Breeders’ Cup Photo ©
Once in a while, a shooting star flashes across the sky, illuminating the world of Thoroughbred horse racing and causing us all to stop and gaze in amazement. The star may burn only briefly and leave behind hardly a trace; sometimes, it burns long enough to leave a mark on the tapestry of the sport.
Much rarer are the occasions when a star burns so brightly for so long that it secures its own distinct chapter in history; its own mural on the walls of fame; its own place in our hearts. These are the stars that are remembered forever, long after they’ve been extinguished.
On December 3rd, one of the brightest stars to be seen in years came down to earth; extinguished far too soon. On December 3rd, Shared Belief–a champion in every sense and one of the most determined horses ever to grace a racetrack–passed away from colic. He was only four years old, as for as much as he accomplished during his career, it was believed by many that the best was yet to come.
He was a gritty gelding of unremarkable stature; a big engine in a small package. It could be said that his body was a few sizes too small for his heart, which guided him to victory in ten of his twelve races. Among the most memorable was the 2014 Awesome Again Stakes, a race in which Shared Belief had every excuse to lose… but didn’t.
From his beautiful black coat to his “I’m the boss” personality; from Golden Gate Fields and Hollywood Park to Santa Anita and Del Mar; from 2013 until his untimely passing, Shared Belief was a champion. The memories he gave us will never be forgotten.
He will gallop on forever in our hearts.
