1987 Breeders' Cup Classic - Ferdinand & Alysheba + Post Race & Interviews

Two Kentucky Derby winners strained for the wire in the world's richest horse race today, and it took a photo finish to show that Ferdinand had nosed out Alysheba to win the $3 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Hollywood Park.
This was the first duel between Derby winners since Affirmed beat Spectacular Bid eight years ago, and once again the older horse prevailed. Ferdinand, last year's Derby winner, took the lead with a sixteenth of a mile to go and held on by just a nose over Alysheba, this year's Derby winner. Ferdinand paid $4 for $2 to win as the favorite and ran the mile and a quarter under Bill Shoemaker in 2:01 2/5. Shoemaker, who has won a record 8,707 races, was scoring his first Breeders' Cup victory after 13 losses.
Ferdinand's victory was sentimentally popular with the 57,734 on hand under clear and mild skies for the fourth edition of the Breeders' Cup. Ferdinand's trainer, Charlie Whittingham, who is 74 years old, and Shoemaker, who is 57, are California's favorite trainer and jockey.
www.nytimes.com/1987/11/22/spo...

[@samludu5916]

Yes. Tom Durkin at his absolute peak, aided by the tremendous roar of the crowd.

[@lorderchamion]

perfect horse racing symphony

[@philipprebble7089]

2 Great Race horses this is what makes racing so fun .I have great memories of the race . The breeders cup in Louisville was alishebas race it was Sloppy alisheba stumbled coming down the stretch and still won the race . This group of horses in the late 80s was the best competitive I've ever seen ..

[@goforwand31]

Gives me chills every time I watch it. Such raw emotion from Durkin. Classic. One of my all time favorite calls and races.

[@patrickhagan9382]

The best BC Classic ever. You’ll never see 2 Derby winners in the same BC Classic ever again. Proud to have been at Hollywood Park this day.

[@mastermmv]

Also 3 BC Classic Winners in the same Race (Past and Future Winner) Skywalker, Alysheba and Ferdinand!!

[@brettwilkinson9529]

How the Americans and Japanese could have let this champion horse be slaughtered is beyond me. I would have treasured him and have been honored to have him living the rest of his days on my property. Shame on everyone involved in his life.

[@DavidSinger-nr1vn]

Shame is far too light a word a most noble beast 6:34

[@dawnburdi3612]

Tom Durkin with what has to be one of the greatest stretch calls in the last 100 years! " Judge Anjelucci desperate"......" The two derby winners, hit the wire together!" You can really feel the passion in his voice at the very end there.

[@chocolatetownforever7537]

I think its his best race call in his career, which is saying something. And I agree. That "Hit the wire together", is just awesome. That my friend, is what the term "Crescendo" means. Its a perfect ending to one of the great stretch runs in horse racing history.

[@boxcarent.3147]

Two awesome horses and a great great call.

[@julianjulio3811]

No one would have ever imagined, that Mrs. Keck would send Ferdinand to Japan.

[@TimothyPerring]

curse her for it!

[@keithritzel8197]

Such a sad ending for this beautiful horse. Ive viewed this many times and get goose bumps around the far turn every time! Thank tou Ferdinand.

[@jetBlueDawg]

Easily the best call of a horse race I've ever heard.

[@steventesta6782]

Shoemaker could still ride when the money was on the line. A perfectly well timed ride by one of the best.

[@wesleywesson]

Ferdinand deserved better

[@stevetriplecrown]

One of the best calls in racing history along with sunday silence and easy goer in there classic, love it !

[@eajinabi]

Why isnt there a stakes race named after Ferdinand in North America? He earned his title especially after his tragic demise

[@HHH-ye1ro]

If only McCarron had gone to the left stick a tick earlier. Late lead switch. But an absolute classic! One of the best races ever. And Judge Angelucci/Candy’s Gold gave their all.

[@marklewen9384]

Alysheba had a bit of hang in him until this 4yo year..

[@billross6013]

THIS RACE GIVES ME CHILL'S I WITNESSED THESE 2 GREATS GO AT IT AS A TEENAGER AT HOLLYWOOD, AS I REFLECT I AM VERY THANKFUL I SAW THEM COMPETE.

[@grandcosmo]

Durkin was never one of my favorite race callers but this was a classic call, maybe the best ever.

