Misplaced Pages

#702297

74-455: The first book in the series, published in 1941, is titled The Black Stallion . The subsequent novels are about the Black himself and the stallion's three main offspring: his firstborn colt, Satan; his second colt, Bonfire; and his firstborn filly, Black Minx. Along with the Black, the series introduces a second stallion that is considered the Black's only equal - The Island Stallion, Flame. This

148-743: A filly . † Designates a horse that won American Horse of the Year in the same year they won the Derby. ‡ Designates a horse that was inducted in subsequent years into the National Racing Hall of Fame . Winners of the Kentucky Derby can be connected to each other due to the practice of arranging horse breeding based on their previous success. All of the horses can be traced back to the three foundational sires, with Godolphin Arabian

222-551: A 91% approval rating based on 32 reviews, with an average rating of 7.8/10. The film received two nominations for the Academy Awards : In addition, Alan Splet was awarded with a Special Achievement Award for sound editing . Carmine Coppola was nominated for Best Original Score at the Golden Globe Awards . He later won the award in this category for his score of Apocalypse Now . Caleb Deschanel

296-568: A Sheikh, and Shêtân's (the Black) original owner and breeder. Abu was killed when the Black threw him during a training workout, dying from his injuries. Tabari - Sheikh Ishak's beautiful daughter, whose friendship with Alec is complicated and ever-changing. Tabari Ishak sent Alec a letter describing how Abu had perished and that her father had willed Shêtân (the Black) to Alec. He is shocked to read, "but for that, we would have destroyed him". She owns her purebred Nejdi horse, Jôhar. Abd-al-Rahman -

370-466: A champion Arabian stallion, was featured in most of the movie's scenes, with Fae Jur, another black Arabian stallion, being his main double. Fae Jur's main scene is the one where Alec is trying to gain the trust of The Black on the beach. Two other stunt doubles were used for running, fighting, and swimming scenes. El Mokhtar , an Egyptian Arabian racehorse, was the producers' first choice to portray The Black, but they were unable to secure his services for

444-471: A close bond with his stallion, the Black, that no one can explain or understand, even Alec himself. Henry Dailey - a retired race-horse trainer and close friend to Alec. A forgotten jockey legend, Henry's career is revived after teaming with Alec to train the Black. Henry later trains many of Hopeful Farm's racehorses. Charles Volence - owner of Sun Raider, and accompanies Alec and Henry on their first trip to Arabia. Tony - an Italian immigrant who owns

518-666: A corporate sponsorship deal to call the race "The Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands." In 2018, Woodford Reserve replaced Yum! Brands as the presenting sponsor. In addition to the race itself, several traditions play a significant role in the Derby atmosphere. The mint julep —an iced drink consisting of bourbon , mint , and sugar syrup—is the traditional beverage of the race. The historic beverage comes served in an ice-frosted silver julep cup. However, most Churchill Downs patrons sip theirs from souvenir glasses (first offered in 1939 and available in revised form each year since) printed with all previous Derby winners. Also, burgoo ,

592-501: A crowd of 158,070 watched Always Dreaming win the Derby, making it the seventh biggest attendance in the history of the racetrack. The track reported a wagering total of $ 209.2 million from all the sources on all the races on the Kentucky Derby Day program. It was a 9 percent increase compared to the total of $ 192.6 million in 2016 and an increase of 8 percent over the previous record set in 2015 of $ 194.3 million. TwinSpires,

666-428: A dark brown colt with a white blaze, initially beaten by Black Minx, who soon matures into a powerful contender who takes on older, more experienced horses and becomes almost an equal to the Black's fame and speed. Casey - an experienced, winning chestnut horse whose speed and skilled jockey tests the Black and Alec in a three-way race that includes Eclipse. Sun Raider and Cyclone - the first two champion horses that

740-483: A false tail to replace her docked one, lost in an accident, to boost her confidence. Henry trains her as a racehorse and with Alec in the saddle, they go on to win the Kentucky Derby . She is slightly lazy and lacks the drive for racing, and also develops what appears to be an obsession with a rival colt, Wintertime, which ultimately leads to her retirement. Walter Farley felt that the Black's first daughter needed

