SeaBiscuit was not born a winner. His DNA dictated he could not be a great racehorse. He was relatively small and knobby-kneed with a laid-back demeanor that suggested he would much rather sleep than step into the starting gate. It appeared he could not run a lick when he dropped the first 17 starts of his career, leaving him as the butt of bad jokes in his own barn.
But Charles Howard didn’t see DNA,Tom Smith didn’t train DNA, and Pollard didn’t ride DNA. They bought a second chance, they created a hero, and they rode the spirit of a winner.
Sesbiscuit went on to win 33 races and win $437,730, which was a lot for his time. As an article published on April 27, 1940 in the Saturday Evening Post read: “Seabiscuit is the Horatio Alger hero of the turf, the horse that came up from nothing on his own courage and will to win.”
Seabiscuit not only overcame his DNA but also accomplished one of the greatest comebacks ever. He suffered a major injury and it was said he would never race again, but he did. He won the Santa Anita handicap in 1940, a $121,000 race.
SeaBiscuit didn’t listen to dictators and neither should you. I tell my daughter all the time, “The only thing that can limit what you can do is you.” Believe in yourself and get Ranchy!
