Little Current (horse)
Encyclopedia
Little Current was an American
Thoroughbred
racehorse
who won the final two legs of the 1974 U.S. Triple Crown.
in Lexington, Kentucky
, he was out of the mare Luiana and sired by the great European champion Sea Bird
whose Timeform
rating remains the highest in racing history.
John Galbreath and his wife owned a summer retreat at Manitoulin Island
on the north shore of Lake Huron
in Ontario
, Canada
. In 1969 they named one of their new foal's Manitoulin. Sired by U.S. Racing Hall of Fame
inductee Tom Rolfe
, the colt raced for the Galbreaths in Ireland
where at the famous Curragh Racecourse
he won the 1972 Royal Whip Stakes
and Blandford Stakes
. In 1971, the Galbreaths named another new foal for their summer home, this time for the island's town of Little Current.
, at age three his handlers set their sights on the 1974 Kentucky Derby
. The colt won two of his first five races that spring, including the 1⅛ miles Everglades Stakes
at Hialeah Park. Entered in the Blue Grass Stakes
, under new rider Miguel Rivera he finished a disappointing fourth to Claiborne Farm's
winning colt, Judger. Trained by Woody Stephens
, Judger would go to the gate in the Kentucky Derby as the betting
favorite.
captivate much of the American public with his record-breaking performances en route to becoming the first Triple Crown winner in twenty-five years. One of the spillovers from Secretariat's enormous popularity was the record crowd of 163,628 who showed up at Churchill Downs
on May 4, 1974 for the 100th running of the Kentucky Derby. Among those in attendance was Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret
and her husband, Lord Snowden
.
In light of Little Current's performances leading up to the 1¼ mile Derby, he was given little consideration by the betting public and was sent off at more than 22-1 odds. Because jockey Miguel Rivera had earlier committed to ride Rube The Great in the Derby, Bobby Ussery
was aboard Little Current in the twenty-three-horse field, the largest in the race's history. Complicating matters for Little Current was the fact that trainer Lou Rondinello was in hospital recovering from surgery
.
Leaving from post position 10, Little Current was last at the quarter pole and at the mile mark was still trapped behind the large field in seventeenth place. Despite a strong drive after the mile pole, he finished fifth, more than six lengths back of winner Cannonade
who was ridden by Angel Cordero, Jr. As a result of the difficulties experienced by many entrants due to the large field, Churchill Downs officials, including Chairman of the Board and owner of Little Current, John W. Galbreath, adopted a new rule limiting the field to twenty horses beginning in 1975.
, the second leg of the Triple Crown.
Ridden by Miguel Rivera, Little Current was again given little chance by bettors and was sent off at 13-1 odds. Near the back of the pack for much of the 1 3/16 mile race, he raced close to the inner rail until the right moment when a hole opened up between horses. Launching an explosive drive, the colt drove through the narrow opening, quickly caught the leaders, then stormed past them to win by seven lengths over Neapolitan Way and Derby winner Cannonade. Little Current's winning margin was the largest in twenty-three years.
. Over the years, many great horses have won the Derby and Preakness only to fall short in the longer race. However, Little Current's sire, Sea Bird
, had established himself as one of Europe's greatest runners with dominating victories at 1½ miles in the 1965 Epsom Derby
and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
.
In a nine-horse field, Little Current sat nine lengths back in eighth place while Kentucky Derby winner Cannonade and Jolly Johu dueled for the lead. Making the turn for home, once again Little Current came storming through to run away from the pack and score another seven-length win.
After capturing the Belmont, Little Current only raced three times. He did not start again until August's Monmouth Invitational Handicap
where, after being nearly 20 lengths behind the leader, he put on another explosive drive to finish second by a nose to Holding Pattern. These two horses then met in the Travers Stakes
with the same result.
John Galbreath, Little Current's owner, had also raced successfully in Europe. In 1972, his colt Roberto
won England's most prestigious race, the Epsom Derby
. He wanted to win France's most important race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
, and because of Little Current's easy victory at 1½ miles in the Belmont Stakes, Galbreath believed Little Current had a chance in the Arc. In order to first see how the colt could handle the grass surface he would have to run on in France, Galbreath entered him in the Lawrence Realization Stakes
on Belmont Park's
turf
course. Unfortunately, Little Current chipped a bone in his right front ankle and had to be retired from racing. Despite his shortened racing season, he was still voted the 1974 Eclipse Award for Outstanding 3-Year-Old Male Horse
.
in Lexington, Kentucky
. He was eventually sent to stand at Buck Pond Farm in nearby Versailles
, whose owners, Doug and Karen Arnold, acquired an interest in him. He was later sent for stud duty at Good Guys Farm in Folsom, Louisiana
then in 1995 was purchased by equine veterinarian Dr. Ann Hansen and her husband, Mark, who brought him to their farm near Monroe, Washington
.
