Hmmm...that is interesting. Was it more him, or the horses that he rode?

Nancy.

I have a guess but it is a guess only so will wait for clues.

Heat wave here with temp at 41F. Will work on my winter pot for the front door this afternoon. Temps headed back down to below freezing for highs all
next week.

He made the Guiness Book of Records with this one if I've got it right. I doubt very much anyone will ever try to best him, down right amazing.

Annette

Nancy, mostly him, but the horse (Sweet Kiss) played a part.

The record was set on June 4, 1923 at Belmont Park in NY.

Charles just got home from a conference and now he is up in the attic vacuuming. I told him that Annabel and I have been listening to what sounds like a rather large critter moving around up there. Could be several. Yikes. Guess he didn't find anything, but at least some cleaning is getting done! :) There is definitely something in there, though. I don't want to get a critter guy here because Chuck has the attic so full of boxes that no one (except him apparently) can move around up there. Plus, I am guessing they would use poison and with an owl around, I don't want to risk it. I was going to go up to investigate yesterday, but decided there was not even enough room to get up off the ladder safely. When I saw all that, I almost died. So frustrating.

Apropos of nothing, I just saw that we might hit 73 degrees F. here tomorrow! Then, snow on Wednesday. Crazy.

Cynthia

OK, if I am interpreting the clues correctly, here's what happened. Frank's horse was in the final stretch among a tight crowd of horses, when a large critter, an owl, actually, flew across the track in front of the group. The horses were spooked so badly that they all tumbled in a heap of horseflesh. Frank's horse almost died, but was struggling to stand on its remaining two good rear legs when quick-thinking Frank, who was burly for a jockey, got down on all fours in front of the horse and supported his front half. The curious six-leg combination of man and beast proceeded with as much haste as they could manage the remaining short distance to the finish line, winning the race and setting a new Guinness record for the number of legs on a winning entry. Later investigation revealed that the owl's weird behavior had been the result of rat poisoning, probably due to eating a poisoned rat from a nearby homeowner's attic.

I'm pretty sure I have this right.

TM

Oh man, TM. My clues were THAT obvious? I need to work on being more subtle. ;)

Hayes was actually a trainer and stableman, but this time he was the jockey. This was a steeplechase race rather than a flat race.

Actually, now this whole thing seems pretty darn dull. I say we go with TM's version! Wonder if we could sell the movie rights...

Cynthia

This post was edited by cyn427 on Sun, Nov 23, 14 at 16:48

Wow TM - I'da paid to see that - lol.

Nancy.

TM you had me ROTFL :).

Annette

Okay, still hanging on here. Can't give up the ghost quite yet.

The horse never ran another race and no, the horse did not die!

Cynthia

I was laughing so much that DH asked why. So read him your answer, TM, and we are both chuckling.

My guess is that this was a very painful record.

My first guess was most broken bones but as I read the clues I think he died. Now how did he die? Can't be that he was tossed or fell off during a jump as that would not be an extremely rare event or record. "Still hanging on" clue suggests that he didn't fall off the horse. "almost died" suggests extreme fright triggering a heart attack. Maybe he died of a heart attack just as they were at the finishing line and they won because he was still hanging on?

I'm standing pat.

TM

Although dead from a heart attack when he hit the finish line but he was still on Sweet Kiss. Only dead man to win a race.

Annette

Now Annette- that makes sense. Just checked in while signing into my work system. It is 15C and sunny out there - I'd really rather be planting the last of those tulips. Oh well.

Nancy.

Four stars for Annette, Bobbie, and Nancy. Yes, Frank Hayes is the only dead man to win a horse race! Sweet Kiss was never ridden in a race again, perhaps due to the nickname given: Sweet Kiss of Death. Poor thing. Anyway, Hayes was 35 years old and had never ridden a race before ( and obviously never did again-ha). He had a heart attack and died partway through the race, but was still in the saddle when the 20:1 horse crossed the finish.

Here is a link that might be useful: Frank Hayes

And now, (drumroll, please) the award for best fictional answer to a non-fictional question goes to...TM! Woohoo (cue cheering and thunderous applause). Sometimes, you just need to reach for the stars!

Cynthia

Both horse pictures are great. Feel sorry for Hayes but makes an interesting story. Not as interesting and entertaining as your story, TM.

I love it! The only dead man to win a horse race. I have never heard this story before. What a great piece of trivia to know. I would love to be able to work this into a conversation somewhere.

Thanks, Cynthia, for the beautiful starry horse.

I really do love this question and answer!

TM

Ah, that means a lot coming from the Trivia Master, TM. Thanks. I am glad you liked it. I have to agree with Bobbie, that your tale was much more fun and interesting!

I hope everyone not in Canada has a marvelous Thanksgiving. To Annette and Nancy, if you hop a plane, you could be here for dinner tomorrow! Come on down!

Cynthia

Thanks for the invite, I'm afraid I can't make it in person but will be there with bells on in spirit :).

Annette