Unfiltered: The Real Alydar Story, "Broken" by Fred M Kray

The real story of Alydar, the facts laid out so you can draw your own conclusions on the fate of this great racehorse and star of the sport.
Alydar is often remembered as the horse who finished second to Affirmed in all three Triple Crown races, but he was more than that and there are many horsemen who believe Alydar was the better of the two. He certainly was much better in the breeding shed. Alydar was a star of the then legendary Calumet Farm whose Red and Blue colors were indeed racing royalty. He raced in what many consider the glory days of racing and his rivalry with Affirmed is to this day one of the greatest rivalries in the historic Sport of Kings.
Alydar won 14 of 26 races, he finished second 9 times and third once. He earned $957,195. He raced against Affirmed ten times in his career, winning three. Alydar was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1989. His win in the Whitney by 10 lengths against older horses was breath taking and he did this before taking on Affirmed again in The Travers, a controversial Travers at that. It was the only time in his racing career, a Hall of Fame career, that Alydar changed leads. Imagine if he had changed leads on cue in all his starts.
We spoke about the Travers with the rider of Affirmed that day Laffit Pincay Jr., who was riding for Steve Cauthen. Cauthen had gone down in a spill at Saratoga after Affirmed won the Jim Dandy by about half a length against three year olds. You can watch Laffit Pincay talk about the race here:
• One on One with Laffit...
Unfortunately for the history of the Sport of Kings the Alydar story does not have a happy ending.
Was Alydar brutally killed in his stall for insurance money?
Did the man who married into the Calumet fortune destroy and bankrupt the farm?
What did Lundy have to say?
What did Dr. Larry Bramlage have to say?
Was Alydar leveraged to the point he was worth more dead than alive?
Was the heir to the Calumet fortune working as a chamber maid at a motel near Gulfstream Park before she passed?
In the end what do YOU think and believe?
Fred M. Kray, Animal Attorney and Author has done a phenomenal job gathering the facts and laying them out for you to decide.
On this episode of Unfiltered on Past the Wire TV Fred sits down with Jonathan Stettin who was at The Belmont Stakes when Alydar put a head in front deep stretch only to see Affirmed come back on the inside. Jon was also at Saratoga that August for the Jim Dandy, Whitney and Travers.
You'll love the passion and knowledge these two have for the sport and their admiration for Alydar. You will get a lot out of this show, but even more, a lot more out of Broken, by Fred M Kray. Learn more about Fred here:
fredmkray.com/
Thank you for watching Past the Wire TV! If you enjoyed this video please hit the like button and or subscribe to our channel. We continually strive to bring you content and unique and fresh perspectives you won't find anywhere else.
Photos: Courtesy of Fred M. Kray
Videography: Jim Gazzale

[@mikemadunic7960]

Just finished up Mr Kray's book and he presented some very compelling evidence concerning Alydar's death. Enough that if JT Lundy had been standing in the room with me when I finished the book, I would have strangled him with my bare hands. Last year I was on a tour of Claiborne Farm and I asked a groom if he was familiar with the Alydar story and he said, "Oh yeah. Everyone in this area is and it's still not discussed openly. We know what he (I'm assuming he meant Lundy) had done to that horse and it's a goddamned shame."

[@jeffb5785]

It's disgusting how people abuse animals that can't tell their stories. Money really is the root of all evil.

[@DeafBillionaire]

Thank you, Fred Kray, for doing the hard work. In many years ago, I read the book called “Wild Ride” but many theories based on Alydar’s death have been puzzled until your interview here. It’s intentional. A Substitute Watchman was lying to the grand jury, JT Lundy was not cooperating with you, and Terry McVeigh of Golden Eagle Insurance Co was not allowed in until the next day. Was there no blood on the hays at Alydar’s stall? Wow. I was placing an order for your book recently. Can’t wait. Great job, Mr Kray and the moderator!

[@sandrasilva4182]

Excellent show. Since watching this I have ordered and read Fred Kray's book "Broken". I admire the author's determination and courage in finding and interviewing people so many years after the fact. Now we have two valuable sources of information about Alydar, one published pre trial ("Wild Ride" by Ann Hagedorn Auerbach) in 1994, and now Fred Kray's book ("Broken") published post trial in 2023. "Broken" is written from the heart and sheds new light on the night of Nov, 13, 1990; it brings us closer to solving the mystery surrounding Alydar's death. Alydar is proud.

[@plmiller3576]

I think the most telling evidence is that there was no degloving injury on the leg. If Alydar's leg was stuck between the door and wall and he pulled it back hard enough to break it, then there would certainly be skin peeled back from the leg. Poor Alydar....I was fortunate to watch him in person at the Derby. I still have my win ticket on him....plus some grass that I plucked from a Calumet paddock (no horses were there - just some black baldy steers) Good book. Thank you for your investigation. Wish someone would come clean and tell the truth. Sad ending to a glorious horse and historic farm.

[@terrydodson9884]

Thank you for this show. I’ve followed Alydar since back when we were all young. An outstanding race horse & a great stallion. It’s so horrible what people can do! Alydar deserved better! Thank you.

[@PastTheWireTV]

Thank you

[@gabbygustafsson7894]

The Beautiful Legend Alydar You Will Never Be Forgotten . ❤ Gabby

[@suestaley844]

Great interview! I was a huge fan of Alydar back in 78. A great sire. Horrific end of an amazing animal. They had a series of horse murders of expensive stallions following the collapse of the Arabian market. The insurance guys finally figured out they were using a long needle to perforate the intestines. 2 or 3 days later you have a fatal peritonitis. Greed. Pure greed.

[@joeydimaio975]

I thought I knew the whole alydar story ..this was very informative and interesting...