[@vinceferrari7198]

Maybe the greatest race call I ever heard. Chills.

[@austenrobinson2747]

2 of the gamest and greatest horses you will ever see.

[@brettwilkinson9529]

Ferdinand was a great champion. His previous American owners did a poor job looking after his wellbeing. Once again greed takes higher honors than loyalty in the racing industry. Ferdinand deserved a great home to retire after all his efforts he gave back to the racing community. Shame on the Japanese and Americans for letting this unnecessary incident happen.

[@bishlap]

that was a wicked turn of foot by Alysheba, just wicked.

[@floridapmi]

That crowd noise when they hit the 3/16 pole.

[@GBeret83]

To this very day the tragedy that befell Ferdinand in Japan leaves a worse taste in my mouth toward that country than Pearl Harbor ever could've left me with. Kentucky Derby & Breeders Cup Classic winners are forever icons in America. They're our national treasures that deserve to be treated as such, not shipped off to some low rent slaughter house somewhere in northern Japan.

[@stevek8829]

You took the words out of my mouth. I remember his Derby as one of the most thrilling and Shoemaker's ride, at 53, was masterful--then and here. I lost further respect for the Japanese as a race. If they don't respect a champion their Bushido is a hoax.

[@jensz9360]

I cant watch a Ferdinand race without that dark cloud looming over horse racing. What a magnificent creature just slaughtered like he was nothing. I cant help but imagine the horror of his final moments. from winners circle to brutality brought upon him. Just a complete disgrace to himanity what they did to him. May God punish those responsible for the death of Ferdinand.

[@vinceferrari7198]

So saddening the final fate of Ferdinand.

[@dankinsler1930]

Alysheba took off like a rocket when McCarron went to the left handed whip....if he had done it a moment sooner, he might've won the race.

[@sSeSs808]

dan kinsler agreed!! Or maybe shouldn’t have switched to the left hand at all

[@GlorysUncle]

What a day, what a race, two hall-of-fame jockey's, two Kentucky Derby winners - good stuff....Too bad greedy people tore down this great racetrack...makes me sad to watch this...

[@Caroni100]

"Two of the sport´s most famous trainers saddled the Derby winners in that Classic, with Charlie Wittingham sending out Ferdinand, and Jack van Berg saddling Alysheba. Charlie had me on Ferdinand and Jack had Chris McCarron in the irons on Alysheba. Both Chris and I knew we were sitting on dynamite that day" Bill Shoemaker (1931 - 2003) Best regards from Venezuela.

[@Caroni100]

On Saturday November 7, 1987 a record was set: the Breeder's Cup Classic was won by both the oldest jockey, Bill Shoemaker (56 year-old) and the oldest trainer Charlie Wittingham (74 year-old) with Ferdinand. This is a milestone which, I think, never will be equalled or surpassed. Greetings from Venezuela.

[@mastermmv]

I was there at Hollywood Park to "Yell" for Ferdinand! I had wanted Shoemaker to retire because he had cost Ferdinand some CLOSE races but he proved me wrong that day!! Ferdinand was ALL Heart-one of my two favorite Horses of all time!! Great Communicator in the 1988 Breeders Cup Turf was my other Horse-running wire to wire against all odds (smallest Horse in the field) and against Million dollar Horses (he was only purchased for $35K!!) He would NOT be denied!!

[@Caroni100]

Ferdinand (March 12, 1983 - 2002) 8 victories, 9 seconds and 6 thirds in 29 starts; earnings: US$ 3,777,978,00. 1987 Horse of the Year Eclipse Award. Alysheba (March 3, 1984 - March 27, 2009) 11 victories, 8 seconds and 2 thirds in 26 starts; earnings: US$ 6,679,242. 1988 Eclipse Award Horse of the Year. Two of the best thouroughbred horses in history! We will never forget them! Best regards from Venezuela.

[@mccroy33]

Ferdinand is the only Kentucky Derby winner to face his end in a slaughterhouse. It stands as the biggest disgrace of the horseracing industry.....

[@mallorys728]

That is why no American or European racehorse should be sold to Japan, even if they are successful, they still have a high risk of slaughter after they get too old for good foal crops. Japan should not slaughter horses that have won millions and million of dollars for their owners and breeders just to wake up and meet there end on a chopping block or about to get their throats slit after they have been knocked out in a stall full of other horses blood! IJS. if they want to breed to American or European stock, come to "us". This makes me sick.

