Reliving the Strange Saga of Jim French
Several years ago, Jim Gluckson, the longtime head of media relations for the Breeders’ Cup, told me how much he loved the story of Jim French, and strongly suggested I reprint my column on him every few years for those who hadn’t read it and those who need to read it again. We both felt this is a horse who should never be forgotten. With the once prestigious Dwyer Stakes, which Jim French won 53 years ago, run this past Saturday, it seemed like a perfect time during this lull before Saratoga to take Jim’s advice and reprint, with new graphs added, the story after an eight-year hiatus of one of the most remarkable horses I have ever seen with a story equally as remarkable. ~ Steve Haskin
Reliving the Strange Saga of Jim French
By Steve Haskin
The Dwyer Stakes, first run in 1887, has been won by horses such as Man o’War, Native Dancer, Damascus, Nashua, and Triple Crown winners Whirlaway, Assault, Gallant Fox, and Omaha. But no Hall of Famer has won the race since Holy Bull in 1994.
This year’s edition drew only four horses, who have made an average of 5.3 lifetime starts. When Jim French won the Dwyer, then a handicap, in 1971, the race was run at 1 ¼ miles and he was conceding 12-15 pounds to his opponents. He also was making his 27th lifetime start at distances from 5 ½ furlongs to 1 ½ miles. It is his extraordinary journey getting to the Dwyer and the aftermath that we will be writing about.
But before we do, to add more tie-ins to this past weekend’s stakes, they also ran the Belmont Derby on the grass. Since the race was inaugurated in 2014, the only European trainer to win the race has been Aidan O’ Brien, who won it twice. His last victory came in 2021 with Bolshoi Ballet, whose third dam is by none other than Jim French, a name that has been extremely rare in pedigrees. Later on Saturday, the Indiana Derby was won by Dragoon Guard, whose broodmare sire Mizzen Mast is out of a mare by Graustark, the sire of Jim French.
It has been one of my missions in horse racing to re-tell Jim French’s story, because if I don’t it will quickly fade away and not even remain as a minor footnote in the history books. And this week seems like the perfect time.
We are all well aware that times have changed dramatically, and I feel it is Jim French who best serves as a stark contrast of racing as it was to racing as it is. As much as we have gone to the lesser extreme when it comes to experience and seasoning, Jim French, having no say in the matter, took it to the opposite extreme. Even his trainer John Campo, still a fledgling trainer at the time, later expressed his regret in subjecting Jim French to such a rigorous campaign. But this is not about right or wrong or mistakes in judgment, but about a plucky little colt who never wavered, never backed out of a fight, and always gave 100 percent, demonstrating a toughness and fortitude unmatched even for that era, especially at such a high level of competition.
So, let me introduce, or re-introduce a horse the younger generation cannot even remotely relate to, but one who should serve as a constant reminder of what the Thoroughbred is capable of from a physical sense, even if that Thoroughbred as we know it no longer exists. In this new era of racing and its perception perhaps it shouldn’t.
Here then again, tweaked, smoothed out, and partially re-written, is “The Strange Saga of Jim French.”
Jim French morning work
The story of Jim French, one of the most indestructible, indefatigable horses of the modern era, has faded into history, taking with it the colt’s remarkable feats of durability on the racetrack and the notorious final chapter of his career that ended so unjustly.
But let’s start at the beginning. Jim French was a gritty little brown colt who brought his trainer John Campo into the national spotlight for the first time. Campo’s training of Jim French would have brought about an outpouring of criticism from today’s racing fans. But the son of Graustark not only stood up to Campo’s unprecedented schedule, he actually seemed to thrive on it.
Campo, a former assistant to Eddie Neloy when he trained the great Buckpasser, would go on to become one of the top trainers in the country, winning the 1981 Kentucky Derby and Preakness with Pleasant Colony and training both the 2-year-old male champion and 2-year-old female champion of 1973. When asked why he ran Jim French so often he said, “I didn’t know any better then. I had only been training for a few years and if I had known better I wouldn’t have run him so many times. He wasn’t a big horse, and small horses do hold up better than big horses.”
Hold up is an understatement. As excessive as his methods were, Campo’s ability to keep Jim French in top racing condition for so long actually was a remarkable achievement. By the time Jim French arrived in Florida in December 1970 to begin preparing for the Triple Crown races, he had already crammed 11 races into a four-month period, racing four times in November alone, including a victory in the Remsen Stakes.
Then the real racing began.