Little Current met with modest success as a stallion
. He sired thirty-five stakes winners including 1983 Flamingo Stakes
winner Current Hope, as well as Curribot, who won 22 stakes races and placed in 16 others with lifetime earnings of $491,527. In 1997 he was pensioned and lived at the Hansen's farm for another six years, the oldest living winner of a Triple Crown race. At age thirty-two, Little Current had to be euthanized
as a result of an intestinal
tumor
. His remains were sent to Buck Pond Farm for burial in their equine cemetery.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
who won the final two legs of the 1974 U.S. Triple Crown.
Background
Owned and bred by John W. Galbreath's Darby Dan FarmDarby Dan Farm
Darby Dan Farm is a produce, livestock, and thoroughbred horse breeding and training farm founded in 1935 near the Darby Creek in Galloway, Ohio by businessman John W. Galbreath. Named for the creek and for Galbreath's son, Daniel M. Galbreath , it was expanded from an original farm into a 4,000...
in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
, he was out of the mare Luiana and sired by the great European champion Sea Bird
Sea Bird II
Sea Bird II is considered by many to be the greatest post-war European flat racehorse. His Timeform rating of 145 is still the highest ever flat figure awarded by that publication. Sea Bird II is most famous for his breathtaking victories in two of Europe's most prestigious races: the Epsom Derby...
whose Timeform
Timeform
Timeform Publications is a publishing company in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England founded in 1948 to provide information to fans, bettors, and others involved in the horse racing industry...
rating remains the highest in racing history.
John Galbreath and his wife owned a summer retreat at Manitoulin Island
Manitoulin Island
Manitoulin Island is a Canadian island in Lake Huron, in the province of Ontario. It is the largest island in a freshwater lake in the world. In addition to the historic Anishinaabe and European settlement of the island, archeological discoveries at Sheguiandah have demonstrated Paleo-Indian and...
on the north shore of Lake Huron
Lake Huron
Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Hydrologically, it comprises the larger portion of Lake Michigan-Huron. It is bounded on the east by the Canadian province of Ontario and on the west by the state of Michigan in the United States...
in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. In 1969 they named one of their new foal's Manitoulin. Sired by U.S. Racing Hall of Fame
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
inductee Tom Rolfe
Tom Rolfe
The racehorse Tom Rolfe was one of the best American sons of the great racehorse and sire Ribot. His dam was Pocahontas, from whom he takes his name...
, the colt raced for the Galbreaths in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
where at the famous Curragh Racecourse
Curragh Racecourse
The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.- History :...
he won the 1972 Royal Whip Stakes
Royal Whip Stakes
The Royal Whip Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
and Blandford Stakes
Blandford Stakes
The Blandford Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.The event is named after the...
. In 1971, the Galbreaths named another new foal for their summer home, this time for the island's town of Little Current.
1973: Two-Year-Old Season
Trained by Lou Rondinello and ridden by Angel Cordero, Jr., Little Current made four starts at age two but despite his breeding, showed little promise. Wintered in FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, at age three his handlers set their sights on the 1974 Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
. The colt won two of his first five races that spring, including the 1⅛ miles Everglades Stakes
Everglades Stakes
The Everglades Stakes was an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Hialeah Park in Hialeah, Florida. For three-year-old horses, the 1 1/8 mile race was run on dirt until 1994 when it was converted to a race on turf...
at Hialeah Park. Entered in the Blue Grass Stakes
Blue Grass Stakes
The Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, currently sponsored by the Toyota Motor Corporation, is an American Grade 1 horse race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds held annually in mid April at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Kentucky....
, under new rider Miguel Rivera he finished a disappointing fourth to Claiborne Farm's
Claiborne Farm
Claiborne Farm is a thoroughbred Horse breeding operation in near Paris, Kentucky. It was established in 1910, by Arthur B. Hancock, owner of Ellerslie Farm in Albemarle County, Virginia, and has been operated by members of his family ever since.-Owners:...
winning colt, Judger. Trained by Woody Stephens
Woody Stephens
Woody Stephens was an American Thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame trainer.Born Woodford Cefis Stephens in Stanton, Kentucky, his younger brother William Ward Stephens also became a successful trainer. Woody Stephens first started in racing as a jockey at age 16 but within a few years switched...
, Judger would go to the gate in the Kentucky Derby as the betting
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
favorite.
