Monarchos dies

[Grits]

For most here, his death isn't meaningful, but it is to me, due in part to having watched him train and race throughout his 3 year old year. Too, we were at the Derby that year, sitting in his trainer's box. I'll never forget when he began his move. It was incredible to witness.

"Rest in peace, Monarchos. You gave us quite a ride in 2001 and I loved visiting with you after your retirement. Gentle soul that you were."

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/216027/kentucky-derby-winner-monarchos-dies

The NBC telecast in its entirety. His race is much clearer than others I've seen on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMzpmR6unWE&feature=youtu.be

While watching the video, I looked at all the names, all the horses, riders, trainers, etc. It seems like a lifetime ago. Somehow, I feel racing was better then. I'm not sure why, but I do. .... I know there was more value!

[dilanesp]

For most here, his death isn't meaningful, but it is to me, due in part to having watched him train and race throughout his 3 year old year. Too, we were at the Derby that year, sitting in his trainer's box. I'll never forget when he began his move. It was incredible to witness.

"Rest in peace, Monarchos. You gave us quite a ride in 2001 and I loved visiting with you after your retirement. Gentle soul that you were."

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/216027/kentucky-derby-winner-monarchos-dies

The NBC telecast in its entirety. His race is much clearer than others I've seen on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMzpmR6unWE&feature=youtu.be

While watching the video, I looked at all the names, all the horses, riders, trainers, etc. It seems like a lifetime ago. Somehow, I feel racing was better then. I'm not sure why, but I do. .... I know there was more value!

2nd fastest Derby in history. RIP.

[EMD4ME]

For most here, his death isn't meaningful, but it is to me, due in part to having watched him train and race throughout his 3 year old year. Too, we were at the Derby that year, sitting in his trainer's box. I'll never forget when he began his move. It was incredible to witness.

"Rest in peace, Monarchos. You gave us quite a ride in 2001 and I loved visiting with you after your retirement. Gentle soul that you were."

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/216027/kentucky-derby-winner-monarchos-dies

The NBC telecast in its entirety. His race is much clearer than others I've seen on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMzpmR6unWE&feature=youtu.be

While watching the video, I looked at all the names, all the horses, riders, trainers, etc. It seems like a lifetime ago. Somehow, I feel racing was better then. I'm not sure why, but I do. .... I know there was more value!

I'm sorry Grits. I share in your pain as well, not as much as you but a fraction.

My mom and I travelled to the Meadowlands to get away from AQU/BEL for a day and we both loved Monarchos. I'll never forget that sweep on the far turn. We both had a $5 exacta 15 to a few runners.

That photo for 2nd was eternal but sweet. Exacta paid $1200. I'll never forget that day.....sigh...

Racing was better but I once again thank these glorious angelic animals for allowing us the opportunity to create and have those memories.

God bless your soul Monarchos....

[iceknight]

For most here, his death isn't meaningful, but it is to me, due in part to having watched him train and race throughout his 3 year old year. Too, we were at the Derby that year, sitting in his trainer's box. I'll never forget when he began his move. It was incredible to witness.

"Rest in peace, Monarchos. You gave us quite a ride in 2001 and I loved visiting with you after your retirement. Gentle soul that you were."

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/216027/kentucky-derby-winner-monarchos-dies

The NBC telecast in its entirety. His race is much clearer than others I've seen on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMzpmR6unWE&feature=youtu.be

While watching the video, I looked at all the names, all the horses, riders, trainers, etc. It seems like a lifetime ago. Somehow, I feel racing was better then. I'm not sure why, but I do. .... I know there was more value! #16 Monarchos! I have watched this race only in replays. but Monarchos ran a great race!!

R.I.P big fella!

[Grits]

I'm sorry Grits. I share in your pain as well, not as much as you but a fraction.

My mom and I travelled to the Meadowlands to get away from AQU/BEL for a day and we both loved Monarchos. I'll never forget that sweep on the far turn. We both had a $5 exacta 15 to a few runners.

That photo for 2nd was eternal but sweet. Exacta paid $1200. I'll never forget that day.....sigh...

Racing was better but I once again thank these glorious angelic animals for allowing us the opportunity to create and have those memories.