—On December 26, he engaged in a thrilling stretch duel with Sir Dagonet to win the 1 1/16-mile Miami Beach Handicap at Tropical Park.
—Two weeks later, he just got up to win the 1 1/16-mile Dade Metropolitan Handicap at Tropical by a nose, carrying top weight of 125 pounds and conceding 10 pounds to the runner-up.
—Eleven days later, now at Hialeah, he dropped back to six furlongs and finished a fast-closing fourth in the Hibiscus Stakes, beaten only 1 1/4 lengths by the brilliant Executioner.
—He was back two weeks later, coming from 10th at the top of the stretch to win the seven-furlong Bahamas Stakes by a head, with the regally bred His Majesty third.
—Two weeks later, he was beaten a head by His Majesty in the 1 1/8-mile Everglades Stakes, but was disqualified to fifth for bearing in down the stretch.
—Like clockwork, he was back in the gate two weeks later, coming from 19 lengths back to finish third behind Executioner in the 1 1/8-mile Flamingo Stakes.
—Instead of waiting for the Florida Derby, Jim French not only ran 17 days later, he shipped up to New York, where he finished third to the early Kentucky Derby favorite, the brilliant Hoist the Flag, in the seven-furlong Bay Shore Stakes, run in a scorching 1:21.
1971 Bay Shore Stakes, Hoist the Flag #4, and Jim French #2X.
—Just one week later, he was back in Florida, where he closed fast to finish third to Eastern Fleet in the Florida Derby, run in 1:47 2/5, just a fifth off the stakes record.
—Not content to wait for one final Derby prep or train up to the Derby, Campo put Jim French on a plane to California and ran him one week later in the Santa Anita Derby, which he won by 1 3/4 lengths in 1:48 1/5.
—Two weeks later, he was back in New York, where he rallied to finish a close fourth to stablemate Good Behaving in the Wood Memorial.
Nowadays, if a horse runs four times in four months it’s a lot. Jim French entered the grueling Triple Crown series having competed in 10 stakes at five different racetracks in a little over four months, traveling from New York to Florida, back to New York, back to Florida, to California, back to New York, and then the Kentucky Derby. Although most horses would have been totally wiped out by now, Jim French went on to finish a fast-closing second to Canonero II in the Kentucky Derby, third in Canonero’s track record-breaking Preakness, and a fast-closing second in the Belmont Stakes, in which he made up more than five lengths in the final furlong to be beaten three-quarters of a length.
Jim French 1971 Dwyer Stakes Press Photo
Instead of being given a well-earned vacation following arguably the most ambitious Triple Crown campaign ever, Jim French amazingly was back in the starting gate two weeks after the Belmont, finishing a fast-closing fourth in the one-mile Pontiac Grand Prix (formerly the Arlington Classic) at Arlington Park. Following his first three-week “vacation” since the previous November, he shipped to California, where he finished second in the 1 1/4-mile Hollywood Derby, giving the winner, Bold Reason, 13 pounds. One week later, he was back in New York, winning the 1 1/4-mile Dwyer Handicap, as mentioned earlier conceding 12-15 pounds to the rest of the field, and missing the stakes record by a fifth of a second.
In less than seven months, Jim French had run in 16 stakes from six furlongs to 1 1/2 miles, never finishing worse than fourth (except for his disqualification). During that time he competed at 10 different racetracks, made two round trip cross-country flights at a time when Eastern horses rarely flew to California for one race, and logged some 20,000 miles of traveling.
Jim French resurfaced four weeks after the Dwyer and ran an uncharacteristic ninth as the 2-1 favorite in the Monmouth Invitational Handicap. It was discovered after the race that the colt had a spur in his right knee that had broken off. Several people connected to the horse, however, were convinced that he had been ‘gotten to,’ and made their feelings public in an advertisement taken out in a leading racing weekly. A year later in a coincidence or not, Riva Ridge’s owner Penny Tweedy stated that her colt had been drugged in the Monmouth Invitational.
Campo then sent Jim French to Saratoga for the Travers, and that’s when all hell broke loose. Prior to the Travers, it was announced that the colt had been impounded by the Saratoga County sheriff’s office. His entry for the Travers was refused by the stewards. State steward Francis P. Dunne called it “the most complex racing situation I’ve ever encountered.”
It had been discovered through a loan made by Jim French’s co-owner Frank Caldwell, who had purchased the colt from his breeder Ralph Wilson during his 2-year-old campaign, that there was a hidden ownership issue surrounding the horse.