814-538: A fishing ship arrives, rescuing the two. Back in America, Alec is given a hero's welcome. The Black has a temporary home in his back yard, but a garbage man startles the horse, who races off. The next day, Alec finds the stallion in the barn of Henry Dailey, a retired racehorse jockey . Alec arranges for The Black to stay at the barn. When Alec wonders how fast the horse is, he and Henry decide to train The Black for

SECTION 10

#1732790573703

888-431: A girl who proved to be an excellent jockey and good worker to Hopeful Farm, and loosened the hardened jockey Alec. She was romantically involved with Alec up until her death in a car accident. Walter Farley based the character on his own daughter and wrote the book that features Pam's death, The Black Stallion Legend , in grief of his daughter's death. Joe Russo - a boy who helped Alec and the Black. Ziyadah - sire of

962-693: A group of racing enthusiasts had formed the French Jockey Club in 1863. They had organized the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp , which at the time was the greatest race in France. Returning home to Kentucky, Clark organized the Louisville Jockey Club to raise money for building quality racing facilities just outside the city. The track would soon become known as Churchill Downs , named for John and Henry Churchill, who provided

1036-536: A large area, flying in hundreds of private aircraft to Louisville International Airport . The Derby is frequently referred to as " The Run for the Roses ", because a lush blanket of 554 red roses is awarded to the Kentucky Derby winner each year. New York sports columnist and future Churchill Downs president Bill Corum in 1925 began describing the race thusly, but the tradition originated in 1883 when New York City socialite E. Berry Wall presented roses to ladies at

1110-566: A platform for betting online and a partner of the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders' Cup, recorded $ 32.8 million in handle on the Churchill Down races for the Kentucky Derby Day program. This record was a 22 percent increase over the preceding year. On the Kentucky Derby race alone, the handle of TwinSpires was $ 20.1 million, which is a 22 percent rise compared to the prior year. The race often draws celebrities. HM Queen Elizabeth II , on

1184-465: A post-Derby party. The Churchill Downs founder and president, Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., attended that event. This gesture is believed to have led Clark to the idea of making the rose the race's official flower. However, it was not until 1896 that any recorded account referred to draping roses on the Derby winner. The Governor of Kentucky and the Chairman of Churchill Downs Incorporated present

1258-419: A protracted legal battle by the owners of Dancer's Image (which they lost). Forward Pass thus became the eighth winner for Calumet Farm . Unexpectedly, the regulations at Kentucky thoroughbred race tracks were changed some years later, allowing horses to run on phenylbutazone . In 1970, Diane Crump became the first female jockey to ride in the Derby, finishing 15th aboard Fathom. The fastest time ever run in

1332-499: A pure white coat. She becomes the dam of The Black's first foal, Satan. Flame - the chestnut stallion found on Azul Island by Steve Duncan. Flame strongly resembles an Arabian, though much larger - similar to The Black. He equals the Black Stallion in a match race. Wintertime - a small, quick, blood-bay stallion, a rival to Black Minx. He is retired after an injury on the track, and becomes Black Minx's mate. Eclipse -

1406-481: A racing legend. Ultimately Satan and Henry develop a close bond. Bonfire - the Black Stallion's second colt in the books The Blood Bay Colt and The Black Stallion's Sulky Colt . He competes in the famed Hambletonian race. Black Minx - the Black's first filly is all black and has issues from poor handling and a sensitive temperament. Purchased at an auction by Henry, who has trained many horses but not actually owned one, he overcomes her quirks, even fashioning her

1480-678: A restored re-issue of the original 1979 soundtrack album. This release was limited to 1,500 units. The film was released on RCA SelectaVision VideoDisc (CED) in 1981. The film was released on Laserdisc and VHS by Magnetic Video in 1985. It was re-issued on VHS as part of the MGM/UA Family Entertainment Collection in 1994 and the MGM Family Entertainment Collection in 1997. The film was released on DVD by MGM Home Entertainment in 2004 and re-issued in 2013. A restored print of

