Kelso

A profile of the legendary Kelso, the "Iron Horse".

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Horse
• Racing
• Kelso
• Career
• 1959-1966
• Thoroughbred
• Heroes

[bbmtge]

cf1970...as you are a master of resources...do you think you can get video of Kelso in his 2-mile Jockey Gold Cup performances??? Thank you!!!

[cf1970]

@bbmtge I posted a two part series of Kelso and the JCGC quite a while ago. Check it out!

[BE109]

It is almost pointless to say Kelso was better than Secretariat,or vice verse. They were both horses of the highest order. Both stir emotions within me,mainly because I have a deep respect for the race horse. I believe they are the ultimate athelete.

[cf1970]

I agree with you completely. I don't like debating who is "better" or having to present facts that might make another horse's performance look inferior; I hate doing it, believe me, and it's never my intention. Sometimes, people question Secretariat's greatness and I feel compelled to step up in his defense. I just hate the negative jabs at him. While Sec is my favorite horse, I certainly would never force that "he's the best" on anyone else. All horses have a majesty of their own. Take care.

[evyn10014]

@cf1934 Yes, didn't Arcaro say off the record that Kelso would have kicked Citation's butt if they raced? But in more colorful language?

[tucsonagent]

Kelso, HOY 5 times in a row. JCGC at TWO MILES 5 years in a row. Huh? I think that's all we need to say.

[theotherdoutzen]

shame he wuz gelded cause racing needs his genes

[theotherdoutzen]

Most underrated ever. Man o war and count fleets blood in him.

[cf1934]

@rscarbro100 He also told Chick Lang that Kelso was the best horse he eve rode! He said that as long as his friend Jimmy Jones was alive he would always say that Citation was the greatest he ever rode.A quote from the book "Kelso" by Steve Haskins " I'd never say this in public while Jimmy is alive, because if I did, he'd be on the phone the next day and he'd really be upset with me. But between you and me, I'm going to tell you right here, that the greatest horse I ever rode was Kelso."

[bbmtge]

@bbmtge 10/4...will check it out. I did not realize until lately that Prove Out's 1973 2 mile JGC time was second only to some of Kelso's.

[cf1934]

@Bolzovfire I kept a scrap book on Kelso and he made the 1960's enjoyable for me. As the late Joe Hirsch once wrote: "Once upon a time there was a horse named KELSO, but only once!"

[rscarbro100]

I always took the upmost respect what the horse racing experts say about Kelso & Secretariat. Eddie Araco rode Kelso in some of his races. He told Bill Christine in a interview in 1996 that Citation was the best 3 yr. old he ever rode. Kelso the best 4 yr. old he ever rode But rated Secretariat the best he ever seen. I figure if anyone would have known it would be Eddie. Its his opinion & mine as well.