It was the Preakness, where the collective hopes of horse racing fans have often been dashed, and Derby winner Animal Kingdom lost by just a half-length, effectively ending all hopes of a 2011 Triple Crown winner. There hasn't been one of those in over three decades, so when a nervous, overheated chestnut colt named Shackleford refused to give up the lead the mood at Pimlico grew decidedly glum.
However, there's one well known golf writer who wasn't crying into his champagne, and he too goes by the name of Shackleford. Actually, the writer / author / blogger in question spells his name Shackelford, but like his equine namesake he's often reffered to as Shack. And what some may not know... yet... is that Geoff Shackelford's latest book is not a golf book, but an extraordinary photographic tribute to Zenyatta, winner of 19 consecutive races, 2010 Eclipse Award "Horse of the Year" and one of the most uniquely endearing race horses of all time. Zenyatta At Home is the book and it's quite an accomplishment, as it manages to capture the singular spirit of a very special horse.
As for Shackleford the horse, it's unclear whether he'll race at Belmont. Many are hoping he does and I'd guess Shackelford the writer is among them.
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ReplyDeletegeoff and his dad were frequent posters on another site, i exchanged comments with them often
i have his two golf books which focus on golf architecture, line of charm and grounds for golf and if i remember, he was involved in a particular tract out west
he also wrote a book about the future of golf, but i didn't agree with his conclusion, although the book touches on various other golf issues that are quite interesting
it was fun to discuss the possibility of the masters having its own ball, for only that tournament, instead of lenghtening or significantly changing the course itself
anyway be well
frankD
ftliqourdale soFLA
Zenyatta won my heart and I think it's wonderful that she's been photographed in this intimate, caring way. I'll treasure this book as I'm sure many others will.
ReplyDeleteShack has a great thing going. His blog has always be one of the best and now its been picked up by golf digest. I sure his book will be a good read for the horse racing set.
ReplyDeleteThe bitter disappointment many felt with Shackleford's win on Saturday has everything to do with the decline of the sport over the past years. The entire community desperately wants a standout horse... sort of like golf wants... a Tiger.
ReplyDeleteI'd definitely bet on a horse named Ashley. :)
ReplyDeleteHorse racing like golf is an individual sport and has some of the same problems, it's harder to build TV coverage around individual sports and the big stars don't play enough, so when it's not a major event viewership is way down. Both sports have also struggled to market themselves effectively.
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to see talented writers care enough to cover sports that aren't baseball, football/futball and basketball.
No offense to the Shackel(le)fords but as you mention the outcome was a huge disappointment to most racing fans and the fact that it was so close just made it worse.
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