1554-481: A share of the purse; previously only the first four finishers did so. The Kentucky Derby began offering $ 3 million in purse money in 2019. Churchill Downs officials have cited the success of historical race wagering terminals at their Derby City Gaming facility in Louisville as a factor behind the purse increase. The Derby first offered a $ 1 million purse in 1996; it was doubled to $ 2 million in 2005. In 2020,

SECTION 20

#1732790573703

1628-455: A ship to a destination unknown, where he first encounters Alec. After the two are shipwrecked and then rescued, he is taken to America by Alec, and becomes a horse to reckon with out on the racetrack. Napoleon - a mature, gentle gelding belonging to Tony, a vegetable seller. Often fondly called "Nappy", he plays a larger role in the first several books. Napoleon is the Black's stable mate and close pal, but he and Satan were not on good terms in

1702-433: A thick stew of beef, chicken, pork, and vegetables, is a popular Kentucky dish served at the Derby. The infield —a spectator area inside the track—offers general admission prices but little chance of seeing much of the race, particularly before the jumbotron installation in 2014. Instead, revelers show up in the infield to party with abandon. By contrast, "Millionaire's Row" refers to the expensive box seats that attract

1776-612: A visit to the United States, joined the racegoers at Churchill Downs in 2007. The 2004 Kentucky Derby marked the first time that jockeys—as a result of a court order —were allowed to wear corporate advertising logos on their clothing. Norman Adams has been the designer of the Kentucky Derby Logo since 2002. On February 1, 2006, the Louisville-based fast-food company Yum! Brands, Inc. announced

1850-518: A younger Sheikh from a kingdom near Abu's. He later marries Tabari and allows her a great deal of independence despite the attitudes and expectations of the time. Ibn al Khaldun - a fat, wrinkled, one-armed man who travels on the same plane as Alec, Henry, and Volence on their first trip to Arabia. Alec is suspicious of him wanting to do away with the Black. Raj - brother of Abd-al-Rahman, and friend of Alec Ramsay who lives in Arabia. Pam Athena -

1924-473: Is 8 lengths, a feat tied by four different horses: Old Rosebud in 1914, Johnstown in 1939, Whirlaway in 1941, and Assault in 1946. The highest odds of a winning horse were 91 to 1 for Donerail in 1913. The second-highest odds occurred in 2022, when Rich Strike went off at 80 to 1 and won the race. Three horses have won the Kentucky Derby without competing as a two-year-old: Apollo (1882), Justify (2018), and Mage (2023). 107 jockeys have won

1998-411: Is a 1979 American adventure film based on the 1941 classic children's novel of the same name by Walter Farley . The film starts in 1946, five years after the book was published. It tells the story of Alec Ramsey, a boy who is shipwrecked on a deserted island with a wild Arabian stallion that he befriends. After being rescued, they are set on entering a race challenging two champion horses. The film

2072-471: Is a separate storyline until Flame and the Black meet in two books - The Black Stallion and Flame , and The Black Stallion Challenged . However, news of Flame's win in an international race in Cuba, and his mysterious disappearance, are mentioned at the end of The Black Stallion Mystery , which serves as the first introduction of this rival for the later books in which they meet. The first two books, as well as

2146-457: Is adapted by Melissa Mathison , Jeanne Rosenberg, and William D. Wittliff . It was directed by Carroll Ballard and stars Kelly Reno in his film debut, Teri Garr , Hoyt Axton , Michael Higgins and Mickey Rooney with the Arabian horse Cass Ole playing the eponymous Black Stallion. The film features music by Carmine Coppola , the father of Hollywood producer Francis Ford Coppola , who

2220-577: Is an American Grade I stakes race run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky . The race is run by three-year-old Thoroughbreds at a distance of 1 + 1 ⁄ 4 miles (10 furlongs; 2,012 metres). Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds (57 kilograms) and fillies 121 pounds (55 kilograms). Held annually on the first Saturday in May, the Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown . It

2294-449: Is complex, due to an obvious competition between the two, and Steve's jealousy towards Alec. Steve is a slightly unhappy, easily annoyed character who Alec strives to befriend but is unable to get past Steve's rather strange personality. Phil "Pitch" Pitcher - Steve's long-time friend, an amateur archaeologist. He is comparable to Henry in several ways, but Alec describes him as looking more tired and less happy. Abu Ja' Kub ben Ishak -