Caldwell, a Long Island furniture executive, had sold 70% of Jim French to Etta Sarant, and then taken out a loan from the Citizens National Bank and Trust Co. of Lexington, Ky., receiving a $130,000 advance after stating on his affidavit that he was the sole owner of Jim French. Leslie Combs II, a director of the bank, also assured that Jim French would stand at his Spendthrift Farm in Lexington.
It was discovered, however, that Mrs. Sarant, in whose name Jim French raced in the Monmouth Invitational, had no owner’s license in New York, and had no interest in applying for one. After the Monmouth Invitational, Jim French was resold to construction executive Fred Cole, but he, too, was suspended by the New York Racing Commission for failure to appear to give testimony in the case. That left Jim French without an owner.
Dunne said at the time, “We have a real can of worms on our hands, and it’s beginning to appear that not all of the worms have been pulled out of the can.”
He was right. Officers of the Saratoga Country sheriff’s office then filed a writ of attachment on behalf of the Citizens Bank. The New York Racing Commission, sensing a possible cover-up, began an investigation into the ownership of Jim French and several other horses owned by Caldwell.
According to the commission’s findings, the true owner or part-owner of Jim French and the other horses was Ralph Robert LiButti, doing business as Robert Presti. The commission also concluded that the horse’s ownership had been concealed from racing authorities, and stated that LiButti/Presti had been barred from racing in 1968. He maintained it was only a misunderstanding and that he had been exonerated of any wrongdoing.
LiButti said that undisclosed ownership was a common occurrence in racing, and his ownership of Jim French was not done to defraud the public, claiming that no crime had been committed. Libutti, a notorious high roller, once lost an estimated $11 million at Trump casinos from 1986 to 1989, according to the Wall Street Journal. It also was reported he had been banned from Atlantic City casinos by New Jersey state regulators. He died in 2014 at age 82. His daughter Edith owned several top horses, including Devil His Due, who earned almost $4 million.
On Oct. 13, 1971, the New York Racing Commission suspended Campo, Ralph Wilson, and trainer George Poole for 30 days for their role in the concealed ownership. Caldwell was ordered to appear before the commission to ‘show cause why his license should not be revoked.”
As for Jim French, he was not allowed to run in the Travers. Because of the complexity of the case, and the danger of his knee eventually splitting due to the spur that had broken off, he was retired and sold (it was never officially reported by whom) to art dealer Daniel Wildenstein for $1 million and retired to Haras de la Verrerie in France, where he proved unsuccessful, siring only five stakes winners. He was then sent to Japan in 1977.
In Japan, Jim French left an indelible mark, siring Bamboo Atlas, winner of the Japanese Derby in record time. As a stallion, Bamboo Atlas passed on Jim French’s blood, siring seven grade I winners, including Japanese St. Leger winner Bamboo Begin.
Jim French also was the broodmare sire of Legacy World, who upset America’s Horse of the Year Kotaashan in the Japan Cup, and Jim and Tonic, who like his grandsire was indestructible, winning the group I Hong Kong Cup, Hong Kong Mile, and Dubai Duty Free, group II Queen Elizabeth II Cup in Hong Kong, and three group III stakes in France. In all, he finished in the money in 30 of his 39 career starts, while constantly traveling around the world.
Jim French’s name also showed up in America as the broodmare sire of Breeders’ Cup Mile winner and champion grass horse Steinlen.
Jim French lived three lives – the American racehorse, the French sire, and the Japanese sire. He died in 1992 at the age of 24.
The name of Jim French has long since disappeared. The vast majority of today’s racing fans have never even heard of him, which is a shame. This was a true Thoroughbred in every sense of the word, who gave 100% every time, despite being subjected to one of the most grueling racing schedules of any horse in the history of the sport.
More than five decades have passed, and now, at a time when it is so difficult to keep horses sound, and when many champions race only four or five times a year, it is important that we remember a horse like Jim French to remind us just how resilient Thoroughbreds can be.
There are no shrines or memorials to this gallant warrior, who deserved to go out fighting and be remembered for his amazing toughness and durability rather than the ignominious series of events that befell him at Saratoga.
So I will continue to tell his story. Much like Ishmael at the end of Moby Dick, “I only am…alone to tell thee.”
Photos courtesy of Steve Haskin, New York Racing Association.
Racing historian, author, and award-winning retired journalist for the Daily Racing Form and The Blood-Horse, Steve Haskin was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame’s Media Roll of Honor in 2016. Known for his racing knowledge and insightful prose, he has been an exclusive contributor to Secretariat.com since 2020.