Kentucky Derby
One year earlier, Thoroughbred racing had witnessed SecretariatSecretariat (horse)
Secretariat was an American Thoroughbred racehorse, that in 1973 became the first U.S. Triple Crown champion in 25 years, setting new race records in two of the three events in the Series—the Kentucky Derby , and the Belmont Stakes —records that still stand today.Secretariat was sired by Bold...
captivate much of the American public with his record-breaking performances en route to becoming the first Triple Crown winner in twenty-five years. One of the spillovers from Secretariat's enormous popularity was the record crowd of 163,628 who showed up at Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs, located in Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, is a Thoroughbred racetrack most famous for hosting the Kentucky Derby annually. It officially opened in 1875, and held the first Kentucky Derby and the first Kentucky Oaks in the same year. Churchill Downs...
on May 4, 1974 for the 100th running of the Kentucky Derby. Among those in attendance was Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret
Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon
Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon was the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II and the younger daughter of King George VI....
and her husband, Lord Snowden
Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon
Antony Charles Robert Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon, GCVO, RDI is an English photographer and film maker. He was married to Princess Margaret, younger daughter of King George VI and younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II....
.
In light of Little Current's performances leading up to the 1¼ mile Derby, he was given little consideration by the betting public and was sent off at more than 22-1 odds. Because jockey Miguel Rivera had earlier committed to ride Rube The Great in the Derby, Bobby Ussery
Bobby Ussery
Robert Nelson "Bobby" Ussery is a retired American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey. His first race as a professional jockey came at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans on November 22, 1951 where he rode Reticule to victory in the Thanksgiving Handicap. By the end of the decade...
was aboard Little Current in the twenty-three-horse field, the largest in the race's history. Complicating matters for Little Current was the fact that trainer Lou Rondinello was in hospital recovering from surgery
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
.
Leaving from post position 10, Little Current was last at the quarter pole and at the mile mark was still trapped behind the large field in seventeenth place. Despite a strong drive after the mile pole, he finished fifth, more than six lengths back of winner Cannonade
Cannonade
For the cannon see CarronadeCannonade was an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known as the winner of the 1974 Kentucky Derby. Owned and bred by prominent businessman John M. Olin, Cannonade was foaled at Gainesway Farm in Lexington, Kentucky...
who was ridden by Angel Cordero, Jr. As a result of the difficulties experienced by many entrants due to the large field, Churchill Downs officials, including Chairman of the Board and owner of Little Current, John W. Galbreath, adopted a new rule limiting the field to twenty horses beginning in 1975.
Preakness Stakes
Notwithstanding Little Current's poor showings in the Blue Grass Stakes and the Derby, his handlers believed the colt was in part a victim of circumstances and a much better racehorse than his record showed. As such, he was entered in the Preakness StakesPreakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
, the second leg of the Triple Crown.
Ridden by Miguel Rivera, Little Current was again given little chance by bettors and was sent off at 13-1 odds. Near the back of the pack for much of the 1 3/16 mile race, he raced close to the inner rail until the right moment when a hole opened up between horses. Launching an explosive drive, the colt drove through the narrow opening, quickly caught the leaders, then stormed past them to win by seven lengths over Neapolitan Way and Derby winner Cannonade. Little Current's winning margin was the largest in twenty-three years.
Belmont Stakes
The third and final leg of the American Classic Races is the demanding 1½ mile long Belmont StakesBelmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
. Over the years, many great horses have won the Derby and Preakness only to fall short in the longer race. However, Little Current's sire, Sea Bird
Sea Bird II
Sea Bird II is considered by many to be the greatest post-war European flat racehorse. His Timeform rating of 145 is still the highest ever flat figure awarded by that publication. Sea Bird II is most famous for his breathtaking victories in two of Europe's most prestigious races: the Epsom Derby...
, had established himself as one of Europe's greatest runners with dominating victories at 1½ miles in the 1965 Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year, usually on the first Sunday in October.Popularly referred to as the...
.
In a nine-horse field, Little Current sat nine lengths back in eighth place while Kentucky Derby winner Cannonade and Jolly Johu dueled for the lead. Making the turn for home, once again Little Current came storming through to run away from the pack and score another seven-length win.
After capturing the Belmont, Little Current only raced three times. He did not start again until August's Monmouth Invitational Handicap
Haskell Invitational Handicap
The Resorts Casino & Hotel Haskell Invitational is an American Grade I race for thoroughbred horses. In 1968, the Board of Directors of Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, New Jersey honored its former President and Chairman Amory L. Haskell with the Amory L. Haskell Handicap, a race for older...
where, after being nearly 20 lengths behind the leader, he put on another explosive drive to finish second by a nose to Holding Pattern. These two horses then met in the Travers Stakes
Travers Stakes
The Travers Stakes is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York.First held in 1864, it was named for William R. Travers, the president of the old Saratoga Racing Association. His horse, Kentucky, won the first running of the Travers...
with the same result.
