Letter To The Editor: A Salute To War Horse Sailawayin

In the spring of 1967, two incredible Thoroughbreds were foaled in Illinois. Near Brownfield, a mere “wide spot” on State Route 145 about 30 miles northeast of Paducah, Ky., Dust Commander was foaled. A sign commemorates Brownfield as the “Birthplace of Dust Commander, 1970 Kentucky Derby Winner.” I cannot be sure, but the likelihood of there being a memorial celebrating the birth of the “other” incredible Illinois 1967 foaled Thoroughbred is small. Dust Commander is the only Illinois-foaled horse to win the Kentucky Derby. Perhaps the Pullen Brothers, who bred Dust Commander, had designs on being in the Churchill Downs winner’s circle four hours from home when Dust Commander was romping in his paddock the summer of ‘67.

The “other” horse had a more blue-collar career awaiting him, and his breeder had likely hoped for that. Dust Commander was a fabulous racehorse at two and three. He won the Derby from the dreaded number one post position. His accomplishments were tremendous, but when you consider the deeds of Sailawayin, the “other” 1967 foal, you may find yourself in more awe of the old gelding than of Dust Commander. Sailawayin was no Dust Commander, but Dust Commander was no Sailawayin. Sailawayin was a true Thoroughbred racehorse extraordinaire who campaigned 16 years.

Dust Commander and Sailawayin were winners at two, Dust Commander a stakes winner, and both were stakes winners at three. Dust Commander raced without success at four and was retired to stud duty for 1972. He sired Preakness winner Master Derby, and Run Dusty Run, who famously chased Seattle Slew on numerous occasions. Dust Commander spent ages five to 24 in pristine stallion barns and beautiful. Sailawayin had a stall on the backstretch of obscure racetracks most of his career.

When Dust Commander went off to stud, Sailawayin was just getting started with his legendary career. He raced 172 times. He won 45 races, and was first, second, or third 100 times. Illinois had a county fair circuit of unofficial racing, and it is not inconceivable that Sailawayin competed in those events. He made those 172 starts over a 16-year career. He won races each year from 1969 to 1982. His final start came at the ripe old age of 17 in 1984. His last two years he failed hit the board, but in the years prior to those two seasons, he was outstanding.

Equibase data is incomplete for the first few years of his career, but it does not appear he started in a claiming race until age 12. He was a three-time allowance winner at ten and won and allowance race at 11. When he did drop to the claiming ranks, he dominated. He was the claiming king of Fairmount Park. Sailawayin won three races and hit the board in eight of 11 at age 12. Incredibly, he raced 26 times at ages 13 and 14. He won 15 of those races and was second or third on five additional occasions! Fifteen wins! At 15, he was twice first, twice second, twice fourth in thirteen starts.

When you put the life and career of Sailawayin in perspective, you come away amazed. When he was born, Lyndon Johnson was President. The Vietnam War had not reached its peak, and the Tet Offensive hadn’t occurred. When he made his last start, Ronald Reagan was finishing the final year of his first term. The state of Illinois had five governors over that time. Six years of the War in Vietnam took place the years Sailawayin raced and the entirety of the nearly 27-month Iranian Hostage Crisis.

The year Sailawayin won his first race, Secretariat was conceived. The final year Sailawayin raced, Winning Colors was conceived. Three Triple Crown winners were born, won the Triple Crown races, retired to stud, and had sired stakes winners during the career of Sailawayin.

When Sailawayin first raced in 1969, the population in the U.S was approximately 200 million; when he raced last in 1984 the population was nearing 236 million. According to the Federal Reserve of St. Louis, the cost of purchasing a home in 1969 was $25,700; in 1984 the price was $79,900. The price of a gallon of gas to haul Sailawayin in 1969 was $0.35 cents per gallon; the price in 1984 was $1.13 per gallon.

Sailawayin trained and raced 16 years. If he trained an average of 1.25 miles per day and went to the track hypothetically 180 times per year, that would amount to 3,600 miles of exercise over 16 years. If he was shod three times per year, that would be nearly fifty times, and at eight nails per shoe, times four, that would amount to approximately 1,600 nails. If it took the farrier four swings for each nail, that would add up to 6,400 strikes. If his front legs were wrapped 150 times per year, it would equate to 4,800 legs wrapped.

Sailawayin graced the winners circle 45 times. If the win pictures were 8 by 10 inches and placed them side by side and end to end, they would cover an area 30 feet high and almost 38 feet wide.

It would be interesting to compute how many individual horses Sailawain competed against. If he raced against older horses as a 3-year-old in 1970, and in 1984 against any 3-year-old who would race to age nine, that would mean he raced against horses that competed in the mid-1960s and others who were racing in the early 1990s. He theoretically could have raced against foals sired by 1948 Triple Crown Winner Citation, and 1978 Triple Crown Winner Affirmed. Sailawayin was a legendary American racehorse.

Forty years after Sailawayin’s career ended, horse racing is a vastly different sport. Sailawayin would not be allowed to race until age 17. Negativity looms over horse racing today, but wonderful progress is being made in numerous areas. Older racehorses are more appreciated, and second careers are the norm, not the exception. I do not know what became of Sailawayin after his racing career ended – his last race in 1984 is shown as a Did Not Finish -- and that’s not a pleasant thought. But even in not knowing what became of him there is reason for optimism. In 1984, little attention was paid to horses after their on-track days. One can only imagine what Sailawayin’s after track life would be today. With his amazing accomplishments, he would be a candidate for Old Friends. He could have been adopted and transitioned to a riding horse. One thing we know for sure; horses like Sailawayin would have it better in retirement now than 40 years ago. We should celebrate the tremendous advancement in Thoroughbred aftercare. Appreciating Silawayin these years later should only add to efforts to provide these wonderful equine athletes their due and bring attention to their greatness.

Sailawayin was to the lower-level racing circuits of his day what John Henry, Forego, and Kelso were to the highest level in their days. He was a gelding for the ages. Perhaps this recollection of Sailawayin’s career will increase appreciation for the older horse. He defied nature and enjoyed a successful career for a long time. He brought joy to people for a decade and a half. He reminds us of the wonder of the American Thoroughbred. He reminds horse lovers of the joy of the horse.

All is not bad in modern racing. The horses are still amazing, and they continue to bring joy to those that campaign them, and those who follow their campaigns. Horses still do great things, and even those who don’t accomplish “greatness” are great in their own way. There will never be another exactly like Sailawayin, but somewhere in the world, on some farm, a racehorse will be born today. Maybe that horse will win the Derby and be another Dust Commander. But if he was another Sailawayin that would be great too. He (or she) may become a legendary racehorse.

--Brett Beasley
Racing Fan
Illinois

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