The Black Stallion - Misplaced Pages Continue

2368-570: Is credited as executive producer. In 2002, The Black Stallion was included in the annual selection of 25 motion pictures for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". In 1946, Alec Ramsey is travelling by steamer off the coast of North Africa , where he sees a wild black stallion being forced onto

2442-550: Is described as tall and good-featured. Mrs. Ramsay is described as plump and kind. In the film adaption, Mr. Ramsay is on the doomed ship with Alec, but is drowned. Mrs. Ramsay is slender and has a slightly edgier personality than her book counterpart. Steve Duncan - the young man who discovers the red stallion, Flame on an island and later trains and races him in a match race. He and Alec meet in The Black Stallion Challenged , but his friendship with Alec

2516-530: Is preceded by the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival . The race is known as "The Run for the Roses", as the winning horse is draped in a blanket of roses. Lasting approximately two minutes, the Derby has been alternately called "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports", "The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports", or "The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports", coined by Churchill Downs president Matt Winn . At least two of these descriptions are thought to be derived from

2590-413: Is thrown out of his bunk during a storm. The ship is engulfed in flames and is sinking. In the chaos, Alec makes his way to the black stallion and frees him. The horse then jumps into the sea. Alec is thrown overboard by the waves and grabs the ropes of the stallion's restraints just as the ship explodes, rendering him unconscious. Alec wakes on the shore of a deserted island and starts to explore. He finds

2664-735: The Preakness Stakes at the Pimlico Race Course , in Baltimore , and the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York . The three races offered large purses, and in 1919 , Sir Barton became the first horse to win all three races. However, the term " Triple Crown " did not come into use for another eleven years. In 1930 , when Gallant Fox became the second horse to win all three races, sportswriter Charles Hatton brought

2738-495: The Black and known as "Firetail". He is a golden chestnut stallion who is in The Black Stallion's Mystery . The Black Stallion/Shêtân - the black Arabian crossbred stallion who is the main character of the Black Stallion series. He is strong, fast, temperamental, and shares a strong bond with Alec. He was originally bred in Arabia, the property of Abu Ja' Kub ben Ishak, but ultimately was captured or stolen, placed on

2812-435: The Black competes against and ultimately beats in a match race billed as "the race of the century". The Ghost - a beautiful light grey mare, a liberty dressage superstar, featured in The Black Stallion's Ghost . The eerie tale culminates when Alec is obsessed to purchase this mare and breed her to The Black. Her foal with the Black is never seen in the books that are written by Walter Farley, but his son Steven Farley invents

2886-435: The Derby in back-to-back years: Herbert J. Thompson (1932–33), Ben Jones (1948–49), Jimmy Jones (1957–58), Lucien Laurin (1972–73), D. Wayne Lukas (1995–96), and Bob Baffert (1997–98). Seventeen owners have won the Kentucky Derby multiple times with horses they fully or partially owned. * Partnered with other entities in an ownership group for one or more winning horses. Jockeys, trainers, and owners competing in

2960-462: The Derby was in 1973 at 1:59.4 minutes, when Secretariat broke the record set by Northern Dancer in 1964 . Also during that race, Secretariat did something unique in Triple Crown races: for each successive quarter run, his times were faster. Although the races do not record times for non-winners, in 1973 Sham finished second, two and a half lengths behind Secretariat in the same race. Using

3034-467: The Derby was postponed from May 2 to September 5 due to the COVID-19 pandemic . This was the second time in history the race had been postponed, the other being in 1945 . Churchill Downs used a new singular 20-stall starting gate for the 2020 Kentucky Derby , replacing the previous arrangement that used a standard 14-stall gate and an auxiliary six-stall gate. The old setup contributed to congestion at

The Black Stallion - Misplaced Pages Continue

3108-575: The Kentucky Derby and its sibling race, the Kentucky Oaks , have been run every year since inception. They were twice rescheduled within the same year, the first time due to World War II in 1945 , and the second time due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 . The Derby and the Oaks are the oldest major sporting events in the US held annually since their beginning. Among thoroughbred stakes races, they are

