Spectacular Bid: The Last Superhorse of the 20th Century

Spectacular Bid Walkover in Woodward Stakes

Spectacular Bid: The Last Superhorse of the Twentieth Century

In Fall 2019, the University Press of Kentucky will publish a book by Peter Lee on the champion racehorse Spectacular Bid, the winner of the 1979 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. The book chronicles the life of one of the most underrated racehorses in history, as well as the horse’s colorful cast of characters.

Feb. 19, 1979 – Spectacular Bid Cruises in Fountain of Youth

Fort Lauderdale News

On Feb. 19, 1979, Spectacular Bid won his seventh straight race as he cruised to an 8 1/2 length win in the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Feb. 17, 1976 – Spectacular Bid Born

Spectacular Bid as a yearling, 1977. Courtesy Keeneland.

Forty-three years ago today, Spectacular Bid was born at Buck Pond Farm in Versailles, Kentucky. The birth was a rarity; his mother, a small 6-year-old light gray mare named Spectacular, gave birth in a paddock in the morning instead of in a stable at night.Read MoreFeb. 17, 1976 – Spectacular Bid Born »

First Belmont Stakes a Ruthless One

The history of the Belmont Stakes goes back more than 150 years, making it the oldest of the Triple Crown races. And it all started with a filly. Her name was Ruthless, and she was born in 1864, when the North and South were in the middle of a long, drawn-out civil war. She was New-York bred, with her sire bearing the name of the great Eclipse; too bad his record didn’t show it, with only five wins in nine… Read More »

Spectacular Bid: The Last Superhorse of the Twentieth Century

Feb. 19, 1979 – Spectacular Bid Cruises in Fountain of Youth

Feb. 17, 1976 – Spectacular Bid Born

First Belmont Stakes a Ruthless One

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