Dr. Fager - 1968 United Nations International Handicap

[qhsperson]

Speculation for what it's worth, but I do wonder how Dr. Fager would have crossed with Zenyatta. If the foal got the best of both, it would remake horse racing as we know it.

[evyn10014]

That horse was a monster. Love his fire. Thanks for the post.

[711ATOM]

From Braulio Baeza's site: Q:How did he handle the turf? Ans.:"Not too good. He kept slipping and sliding. Wasn’t leveling off, getting ahold of it. Like he was on roller skates. I had to keep picking him up. But he won. He won four championships that year: the Sprint Champion, Grass Champion, Handicap Champion and Horse of the Year."

[drfager01]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gfn02]

His tenacity is really a sight that has to be seen to be believed.

[OHRaceFan]

Going 1 3/16, on a surface he didn't like, against the best turf horses in the US, carrying 134 lbs and losing the lead twice, Dr Fager is legendary. I'm fortunate to have seen him and Secretariat in my lifetime.

[jamessquire1]

Great run by our Aussie horse Tobin Bronze. Not very will ridden but still boxed on. He was past his best by then. Would have liked to have seen TB, FM and Dr F hook up on turf when they were all at their peak.

[BE109]

Dr. Fager detested the whip,everytime he was hit with the stick(and that wasn't very often)he would throw his tale up in protest. He was a horse who gave everything he had everytime he went to the post. That trait of throwing their tale is not rare. Sometimes a horse will do it when it is tiring,but Dr. Fager would do it anytime you touched him. Some horse will prop(slow down rapidly) if you hit them. Not the "Doc" he had too much fire in him.

[kmnmiamisax]

He is amazing. Fager won that race himself. Baeza didn't hit him at all in the stretch... you can see that the whip is in his right hand and his right hand never leaves the reins. Fager came back from losing the lead and won under a hand ride!

[ALYSHEBANDTHEBID]

Dr Fager most likly the best ever in head to head duel under mile 1/4, and owns the 8 furnlong no question that one,

[OHRaceFan]

Horses don't lose the lead TWICE and come back to win! Tremendous performance spotting

Advocator 22 lbs and Fort Marcy 16 lbs. Fort Marcy nosed Damascus in the 1 1/2 '67 DC International and was a terrific turf horse.

That was a heckuva impost for a first time turf starter, wasn't it?

[STU676]

loved fort marcy,,,,of course fager was probably the best horse ever

[BE109]

Fort Marcy was an excellent turf horse, I believe he went on to become a champion on turf. He didn't need to take a back seat to anyone.

[STU676]

you are so right. fort marcy was indeed a gutsty champion turf horse of the year twice

[sharoneus]

Thanks for posting this! I like that you included the post parade so all the horses could be identified. Beats the hell out of any human beauty pageant!

That was an exciting race!

[cf1970]

You're very welcome! Yes, I couldn't leave out that post parade, excellent footage of fine horses.

The good Doctor showed his superiority and versatility, just as BE109 stated above.

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[BE109]

Yes that is very correct,he is really noted for his daughters,who produced the likes of Fappiano. It is a shame he died young,but he always had issues with colic. He just couldn't outrun that vicious sickness.

[whennif]

Dr. Fager was the best race horse ever. He died at 12 but also went on to be great at stud.

[BE109]

To take on the best turf horse's in the country. On a surface he really didn't like. To keep fighting for the lead multiple times until his will to win got him to the wire first. That is a real champion!

[lobodediablo]

Yes. It was their surgeon. I have a fager grand daughter. She looks just like him. It's nice to see him in motion.

[STU676]

Fager may have been the best ever....and yes that includes the immortal Secretariat

[WhiteCamry]

The best miler in horseracing. Ever. And now you know why.

[cf1970]

Yep, he ran huge most of the time, and with a lot of weight. Take care.

[gfn02]

Still think that's quite an interesting title for a horse race.

[waseom]

Wasn't he named Dr. Fager after the neurosurgeon who saved John Nerud's life? (John Nerud being the Doc's trainer.)

[cf1970]

Yep, he sure was. It's one of the best horse names I've seen. Take care.

[gfn02]

I really do not know. I'd be interested to know the answer to that question, though.

[gfn02]

First race on grass against mostly older OR experienced grass horses and he beats them! Fantastic!

[cf1970]

Yeppers, the good Doctor was a fantastic horse. Take care.

[gfn02]

Tremendous fight in that barrel chested big boy!

[gfn02]

That horse sure had a big ole barrel chest, didn't he?

[gfn02]

A very curious title for a thoroughbred race.

[gfn02]

Wonderful horse . . . think I'll call HIM when I have a cold!