Bring the Magic of Skip Away Roaring the Breeder’s Cup back
Breeder’s Cup Classic has set foot on the season and is heading towards the world racing stage in leaps and bounds. The preparations would seem incomplete if the race enthusiasts fail to remember one of the greatest horses of all times, Skip Away.
The noticeably different gray colt hailed from Florida where he was reared at the Indian Hill Farm, a property that belonged to Hilmer Schmidt. The America’s Champion Three year old was the fine progeny from Skip Trial and Ingot Way, born on April 4th, 1993. Skip Away was two when he was purchased by the Hall of Fame trainer Hubert “Sonny” Hine, who in combination with some outstanding horses had already earned remarkable victories under his belt; Skip Away was just his golden ticket to stardom.
Skip Away was trained well by “Sonny”. The colt may have made a singular win out of the six starts he made as a two year old, he neatly placed two of them, one at the Cowdin Stakes and another at Remsen Stakes. It was only after he qualified for the three year olds that the colt’s career began shaping up. Skip Away participated and won the Blue Grass Stakes by six lengths ahead of the runner up Louis Quatorze. Following the opening event was Triple Crown where Skip Away faired pretty disappointingly though he managed to finish second in the second and third legs.
The remaining season that year however witnessed a more aggressive Skip Away seizing the field with his breath-taking performances. Skip Away comeback was marked by his win in the Haskell Invitational and the Jockey Club Gold Cup, of which the latter became a milestone in Skip Away’s career defeating Cigar, a winner of 17 out of 18 starts.
The following year saw another dip in Skip Away’s career until his jockey was replaced by Jerry Bailey, in whose company Skip Away developed a new front running style. What followed was an incredible ride to nine consecutive wins including a Breeder’s Cup Classic. As a four year old at the Breeder’s, Skip Away set a new record of flat 1:59.16.
The year as a five year old for Skip Away was no less adventurous. Laced with seven consecutive wins once again, the colt failed to showcase his Breeder’s Cup magic once again. He had however won enough handicaps and stakes that the Eclipse Award for the Champion Handicap Horse and Horse of the Year undoubtedly became his.
Skip Away was sent to stud after what seemed like an incredible career of 18 wins from a career starts count of 38, having placed in the money in 34. Skip Away closed his racing saga with a career earnings of $9,616,360. The third best on all time North American money list, closely stalking Curlin and Cigar. “Skippy” as he was fondly known, died at the age of 17 due to a heart attack.
Reality may never give you “Skippy” back but www.horseracegame.com sure has the key. Register and become a member with the endless opportunities of racing experiences with the best on the field horses and racing enthusiasts. Breed, train and race. Experience the accuracy of reality blended with the ease of online 3D racing games. Be it Skip Away’s back or Cigar’s shoulder, you can ride it all. Choose from the numerous choices of horses and also share race feedbacks with experts and rookie’s alike. Waiting is such a waste of time.
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