Louisiana. Saginaw and Secret Compass where also euthanized after breaking down. Last week it was the shock that Belmont winner Summer Bird was gone from colic and today it was announced Silver Train who handed Lost in the Fog his first loss in the BC Sprint passed away from the same.
However, for me the biggest loss was a son of Unbridled's Song who was just coming into his own as a stallion. If it weren't for him, I believe that this blog or the predecessor might not have existed to the extent that it does. More importantly though, if it weren't for him, I wouldn't be on social media as much as I have been since 2004. Of course, I'm talking about Rockport Harbor.
Rocky had started his career on the tail of Smarty Jones. Trained by John Servis who also trained Smarty, he was owned by Rick Porter's Fox Hill Farm. Like 04 Derby and Preakness winner, Rocky began his career at Philadelphia Park with two wins. Since he was foaled in KY, he couldn't run in the PA Nursery, so he went to Aqueduct where he won the Nashua and Remsen. In the latter race, he was stepped on by Pavo and thus re-writing his career. After finishing second in the Rebel (where the last place finisher was Afleet Alex), he went to Keeneland where he finished second to last in the Lexington as a last ditch effort to make the Derby after a blood clot kept him out of the AR Derby (which Alex won). Rocky didn't appear again until his 4yo season where he won the Essex and 5th in the Razorback. The foot had become too much of a problem and he was sent to Darley's Jonabell Farm for stud. In 2008, he was joined by fellow FHF horse Derby and Classic runner up Hard Spun.
He started off well with a G3 winners in May Day Rose, Pataky Kid and Bryan's Jewel (who this year won the DelCap prep Obeah). Darley however, thought that it might be best if he go to the state where he had won his first two races. Thus he was sent to Pin Oak Lane in New Freedom, PA. With fellow Darley stallion Offlee Wild and former Three Chimneys stallion Albert the Great. Sadly in July of this year, he was euthanized after complications from laminitis. Rockport Harbor was 11 years old at the time of his death.
Here is my favorite race of his, the Remsen:
Following his death Rocky's daughter Ria Antonia finished second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. However, she was elevated to first via disqualification thus becoming her sire's first G1 winner. Shortly afterwards his son Rise Up won the Delta Jackpot which outside of the Juvenile, is richest race for 2yo's in the US. Rocky will have a small final crop foaled in 2014, but I hope they have just as much heart and talent as their papa did.
We'll miss you Rocky, and thank you.
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