Horses - Whirlaway
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Whirlaway: The Wild Horse That Conquered the Triple Crown
Summary
Whirlaway, a horse once deemed uncontrollable, defied expectations to become the fifth Triple Crown winner. This is his extraordinary story.---
Before the legendary horse Citation, trained by Ben Jones and jockeyed by Eddie Arcaro to the 1948 Triple Crown victory, Whirlaway had already achieved similar glory. Known as one of the most unpredictable horses in racing history, Whirlaway was anything but ordinary.
Whirlaway was often regarded as mentally unstable, prone to erratic behavior that posed danger to himself and others on the track. Despite this, trainer Ben Jones believed in his potential. During his three- and four-year-old seasons, Whirlaway competed in 42 races, emerging victorious in 25 and placing second in 13. His achievements were remarkable for a horse his age. Whirlaway became the first of eight Kentucky Derby winners and one of two Triple Crown champions for Calumet Farm.
Sired by Blenheim II, Whirlaway showed flashes of brilliance during his two-year-old season, winning seven races, including four stakes races. His record at that age outshone previous Triple Crown winners, who collectively only secured six wins by age two. However, his unpredictable behavior was evident, frequently veering toward the outside rail before charging back to win. Controlling him was a challenge due to his mental quirks.
Entering his second racing year, Whirlaway’s erratic tendencies persisted. After losing his first two races of the season, doubts emerged about his potential to compete in larger races. Fans and critics wondered if Whirlaway would ever fulfill Calumet Farm’s expectations.
The doubts were soon dispelled. On May 3, 1941, Whirlaway competed in the Kentucky Derby. Jones had adjusted Whirlaway’s blinkers to improve his left-side vision while limiting his right. Jockey Eddie Arcaro, a previous Kentucky Derby winner under Jones, replaced Wendall Eads. As the race began, Whirlaway lingered at the back, but in the final quarter mile, he surged ahead, winning by eight lengths.
The Preakness followed a similar pattern. Despite trailing by nine lengths at one point, Whirlaway charged ahead and clinched victory by five and a half lengths.
A month later, in the Belmont Stakes, Whirlaway secured his place in racing history. Starting strong, he built a seven-length lead. Though he tired towards the end, he maintained a two and a half length victory.
Tragically, after his retirement and sale for breeding, Whirlaway passed away just minutes after being taken to a mare.
While Whirlaway’s journey was tumultuous, his legacy as a Wild Horse who triumphed over chaos to achieve greatness endures.
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