Whirlaway - Documentary

Whirlaway (April 2, 1938 - April 6, 1953) was an American champion thoroughbred racehorse.
The chestnut horse was sired by English Derby winner Blenheim II, out of the broodmare Dustwhirl. Whirlaway was bred at Calumet Farm in Lexington, Kentucky.
Jimmy Jones, son of the colt's trainer, recalled that "Whirlaway was a creature of habit. You had to create habits for him. So we created the habits we wanted him to do." [Keeneland Magazine, Oct. 1998] The champion colt had a habit of bearing out, drifting toward the middle of the racetrack, during the latter part of his races and getting himself beaten. In preparations for the Kentucky Derby, this had been such a problem that trainer Ben A. Jones fitted the colt with a full-cup blinker over his right eye. In Whirlaway's final work before the Derby, he cut a small hole in the blinker so that the horse had a tiny field of vision. Jones then positioned himself ten feet off the inner rail and told jockey Eddie Arcaro to ride the horse through that space. Whirlaway was able to see his trainer, Arcaro was able to keep him on a straight path, and Whirlaway won the Kentucky Derby.
Whirlaway was voted the American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt in 1940 by Turf & Sports Digest Magazine. The rival Daily Racing Form award was won by Our Boots.
Trained by Ben A. Jones and ridden by Arcaro, Whirlaway won the U.S. Triple Crown in 1941. He also won the Lawrence Realization Stakes and the Travers Stakes that year. He was voted the Horse of the Year in 1941, beating Alsab by 96 votes to 91 in a poll conducted by the Turf and Sport Digest magazine. A year later, Whirlaway repeated his win in the poll, beating Alsab with 76 votes to his rival's 45.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whirlaway

[@susanaufiero5071]

Amazing horse - how could he have been under appreciated w/his accomplishments - winning the triple crown and setting a record for the Derby which lasted so many years - AND he was so beautiful!!

[@deborahrhoades7544]

Whirlaway, his name bespeaks his temperament and speed! Awesome, Another 'Red'. "I love the fluid motion of a horse in flight. He doesn't strike me as a dimwit; rather, quite intelligent.He had to have a big heart. His stride is so impressive.

[@marijaneplacek3090]

This is why all my sports heroes have always been horses. Talent with heart.

[@mariabykofsky4502]

Hell yes, I agree!

[@charlessomerset9754]

Wow. Deserves it's own movie. Definitely the first great horse after Seabiscuit!

[@TitanicHorseRacingLover]

Whirlaway is my favorite Triple Crown winner, and 5 horses have won the Triple Crown in my lifetime, Seretariat, slew, Affirmed, Pharoah, and Justify. I just LOVE Whirlaway. IT was his long tail, his jockey, Eddie Arcaro (The GOAT), his quirky personality, andhis contribution to the WWII effort. LOve him.

[@patrickjamesmurphy]

Whirlaway did not receive the proper credit he deserved in the Blood-Horse historic rankings. Among other achievements, he's the only Triple Crown winner to also win the Travers Stakes - known as the "4th leg of the Triple Crown" and also as the graveyard of champions. He also did much more. (Broadwell's book is an essential historical account of Whirlaway's life and career.) Whirlaway almost certainly ranks among history's top five greatest thoroughbred racehorses.

[@brielleemery8677]

Amen...!!!!

[@sczen]

So true,Pat! 48 times in a row--in the Money!!~

[@the_jackal622]

They should change the ranking for Whirlaway...

[@GFHanks]

I couldn't agree more. I have Whirlaway in the top three, and, quite frankly, there are some very strong arguments to be made for putting him at number one. I'm probably going to hear a lot of s#!t for saying that. But, I've been saying it for over 30 years now, and I'm sticking to it.

[@theendofanerror4173]

@@GFHanks Damn straight! You definitely will hear a lot of s#!t from the annoying diehard Secretariat fans but no worries. I'm sticking right with you as well!!!

