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A RACE AND A HORSE TO REMEMBER |
Woolf’s kangaroo leather saddle worn on Seabiscuit and featured on the bronze Woolf memorial statue standing in Santa Anita; sold after the auction for an undisclosed amount. Photo courtesy of I.M. Chait Gallery
The tension was as high on the racetrack that November day in 1938, the kind of tension that makes it hard to breathe or sit still. The grandstand jam-packed with 40,000 spectators was strangely quiet, everyone waiting for the inevitable moment when War Admiral and Seabiscuit would run the Pimlico Special in Maryland.
The two thoroughbreds paraded to the starting post. One was a Goliath-sized equine full of surging potency and the favorite off-spring of the legendary Man o’ War. The other, a little guy and big contender, was Seabiscuit, a crooked-legged speed demon.
It would be a winner-take-all race.
For almost a half mile, the two horses ran neck and neck. So close it looked like one horse out there in the bright sun. Coming down the stretch as they passed the mile post with three-sixteenths left, Seabiscuit began to edge forward.
The Admiral had given his all and was beginning to disappear in the dust. With an eighth to go, Seabiscuit was a length in front. In a dazzling burst of speed, Seabiscuit won by four full lengths. No other horse in Pimlico’s history ran that distance so fast.
Forty thousand anxious and hoarse spectators witnessed what was called the race of the century.
“No excuses,” said Charley Kurtsinger, War Admiral’s jockey. “What else can I say? I just couldn’t make it.”
During his reign, Seabiscuit’s appearances broke attendance records at nearly ever major track around the country. He was big and that’s what we expect our heroes to be. Seabiscuit inspired an entire nation struggling with its hard luck stories and Depression era blues and he did it in a way that spoke to underdogs and title holders alike.
“Best horse in the world,” said Seabiscuit jockey George Woolf. “You don’t have to tell good horses when they win or lose,” he said. “They know. I guess they come by it natural.” Woolf himself was called the greatest riding talent racing ever saw.
As he prepared for retirement, Woolf opened The Derby restaurant in Arcadia, Calif., near Santa Anita racetrack and covered the walls with cowboy and horseracing memorabilia from the ‘30s and ‘40s including Seabiscuit’s saddle, photos, and horseshoes.
The restaurant was eventually sold to the Sturinolo family who preserved the priceless memorabilia and added to it. Today, The Derby is still a favorite haunt for race enthusiasts.
The Seabiscuit collection from The Derby went on the block on July 20, at I. M. Chait Gallery and Auctioneers in Beverly Hills, Calif. This sale included the kangaroo-leather saddle worn by both Phar Lap and Seabiscuit, George Woolf’s riding silks and crops, original Seabiscuit and George Woolf contracts, Seabiscuit horseshoes, signed photos of many jockey legends, vintage racing photos, and rare George Woolf artifacts and vintage Santa Anita memorabilia.
Here are some current values for Seabiscuit items.
George Woolf collection
Woolf’s kangaroo leather saddle worn on Seabiscuit and featured on the bronze Woolf memorial statue standing in Santa Anita; sold after the auction for an undisclosed amount.
Woolf’s silks; includes cap and shirt; race worn; black and white; $1,998.
Vintage photo; Woolf on Seabiscuit during the opening day at Aqua Caliente; 16 inches by 19 3/4 inches; $3,525.
Seabiscuit contract; signed by trainer Tom Smith and Woolf authorizing Woolf to ride Seabiscuit in the Santa Anita Handicap; $4,406.
Woolf’s riding crop; $6,169.
Woolf’s riding boots; worn in races throughout his career; $7,638.
Seabiscuit horseshoe; used during race with War Admiral at the Pimlico Special, Nov. 1, 1938; mounted on sterling silver ashtray; $15,275.
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