On February 15, 1974, Seattle Slew entered the world. He was the first foal of the Poker mare My Charmer, and was born a beautiful dark bay color with no white markings.His sire was Bold Reasoning.
As he grew, he became very strong-willed, and bossed around the other young horses. As a yearling, he was sold for a mere 17,500 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Summer Sale. Even by the standards of the mid 1970's, this was a sum most middle-class Americans could get their hands on.
Seattle Slew will best be remembered as the only horse to go into the Derby undefeated and come out a Triple Crown Winner. He was trained by Billy Turner and ridden by Jean Cruguet.
Slew's front running style was compromised in the Derby as he collided with Get the Axe and was bumped almost sideways. But he managed to gain the lead at the mile post and won by 1 1/2 lengths.
Two weeks later, in the Preakness, Slew was pressed into second place as Cormorant took the lead. But as in the Derby, he gained the lead and won again by 1 1/2 lengths.
The Belmont stakes marked the first time Seattle Slew had ever run on a muddy track. He assumed the lead right away and kept it through the race, this time winning by 4 lengths. Cruguet stood in the saddle, reigning in victory before even crossing the finish line. He retired at the end of the 1978 racing season.
In April, 2000, Seattle Slew was operated on to correct a spinal cord compression in his neck. Two of the cervical vertebra were fused. The surgery was determined to be successful and he came out of the anesthesia in good condition.
3 weeks later, Seattle Slew was chosen by Governor Paul Patton and First Lady Judi Patton as the subject for their Derby 2000 poster. It is the first of four that will feature famous Kentucky horses throughout their second term. Seattle Slew still stands at stud at three Chimneys farm, in Midway, Kentucky, and is part of one of the commonwealth's most successful Thoroughbred breeding operations. He is rated number 9 on the list of the 100 top racehorses of the 20th Century.