Just watched Arabian Knights latest work and it was a good one. He was with another horse to his outside Loved that his ears were pinned back almost the entire timed he looked very aggressive and strong. His gallup out was very strong. The other horse never passed him (Not sure if that was by design though ) He looks like he is sitting on a big one. First race back at 1 1/16 should be just perfect for him.
Steve, your revision of Jim French has sent me back to rereading the theft of Jewish art treasures by the Nazis and theft by prominent art dealers who owned such great racehorses as Allez France.
The interconnectedness of horse racing and ownership of art treasures by prominent owners/breeders has always fascinated me.
And one of the best is Paul Mellon, owner of Kentucky Derby winner Sea Hero, whose father conceived of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and who donated more than 1,000 works of art to it — some of them priceless.
I enjoyed seeing Mr. Mellon and his trainer Mack Miller win with Sea Hero, just as I did Frances Genter and Carl Nafzger win with Unbridled.
Todd, if you are interested in finding more about Mill Reef there is a wonderful video on YouTube – “Horse Racing: Legendary Racehorses: Mill Reef – you may enjoy.
Thank you. Always interested in racing history I’ve missed.
Yes, Ms Blacktype, the Mellons are/were renowned for their philanthropy in the arts. The great Mill Reef, winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1971, was the pride of Rokeby Stables.
Only three others have won the Arc and the Kentucky Derby, however, Mellon is the only owner to have won the Arc, Epsom Derby, Kentucky Derby. Moreover, to make that even more exclusive add in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes when all four races were THE races to win.
It will be interesting to see whether Fierceness actually goes in the Haskell. I’m guessing Pletcher will only use one big gun — either Fierceness OR Mindframe.
Looking forward to the 2YOs, I was impressed with Mo Plex in the Sanford. He got a mediocre speed figure, but he was very professional and looks like a good racehorse. No paddling on antics. A New York bred and possibly a sprint type, but he beat some nice colts.
I think the Jim Dandy would be an easier race for him. Would not have to compete with Dornoch for the lead. (IMO)
Maybe National Treasure can win the Whitney. He won the Met Mile, but I say that it was a race that looked better than it was. National Treasure broke from an advantageous inside post out of that goofy Wilson Chute, broke well, and the race was over after the half turn into the backstretch. I’ll have to try to beat him as the favorite. That being said, the division is weak. National Treasure could be the best of the bunch.
National Treasure has run two races in the US this year— Pegasus and Met Mile….he’s not a world beater but winning The Whitney would add to a very good four year old season….
The older division …like the Three Year Olds—is up for grabs!
It’s looking like Fierceness is going to run a big one in The Haskell ….
How did you arrive at your conclusion? I would stay far away from that colt.He should be considered damaged goods.
You are usually right about such things, but in the picture that I saw of Fierceness, he looked like an absolute beast. I’ll just be watching that race. Sitting on my hands so to speak.
Yeah I’ll stay away from the windows, against Fierceness— he shows three huge wins— he’s been home run or strikeout, but the old adage “his best is best” applies here!…
NP Matt,
Mystik Dan also has 3 wins. His TC record reflect a win in the KD and a 2nd place finished in the Preakness.
Has Fierceness defeated the likes of Forever Young and Sierra Leone?
Let examine his 3 huge wins.
Debut –
That shouldn’t even be included as several debut winer made the opposition appeared to be tied to a pole.
BCJ –
He was 16/1. The runner up Muth best opponent in the San Vicente emerged as Pilot Commander. Who is he? In the AK Derby he defeated Just Steel by 2L, a colt with 2 wins from 12 starts
FL Derby
The 2nd and 3rd place finishers eventually finished 18th & 19th in the KD. Even the most ardent of Fierceness fan wouldn’t regard his win in the FL Derby over a modest field as Hugh
A deeper dive into the Fierceness’ wins will immediately reveal the accolades bestowed on him were misplaced. Steve specified that he is capable of beating any horse on any given day. I was stunned at his assessment.
The colt has to date won 3 races by a combined 31L, with 2 against modest opponents. But has lost his other 3 races by a combined 48 1/4L.
Why is there so much interest in a colt with such a record baffles the mind. I am sure there are other 3YO colts that are more interesting when compared to a dreadful i and out runner whose inconsistency makes him grossly unreliable.
