Viewed's Death a Blow to Foolish Pleasure Bloodline

Regular readers of this blog know of my deep fondness for Foolish Pleasure, the 1975 Kentucky Derby winner who was the first racehorse I fell in love with as a mere 10-year-old girl. Over the past years, I’ve often written about his influence, and even maintain a running update in the right-hand column of recent stakes placing by his descendents. The most recent years have been banner ones for my hero in the Land Down Under, particularly through his daughter Idyllic’s son Scenic who died in 2005, at age 19. As I wrote in a previous post, Scenic Blast won Horse of the Year, Phelan Ready was 2-year-old champion, and a host of others (including Coniston Bluebird, Scenic Shot, Sunburnt Land, Grand Nirvana, Nicconi and Niconero) won or placed in Grade 1 events.

Perhaps the gutsiest of the all was Viewed, who triumphed in the one of the greatest staying races in the world, the 2 mile G1 Melbourne Cup in 2008, and then won the 1-1/2 mile G1 Caulfield Cup last October.

Tragically, Viewed died last Saturday after suffering from a twisted bowel. His 82-year-old trainer Bart Cummings, an absolute legend in Australia, was admitted to the hospital a day later of a medical condition unrelated to Viewed’s death, but certainly saddened by his loss. The 6-year-old won nearly $5.8 million making 36 starts, with 9 wins and 7 placings.

Beyond the loss of a tremendous stayer just reaching the zenith of his career, Viewed’s loss is profoundly impactful on Foolish Pleasure’s bloodline and its continuing influence, as Viewed was not a gelding, but intact, and could have produced some wonderful offspring as a stud.

Farewell, Viewed. For those who haven't see it, here is his Melbourne Cup victory, by a mere nose over Bauer (he’s number 10, with black and white checks silks):