Seattle Slew

Seattle Slew
Pawneese · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Seattle Slew
Sire	Bold Reasoning
Grandsire	Boldnesian
Dam	My Charmer
Damsire	Poker
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	February 15, 1974
Country	United States
Color	Bay
Breeder	Ben S. Castleman
Owner	Karen L. and Mickey Taylor
Trainer	William H. Turner Jr.
Record	17: 14-2-0
Earnings	$1,208,726
Honors	United States Racing Hall of Fame (1981)

Seattle Slew

Seattle Slew was an American Thoroughbred racehorse foaled in 1974 who became the tenth winner of the Triple Crown and the only champion to win the series while undefeated. Trained by William H. Turner Jr. and campaigned by owners Karen L. Taylor and Mickey Taylor, he captured national attention with dominant victories in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes and later became a leading sire whose bloodlines influenced modern Thoroughbred pedigrees worldwide.

Background and Pedigree

Foaled at Castleton Farm near Lexington, Kentucky, Seattle Slew was bred by Ben S. Castleman from the mare My Charmer and the stallion Bold Reasoning. His pedigree combined lines from Bold Ruler, through Bold Reasoning's male line to Boldnesian, with damsire influence from Poker, a son of Round Table. The family traced to influential broodmares associated with Calumet Farm, Claiborne Farm, and descendants of Nasrullah and Nearco. Early ownership transfers involved syndication agreements with interests linked to Mickey Taylor and Karen L. Taylor, and training responsibilities were entrusted to William H. Turner Jr. who had previously overseen horses campaigned at tracks such as Saratoga Race Course and Churchill Downs.

Racing Career

Seattle Slew broke his maiden and advanced through juvenile stakes circuits, competing at venues including Belmont Park, Santa Anita Park, Aqueduct Racetrack, and Del Mar Racetrack. As a three-year-old he won key pre-Triple Crown events contested by contemporaries from stables associated with owners like Calumet Farm, Claiborne Farm, and trainers such as Ron McAnally. He entered the Kentucky Derby unbeaten, facing rivals from connections including Eclipse Award winners and graded stakes veterans campaigned by outfits tied to Bret Jones and other notable owners. In the Kentucky Derby he overcame early traffic to prevail over horses tied to bloodlines from Seattle Dancer and runners sired by stallions from Deniminator-related lines. The upset in the Preakness Stakes and decisive victory in the Belmont Stakes completed the Triple Crown sweep, joining historic champions linked to events at Churchill Downs and achievements honored by organizations such as the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Post-Triple Crown, he faced top older horses in matchups staged at Monmouth Park and on circuits that included competitors trained by Charlie Whittingham and D. Wayne Lukas. His racing record of 17 starts for 14 wins, 2 seconds, and 0 thirds included high-profile match races and encounters with horses owned by syndicates associated with Frank Stronach and E. P. Taylor affiliates.

Stud Career and Progeny

Retired to stud at Spendthrift Farm and later standing seasons shared among operations such as Three Chimneys Farm and private syndicates, Seattle Slew became a major influence on bloodstock, siring champions who won major races including the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, Breeders' Cup Classic, and international events at venues like Royal Ascot and Longchamp Racecourse. Notable progeny included stallions and mares who stood at stud operations associated with Coolmore, Godolphin, and influential breeders such as Peter Brant and Aga Khan IV affiliates. His male line extended through descendants linked to stallions at farms like Claiborne Farm, and his daughters produced classic winners with connections to breeding programs at WinStar Farm and Lane's End Farm. Breeders and bloodstock agents from firms including Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland Association frequently cited his impact on sales rings and pedigrees during auctions such as the Keeneland September Yearling Sale and Fasig-Tipton November Sale.

Honors and Legacy

Seattle Slew received accolades including the United States Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame induction and multiple Eclipse Awards recognition, and he was ranked among the top Thoroughbreds in lists published by organizations such as the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. His Triple Crown achievement was commemorated in exhibitions at institutions like the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and inspired tributes from figures including Frankel's connections and commentators from networks such as NBC Sports and ESPN. Statues, stakes races, and races named in his honor were established at tracks operated by entities like the New York Racing Association and commemorated by foundations affiliated with Breeders' Cup Limited. His bloodline influenced pedigrees worldwide, intersecting with lineages promoted by major breeding operations including Coolmore Stud and Shadwell Estate Company.

Health, Death, and Burial

Later in life, Seattle Slew experienced age-related ailments managed by veterinarians connected to institutions such as University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and clinics affiliated with Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. He died in 2002 and was buried at the farm linked to his final stallion seasons, with memorials and burial honors organized by caretakers from farms like Spendthrift Farm and staff who had worked with equine operations run by families such as the Taylor family and management associated with Stone Farm. His remains and gravesite became a pilgrimage site for fans, breeders, and historians from organizations including the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and researchers at Library of Congress collections.

Category:Racehorses