Well I mean Sierra Leone and Forever Young aren’t in The Haskell, so even if he wins by five you’ll say he beat nothing, I guess….he looks good in his works and has run some good races, I said I’m not betting on him…
I’ve also said a horse can look like a world beater when they can get away with a :47 3/5 half.. but just a couple of ticks faster, and they flounder in the stretch it’s a game of inches. ..
No horses for Baffert in the Haskell…. All getting over viruses and he said they need more works and not enough time. National Treasure to run in Whitney…. will be interested to see who he faces. Arabian Knight to run at Del Mar in the San Diego and then probably the Pacific Classic after that.
BB has had a hard time keeping his best 3-year-olds going this year. And NO, I don’t consider Wynstock one of his best 3-year-olds or even a good one. Wynstock is more of a Los Alamitos horse. No offense.
His two top older horses Arabian Knight and National Treasure are similar in that they don’t like the tenth fuerlong….
I agree with your assessment. Even Baffert was at his latest win at Los Al
Should have been…..” even Baffert was surprised “.
Honor Marie worked at the Spa today – I’m 🤞🤞🤞that he gets a clean trip, finally, in the Travers.
I wonder if they’ll stick with Curtis or continue with Prat
Oops, I meant Geroux
Betsy, Beckmen said the other day he wanted a new jockey and preferably one who has won the Travers Stakes before.
David, he did? Where did he say this?
I have to say, I’m not thrilled – a third jockey on HM? It’s not like he’s nor been given good rides- the colt just has had no luck
Betsy, Thoroughbred Daily News page 10 (American News) “Honor Marie will likely get new rider for Travers” – Thursday, July 11, 2024.
It’s a subheading from the major article leader – “It’s a Special Place” : Racing returns to Saratoga Thursday – by Mike Kane.
Thanks!
How odd – no one wants to ride him? That’s really ridiculous….
Betsy, you missed the last part of the sentence: “no one wants to ride him ‘until everyone wants to ride him’.”
There are obviously quite a slew of jockey’s agents who are making enquiries on the availability of Honor Marie for the Travers Stakes.
No, I saw that David. I took that to mean that no one wants to ride him until it’s nearing the race and they don’t have a mount
Beckman sounded frustrated. O also think he’s been way overthinking this. Curtis and Geroux both gave fine rides in the Derby and Belmont; there’s no reason to change jockeys yet again
Tyler Gaffalione might be a good choice.
Has he won the Travers?
I wouldn’t be mad…
I would recommend Joel Rosario who is an excellent judge of pace. He would make his move on HM at the right time, imo. Joel has won the Travers and it would be fitting to add another to complement his induction into the HOF.
I’d be happy with that, although frankly I think changing jocks is unnecessary
Yes, Dewey, Joel Rosario is probably the jockey highest on Beckman’s list with Johnny V and Javier Castellano also in the mix.
I’ll put up a big wager if it’s not The Travers, I think Honor Marie might prefer lessor distance—Honor Code had the favorite on this Sat’s San Clemente. …Medoro, I think …nice (undefeated) filly….
Yes, Matthew, fingers crossed with Medoro.
He won’t be ahead of Sierra Leone in the Travers unless Sierra Leone gets himself DQ’d in the race. (JMO)
Speaking of the recent passing of David Hoffmans, I was pleased to see the July 11th video of his 1997 Belmont winner Touch Gold eating a carrot at Old Friends, age 30—the 1997 Triple Crown being one of my favorites, all three races being thrilling finishes—Silver Charm and Touch Gold–winners of all three races are still alive…..
I posted a personal tribute to Dave and my Touch Gol story on my Facebook pages.
Quite a story it was….
I’m not on Facebook, so I missed the article, but the 1997 Triple Crown was unforgettable. I kept trying to beat Silver Charm, first with Captain Bodgit, then Touch Gold,, then finally cashed with Touch Gold in the Belmont.
I was a “BIG” Free House fan that year.
Hi Steve! It has been a crazy week, but I read your Jim French story the day you posted it, and have come back to it a few times to look at the pictures – and try to get my head around the schedule, his endurance, and the ownership weirdness. (I had to read the paragraphs about that a few times, and I’m still not sure what was going on with the ownership and what each party was up to in the scheme.)
I had never heard of Jim French, so count me among the educated. I love the first picture, walking with his groom. He had a sweet face, and such a good eye. He must have been the type who wanted to please and was all try. It also seems like he might have been mostly wasted genetically, which is a shame.
Was Monmouth a questionable or iffy place to be stabled or to run at that time period?
A couple of observations: How crazy that this stalwart horse attracted such bizarre and flaky ownership. I read a little about Daniel Wildenstein, and he seemed very eccentric, too!
