10 Facts About Seabiscuit

Seabiscuit and Tom Smith after the Pimlico Special. Keeneland Library Morgan Collection. This image is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in print or electronically without written permission of the Keeneland Library.

1. Seabiscuit was a very laid back horse. He often looked sleepy as he approached the start of a race.

2. Those close to Seabiscuit called him “Pappy”. The public fondly referred to him as “The Biscuit”.

3. Seabiscuit got his name from his sire Hard Tack. Both words are used to describe hard biscuits or crackers eaten by sailors or members of the military.

4. Seabiscuit raced 35 times as a two-year old.

5. It took Seabiscuit 18 tries to break his maiden!

6. During his two-year old season, Seabiscuit changed trainers three times.

7. When Seabiscuit was six-years old, he ruptured his tendon and was sent to owner Charles Howard’s Ridgewood Ranch to recover. His jockey Red Pollard was also there recovering from leg injuries. Together they grew stronger and stronger and eventually returned to the racetrack together.

8. The famous match race between Seabiscuit and War Admiral was slated to be run in October 30, 1937. However, rains fell the week before the race and caused Seabiscuit to scratch. They would not meet until 1938.

9. During his time in retirement, Seabiscuit was used on Ridgewood Ranch needed a horse for easy work, such as checking on cattle.

10. Seabiscuit sired just 108 foals before passing away because of a heart attack at age 14.

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Sources:

America’s Best Racing

Racing Museum

Britannica Awesome Stories

Hard Tack