3182-418: The Kentucky Derby often will compete in the Kentucky Oaks , a race for fillies held the day before the Derby. Winning both these races in the same year is referred to as an "Oaks/Derby Double;" 7 jockeys, 3 trainers, and 4 owners have accomplished this feat: *Until the 1950s, the Oaks was held several days or weeks after the Derby. Triple Crown winners are in bold and highlighted with gold. # Designates

3256-622: The Kentucky Derby, and the Preakness Stakes last. On May 16, 1925, the first live radio broadcast of the Kentucky Derby aired on WHAS as well as on WGN in Chicago. On May 7, 1949, the first television coverage of the Kentucky Derby took place, produced by WAVE-TV , the NBC affiliate in Louisville. This coverage was aired live in the Louisville market and sent to NBC as a kinescope newsreel recording for national broadcast. On May 3, 1952,

3330-517: The Kentucky Derby, with 27 doing so multiple times. Isaac Murphy (1890–91), Jimmy Winkfield (1901–02), Ron Turcotte (1972–73), Eddie Delahoussaye (1982–83), Calvin Borel (2009–10), and Victor Espinoza (2014–15) are the only jockeys to win the Derby in back-to-back years. Borel is the only jockey with three wins in a four-year span (2007, '09, '10). 116 trainers have won the Kentucky Derby, with 19 doing so multiple times. Six trainers have won

3404-423: The United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". Also, the film is recognized by American Film Institute : In August 2009, Intrada Records released a three-disc special edition of the soundtrack containing the entire score from the film plus bonus material, including unused cues and alternate takes of some tracks as well as

3478-585: The ancestor of 7 winners, Byerley Turk the ancestor of 11 winners, and Darley Arabian the ancestor of 132 winners, including all winners since 1938. The Darley Arabian (1700c) sire line (all branched through the Eclipse (1764) line) produced 132 Derby winners (124 colts, 5 geldings, 3 fillies), including all winners from 1938 to present. The main branches of this sire line are: The Byerley Turk (1680c) sire line produced 11 winners (8 colts, 3 geldings). The main branches of this sire (all branched through

3552-401: The beginning, due to Satan's original savage nature. Napoleon pulls Tony's vegetable cart through the smaller areas of New York, though he eventually is retired and becomes the Black's full-time companion. Satan - the Black's first colt, all black with a white diamond on his forehead. He is at first a dangerous, brutal colt, and nearly kills Alec. Henry eventually tames Satan, turning him into

3626-515: The boat. Captivated, Alec sneaks to the horse's stall to feed him some sugar cubes , but he is caught by the horse's supposed owner, who tells him in Arabic to stay away from Shetan . Later, his father shows Alec his winnings from a card game and gives him a pocket knife and a small statue of Bucephalus , telling the story of how Alexander the Great became Bucephalus's master. Later that night, Alec

3700-537: The carthorse gelding, Napoleon, and works as a vegetable salesman in New York City's smaller streets. Both Tony and Napoleon forge a close bond with the Black and a close friendship remains between Tony, Alec, and Henry throughout the series. Napoleon becomes the Black's constant companion. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay - Alec Ramsay's supportive parents. Mr. Ramsay has a more prominent role in the books than his wife, later helping to run Hopeful Farm's business affairs. He

3774-568: The film from his owners, who declined any offers. He does appear in The Black Stallion Returns , alongside Cass Ole, by which time the studio bought out the syndicate of owners to secure El Mokhtar's services. Napoleon was portrayed by Junior, that previously appeared in National Lampoon's Animal House as Trooper, Niedermeyer's horse. The film was positively received by critics. On Rotten Tomatoes , it holds

SECTION 50

#1732790573703

3848-477: The film was released on Blu-ray by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment in 2013. The Criterion Collection released a special edition of the film on DVD and Blu-ray in 2015. This release features a new 4K transfer supervised by Caleb Deschanel , five short films directed by Carroll Ballard , new interviews with Deschanel, Ballard, film critic Scott Foundas and photographer Mary Ellen Mark as well as an essay written by film critic Michael Sragow . The film