The ownership connection to Devil His Due is interesting. I loved that horse, as a fan of the Halo line, and of horses you could see run quite a bit. He didn’t endure anything like Jim French, but he ran a lot from 3-5! I remember a selling point when he went to stud was that he ran Bute and Lasix free in all of his starts.
It is a great story. If you think about it, Jim French is almost a Black Beauty of the 1970s. Less suffering and better accommodations throughout, with the ownership snafu functioning as the midstory deus ex machina that prevents a premature tragedy. Many wacky situations, kind, careless, clueless, and fancy people, and a place to thrive and be better appreciated in the end (I hope).
Glad you enjoyed his story Katy. Those kinds of horses are long gone. The ownership will never be fully explained.
Mystik Dan unlikely for the Travers. Thorpedo Anna is “possible”!
I really like that filly…I don’t like making a filly prove it vs colts at 10 furlongs dirt….Winning Colors and Zenyatta were massively built fillies, stronger than the colts—even Beholder was big and strong—males and females are equal in speed…equal on stamina….but as a rule males are stronger, it’s a big ask, for a filly vs males at ten furlongs on dirt… Thorpedo Anna is very willing, very good—but she’s also very feminine…
Rags to Riches had no fear of the colts either she intimidated Curlin with gusto.
Well yes I bet her that day….but the Belmont is 12 furlongs, a stamina race…Rags had the stamina… and she might well have handled Curlin at shorter….but it would not have been a fair fight—very few fillies have defeated males at ten furlongs…
Matthew, it took two handlers to manage her at the stables. She was in control all the times. From one of the best families, if not the best, the world over.
Bob sure has had his three year old setbacks this year….and I find it odd to hear Todd saying Fierceness will not be pointing to The Travers—they haven’t even run The Haskell yet…weird year….
Matthew, I’m waiting on the return of three Constitution colts – Mindframe, Pure Force, and Speak Easy. All at least have recent works.
There are so many ‘missing’ colts that showed promise earlier in the year. Simply vanished.
Has anyone heard if Baffert is sending a horse to the Haskell? Last I heard he was going to send “Parenting” but I have not see a posted work for him since late June (which was a slow 7 furlongs ( 1:28) by Baffert standards) . In looking at other sights none of his horses are listed as a possible starters for the race.
I think he’s sending Muth..
Well that would be a change of plans as a while back he said he wasn’t going to be sending him and a little while after that he said he was sending Parenting. With all the problems his horses are having I wondering if they requesting FMLA? Now Mystik Dan probably not going to run the Travers ?!?! Another sight showing Timberlake being pointed for the Haskell…. huh? I thought he was being pointed for shorter distances?!?!?!
Muth hasn’t been nominated for the Haskell Stakes, Parenting is the only Baffert horse nominated, according to Equibase.
Parenting worked at Santa Anita on July 13 – 5f = 59.40. It would seem extremely doubtful he’s going to the Haskell Stakes.
PS. But don’t be surprised if Parenting does go.
Well David’s Patenting staying home….Bob only sends a horse that’s 100% and this year has been frustrating….look for Parenting and Muth to travel east—it’s that, or Pacific Classic—it takes a good three year old to win the Pacific Classic….not too many top older horses, Senor Buscador—I don’t think he lives ten furlongs, a long winded three year old could upset….
Steve, than you so much for giving us the full story of Jim French. I remember that racing year well, the New York attitude of Johnny Campo, and pictures of the padlock on Jim French’s stall prior to the Travers.
That was the year Cañonero II was the surprise winner of the Derby, but because he was part of the mutuel field, his backers didn’t get a Rich Strike payoff. The Preakness was exciting, with Cañonero taking off early after frontrunner Eastern Fleet, which was the winning move. That was also the year of Bold Reason and Bold Reasoning, who both won major 3YO stakes, to confuse us even more.
Steve, it’s wonderful to hear the full story of Jim French, a horse that showed up no matter how often they ran him.
Glad you enjoyed it David. That was a special year. Besides losing Hoist the Flag we so lost His Jeaty to injury.
Off topic, but since tomorrow is opening day at Saratoga, I just perused the entries. The sixth race, for 2YO fillies, is described as an AUCTION. Have we gone back to the 19th century, when the winner in a selling race was routinely auctioned off afterwards in front of the judge’s stand? Anybody know?
Probably just someone messing with the online entries at drf again. There are actually two links for Saratoga, or where, about 7:30 when I posted this. The other list just says “maiden special weight.”