[@Venckman]

The now-standard "buy back" clause in sales agreements when horses are sent to Japan from the US is his legacy. Who knows how many lives he ended up saving?

[@wesleywesson]

Ferdinand deserved better

[@cynthiatrivella4445]

So unacceptable and totally disrespectful to a superstar horse.

[@tracydavis8982]

Ferdinand's end was absolutely horrible!! But, for me, Alydar's end was the worst in Horse Racing's history!

[@Tampaslice]

The 2 Derby Winners...hit the wire together....Ferdinand and Alysheba! Classic!

[@josephgeorge7385]

Incredible race

[@jetshull]

One of the best races all time for me, the shoe a master of rating his horses power.

[@Caroni100]

Ferdinand (March 12, 1983 - 2002) * Sire: Nijinsky * Grandsire: Northern Dancer * Dam: Banja Luka * Damsire: Double Jay * Sex: Stallion * Breeder: Howard B. Keck (R.I.P.) * Owner: Elizabeth A. Keck * Trainer: Charles Edward "Charlie" Whittingham (R.I.P.) * Jockeys: Chris McCarron Bill Shoemaker (R.I.P.) * 29 Starts * 8 Wins * 9 Seconds * 6 Thirds * $ 3,777,978 (Current $ 8,905,595) * 1987 U.S. Champion older Male Horse * 1987 United States Horse of the Year * Rest In Peace, Champion! We´ll never forget you! * Greetings from Venezuela Ferdinand (12 de Marzo, 1983 - 2002) * Padre: Nijinsky * Abuelo paterno: Northern Dancer * Madre: Banja Luka * Abuelo materno: Double Jay * Sexo: Semental * Criador: Howard B. Keck (Q.E.P.D.) * Propietaria: Elizabeth A. Keck * Entrenador: Charles Edward "Charlie" Whittingham (QEPD) * Jinetes: Chris McCarron Bill shoemaker (Q.E.P.D.) * 29 Salidas * 8 Primeros * 9 Segundos * 6 Terceros * $ 3,777,978 ($ 8,905,595 actuales) * Caballo Campeón Maduro de Estados Unidos 1987 * Caballo del Año de Estados Unidos 1987 * ¡Descansa En Paz, Campeón! ¡Nunca te olvidaremos! * Saludos desde Venezuela

[@robertsmale3714]

Great race but to think Ferdinand, like Exceller, also ridden by Shoemaker ended up in a slaughterhouse is appalling!! That was a dark stain on horse racing.

[@BeveC21E]

This comment was typed 4yrs ago, but that sentiment holds true to this very day! It's a painful acknowledgment, still!

[@calexander2119]

Best race ever

[@patrickhagan9382]

Yes it was. The ‘84 and ‘87 Classics (both at Hollywood Park) were the best 2 runnings of the race.

[@Tampaslice]

Alysheba is my favorite racehorse of all time. I always liked Ferdinand too even though they were "rivals". Alysheba got the best of Ferdinand when he turned 4 and Ferdinand was 5. They sure had some incredible races. The 1988 Santa Anita Handicap could be the greatest display between 2 Derby winners ever!! Only 4 horses in the race, on the backstretch Alysheba and Ferdinand hooked up and flew by Judge Angelucci and Super Diamond like they were lame! You must watch that race! RIP Aly & Ferd

[@saratogaken]

I was in attendance here at Hollywood Park and watching this now and listening to the crowd when the horses are at the eighth pole gives me chills.

[@arkleegan282]

Kenneth Moultry its unbelievable stuff

[@arkleegan282]

I wish I was there too !!

[@crisaderson5011]

Stop lying

[@rachelalexandra9818]

What a fuckin race and call!

[@yipyappyyip]

It's quite ironic that Gary Stevens provided the stretch run analysis of Shoe's patience game until deep stretch. He took page out of Shoe's book 26 years later with an almost identical ride on Mucho Macho Man in this very same race..

[@razorbacker63]

"I'm happy to be broke." Pretty much says it all.

