This Week in Horse History - May 3rd Through May 9th

This Week in Horse History - May 3rd Through May 9th

May 3, 1952 - The Kentucky Derby first received nation-wide television coverage. The Derby is held annually on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The first Kentucky Derby was held on May 17, 1875. The field for that race consisted of fifteen horses, though today the field has been increased to twenty horses. The race, open only to three year-old Thoroughbreds, is over a distance of 1.25 miles and is the first leg of the Triple Crown.

Information courtesy of Brief History of the Kentucky Derby

Photo courtesy of Blue Grass Tours

May 4, 2003 - Idaho Gem, the first clone born in the horse family, was born today. Gem was cloned by the University of Idaho and was handled by students of the University for the first portion of his
life. Mule clone Utah Pioneer was born on June 9th, 2003, and Idaho Star was born on July 27, 2003. The three clones are essentially triplets, as they all carry genetic material from the same mule skin cells. Two of the mules, Idaho Gem and Idaho Star, entered into training to be raced. Racing the two mules will serve as a test of the clones' DNA and athletic ability.

Information courtesy of Mule Clones Head for the Races

Photo courtesy of Idaho Gem

May 8, 1936 – Jockey Ralph Neves was declared dead after a racing accident, yet went on to ride again. Neves was nineteen at the time and was riding at Bay Meadows Racecourse in California. The mare he was riding, Fannikins, tripped and crashed through a wooden fence. Fannikins fell on Neves and he was trampled by four other horses. At a hospital Neves was given a shot of adrenaline as one last shot, but he did not immediately respond. Neves did arise again, though, and traveled back to the racecourse, begging the stewards to let him ride the rest of his races. He wasn’t permitted to ride that day, though he won five winners the day after. Neves would go on to ride for another 28 years and was indicted into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame in 1960. In 1995, Neves died in his sleep. He was 79.

Information courtesy of Dead Jockey Rides to Victory (May 8, 1936)

Photo courtesy of John Adams





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