John Galbreath, Little Current's owner, had also raced successfully in Europe. In 1972, his colt Roberto
Roberto (horse)
Roberto was an American-bred Thoroughbred Champion racehorse who competed in Ireland and England.-Background:Roberto was bred by Galbreath at his Darby Dan Farm near Lexington, Kentucky. The son of the successful sire Hail To Reason out of the dam Bramalea, Roberto's grandsire was Turn-To, a...
won England's most prestigious race, the Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
. He wanted to win France's most important race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year, usually on the first Sunday in October.Popularly referred to as the...
, and because of Little Current's easy victory at 1½ miles in the Belmont Stakes, Galbreath believed Little Current had a chance in the Arc. In order to first see how the colt could handle the grass surface he would have to run on in France, Galbreath entered him in the Lawrence Realization Stakes
Lawrence Realization Stakes
The Lawrence Realization Stakes was an American horse race first run on the turf in 1889. The race, for three-year-old Thoroughbred colts, geldings and fillies, was last run in 2005.-History:...
on Belmont Park's
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
turf
Grass
Grasses, or more technically graminoids, are monocotyledonous, usually herbaceous plants with narrow leaves growing from the base. They include the "true grasses", of the Poaceae family, as well as the sedges and the rushes . The true grasses include cereals, bamboo and the grasses of lawns ...
course. Unfortunately, Little Current chipped a bone in his right front ankle and had to be retired from racing. Despite his shortened racing season, he was still voted the 1974 Eclipse Award for Outstanding 3-Year-Old Male Horse
Eclipse Award for Outstanding 3-Year-Old Male Horse
The American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor awarded annually in Thoroughbred flat racing. It became part of the Eclipse Awards program in 1971....
.
Stud Career
With owner John W. Galbreath maintaining a 25% interest, Little Current was syndicated for $4 million. He stood at stud for the first time in 1975 at his owner's Darby Dan FarmDarby Dan Farm
Darby Dan Farm is a produce, livestock, and thoroughbred horse breeding and training farm founded in 1935 near the Darby Creek in Galloway, Ohio by businessman John W. Galbreath. Named for the creek and for Galbreath's son, Daniel M. Galbreath , it was expanded from an original farm into a 4,000...
in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
. He was eventually sent to stand at Buck Pond Farm in nearby Versailles
Versailles, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,511 people, 3,160 households, and 2,110 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,330 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 88.18% White, 8.67% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.35%...
, whose owners, Doug and Karen Arnold, acquired an interest in him. He was later sent for stud duty at Good Guys Farm in Folsom, Louisiana
Folsom, Louisiana
Folsom is a village in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 525 at the 2000 census. The town is named after the wife of Grover Cleveland, Frances Folsom...
then in 1995 was purchased by equine veterinarian Dr. Ann Hansen and her husband, Mark, who brought him to their farm near Monroe, Washington
Monroe, Washington
Monroe is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. The population as of 17,304 at the 2010 census.-History:The history of Monroe is intertwined with that of the Great Northern Railway which pushed over the Cascade Range at Stevens Pass and worked its way down the Skykomish River...
.
Little Current met with modest success as a stallion
Stallion (horse)
A stallion is a male horse that has not been gelded .Stallions will follow the conformation and phenotype of their breed, but within that standard, the presence of hormones such as testosterone may give stallions a thicker, "cresty" neck, as well as a somewhat more muscular physique as compared to...
. He sired thirty-five stakes winners including 1983 Flamingo Stakes
Flamingo Stakes
The Flamingo Stakes was an American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually in March at the Hialeah Park Race Track in Hialeah, Florida. Run over a distance of nine furlongs, the inaugural race took place in 1926 at the Tampa, Florida racetrack...
winner Current Hope, as well as Curribot, who won 22 stakes races and placed in 16 others with lifetime earnings of $491,527. In 1997 he was pensioned and lived at the Hansen's farm for another six years, the oldest living winner of a Triple Crown race. At age thirty-two, Little Current had to be euthanized
Animal euthanasia
Animal euthanasia is the act of putting to death painlessly or allowing to die, as by withholding extreme medical measures, an animal suffering from an incurable, especially a painful, disease or condition. Euthanasia methods are designed to cause minimal pain and distress...
as a result of an intestinal
Intestine
In human anatomy, the intestine is the segment of the alimentary canal extending from the pyloric sphincter of the stomach to the anus and, in humans and other mammals, consists of two segments, the small intestine and the large intestine...
tumor
Tumor
A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
. His remains were sent to Buck Pond Farm for burial in their equine cemetery.