The times, they are a Curlin

Horse of the Year - Curlin

So Curlin won Horse of the year for the second year in succession after an Eclipse Award process that I admit I don’t understand, the first horse to do so since Cigar. In the process he bestows the first defeat, off track at least, to Zenyatta, named champion older female, by 153 to 69.

I liked Curlin for many reasons but mainly because he was a horse who got you interested. I’ve bet on hundreds of horses, most of which I can’t remember the name of. But Curlin, with flashes of brilliant white, and class and acceleration to make your balls tingle, I’ll remember.

I came late though, watching Curlin first in the Dubai World Cup back in April 2008. A rebellious columnist in the Racing Post warned against him, opting instead for Jalil. Fancying myself bit of an iconoclast I went with the great flop Jalil who was then pummelled by a yellow and maroon smear that won by many lengths. I learned my lesson fast. Curlin was my horse.

Thinking back though, I never won any money on him. (Shit, really?) Is it just me? Possible. The first time I backed him was in the Man-o-War from the ego driven sports book of the Rio All suites hotel and casino where, granted ten minutes furlough from working the World Series of Poker, I placed a Curlin-Red Rocks exacta, forgetting to box it of course, and cheered on my embarrassingly short favourite into second place, behind Red Rocks.

The second time came in his final race, at Santa Anita, the Breeder’s Cup Classic. My record over the two day meet lacked finesse. I’d backed Ventura in the Sprint and Dream Express in the Juvenile Fillies for my only two winners. Now I was choked by sentimentality. Go with Curlin in the Polytrack Classic or someone else? No, I backed no one. I’d saved money on Curlin’s fourth place, but couldn’t go with another.

Well anyway. His best win came last.