[@tracydavis8982]

Wow, what a Great Race! Two Dynamic Horses! I am Sorry that Ferdinand went to Japan, and suffered a tragic fate!!! The thought of a FANTASTIC Horse, like Ferdinand, ending up in a Slaughterhouse, makes me Sick!!! This Ferdinand, and Alysheba rivalry, was one for the ages! Just like Alysheba's Dad, Alydar, who had the Greatest Rivalry in Horse Racing, when he raced against 1978 Triple Crown Winner, the Great Affirmed!!!! The Affirmed vs. Alydar rivalry, was the GREATEST ever!!!! Affirmed, and Alydar were OUTSTANDING Horses!!!!

[@babsbat]

2 GREAT JOCKEYS & HORSES

[@Caroni100]

"For Shoemaker, it was his only win in the Breeder´s Cup. And it made up for a heartbreaking defeat earlier in the day, when he and Whittingham lost the Juvenile Fillies in the final jump, after Jeanne Jones blew a six-lenght lead at mid-stretch and was nailed by Epitome" Jay Privman "Breeder´s Cup" Page 75. Moonlight Press.

[@hectormartinez-ji1pn]

Gran Narración del gran Tom Durkin

[@jensz9360]

Great race, but the dark cloud of what became of Ferdinand when he was sent to Japan remains one of the most disgusting revelations and disgraces in horse racing.

[@crisaderson5011]

Classic Bill Shoemaker

[@elizabethferguson7002]

History!!! Eclipse Award split by a nostril. Judge Andelucci was a game son of a gun

[@Caroni100]

El Sábado 7 de Noviembre de 1987 fue impuesto un récord: la Breeder´s Cup Classic fue ganada tanto por el jinete de más edad, Bill Shoemaker (56 años) como por el entrenador de más edad, Charlie Whittingham (74 años) Un record que, para mi, nunca será igualado o superado. Saludos desde Venezuela.

[@deltarigor8546]

Why did they let them slautherd FERDINAND he is a great horse !

[@calexander2119]

There at the quarter pole at Hollywood Park..

[@josephgeorge7385]

The call of this race ranks with Chic Anderson Secreteriat Race.

[@Jeanemilr-hn7tj]

J'. EUS LE BONHEUR DE LE VOIR MONTER A LONGCHAMP, 1 OCTOBRE 1978.❤❤❤

[@dlempriere76]

One of the great ones. :-)

[@gd2290]

Yes, and yes.....I was never a big fan of Tom Durkin.....but this call was remarkable...He ran out of air exactly at the wire....The perfect finish for all

[@JorgeLopez-ij1ps]

The sire of Ferdinand was Nijinsky 2 and the mare was banja luka

[@sSeSs808]

One of my favorite races. I think if McCarron didn't switch whip within the 16th pole I'm pretty sure Alysheba woulda won by a nose!

[@babsbat]

greatess ride of all time shoemaker

[@Caroni100]

"Ferdinand ganó el Derby de Kentucky en 1986, Alysheba lo ganó en 1987. Desde que el valor de un potro asciende cuando gana el Derby, es raro que dos ganadores de "las rosas" se enfrenten, pues el primer vencedor es llevado a la cría. Cuando Ferdinand y Alysheba coincidieron por primera vez en la Breeder's Cup Classic 1987 en Hollywood Park, fue apenas la séptima carrera entre dos ganadores del Derby desde 1950, y la primera vez que sucedía en las Breeder's Cup" "Esta carrera tenía ramificaciones significativas, porque si uno de ellos ganaba, sería"Caballo del Año" Ferdinand, después de comenzar el año con seis derrotas consecutivas, había ganado tres clásicos seguidos -incluyendo la Copa de Oro Hollywood- para su entrenador Charlie Whittingham, quien llamó a su potro 'el mejor caballo de Estados Unidos hoy' " "Alysheba había ganado el Preakness Stakes y el Super Derby, y fue entrenado brillantemente para el Clásico por Jack Van Berg 'Si derrota a esos caballos, estaría seguro que sería el Caballo del Año' dijo" Jay Privan "Breeder's Cup" página 74. Moonlight Press, 2001 Saludos desde Venezuela 🇻🇪 "Ferdinand won the Kentucky Derby in 1986. Alysheba won it in 1987. Since the value of a colt skyrockets when he wins the Derby, it is rare for two winners to meet, since the older horse is whisked off to stud. When Ferdinand and Alysheba met for the first time in the 1987 Breeder's Cup Classic at Hollywood Park, it marked only the seventh race between Kentucky Derby winners since 1950, and the first time it happens in the Breeder's Cup" "This race had significant ramifications, because if either won, he would be Horse of the Year. Ferdinand, after starting the year with six consecutive losses, had won three straight races -including the Hollywood Gold Cup- for his trainer Charlie Wittingham, who called his colt 'the best horse in America running today' " "Alysheba had gone on to win the Preakness and the Super Derby, and had trained brilliantly for the Classic for his trainer Jack Van Berg. 'If he beats this horses, I would sure think he'd be the Horse of the Year' " Jay Privman "Breeder's Cup" page 74 Moonlight Press, 2001. Greetings from Venezuela 🇻🇪