[@johnclark448]

50 odd yr old from UK here Been watching and losing at horse racing all my life, seen some great horses and lots of poor ones Watched the Triple Crown winners documentary recently, of all the winners Whirlaway was the one that impressed me most, Thats why I'm watching this. Excelkent hossy

[@GFHanks]

I have to agree. Whirlaway would noodle around at the back of the pack, spotting the "speed" horses a sixteenth of a mile ( or more). And then, Zoom !!! He'd circle the field, often times, very wide on the turns. Yet, he would pass the best horses in the world, as if they were just out for a gallop. I'm going to guess that the documentary that you have been watching is "Jewels of the Triple Crown", narrated by the late Jim McKay. This particular documentary has an outstanding segment on Whirlaway. Cheers from the US. See you in the winners circle, my friend.

[@bonnytexas6527]

@JohnClark

[@bonnytexas6527]

Secretariat in a word, and all it has come to represent because of a scintillating horse.

[@Caroni100]

According to The Bloodhorse Magazine "Top U.S Racehorses of the 20th. Century" list, Whirlaway is ranked # 26. 32 victories, 15 seconds, 9 thirds in 60 starts and U.S. $ 561,161 earned. Whirlaway was U.S. Horse of the Year in 1941 and 1942; U.S. Champion 3 year-old in 1941 and inducted to The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1959 ☺ Regards from a venezuelan citizen who emigrated to Chile searching a better way of life.

[@ltjjenkins]

You're my favorite. Where are the bloodlines lol? You need to immigrate to Keeneland my friend. Peace to Venezuela.

[@Caroni100]

@@ltjjenkins It's true...! I'd wish to migrate and live in Kentucky, home of Keeneland and Churchill Downs racetracks, where retired jockey Pat Day won thousand of races. I returned to my country in March 2019, due I couldn't find a job in Chile.

[@kathrynbowers5632]

That's so amazing!!! I had a 3rd or fourth generation filly from whirlaway. She was an only surviving daughter of HH TRIPLE TRAMP on whirlaway bloodlines. I names her sages little hyjinx because she was full of mischief. I payed a whopping 50 bucks for her and was head over heels in love with her dam, a grade appy more names sage. The owner sold the dam at the auction for 13 cents a pound and she sold three times more in the parking lot. I had hyjinx for 28 years when I had to have her put down from cancer. As a 4 month old, taken from her mama, I slept in the barn in front of her stall to keep her from getting stressed and lonely. I fastened ropes on her and drug peeler poles into the 10 Acer kiwi field with her. She was SO massively competitive. I had a dream to take her on a track just once and see what she would do but it never came true. I put her in a cart and harness at 2 and she acted like she was born to it!!! Our best days were spent traveling under saddle. 20 mile rides were nothing in a four or five hour afternoon. She was pure adventure and devotion. 🥰🥰🥰

[@mariabykofsky4502]

That's so amazing!!! "I had a 3rd or fourth generation filly from whirlaway. She was an only surviving daughter of HH TRIPLE TRAMP on whirlaway bloodlines. I names her sages little hyjinx because she was full of mischief. I payed a whopping 50 bucks for her" OMG, Kathryn Bowers 5, I just bought a post card of Beautiful Whirlaway, THANK YOU FOR LETTING US KNOW!

[@Antoinette733]

Whirliway -- one of my favs! Love that horse! Thanks for the upload.

[@mariabykofsky4502]

Whirliway was certainly one of mine and wish he were buried with the other Triple Crown winners. I think that's why many people had not heard of him.

[@moelarrycurly708]

Whirlaway, Kelso and Forego all time greats .

[@davidbracher8322]

Underrated

[@stevimichael5553]

My favorite race horse..ran to the outside early races, starts slow, underdog and then wins!

[@mayaescott6250]

K

[@SnoopysVet]

a lot like Secretariat

[@CajunA79]

I love the long tails! I've never seen a 3 yr old with it's tail that long . Usually takes about 5 years for it to touch the ground .

[@richardaiello6819]

He not only won triple crown, he also won the travers stakes at Saratoga! WOW

[@robertmanocchia3046]

My Dad saw him race at Narraganset against Alsab. He never could stop talking about the experience.

[@chezneil1]

Great horse!

[@FreshCutFrenchFries]

Great video! Once in a lifetime horse!

[@garlanddavis7099]

Another amazing horse!

[@colleenyoung5004]

Love Whirlaway love to be made into a movie

[@mariabykofsky4502]

The greatness of Whirlaway deserves a much better ranking...

