Horses satisfy our souls, elevate our spirit and stir our hearts and let's not forget the human beings who ride them, the courageous men and woman who risk their lives to do the one thing that few can, ride a thoroughbred gate to wire faster than the rest.
These are just a few of the photos I've collected in the past year, 2016. Perhaps one of these horses is a favorite of yours. I hope so.
The late Garrett Gomez aboard the incredible Beholder.
Speaking of Beholder, six year old Beholder ( 8) with Gary Stevens up, defeats three year old Songbird (1) and Mike Smith by a scant nose in the 2016 Breeders Cup Distaff.
Tamarkuz (x Speightstown) won the BC Dirt Mile in 2016 with Mike Smith aboard. The five year old began his career in Great Britain before heading to Dubai and then the U.S. A winner of 8 of 20 starts with additional placings, Tamakuz won nearly two million dollars and will spend retirement at Sheikh Handen's Shadwell in Kentucky.
stakes (GII) on New Year's day, due to wet track conditions. Trainer Bob Baffert felt that Arrogate was not mature enough to test the Triple Crown waters, so as a late bloomer, he is a super-horse in training,