The Not-So-Secret Life of Seattle Slew: From Underdog to Stallion Supreme, and How Long Did He Live It Up?
Hey there, horsey history buffs and trivia titans! Buckle up, because we're about to gallop into the fascinating life of Seattle Slew, an American Thoroughbred legend. We'll answer the burning question: how old was Seattle Slew when he kicked back and whinnied goodbye to the world (spoiler alert: it wasn't exactly a rocking chair retirement).
How Old Was Seattle Slew When He Died |
From Humble Beginnings to Triple Crown Glory: A Colt Who Refused to Be Slewed
Born in 1974, Seattle Slew wasn't exactly a neigh-sayer's dreamboat. Rejected at a fancy yearling sale for his, ahem, less-than-glamorous looks (think "big floppy ears" meets "absolutely no white markings"), he ended up with a group of owners who probably wouldn't have recognized a blueblood from a blue ribbon. But hey, what Slew lacked in aristocratic features, he made up for in pure horseracing horsepower.
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This underdog colt turned into a champion, becoming the 10th winner of the prestigious Triple Crown in 1977 (Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes – the equine equivalent of winning Wimbledon, the Tour de France, and the Olympics all in one go). Not only that, but he did it in style – undefeated. That's right, folks, Seattle Slew was a champ with a capital C, leaving the competition in the dust (or should we say, the mulch?).
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So, How Old Was Seattle Slew When He Finally Crossed the Finish Line of Life?
Now, for the main event – the age-old question (pun intended). Seattle Slew enjoyed a long and fruitful life for a racehorse, living to the ripe old age of 28. That's about the equivalent of a human reaching a cool 84! He spent his post-racing years as a stud, siring over 100 stakes winners, including the legendary A.P. Indy. So, while he may not have been winning races anymore, he was still a major champion in the breeding world.
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Basically, Seattle Slew wasn't just a Triple Crown winner, he was an equine Methuselah!
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Frequently Asked Slew-stions (Get it? Like questions... but about Slew?)
- How to Pronounce Seattle Slew? It's SEE-attle SLYOO, not SEE-attle SLOO. Don't embarrass yourself at the racetrack!
- How Much Was Seattle Slew Worth? Though initially rejected for a measly $17,500, his racing and breeding career made him a very valuable stallion.
- How Many Triple Crown Winners Have There Been? Including Seattle Slew, there have only been 13 Triple Crown winners in history.
- How to See Seattle Slew Today? Sadly, you can't visit the champ himself – he passed away in 2002. But you can learn more about him at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York.
- How to Train My Horse to Be the Next Seattle Slew? There's no guaranteed formula, but a healthy dose of talent, hard work, and maybe a sprinkle of magic might do the trick (and a supportive owner who doesn't judge by appearances).
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