God bless your soul Monarchos....

EMD, the sport can get more entangled with problems, stymied in growth, less thoughtful of the bettors, (if that one's possible) and so on. But, the one thing that it cannot take from us are the memories that these great animals have brought us. Whether it's with our family members, our friends, or even strangers we meet in a crowd of 100K....it doesn't matter. Our memories are gold to us. And Monarchos is to me. I'm glad that you and your mom had a great time that day. <3

[PhantomOnTour]

Only Derby winner i ever met. Had a chance to pet him when he stood at Claiborne Farm for awhile...around 2006.

RIP

[VeryOldMan]

EMD, the sport can get more entangled with problems, stymied in growth, less thoughtful of the bettors, (if that one's possible) and so on. But, the one thing that it cannot take from us are the memories that these great animals have brought us. Whether it's with our family members, our friends, or even strangers we meet in a crowd of 100K....it doesn't matter. Our memories are gold to us. And Monarchos is to me. I'm glad that you and your mom had a great time that day. <3

I'm late to the thread, but that's a real nice post.

We all have memories of our favorite horses, racetrack experiences, etc. and this board is a much-welcomed outlet (at least to me) to share them and sometimes argue about them.

RIP Monarchos.

[bobphilo]

Not only was Monarchos a talented racehorse, who won the fastest Ky Derby only 2nd to Secretariat, he was a cool dude in retirement who loved his peppermints, carrots and human caretakers.
Sorry to see you go big guy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnBk0sBNvcQ

[NJ Stinks]

My father and I went to Delaware Park the day Monarchos won the Derby. My Dad was so happy I hit a CD future bet at 17-1 thanks to Monarchos! We went to a nice Italian Restaurant that night with my winnings.

Dad passed away in 2002....Monarchos gave me a lasting memory of me and my Dad enjoying life together that day....


RIP, Monarchos.

[FantasticDan]

DnBk0sBNvcQ

[Vinnie]

If I recall that Derby of 2001, that first half of a mile went in ridiculous time (one of the fastest ever) and Monarchos loved to come like a Freight train late. Man oh Man, he was passing by everyone with a sweeping move that was simply unreal. It was truly something that I will never forget.

Rest in Peace Big Fella.... :)

[BMustang]

I feel an attachment to Monarchos through Jim Squires entertaining book - Horse of a DIfferent Color. Jim was the breeder of Monarchos and allows you to follow his arrival in the Bluegrass from retirement as the editor of the Chicago Tribune, buying a few broodmares and a horse farm in Versailles, KY..

The book chronicles he and his wifes adapting to life in the bluegrass. Attending and attempting to sell horses at the Keeneland sales, venturing to Keeneland to watch Monarchos run in Florida, and then finally allowing you to join them in the owners box at Churchill Downs when the big grey circled the field and won the Derby.

In memory of Monarchos, I'm going to read the book again for the nth time.

[Wiley]

Here is an article in SI after Monarchos Derby by Steve Rushin, really liked it, especially the Sheik and Chavez quotes, "It is closest you can get to the sky"
RIP big charcoal.

http://www.si.com/vault/2001/05/14/303448/revelation-derby-churchill-downs-showcased-an-exhilarating-mix-of-youth-speed-and-beauty

[HalvOnHorseracing]

Here is an article in SI after Monarchos Derby by Steve Rushin, really liked it, especially the Sheik and Chavez quotes, "It is closest you can get to the sky"
RIP big charcoal.

http://www.si.com/vault/2001/05/14/303448/revelation-derby-churchill-downs-showcased-an-exhilarating-mix-of-youth-speed-and-beauty
This was one of my two or three favorite derbies, and one of the few where I had great success. I had three strong opinions in that race. First, I believed only two horses could win that race - Monarchos and Point Given. I remember thinking Monarchos' performance in the Florida Derby was the best of any of the preps. Second, I had a strong feeling that Invisible Ink was going to be in the trifecta. Third, while I thought Congaree was overbet, he also looked like the real deal to me. Without having to invest a lot in the verticals, I had the single biggest one race collection of my life.

Monarchos will always be a special memory for me.