Speaking of opening day at Saratoga, who do folks like in the Schuylerville?
Well, I certainly did not pick the winner of that one! At something like 44-1, I wish I had!
Found the answer to what an auction MSW race is. For horses who’ve been SOLD at auction. My mind is way in the past.
I never heard of Jim French until now. That’s quite a story. It sounds like they never got to the bottom of the murky ownership situation.
So glad to hear you never heard of him. That is who I’m mainly trying to get to
thank you Steve.been reading you for years.been a race fan since early 70s,dont remember Jim French but now i will never forget him.
I am so happy to hear that. Thank you Phil.
I left a comment several hours ago and it’s still “awaiting moderation”. I can’t think of any reason it would be objectionable to anybody! I’ve never had this happen before.
Can you email info@secretariat.com. I dont know how that works.
Thanks Steve, I’ll do that.
Steve I just wonder if John Campo would have succeeded in today’s sport—the horse that sort of reminds me of Jim French is the filly Blind Luck, both skinny types that traveled everywhere and battled…. Jerry Hollendorfer was ruined…He was respected and they loved how he entered all those races with hig big stable…they loved him until they didn’t…and turned on him like he had the plague….now he has four or five horses at Los Al….driving back to the Bay Area every week to give his wife’s caretaker a day off, still getting up everyday at 3am….
No trainer will ever get away with what Campo did..
Matthew,
I agree with you about Jerry Hollendorfer as what has happen to him is tragic. I am not usually a union man but I feel these trainers need to band together and start protecting themselves. They seem to become the scapegoat for everything that is wrong with racing (some cases it is true but not all) . I wish we knew the whole story behind his banning from Stronach racing. Stronach has to accept part of the blame behind all those breakdowns between 2017 – 2019 and has since adopted over 40 reforms they can’t pin it all on Jerry’s 4 breakdowns. Something has to give here .
Great idea about a union, Matthew. Unfortunately trainers are such an independent lot I don’t see it happening. They’ve been doing things this way for more or less 150 years.
I kept a Racing scrapbook! I had a pic of Shoe whispering in Ack Ack’s ear, before his turf race in the American Handicap—(he wired them by five, over a Hollywood Park course that favored closers)…had the blanket finosh of the 1972 Santa Margarita Turkish Trousers, Typecast, Convenience, Manta, Street Dancer— multiple grade 1 winners all)…just every newspaper picture and there were many—I also delivered the paper…loved every bit of it EXCEPT collecting…a child should never have had to do that….
I was 12 years old when John Campo brought Jim French out to defeat the well-bred Unconscious in the Santa Anita Derby— his after race quotes about how weak the California three year olds were got my gander— Unconscious was the Kentucky Derby favorite, he finished around 5th, and was out for the rest of the year, if memory serves….I saw Unconscious up close when he beat Triple Bend and Cougar II in the ’72 San Antonio, he was pretty good….Campo was like that, you writers must’ve liked his strong opinions… later that year he was quoted in Sports Illustrated (remember that mag? I could not wait for my weekly edition) saying Ack Ack seemed to be in a class by himself, and that was nice to hear— mind you I was twelve, and could get easily upset…but I came to regard John Campo as a favorite of mine, and the way thinks use to be— there really was that east vs west rivalry
..because information was scarce compared to today….back then a west based horse had to travel east, and run on the deeper tracks— a 10 furlong west coast horse was maybe a 9 furlong east coast horse– and east coast speed was not like California speed….the stamina was in the east and speed on the west…..back in the 70s…eventually Campo got his big horse, and with Pleasant Colony he hit it out of the park….I saw a horse the other day at Los Al— trainer’s name Stacy Campo…..
Thank you Ismael for burning off the fog of time and bringing me back to that 71 Derby and watching with my Dad. He passed the love of horse racing on to me and it has been a joy in life and that eternally grateful. I miss those days when horses raced to train and gave us joy every time they went to post. We fell in love with those horses that were made of iron and weren’t afraid to give weight and take on all comers Your written words should last through time just as long we don’t end up like the Eloi and the Morlocks!
Some people may think I focus too much on the past. But one of the reasons is that the younger generation in general cares and knows little about the past. Someone has to keep it alive.
