I am a tremendous Kelso fan. No horse ever had a better record for such a long time. His jockey the great Arcaro said he was better than Citation and Kelly laughed at weight.. Yet he felt Secretariat the best. Read the article by SI Whitney Tower titled 'The Best Race Horse In The World' dated Oct., 9, 1961. Some interesting information.
@cf1934 I would agree but that Kelso was born healthy and he retired with a hairline fracture of his sesamoid. Forego was born with bad sesamoids and ran his whole career on lousey legs. Other than that their race records are very very close. So I give it to Forego on dealing with the pain and still willing to run his heart out.
@patteel Kelso was born a scrawny runt. His racing debut was delayed because of an injured stifle. His tendons always looked like they were ready to bow. They tried to sell him, but no one would buy him. Throughout his career he was always bothered by colic. He would have colic in the morning and race in the afternoon.
@cf1934 Forego also won Horse of the year, Champion Sprinter, and Champion Handicap Horse in the same year, a feat never before and never since equaled. Kelso is still second to Forego in my rankings. Sorry. I bet I would stir up the dust if I said that I rank both of them over Secretariet. LOL
@patteel Kelso was 5 times Horse of the year. He won the NY Handicap Triple Crown. He won the JCGC at 2miles 5 years in a row. He set the World record for 2 miles on a sloppy track. He broke that same record 2 more times. He ran the 3 fastest times ever for 2 miles on dirt. Prove Out holds the 4th fastest time.
I was too young to see Kelso race but I was there at Belmont the day before he passed away when he paraded with Forgo on the track. It was a real thrill to see two of the greatest horses together on the track. (I did see Forgo race)
Iread the book and really enjoyed it. Steve Haskin also wrote a book entilted Kelso. I kept a scrap book on Kelso for years. I was crazy about this horse.
most likely the best horse ever (yes seretariat thats right)
let me know when another horse wins 5 horse of the year honors....and dont give me the gelding bullshit....i watched this monster in person many times in new york,,,,,he was awesome,,,32 stakes races---yikes !!!
Kelso was awesome! The announcer missed one fact, though--from age 3 to 4, Kelso one 11, beginning with 1960's mile 1/16 Choice Stakes/Monmouth Park, through his victory in 1961's Brooklyn Handicap.
Is there any footage his amazing victory in 1961's Metropolitan Handicap? Closed 3 LENGTHS with 100 yds. left to win by a neck; Arcaro estimated he ran the final furlong in 11 flat, under 130lbs.--must've been something to see!
I was hoping to see footage of those champions honoured before the '83 JCGC. What a joy to see it!
It's so nice that Kelso made a public appearance the day before he died. I'm glad he got a chance to romp on the track a bit and people got a chance to honour and enjoy him one last time.
I am a tremendous Kelso fan. No horse ever had a better record for such a long time. His jockey the great Arcaro said he was better than Citation and Kelly laughed at weight.. Yet he felt Secretariat the best. Read the article by SI Whitney Tower titled 'The Best Race Horse In The World' dated Oct., 9, 1961. Some interesting information.
rscarbro100 2 months ago
Hey I am a big Kelso fan but I would give my right arm for a clone of Forego.
patteel 7 months ago
I believe Forego was the greatest horse of all time. Why ? Because he was born with bad legs and raced his heart out for years.
patteel 7 months ago
@patteel He wasn't as good as Kelso!
cf1934 7 months ago
@cf1934 I would agree but that Kelso was born healthy and he retired with a hairline fracture of his sesamoid. Forego was born with bad sesamoids and ran his whole career on lousey legs. Other than that their race records are very very close. So I give it to Forego on dealing with the pain and still willing to run his heart out.
patteel 7 months ago
@patteel Kelso was born a scrawny runt. His racing debut was delayed because of an injured stifle. His tendons always looked like they were ready to bow. They tried to sell him, but no one would buy him. Throughout his career he was always bothered by colic. He would have colic in the morning and race in the afternoon.
cf1934 7 months ago
@cf1934 Forego also won Horse of the year, Champion Sprinter, and Champion Handicap Horse in the same year, a feat never before and never since equaled. Kelso is still second to Forego in my rankings. Sorry. I bet I would stir up the dust if I said that I rank both of them over Secretariet. LOL
patteel 7 months ago
@patteel Kelso was 5 times Horse of the year. He won the NY Handicap Triple Crown. He won the JCGC at 2miles 5 years in a row. He set the World record for 2 miles on a sloppy track. He broke that same record 2 more times. He ran the 3 fastest times ever for 2 miles on dirt. Prove Out holds the 4th fastest time.
cf1934 7 months ago
I was too young to see Kelso race but I was there at Belmont the day before he passed away when he paraded with Forgo on the track. It was a real thrill to see two of the greatest horses together on the track. (I did see Forgo race)
sgtjeff56 3 years ago
You guys need to read the book Kelso-Horse of Gold. It will tell you what a great racehorse old Kelly was.
BE109 4 years ago
Iread the book and really enjoyed it. Steve Haskin also wrote a book entilted Kelso. I kept a scrap book on Kelso for years. I was crazy about this horse.
cf1934 4 years ago
most likely the best horse ever (yes seretariat thats right)
let me know when another horse wins 5 horse of the year honors....and dont give me the gelding bullshit....i watched this monster in person many times in new york,,,,,he was awesome,,,32 stakes races---yikes !!!
STU676 4 years ago
I agree totally!. Kelso has the credentials to be considered the GREATEST HORSE EVER!!
1948BigCy 3 years ago
Kelso was awesome! The announcer missed one fact, though--from age 3 to 4, Kelso one 11, beginning with 1960's mile 1/16 Choice Stakes/Monmouth Park, through his victory in 1961's Brooklyn Handicap.
Is there any footage his amazing victory in 1961's Metropolitan Handicap? Closed 3 LENGTHS with 100 yds. left to win by a neck; Arcaro estimated he ran the final furlong in 11 flat, under 130lbs.--must've been something to see!
lpriebe31 4 years ago
There is nothing like a thoroughbred running full out...nothing. Thanks for sharing this vid.
xxxkolja 4 years ago
Thank you for sharing. I have heard so much about Kelso but never saw any footage. What a pleasure!
jess4metoo 4 years ago
Yes! This is absolutely wonderful! A true legend.
I was hoping to see footage of those champions honoured before the '83 JCGC. What a joy to see it!
It's so nice that Kelso made a public appearance the day before he died. I'm glad he got a chance to romp on the track a bit and people got a chance to honour and enjoy him one last time.
Thanks a lot!
cf1970 4 years ago