[@Caroni100]

"Dos de los más famosos entrenadores ensillaron a ganadores del Derby en ese Clásico. Charlie Wittingham a Ferdinand y Jach van Berg a Alysheba. Charlie me tenía en el sillín de Ferdinand y Jack tenía a Chris en las riendas de Alysheba. Chris y yo sabíamos que ibamos sentados sobre dinamita ese día" Bill Shoemaker (1931 - 2002) Saludos desde Venezuela.

[@TimothyPerring]

Ferdinand is proof that if you can afford it, dont ever sell or your horse to ANYONE regardless of the price tag

[@Scubooty]

This ride from Shoe is exactly what Flavien Prat needed in the last race on May 17th, 2020. Would of given him 7 wins on the card. Instead of making that great move to get off that rail, he just stayed down there blocked, and his horse lacked his normal solid bid. Get off that damn rail.

[@boxcarent.3147]

Oh my.....

[@DanielSong39]

Too bad Java Gold couldn't make it to the gate - he looked like the best horse that year! Lost Code and Bet Twice would've also made this race more interesting...

[@mastermmv]

Don't forget Snow Chief and Broad Brush!!

[@vernonlingenfelter4847]

They were great horses. Maybe my favorite ! Aly was super, Skywalker was shaking them up that Summer and fall as I recall????

[@SeguridadsomerscalesToma-ut1nw]

Ferdinand and exceller

[@Tampaslice]

Charlie Whittingham went to his grave with Ferdinand as his all time favorite horse. Thankfully God took Charlie before he'd hear of Ferdinand's fate! Otherwise the news would've killed him! Sunday Silence was Charlie's toughest to get close to.

[@charlieallen1162]

The shoe shoe shoe

[@Jeanemilr-hn7tj]

ON VEUT VOIR LA PHOTO..

[@JorgeLopez-ij1ps]

Ferdinand broke his maiden at Santa Anita going a mile the jockey was Wesley ward

[@michaelpflug394]

That’s something I didn’t know thanks for the info.

[@Elitetreaty]

💫

[@Caroni100]

"Para Shoemaker fue su única victoria en la Copa de Criadores y compensó un infartante revés temprano ese día, cuando él y Whittingham perdieron la Juvenil de Potrancas en el salto final, después que Jeanne Jones lideró por seis cuerpos en la recta de enfrente y fue sorprendida por Epitome" Jay Privman "Breeder´s Cup" Página 75. Moolight Press.

[@dontaeward34]

VIVA LOS TRUMP

[@jamesdio3567]

I collected my $13 20 times.

[@rott1112]

Wao Wao Wao...🦾🦾

[@cinc0delm02]

Ferdinand?

[@jamesdio891]

Chris moved 2 late.

[@arkleegan282]

James Dio , Bullshit , he caught Ferdinand about 300yrds out and Ferdinand ran away again ... Winner got one of the greatest rides ever ..

[@marklewen9384]

If you watch them accross the wire Ferdinand, the FOUR year old, easily outweighs 3yo alysheba by a 100 lbs or more. 4 yos have advantage over younger horses...

[@sigscorpion9275]

1989 Breeders cup classic

[@SA-eh5gd]

If he hadn’t had a bleeding issue Candy would have taken that race.

[@sigscorpion9275]

Most do have bleeding issues whats your point?

[@randaliemorse9589]

Japan will not keep a horse that is to old to win . He will end up supper.