[@georgerobbins9970]

When I was four years old, my Father took me to Churchill Downs and I got to pet Whirlaway after his win in his stall. Today I went in my back yard and petted the Grandson of Storm Cat and great-great-grandson of Secretariat and gave him an apple.

[@patrickjamesmurphy]

thank you for sharing those memories.

[@loghorizon5477]

George Robbins your lucky I just got into the race and I want to build a hero I suppose you could say so thanks for the memories!

[@Antoinette733]

How lucky you are! Thanks for sharing that memory. From the moment I saw photos of Whirlaway I got hooked and wanted to know more about him.

[@jennifursun3303]

lucky you my big dream was to meet my sports heros-Bill Shoemaker or Vin Scully

[@steveweidner439]

Yesterday I became the new caretaker of a Great grandson of Storm Cat and the Great great grandson of the great Secretariat. Also is the Grandson of the great AP Indy. I'm going out to talk to him before I turn in for the night.

[@Chrisoula17]

Whirlaway was Gretchen Jackson's favorite horse when she was growing up. The Jacksons owned the legendary Barbaro.

[@abagail_louise6369]

we don't have many horses today like whirlaway and the other triple crown winners :(

[@nobodyaskedbut]

Maybe next to Kelso (who was the GOAT American horse) he is the most unappreciated and forgotten great horse. He's the only one to win the triple crwn & the Travers (which was 1 of 7 stks Ws under 130) . He was a great 2yo & 4yo as well, won stks at 13 diff tracks and is at least the 3rd greatest horse who was a trple crwn winner and an all-time top 10 American horse.

[@richardyanco3229]

Very good documentary. What an outstanding record. Whirlaway had some great moves that broke the hearts of the competition. He should have won the match race between him and Alsab. He should have been closer to the lead or on the lead. Very few horses come from behind in match races. Seabiscuit beat War Admiral at Pimlico in a match race because he wouldn't let the Admiral get by him..

[@shaunaiverson9250]

80th anniversary of the triple crown winner whirlway

[@mariabykofsky4502]

I hope to see Whirlaway in my next life.❤

[@200991602]

Love you Whirlaway. :)

[@mariabykofsky4502]

I second that, love Whirlaway he should have a higher ranking....

[@mz15945]

Fantastic documentary. How many favorite horses can I have? Thx for sharing

[@shaunaiverson9250]

Whirlway won the Kentucky derby on may 3 1941

[@emergencyexitonly5951]

It's 2020 and i still think this is the easiest triple crown ever. i mean no problems! No photo finishes, no nothing. great horse! great jockey, great trainer great owner and one of the best stable to ever race a thoroughbred

[@georgehendrikse4831]

what a wonderful story and what an icon for thorougbred breeding

[@alicecampos-ayala3290]

Turn up the sound You can barely hear it.

[@mariabykofsky4502]

I watched the Whirlaway video, for about 3 times. When I leave this life, and I am not a young woman, I will visit Whirlaway in glory...❤❤🏇🏇🏇

[@ljbroussard5519]

60 starts, 32-15-9... wow.

[@HungerGamesFanatic61]

fantastic!! Would you happen to have any other videos like this?

[@terriholliday8038]

Whirlaway tried to take a bite out of Ben Jones jacket ! Lol

[@bubblinbrownsugar616]

GOOD GOD!!! And I thought Secretariat's come from behind in the Preakness was the ultimate. Whirlaway BLEW that out of the water!! WOW!

[@MizARAZI]

bubblinbrownsugar616 I wouldnt say blew it out.. The first of the race it the hardest to blow by because all the horses are running their fastest to get into that turn and position..Secretariat actually blew the number off one jockeys arm and they said he sounded like a locomotive with his breathing and pounding hooves when he did. He was last and did a HUGE LEAP all of a sudden and went around them like they were sittin still on the OUTSIDE. Then if you look at Pincay, he is whippin the rear off sham. Secretariat was still in his lope that he went into after he got round em. I think They both are equal, one on one end of the track and the other on the far end :)

[@bubblinbrownsugar616]