[@TitanicHorseRacingLover]

Great interview with Fred. He is a great guy who wrote a great book about the great Alydar. Not only was the Alydar-Affirmed rivalry one of the best racing's rivalries, i think it was and still is one of SPORTS greatest rivalries, up there with Yankees- Red Sox, Brian Boitano vs Brian Orsor (men's figure skating) Steelers vs Browns, P. Manning vs Brady, Pats vs the JEtS, Pats vs the IND Colts, Celtics vs Lakers, Vikings vs Packers, etc.

[@4everelvislives]

I bought the book and it is so well written. So much love put into it. I cried in several chapters of the book. How could anyone treat a horse like that. Thank you Mr. Kray

[@steventesta6782]

Great show Johnathan, can't wait to get a copy of Fred's book. I love hearing your Great stories about racing in the 70s, which were the golden times of racing.

[@PastTheWireTV]

Grazie, much appreciated Steven.

[@makingthecoin3647]

Yes Jonathan thank you for this. I had contact with Fred on twitter several times about Alydar. I fell in love with Alydar, i was a teenager saw him go a mile and a half without changing leads. His explosion in the Whitney changing leads. I went to the track to take pictures of him. When he went to breeding i followed his rich group of offspring. But i have had outrage with these in the industry and also tv racing so called analysts who are cowards and have no credibility whatsoever. Sickening. Disgraceful to see them dismiss and ignore what happened here the murder of this BELOVED thoroughbred Alydar.

[@PastTheWireTV]

Grazie. Fred was great and did an amazing job.

[@yvonnedesilva2079]

This Was A Really Good Interview

[@PastTheWireTV]

Thank you Yvonne, appreciate that.

[@vaderbaby]

I fell in love with this horse the moment I saw him. I still have a special spot in my heart for Foolish Pleasure since he was my first pick as a winner as a little girl, but Alydar was just magnificent & beautiful.

[@donaldbowehr]

Great Interview ! Been watching your videos again.

[@PastTheWireTV]

Thank you

[@lannywilliams665]

Nice recap, the only thing new here is the late interview J.T. Lundry. Everything else has been out for years. A recap included of civil settlements would have been refreshing.

[@user-pf2xy5py4j]

Great interview Jon! The runner's Alydar would have produced if he would have been given more time. Besides the one's he had already produced.

[@PastTheWireTV]

Thank you.

[@kathleenhuff3059]

Old school Veterinarian named Dr Warren Perez told me that it was on purpose for 💲💲..Dr Perez knew Lundy..and his connections...when this happened to Alydar...Dr Perez was quite upset..and angry towards Lundy ..

[@caesarfiorini]

ONE HELLUVA SIRE HE WAS

[@robincavins3466]

Karma will serve these people responsible for the death of ALYDAR!! Revenge is the dish best served cold. There is a special place in hell awaiting those responsible. Ive already read BROKEN,, had my mind made up before and after reading the evidence that hadnt came to light, it further reinerates my initial belief. ALYDAR was murdered due to greed and selfish need!!! I highly recommend Freds book to anyone eanting to know the truth!!!

[@TitanicHorseRacingLover]

As for what happened to Alydar in his final days and his final hours, There was a Sports Illustrated article about show horses who were being killed for the insurance money.in the feature article was a sidebar article written by famous racing writer William Nack who put the suspicion of foul play concerning Alydar's passing into my head. He mentioned about how Alydar was insured for all this money and how the nightwatchman which Fred correctly mentions is convicted for perjury about the night that Alydar got hurt and Lundy was busted for bank fraud and such. The official death statement never sat right with me, "Alydar kicking the barn door." Had the explanation been that the horse was running around in his paddock and tripped and broke the leg, that would have been more believable. His 1991 Kentucky Derby winner, Strike the Gold had to be euthanized because he broke his stifle in that manner in 2011 when he stood in Turkey. I just didn't believe The official story. I read "Wild Ride" which solidified my suspicions. Reading Mr. Kray's book not only confirmed my suspicions not only because it was coming from someone who just adored Alydar as I did, but someone who not only did his research, but talked to the people involved with the horse, in depth. I could see how much Alydar was loved and admired by many of those people. I do agree with the moderator and the author, when a lot of money is at stake, greed rears it's ugly head. It was so unfortunate that a legendary farm and generational wealth and a beautiful, outstanding racehorse and stallion were all ruined by one man's greed.

[@LFGM24]

I remember one time a handicapper said, these horse give us so much enjoyment entertainment and opportunity to make money off their efforts, the least we can do is donate to their well being from time to time. I always keep that in mind . Sad to see these stories but it’s the reality of it. Just this week Wild On Ice gets euthanized after a workout which put Skinner in and almost no one on TV mentioned that Wild on Ice died. They just simply said Skinner gets in . No elaborating on anything because they want to sweep things under the rug. Even though there was no foul play. It was a unfortunate injury. Still…… the lack of transparency always makes things worst and they don’t care because they know bettors are gonna bet regardless.

[@brendagiles6904]

That’s unbelievable. The jerk inspector was so cocky that he’d be fine but if he did get his gun out, you have a dead or injured dog. Humans???

[@PastTheWireTV]

Pretty much.

[@Unknowingly_unknown.]

What I can’t understand is. If the first time alyder broke his leg by “ hitting his door” how did he breaks his leg the second time. ? So much info. I might end up buying the book to get more info

[@PastTheWireTV]

definitely worth it, a lot more in the book and even on Fred's website

[@TGP109]

They took Alydar out of his sling because he was getting frustrated at being hampered. A few minutes after they took it off, he slipped and fell against a wall of his stall while his right leg was under him. Being unable to flex the leg that was casted, he broke his femur on the right side.

[@sandraswan3130]

Alydar drew inside of Affirmed and ended up on the outside going a mile and a half. Do the math.