What a great piece, Steve! Of course I knew of Jim French, but I never knew ABOUT Jim French. You said it best: he had no say in the matter, and John Campo, by his own admission, didn’t know what he was doing. Of course, there are somewhat different circumstances, but I was reminded of Seabiscuit as I read your piece – what a couple of tough little horses, probably representative of many more of older eras. It’s hard for me to even imagine in this day and age. Is it fair to say they don’t make ’em like that anymore – I don’t know, maybe not physically, but I think the spirit is still there. Thanks for keeping this story alive, Ishmael!
I appreciate it Beth. Thank you.
Speaking of the Dwyer, Domestic Product earned a 101 BSF for his win on Saturday. Which is pretty rare for this year’s 3-year-old class. The 100 BSF plateau has seemed to be their limit. Other than Fierceness twice. But don’t forget that the Dwyer is a one-turn mile. Maybe that’s the key for this bunch. Maybe they just want shorter distances. Henro earned a 96 BSF for his perfect trip Iowa Derby win and Dragoon Guard only got a 92 BSF for his Indiana Derby victory. People seemed to be really impressed with Dragoon Guard. I guess it’s easy to like a Gray horse that gets a lonely lead.
My point in all this is that I would continue to look at the new faces when they pop up against the Derby Trail horses. Unless Fierceness shows up. But Fierceness is possibly a head case that can’t run 2 good races in a row OR certainly needs things to go his way. I’d never even heard of Henro before the Iowa Derby. Maybe we will see a big price or two in the Haskell, Jim Dandy, and/or Travers.
Tommy Mc—-More than any year I can recall….2024 has so much more coming, for the 3yo division!…The Haskell is shaping up as a terrific horse race! Pletcher has several…am hearing about other big names, and Bob has Parenting and Muth working well, like the old song goes we’ve only just begun!….
Steve,
What a remarkable story you just told. I wasn’t quite into horse racing back when he ran but I do remember the name. Maybe Campo might have went to the well too many times with Jim French but on the other hand the horse kept winning or close to winning. It sounded to me that this horse was a closer and that helped with his ability to rebound so quickly. I do think today too many trainers wait too long between races to race their horses. Too many are afraid of losing in which they feel that will affect there stud values and that is a shame because racing public never gets to know a horse like in the old days.
Steve, just keep on coming with stories like these as they never get old.
Thank you and very well said..
I have loved Jim French from the start and I appreciate your efforts to keep his story alive and relevant. It was also great to know about his stud career and that his blood lives on somewhere. A true campaigner. Thanks
I really liked Jim French when he raced in the early 70s, but it (now) floors me that he literally ran at just about every Derby prep racetrack — Tropical Park, Hialeah, Gulfstream, Santa Anita AND New York. What a gutty little horse! Thank you, Steve, for keeping his memory alive.
I meant, every Derby prep racetrack DURING Derby prep season.
Wow! What a (great) blast from the past for me. Thank you, Steve. Growing up on Long Island in the early 70s and not far from Belmont, I remember keeping a scrapbook of my favorite runners from 1970-72. I was a huge Hoist The Flag fan and was devastated when he broke down, but that scrapbook was filled with the exploits of Jim French, High Echelon, Shuvee, Ta Wee, and Good Behaving. Keeping that scrapbook launched me into the paths of Riva Ridge and then Secretariat. I sure miss all those great horses from the 70s. I am so thankful for this piece, Steve. (And, thanks for making me feel old, LOL!)
Thanks Patti. If I can make myself feel old why not other people too? Lol. Those were great days. The days of scrapbooks are gone. No newspapers and magazines to cut out stories. Time to write a column about that.
Neither of you are that old. Sure, we all feel that way considering whether or not to get out of bed in the morning. And I think every generation has said the old days are gone. But the horses don’t know that. 🙂 Hope to “see” some of you at Saratoga soon, Ang
Steve, I wish I had kept that scrapbook. It was full of some greats (and some not-so-greats, too). I cut-n-pasted a year or two worth of clips from the old Long Island Daily Press newspaper and Newsday (with some DRF clips thrown in whenever my paltry weekly allowance permitted! I was so enthralled with the races that I sheepishly bought the DRF from my neighborhood candy store, forking over the money like I was buying something slightly “forbidden.” “It’s for my dad,” I used to tell the owner!)
I just finished re-reading Laura Hillenbrand’s Seabiscuit. Jim French reminds me of Seabiscuit in many ways–his durability, his consistency, his travels all over the country, even his small stature. What a horse! I actually got to see him run when I was a little kid; I was there for the 1971 Pontiac Grand Prix, which I’m pretty sure was my first visit ever to Arlington.
Thank you, Steve, for reminding us of the remarkable exploits of a horse truly worthy of remembrance.