3922-419: The final book of the series, were adapted for the films The Black Stallion (1979), The Black Stallion Returns (1983), and The Young Black Stallion (2003). The Black Stallion was described as "the most famous fictional horse of the century" by The New York Times . The original Black Stallion series listed here was written by Walter Farley. The Young Black Stallion , about the Black's early years,

3996-458: The first Derby. Under jockey Oliver Lewis , a colt named Aristides , who was trained by future Hall of Famer Ansel Williamson , won the inaugural Derby. Later that year, Lewis rode Aristides to a second-place finish in the Belmont Stakes . Initially a successful venue, the track ran into financial difficulties due to a protracted, gambling-related horseman boycott removing it from the upper echelons of racing that would last until just after

4070-412: The first national television coverage of the Kentucky Derby took place, aired from then- CBS affiliate WHAS-TV . In 1954, the purse exceeded US$ 100,000 for the first time. In 1968, Dancer's Image became the first horse to win the race and then face disqualification. A urine test revealed traces of phenylbutazone (an anti-inflammatory painkiller drug) inside Dancer's Image. Forward Pass won after

4144-443: The foal as a steeplechaser race horse named Black Storm. Black Pepper - daughter of Black Minx, presumably sired by Wintertime. Black Sand - son of Satan, a promising young colt and favorite of Pam Athena, who must overcome fears linked to abuse by a previous owner. The eponymous first novel of the series, The Black Stallion , won the 1944 Young Reader's Choice Award . The Black Stallion (film) The Black Stallion

4218-542: The garland and the Kentucky Derby Trophy to the winner. Pop vocalist Dan Fogelberg composed the song " Run for the Roses ", released in time for the 1980 running of the race. "Riders Up!" is the traditional command from the Paddock Judge for jockeys to mount their horses in advance of the upcoming race. Since 2012, the grand marshal recites this phrase. Grand marshals In the weeks preceding

4292-429: The horses enter the starting gate, The Black gets into a fight with one of his opponents, wounding his leg. Alec does not see the injury until he is in the gate. As he begins to dismount, the bell rings and the horses take off. Alec desperately stays on his horse while trying to stop him. He falls far behind, but The Black will not stop. Alec starts urging him to run, and The Black catches his opponents to win. Cass Ole ,

4366-470: The land for the racetrack. The naming went official in 1937. The Kentucky Derby was first run at 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 miles (12 furlongs ; 2.4 km) the same distance as the Epsom Derby , before changing lengths in 1896 to its current 1 + 1 ⁄ 4 miles (10 furlongs; 2 km). On May 17, 1875, in front of an estimated crowd of 10,000 people, a field of 15 three-year-old horses contested

4440-591: The oldest that have been held annually on the same track every year. The Derby is the most-watched and most-attended horse race in the United States. The 2024 Kentucky Derby marked the 150th running of the race. In 1872, Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. , grandson of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition , traveled to England, visiting Epsom in Surrey where The Derby had been running annually since 1780. From there, Clark went on to Paris, France , where

4514-591: The order of Triple Crown races has been the Kentucky Derby first, followed by the Preakness Stakes and then the Belmont Stakes. Before 1931, eleven times the Preakness was run before the Derby. On May 12, 1917, and again on May 13, 1922, the Preakness and the Derby took place on the same day. On eleven occasions the Belmont Stakes was run before the Preakness Stakes, and in 2020, the Belmont was run first, then

SECTION 60

#1732790573703

4588-403: The perfect name, and so he turned to his readers with the prize of a colt if their name for the Black's first daughter was selected in a contest. Sagr - owned by Abd-al-Rhaman, Sagr is a giant chestnut stallion also from Arabia, with similar features as Shêtân. He is big, strong, and bold. He is a worthy rival to The Black. Jôhar - a Nejdi purebred Arabian mare owned by Tabari, a gray with

4662-407: The phrase into American usage. Fueled by the media, public interest in the possibility of a "superhorse" that could win the Triple Crown began in the weeks leading up to the Derby. Two years after the term went in use, the race (until that time ran in mid-May since inception) changed the date to the first Saturday in May. This change allows for a specific schedule for the Triple Crown races. Since 1931,