Lara Martin Sure. IMO Whirlaway's PREAKNESS is better than Secretariat I'm not talking about the Derby or Belmont just the Preakness. Whirlaway had only 3 days to prepare, Secretariat 2 weeks. Yes Whirlaway and Secretariat were both in last place in their start but Secretariat came around to the horse we know in the first turn and lead to the end. Whirlaway wasn't even in the picture until at least HALFWAY into the race and then in the final turn, it was simply the reverse. He was eating their dust in the beginning but then mowed down every last one of his competition and literally had them eating his dust winning by 5 lengths. Secretariat had Sham only by 2. They may be equal when you look at their career as a whole, but when it comes down to this race alone, sorry. Whirlaway's Preakness blew Secretariat's Preakness out the water in my eyes.

[@MizARAZI]

bubblinbrownsugar616 Really, what was his final time against Secretariats? Also Secretariat was not being urged or whipped. If his time is still faster, than its a moot point.. Dont even talk to me about differences in the track by year either. The final time blows Whirlaways out.

[@2009jadeorchid]

bubblinbrownsugar616 Whirlaway, one of the most magnificent horses of all time. Whirly had the most fabulous Preakness of all time, as he was too far back by regular standards, to win the Preakness yet he did. He also won the Traveler's Stakes in 1941 no horse since Whirlaway has accomplished anything so amazing thus far. As was said in the video " A thoroughbred genius with a phenomenal burst of speed" .

[@bubblinbrownsugar616]

2009jadeorchid "Whirly had the most fabulous Preakness of all time, as he was too far back by regular standards, to win the Preakness yet he did." THANK. YOU. That is EXACTLY what I'm trying to say. God forbid you go against the high and mighty Secretariat. Ridiculous. There are other great horses besides him and this horse is one of them.

[@mallorys728]

That my friends is what real talent without dope or any kind of drug is... Real talent is real talent and all I know is that Wirlaway naturally had it without question!

[@barbarascotto3873]

We don't know these horses weren't drugged. They didn't have the testing back then. I've often wondered about that.

[@equine2020]

There were outstanding horses. Nashua, Native Dancer. Sadly people determine who they think the best.

[@christinestill5002]

What is wrong w/ the volume here?

[@manafalmola318]

Legend ❤

[@janetsmith2081]

Fabulous!!

[@kerryboyd2245]

lol -he would rather be in the stands eating a hotdog etc That made me giggle

[@fordranger4660]

A beautiful horse. Why the stressful trip to France? Calumet was his home!

[@barbarascotto3873]

Money, greed.

[@zenfan1098]

Moral of the story , Long tail more wins🤣

[@josephsolomon8623]

What does horse jenda in the Preakness was totally unbelievable amazing holy Jesus I've never seen anything like that totally incredible what a horse wow and it has the perfect name

[@louminox3065]

Is it just me or was Mr. Arcaro in tight reins when Whirlaway crossed the wire in the Preakness and Belmont?

[@MH3GL]

As someone who's not familiar with horse lingo... I understand what "tight reins" are, but why is that important to note?

[@ceceliaclarke264]

@@MH3GL Can provide something of an explanation from the perspective of equestrian jumping. If the rider pulls the reins low and tight while at the same time using leg pressure to keep the horse moving forward, the horse will simultaneously bend his neck and bring his back legs under his body. In equestrian sports, this is "collecting" the horse. With this technique, the horse will adjust the stride of his/her rear legs to be placing his hoofs directly under the weight of the rider. The effect is to slow the gallup slightly while increasing power. As the horse will have his rear hoofs landing in alignment with the center of gravity, he will gain efficiency and will not tire as quickly. It takes more energy to gallup with legs splayed out in the back because legs will be out of alignment with the weight of the rider. The additional effect of "collection" is to provide the rider with more control of the horse's turns and placement on the track. To the inexperienced viewer it can look like the rider is "reining the horse in" to throw the race (cheating). It's not to make the horse lose. This technique is for control and for efficient use of energy. For jumping competitions, collection sets the horse for more rear leg power for lifting off the ground and over the fence.

[@MH3GL]

@@ceceliaclarke264 thanks for the reply. Very interesting...

