The Sudden Passing of "The Silver Bullet"

'Arrogate' Image courtesy of Blood Horse Magazine

At a time of year I'm usually blogging about the American Classic races of the Triple Crown.
Well their timing is off this year, as is the untimely passing from an unknown illness of the young stallion Arrogate, at age seven.

He burst on to the racing scene in 2016 out of the claiming ranks, to set a record in the Travers Stakes of 1:59.36 for the 1-1/4 mile race (yup, that's 'Big Red' speed), on his way to upstaging the Legendary long running stallion California Chrome in the 2016 Breeder's Cup Classic, before dominating the field in the inaugural 'Pegasus World Cup Invitational'. The speedy silver-grey colt would later add the Dubai World Cup to his list of Prestigious titles, piloted by 'Big Money Mike' Smith. He became the first American horse to break the 15, 16, and 17 million dollar marks for career earnings, eventually retiring with a bankroll of $17,422,600, and sits behind only Orfevre (JPN, US$19,005,276), WINX (AUS, US$18,943,757) and Gentildonna (JPN, US$18,468,392) in world earnings.

Retired to stud at the end of 2017, he would go on to complete three breeding seasons before suffering an abrupt and debilitating unknown neurological ailment resulting in his humane euthanization on June 2, 2020.

For his meteoric rise on stunning speed to the pinnacle of 'The Sport of Kings' in his brief career of just a year-and-a-half, he earned the nickname from this 'One Old Racehorse' of 'The Silver Bullet'.

He has been called home, to Elysium, the home of Legends.

In a Flash of Lightning and Gleaming Silver
He passed among us
Like a Bullet.

Bellerophon has come
Golden Bridle in his hand
To lead you to Elysium
Where the Herd Eternal stands

Among the Legends and Lauded Heroes
You shall find your earned place
The Silver Son of Pegasus
Has gone back home this day.

R.I.P.
Arrogate
"The Silver Bullet"
Travers Stakes Record Holder
Breeders Cup Champion
Dubai World Cup Champion
Inaugural Pegasus World Cup Champion
by Unbridled's Song, out of Bubbler
April 11, 2013 - June 2, 2020

"May your heart be found light, that you may fly from here and take your place among the Eternal Herd, for your wings are those of a Pegasus."

Sir Barton (One Old Racehorse)

Comments

[ponygrad]

Read most of that in the cadence of the ballad of the green beret