4736-518: The race, numerous activities took place for the Kentucky Derby Festival . Thunder Over Louisville —an airshow and fireworks display—generally begins the festivities in earnest two weeks before the Derby. Secretariat set the record for speed in 1973 with a time of 1:59.4. During its first two decades when the Derby was run at 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 miles, the record was 2:34.5, set by Spokane in 1889. The largest margin of victory

4810-400: The racetrack, while Henry teaches Alec how to be a jockey. The Black surprises Henry with his speed. Henry starts planning to get The Black into a match race between the country's current two champions. To do that, he sets up a secret demonstration at night where a prominent reporter can witness his speed. The news spreads about the mystery horse and The Black is entered into the race. Before

4884-595: The rich, the famous and the well-connected. Women appear in elegant outfits lavishly accessorized with large, elaborate hats. Following the Call to the Post played on bugle by Steve Buttleman, as the horses start to parade before the grandstands, the University of Louisville Cardinal Marching Band plays Stephen Foster 's " My Old Kentucky Home ". This song is a tradition which began in 1921. The event attracts spectators from

4958-422: The stallion caught in his restraints. With his knife, Alec frees the stallion again. As Alec suddenly faces a cobra, The Black kills the snake, only to run off. Alec decides to get closer to the horse and offers him some seaweed. The hungry stallion finds himself unable to resist, and the two become inseparable. After many failed attempts, Alec rides the stallion, and they travel the beaches, united as one. One day,

5032-443: The start of the race, especially in the gap between the two gates. Rich Strike , a reserve who only made it into the final field after a late scratching, won the race in 2022 at final odds of 80:1 and parimutuel betting payouts were even larger. In January 2024, the purse for the Kentucky Derby was increased to $ 5 million. Millions of people from around the world bet at various live tracks and online sportsbooks. In 2017,

5106-434: The thoroughbred racing convention of one length equaling one-fifth of a second to calculate Sham 's time, he also finished in under two minutes. Another sub-two-minute finish, only the third, was set in 2001 by Monarchos at 1:59.97, the first year the race used hundredths of seconds instead of fifths in timing. In 2005, the purse distribution for the Derby changed, so that horses finishing fifth would henceforth receive

5180-679: The turn of the 20th century. In 1894 the New Louisville Jockey Club was incorporated with the new capitalization and improved facilities. Despite this, the business floundered until 1902, when a syndicate led by Col. Matt Winn of Louisville acquired the facility. Under Winn, Churchill Downs prospered, and the Kentucky Derby then became the preeminent stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses in North America. Thoroughbred owners began sending their successful Derby horses to compete in two other races. These two are

5254-592: The words of sportswriter Grantland Rice , when in 1935 he said "Those two minutes and a second or so of derby running carry more emotional thrills, per second, than anything sport can show." The race was first run in 1875. Unlike the other, older races of the Triple Crown—the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes —along with the Travers Stakes (the oldest comparable stakes race in the US),

5328-461: Was followed in 1983 by a sequel, The Black Stallion Returns , which also starred Kelly Reno and Teri Garr. There was also a television series called The Adventures of the Black Stallion , which aired from 1990 to 1993 and starred Mickey Rooney and Richard Ian Cox . In 2003, a 50-minute prequel called The Young Black Stallion was shot and released for IMAX theaters. Kentucky Derby The Kentucky Derby ( / ˈ d ɜːr b i / )

5402-572: Was nominated for Best Cinematography by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards. The film received two awards from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards for Best Cinematography (Caleb Deschanel) and Best Music (Carmine Coppola). The film also won the 1979 National Society of Film Critics award for Best Cinematography. In 2002, it was selected for preservation in

5476-465: Was written with Farley's son, Steven Farley, who continued The Young Black Stallion as a series for younger readers after the death of Walter Farley. Steven Farley subsequently has also written additional Black Stallion novels, which are not included here. Alexander "Alec" Ramsay - the red-headed young man is the main character in Walter Farley's books. Alec has a passion for horses and has

#702297