As 2015 comes to a close, the importance of American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile)'s incredible year has had time to sink in. From his stellar spring campaign, to his historic Triple Crown run, his breathtaking GI Haskell Inv., gutsy GI Travers S. and absolutely unbelievable GI Breeders' Cup Classic, American Pharoah certainly made an impact on sports and the news worldwide. We've asked a number of industry insiders how he or she believe American Pharoah changed the racing landscape on both a historic and personal level.
Pete Bradley of Bradley Thoroughbreds:
It's been a huge plus for the industry and, yes, it buoyed it. But the question is: Who is the next star? Two years ago we had California Chrome and he really got a following, especially on the West Coast. I was lucky enough to be at Del Mar when he ran there. The crowd that came out and the enthusiasm was infectious. That in itself you could see it was a boost, him being there. That phenomenon was eclipsed by American Pharoah, who has been the story of the 21st century, as a far as race horses go. Not that you expect to have one every year, but it sure would be nice not to have a 37-year respite before our next superstar.
He couldn't have done anymore. In some ways, it's a shame that he couldn't run as a 4-year-old, but in this industry you have an understanding of how his value just ballooned as a stallion. The unfortunate part of our game is that when we get a star they are usually only shooting stars. While he will be remembered for the next 25 years without anyone blinking to recall what he did, it's unfortunately just recollection. I'm looking forward to the next horse trying to step into his shoes.
The one thing I think is that there is such a genuine appreciation in the Thoroughbred industry for the horse that goes beyond what we all hope we could ever get. When you have one that is that special a racehorse, that gives you his all every time and is just a magnificent athlete, it's as feel-good as you can get in this business. The appreciation factor from the professionals, the non-professionals. Horses capture imagination and a horse like him captures everyone's.
Jennie Rees, former turf writer at the Louisville Courier-Journal:
For me, personally, after covering 11 unsuccessful attempts going back to '87 with Alysheba, it's just so terrific to finally cover a Triple Crown winner.
We've never seen what it would be like in the Digital Age. Now what we know is that I think he set the gold standard. It shows that it's possible to be done, which is a great thing for the sport because it will stop the discussion whether they should change the Triple Crown. It's supposed to be hard and it shows the value of not cheapening it up. Keep it hard and when it is accomplished it's so terrific for the sport.
I don't think it will be a thing where if it's accomplished in a couple of years, people will say it's too easy. I think people will remember what happened, that in the 70s there was the cluster of the Triple Crown winner and then we went through this long drought.
What it also showed was the best practices for winning a Triple Crown.
What his connections did to make the horse as public as they could was something that a lot of people should take a page from. When people have, if not a Triple Crown winner a very good horse, show how you can make the public feel more a part of it–up close and personal.
Obviously, it doesn't work for every horse, but I think it shows from their openness and willingness to try.
From interviewing people about it, everybody had the same sense that I had, that you felt so good about horse racing after a time when it had taken some PR hits. It brings out the best about horse racing and these amazing animals who are the great equalizer of people from different backgrounds.
Larry Collmus, track announcer, who called American Pharoah's Triple Crown and the final three traces of his career for NBC:
For me, it was a dream come true. The day before the Belmont S. was the 30th anniversary of the first race that I ever called on the mic at Bowie Racetrack at age 18. To think that 30 years later I would get a chance to call history, a horse going for the Triple Crown, and then have it actually happen was incredible.
Then to be able to follow that story and after the Belmont to be able to call him after he was a Triple Crown winner in the Haskell, the Travers and the Breeders' Cup was really neat, too. The most memorable thing for me was the day before the Travers when I got to finally meet him and hang out with him and realize what an unusual horse he is and how he acts around people. Compared to your average high-level race horse, he's just so laid-back and cool.
It was just an amazing year to be a part of something like this that hardly ever happens.
What it did, which I'm very happy about, is that it ended the discussion about changing the Triple Crown. That is a very positive thing. I've always been a fan of 'if it ain't broke don't fix it.' That was one thing about racing that worked, the Triple Crown, but because no horse had won it, people kept talking about wanting to change it. Then here comes this horse along proving that it can be done by the right horse. That might have been one of the most positive things that came out his winning the Triple Crown.
Obviously, the sport got more interest than it had media-wise in quite a while, but long term to me that is the most important thing.
Trainer Mark Casse:
He was wonderful. I don't know that I have ever cheered for a horse harder that wasn't my own. Honestly, I cheered for him pretty hard. I tell you, I tip my hat to the entire group, not just American Pharoah, but to Bob [Baffert]. It's one thing to have a horse in training to win the Triple Crown. There is a lot of pressure getting to that point, but after you win the Triple Crown the pressure doubles. But you know what, Bob and the Zayats, I truly believe they tried to do what is best for the game and I commend them for that. They made me proud to be in the sport we are in.
Chris Dragone, Director, National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, Saratoga Springs:
To me, personally, because I love horse racing, it was special. I guess it would be like Ted Williams batting .400. It had that kind of feel. It was so special. We've been waiting so long and it was especially neat that it happened a year after a lot of people thought it was getting impossible for a Thoroughbred to accomplish. That was also what was special about it. There were a lot of people after California Chrome that had their doubts that it might happen and to watch this horse do it–and I don't know if would say made it look easy–but clearly in such a dominating manner, was so impressive. Then to so him go on and dominate the entire the season was very special to me. I think anyone who loves the sport appreciates that kind of performance, that kind of champion.
I can only speak for a person who was in Saratoga this summer. If you were in Saratoga you saw the buzz, not just when he committed to the Travers, but before it. You saw more people up here. Definitely the attendance at the Museum was up and I think across the street at the track, a lot of that has to do with American Pharoah and the fact that public really started to take another look at the sport. In that sense he was very special and very important to the sport that way.
And that public workout is one of those things that you'll remember forever, much more so than the Travers. It was the public workout the day before where I think all of the tumblers kind of fell into line. The public, the connections of the horse, everything was just perfect that day.
Harper Hutchins, college student and TDN Intern who blogged about American Pharoah's Preakness and Belmont for the TDN:
American Pharoah's win meant one very simple thing to me: hope. Over the past few years, I had truly lost faith in the racing industry. Due to the way the general public views horse racing, I was sure the end was near and inevitable. American Pharoah's truly brought hope to all. I was at the Preakness and the Belmont, and I have never seen such a large group of people all together in support of one thing. Sure, there were people who thought he wasn't going to win, but the overwhelming majority was there to witness history. Everyone wanted him to win simply because he deserved it and the sport deserved it. For me, American Pharoah meant a turning point in American racing.
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