Print size 17″ X 22″, Image Size 11″ X 14″

This print has been in storage since 1967 and has slight discolorations around the print border which does not distract from the beauty of the print and would be easily covered up when matted and framed.

“It’s what you can’t see that matters.” With this quote, famous trainer “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons summed up the true nature of champions. And few horses illustrated this better than Your Host. Son of the famous imported stallion Alibhai, Your Host looked something of a disappointment at first. He was a runty looking colt. He had very low withers and was light in the flank. His right eye and ear were set a full inch higher than the left side. He suffered an injury as a weanling that left his neck somewhat twisted. He also had (gasp!) 4 white stockings. He ran with his twisted neck low, and his head somewhat tilted to the side. If you see a picture of him running, he literally looks like a hunchback!

But he could run like the wind! He was all heart and determination, and was one of the most courageous animals you would ever want to meet. Because of his odd appearance, he was variously known as “Old Sidewinder” or “The Twister.” In starting his 3-year-old campaign, he won the San Felipe and Santa Anita Derby. He went back east to run in the Kentucky Derby. Based on his race record, he was a heavy favorite for the 1950 Derby. But based on his looks, the press named him “The Freak.” He did not do well in the Derby. Regardless, he came back to win the Kent States, the Dick Wells, the Sheridan, the Golden State Breeders and the Thanksgiving Day Handicaps.

In the 1951 Santa Catalina Handicap, he carried high weight of 130 lbs. The saddle slipped forward over his withers at the 5/8ths pole, and it was all his jockey could do to stay on. He basically the reins away and grabbed the colt’s mane just to hang on! The crowd watched in amazement as the small colt weaved his way across the track, keeping his unbalanced jockey from falling off!!!! With his jockey precariously balanced, Your Host went on to win the race in a new track record time of 1:48 1/5 for the 1 1/8 mile.

Tragedy struck on January 13 at the San Pasqual Handicap. His jockey could no longer restrain Your Host who rapidly moved up on the field. he clipped heels with Renown and went down, throwing his jockey clear. The crowd was stunned into absolute silence as the horse struggled to get back up. He had fractured the ulna bone of his right foreleg in 4 places. His right shoulder and upper arm were shattered. His exercise rider, Tuffy Morlan was the first to get to him. Morlan related “There he stood, broken and in horrible pain, but his funny cock-eyed head was up and he whinnied at me, a faint, desperate sound. It was the first time he had ever asked me for help. I knew he needed me then and I could do nothing but take him by the head and weep. I don’t think I ever felt so empty and lost as at that moment.”

Both Morlan and the crowd in attendance sadly thought this was the end of the valiant little warrior, Your Host. With his shattered upper leg and shoulder, he was taken off the track and his owners and the vets agonized over their decision for him.

He was such a valiant fighter, but the injury seemed too severe to be saved. The vets had decided that he could not be saved, but his spirit would not quit and he refused to go down. Something about him reached as far away as England. Lloyds of London had insured Your Host to the tune of $250,000. They paid off on the policy, bought him and saved his life. So, the cull, the oddly shaped “Freak”, the awkward running “Twister”, the misshapen “Sidewinder”, was sent to stud. What did he produce? In his first crops in California, he sired stakes winners Miss Todd, Social Climber, and Blen Host. He also sired Windy Sands who in turned sired of Crystal Water.

He was then sent to the Meadow view Farms in New Jersey. There, he was bred to Maid of Flight (daughter of Count Fleet – granddaughter of Man O’ War) and sired KELSO, FIVE TIME Horse of the Year KELSO.

If nothing else, Your Host is proof that confirmation is a lot easier to breed than spirit and courage.
Final race totals for Your Host: 23 starts, 13 wins – $384,795 (in 1950’s dollars!)