King's Swan Dead at 26

[bobphilo]

I am sad to report the passing of King\'s Swan from the complications of a paddock accident. A former claimer, he went on to win 10 graded stakes and several grade one\'s fron 6F to 8F carrying as much as 130 lbs. and defeating divisional champions. He started over 100 times and was still placing in graded stakes at age 10. He was known as the \"King of NY Racing\"
My brother-in-law\'s niece (Jean Uhl-Lazio) was his exercise rider and became his owner and caretaker from his retirement until his death and I had the pleasure of seeing him several times on her farm during family visits. He remained as handsome, proud and friendly as ever. RIP King\'s Swan.

Bob

[bobphilo]

I forgot to post the link to the King\'s Swan article. Here it is.
It should bring back some memories to veteren Aqurduct fans.

http://www.saratogian.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16121078&BRD=1169&PAG=740&dept_id=349537&rfi=6

[Blind Switch]

I think Ogygian - 2 yo champ of 85?? - was actually favored against this monster when the youngster debuted as a 3 yo. King\'s Swan had just been claimed for 90K and he kicked ass. Ogygian was never the same.

[Boscar Obarra]

 I\'m sad to hear but glad he lived so long.

  For some reason, even though I have seen uncounted 1000\'s of races since the 70\'s , the win by Kings Swan  , first out for Dutrow (the real one, not the copy) , still is fresh as the day it was run.

  The win was so huge (if memory serves it was a mile) that it just stuck in my mind.   Kings Swan was a also  something like 17 hands or more, big horse running a hole in the wind.

  Anyone remember what the rag figure was? Prob a 10 point jump ;-)

[bobphilo]

Yes he was a big one. I remember I was amazed the first time I saw him in his stll. he was a gentle giant, though. He would like my sister (who is no horsewoman) ride him. He would play with his owner\'s 3 year old child as gently as a kitten.  
Here\'s some pics of him from \"Old Friends\" at 21. He still looked racing fit.

http://www.barbaralivingston.com/gallery/oldfriends

Bob

[bobphilo]

Speaking of Dutrow Sr. improving horses. I remeber he had a promising filly in the early 90\'s who was underperforming. He couldn\'t find anything physically wrong with her so he sent her to Jean\'s parents farm (to whwere King\'s Swan retired) where she could just be a horse again for a while - I know, sounds like the Seabiscuit movie. Anyway, she came back a better horse and starting running well again.
I wonder how many current trainers, including Jr. wouldn\'t resort to
some other methods (pharmaceutical) instead.

Bob

[MO]

I had the great honor and pleasure of being King\'s hotwalker for a short time. He was like a puppy dog, did what ever you asked of him. Didn\'t need a lead chain, I\'d just say \"come on boy\" and motion to him with my hand and he\'d follow me.

[marcus]

MO - You don\'t get them that good very often , maybe once in a lifetime . Sounds like you rubbed off on each other and are part of what made King Swan ( and racing ) tick . Both You and the King are Champs in my book ...

[Boscar Obarra]

 Nice pictures.  Looks like the King was in better shape then some of the 5 yo claimers you see.

[bobphilo]

Yes, he was in perfect health. Jean loved that horse and took great care of him.
It was a freak accident (a kick from another horse in the paddock) that fractured his leg that did it. He took kindly to the surgery and put up being in a sling as they tried to save him but the vet said he would be in constant pain from arthritis from the injury and had to be put down in the end. He was always active, fit and healthty threwout his long and happy life until the injury.

Bob

[MO]

Thanks for the kind words!