Americas horse Alysheba memorialized in Kentucky April 30th, 2009
Former jockey Chris McCarron stood between the grave sites of two legendary horses that defined his Hall of Fame career. He told himself he wasnt going to cry. Still, he had to fight back tears when he spoke about Alysheba.
Less than 19 months after hundreds showed up at the Kentucky Horse Park to memorialize champion thoroughbred John Henry, a slightly smaller crowd did the same Wednesday for Alysheba, the Kentucky Derby winner McCarron says might have been even better.
The sadness is overcome by the incredible joyous memories I have, McCarron said. I feel incredibly blessed to have been chosen to ride this horse.
Alysheba, dubbed affectionately as Americas horse, didnt get much time to experience his new American home in the stall formerly occupied by John Henry at the horse parks Hall of Champions.
Less than six months after returning to the United States as a gift from the Saudi kinghe had spent eight years abroadAlysheba had to be euthanized after an accident in his stall on March. 27. He was buried shortly after his death next to John Henrys grave at the Hall of Champions. The service was scheduled for this week, three days before the Derby, to ensure many of his former connections could attend.
Among them was trainer Jack Van Berg, who recalled the horses amazing physique. Doctors had told him he had the most perfect joints they ever saw in an X-ray.
He didnt come like the way they do nowadays with the steroids and all that stuff in him, Van Berg said. He was in his every-day overalls.
Even though he had the capability of being faster than practically any horse he raced, Alysheba seldom flaunted his ability. In fact, McCarron said as the competition got tired, the horse would slow down alongside them, sometimes winning a race by only one length when he could have won by several.
He gave me heart failure all the time, McCarron said. Id say, Come on, weve got another 1/8th of a mile to go. I know youre a neck in front, but run a little faster please.
The Horse of the Year in 1988 won the Breeders Cup Classic that year, along with the Derby, Preakness, Breeders Cup Classic and numerous other famous races in his career. He won 11 of 26 lifetime starts and at the time of his retirement was racings all-time money winner with more than $6.6 million in earnings.
If you asked any trainer in North America to list the top 10 races theyd want to win, he dang near won them all, said Clarence Scharbauer III, whose family owned the horse.
Alyshebas stall, across from the one where another famous horse, Cigar, currently lives, is now vacant. A wreath and picture of him hangs on the door, and an assortment of roses and other flowers covers the nearby grave site, which is currently unmarked.
Horse park president John Nicholson said it is good to have Americas horse back home, even albeit too briefly in life.
We can always take solace with Alysheba that he was able to spend his last days in his native land, Nicholson said.