This Week in Horse History - November 29th Through December 5th

November 30, 1963 – Quarter Horse Jet Deck wins the Josie's Bar Handicap. Jet Deck was the first Quarter Horse to earn over $200,000 during his racing career. Born in 1960, Jet Deck was first bred in 1965, and it was instantly apparent that he passed his talents as a racehorse on to his offspring. In 1969, the wins of Jet Deck's offspring totaled 25 firsts, 14 seconds and 12 thirds in stakes races. Unfortunately, his career as a sire was short-lived, as Jet Deck was found dead in his paddock on August 26, 1971. It was discovered that he had been injected with an overdose of barbiturates, although it was never determined who injected him.


For more information on Jet Deck, please see: Jet Deck

December 2, 1933 – The Charles Town Racetrack, located in Charles Town, West Virginia, opened for the first time. When it opened, the track was the only operating racetrack in America. The track is still in operation today, and is the host of many prestigious stakes races, including the Charles Town Dash and the Shenandoah Stakes.

For more information on the track, please see: CHARLES TOWN RACES
Photo courtesy of: Historical Pictures of Charles Town

December 5th, 1997 – Cam Fella, a famous Standardbred harness racer, arrived at the Kentucky Horse Park where he would live out the last four years of his life. Cam Fella was known as the "Pacing Machine" and earned the title of Horse of the Year in harness racing twice. Cam Fella retired with 32 consecutive two minute wins, which is more than any other Standardbred in history has earned. Cam Fella was euthanized on May 9, 2001, and is buried near the Hall of Champions barn in the Kentucky Horse Park.


Information from: Kentucky Horse Park
Photo courtesy of: Cam Fella