[@ceceliaclarke264]

@@MH3GL Just wanted to try to be somewhat helpful. Can't say exactly why the jockey used this technique. Can say that he may have wanted more control concerning placement on the track, in relation to the rail. As this horse was known for swinging out wide, use of the collection technique might have been for keeping him in a controlled straight line. In jumping competitions, the number and length of strides between fences has to be precise and exact, to avoid coming in too close or too far away from the next fence. With just the correct amount of collection, the rider can shorten or lengthen the stride, for the perfect placement at the fence. Use of reins makes a fascinating subject. Between racing, jumping competitions, and carriage driving the basic signals with the reins are different. You may have noticed that after crossing the finish line, jockeys will lift the reins high. Racehorses learn that reins lifted high means "slow down and stop" Low reins down by the neck means, "go like hell". Raised reins with a carriage horse means "go forward". Riders in jumping competitions never lift the reins high, because they would lose all control. Thank you for asking an interesting question about use of tightened reins, in relation to leg pressure.

[@josephsolomon8623]

My whole family works at Belmont racetrack Aqueduct Racetrack I've been raised around horses are you freaking kidding me is this a joke I've never seen anything like this horse holy Jesus amazing

[@waltwilliams7063]

i wonder why whirlaway's 1941 victury in the travers isn't mentioned (much). he was the only horse to ever win that and the TC. ever.

[@chrispenny3965]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@guidododo4822]

what's with that white horse's bridle? it's rubbing against his eye.

[@karenlloyd2453]

They should never have sold him to France, he should have stood at Calumet where he belonged. They should have shipped his body back to the USA and buried him at Calumet. He only lived to be 15???

[@mariabykofsky4502]

I agree, Whirlaway should never had been sent overseas...

[@mariabykofsky4502]

Recently, Whirlaway's remains were finally sent to the US, at Calumet Farm where he belongs...

[@jamiegreen7537]

Why have they not done one on man o war he was the greatest of them all

[@bruceborges]

Why do so many race horses die of a heart attack?

[@mariabykofsky4502]

Horses can be skittish and high strung, I wished they retired Whirlaway, and not let him go overseas.. love you Whirlaway, and may you run in the heavens with the other race horses forever...

[@bruceborges]

@@mariabykofsky4502 Most likely because of Steroids

[@peterzito1372]

I love secretariat unmatched in the triple çrown races but whirly is my favorite what a constitution he had 22 races in his 4th year alone big red ran 21 in his life time. And races like the Preakness run 1 week later in 41

[@davidherringgo]

What a win in the Preakness , it reminded me of Arrogates come from behind win in Dubai .

[@taxisteve929]

You would think ESPN would have made an attempt to fix this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWaToYSIaKaMrJo unless John Vietch just came out of one of those bar rooms...."He was a big man..with huge hands...and I'm sure he was as handy in a brawl room bar as he was on a lead pony with a stopwatch in his hand".....I would guess this great trainer heard crap about this on the backstretch@@ lol

[@sczen]

48 Consecutive races IN THE MONEY!!!~

[@loghorizon5477]

Not to be offensive but AND THEY'ER OFF!

[@emtquiver1588]

Was it in fact the war stimulation that helped him to be a loner? this might have helped him win twice as strong...whhinnny

[@barbaralovenvirth8726]

Whirlaway would not be the Champion he became if not for the great work of Ben Jones and Eddie Arcaro.

[@SOULRELIEF22]

We are ONLY BORN to fall in LOVE with JESUS, THEN go HOME to live with HIM FOREVER. NO OTHER REASON! WITH JESUS, you have it ALL! WITHOUT JESUS, you have nothing. If your highest goal in life, your dream leaves JESUS out, you may as well have NEVER been BORN. JESUS is RETURNING SOON! ALLELUIA! 🙏🙌

[@mariabykofsky4502]

I don't think Jesus had anything to do with horse racing, Jesus did ride on a donkey...

[@equine2020]

????? What

[@timothystephenson2498]

27:00, 32:36, 41:34, 42:54, 46:00, so true. Cool moments. Cool People 05/05/2023, 8:09am

[@elenacaddell3639]

They bred him to Death ! Leave it to the French !!! Although we do it here on a regular basis . $$$$$$$$

[@meggikabofolqi5460]

The pale step-uncle surely annoy because sale respectively land a a empty santa. high-pitched, bright thunderstorm