NEWS
Champion Real Quiet dies in Pennsylvania
Posted: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 11:20 AM
by Pete Denk
Real Quiet, champion three-year-old male and winner of the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) in 1998, died on Monday in a paddock accident at Penn Ridge Farms in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
The 15-year-old Real Quiet died shortly after being released into his paddock while his stall was being cleaned, said Penn Ridge owner Michael Jester, majority shareholder and manager of the syndicate that owned the Quiet American stallion.
Autopsy results indicated Real Quiet fractured five cervical vertebrae, Jester said.
“Somehow, he had to have reared up and come down on his left shoulder and drove that shoulder into his cervical vertebrae and snapped five of them, which isn’t easy to do,” Jester said. “We’re baffled by it to be honest. He was so laid back it was ridiculous. He goes out and just moseys around. He can see a big field of mare across the way, and normally he just keeps an eye on them and grazes a little bit. He’s usually totally content standing guard over that field of mares. He had such class and was such a pleasure to be around. He’ll be sorely missed.”
Real Quiet covered 25 mares this year, Jester said. He is the sire of 2007 champion sprinter Midnight Lute, who stands at John G. Sikura’s Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms in Lexington.
From 513 foals of racing age, Real Quiet has 237 winners, 15 stakes winners, and five graded stakes winners, including Grade 1 winners Midnight Lute, Pussycat Doll, and Wonder Lady Anne L. His progeny have earned $18,120,198 through Monday.
Out of the Believe It mare Really Blue, Real Quiet was bred in Kentucky by Little Hill Farm. Mike Pegram bought Real Quiet for $17,000 at the 1996 Keeneland September yearling sale, where he was consigned by Denali Stud, agent.
Real Quiet won Grade 1s at ages two, three, and four for Pegram and trainer Bob Baffert. After his Derby and Preakness victories, Real Quiet opened up a four-length lead in the stretch of the 1998 Belmont Stakes (G1) before falling a nose short of Victory Gallop at the finish in his bid for the Triple Crown. Real Quiet retired with six wins from 20 starts and earnings of $3,271,802.
After standing at stud in Kentucky from 2000 to ‘05, Real Quiet moved to Pennsylvania in ‘06.
Pete Denk is sales editor of Thoroughbred Times
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: Betty, Fortuna, CA on September 30, 2010 at 04:08 PM
Loved the article,and the horse.The 1998 Triple Crown race between Vivtory Gallop and Real Quiet was the last Triple Crown my husband and i watched,he passed in 1999,but what a stretch run!!!!loved it,he was on Real Quiet and I was on Victory Gallop,what a race series!!!I now have Victory Gallop grandson in grooming,hope he can run some,wish me well and thanks for such fond memories for me.
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Posted by: Slew, Albany, NY on September 29, 2010 at 08:39 PM
I was planning a surprise trip to Pennsylvania next month with my son for his birthday to see his all-time favorite horse, Real Quiet. I had been looking forward to it for several months. I was stunned and heartbroken last night when my eyes happened upon the report of his death. My son was 10 years old when RQ won the Derby, and I am saddened to know I will never see the elation he surely would have upon meeting his champion. May he rest in peace.
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Posted by: Winston , orlando, FL on September 29, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Great hero. we certainly going to miss you Real Quite. You were a true champion.Gone too soon.
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Posted by: Cynthia, St. Charles, IL on September 29, 2010 at 09:51 AM
To "Keeneland Observer": There are folks out there, racing and not, who are grieving for "Real Quiet". They are REAL horse people who tend to love the horse for what he/she is....and not for how they can take advantage of it. I'm so glad you "won a bundle", but if that's all you get from attending horse races, I'm thinking another sport might be better suited for you. This horse was an athlete, and a champion, if not in yours, in the people's hearts who knew and took care of him. We all need to respect that.
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Posted by: Debbie, Louisville, KY on September 29, 2010 at 08:47 AM
RIP Real Quiet and you will be remembered always.
To the Keeneland Observer comment - you are obviously not a horse lover. Shame on you to even tarnish this thread with comments like that.
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