A year ago, American Pharoah was known as just another contender getting ready for the Kentucky Derby.
Although an unproven 3-year-old at the time, it was the beginning of a historic run for the Kentucky-bred colt, which went on to win the Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, becoming the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years. He also won the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland last fall, putting an exclamation point on a memorable racing career.
Now retired to stud at Ashford Stud in Versailles, American Pharoah, one of only 12 Triple Crown winners in history, was born at Stockplace Farm in Fayette County, spent the early stages of his life at Pretty Run Farm in Clark County and was bred by Tom VanMeter.
“It was so exciting to be a part of it and to have our 15 minutes of fame,” VanMeter said earlier this week. “I had lots of media requests and it was fun to do all that stuff. What it really did, besides the 15 minutes (of fame) and all the media requests, it really reinvigorated me and my career. It was like, wow, ‘we did that.’ It re-enthused me for what I do, being out here on the farm. It was like a shot of five-hour energy or drinking a six pack of Ale-8’s.”
VanMeter missed the Belmont and Preakness Stakes because of family wedding obligations during the running of both events but found a way to witness the historic feat.
“After the wedding they had a big TV set up, so 300 hundred people were watching,” he said. “I have a video of that and it was really cool. We did our job and did what we supposed to do. It’s like one of one of your kids, watching them hitting their first home run in Little League, the first goal in a soccer game. You are proud of them and what they’ve done.”
VanMeter said the incredible run by American Pharoah last year not only energized his career as an equine veterinarian but also gave horse racing industry a boost locally, nationally and worldwide.
“We all need heroes,” VanMeter said. “When I was a kid, I had Pete Rose, Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays (as my heroes). I loved following those guys. Horse racing needs a hero, just like any other sport. It gave us that and gave us something to grasp on to. I don’t that it necessarily helped our market, but everybody knew about American Pharoah, whether you’re banker, lawyer, tax man or whatever you were, you knew about American Pharoah.”
VanMeter said the successful run by American Pharoah brought recognition to Winchester and Clark County.
“They’ve latched on, too,” he said. “I’ve seen people that I grew up with, a couple of guys would show up and that’s been kind of fun to catch up with a lot of people and get my attaboys this year.”
To this day, VanMeter’s name is still tied to American Pharoah and his connection to the Triple Crown winner.
“I’m friendly with the Coolmore guys (at Ashford Stud),” he said. “There was a proclamation on the (Kentucky) Senate floor and the Coolmore boys came with me and they read the proclamation that Senator (Ralph) Alvarado (R-Winchester) did. That was fun. I’m connected and I can go down and see him at Ashford Stud.”
In two weeks, VanMeter will be back at Churchill Downs, but a past client likely won’t be part of the field this time around. Cupid, connected to VanMeter Sales and trained by Bob Baffert, won a Kentucky Derby prep race in Arkansas but had throat issues and finished 10th in the Arkansas Derby.
“That was our chance,” VanMeter said. “He could possibly run the Preakness. We were really cheering for him, but disappointed he did run (well) this past Saturday.”
VanMeter said hits and misses, such as American Pharoah and Cupid are part of the horse racing experience.
“That’s the way it goes,” VanMeter said. “We can’t commit suicide because we don’t have a (Kentucky) Derby horse this year. We’ve got some coming for next year, but that’s the way it goes. I’m going to the Derby just like I do every year.”
Despite his past success, VanMeter has no plans of slowing down.
“What else am I going to do?” he said. “I really enjoy being out here on the farm and being with the guys who have been with me forever. Let’s see if we can do it and get lucky again. It’s been a fun ride and it’s been awesome.”
Keith Taylor is a senior sports writer for KyForward, where he primarily covers University of Kentucky sports. Reach him at keith.taylor@kyforward.com or @keithtaylor21 on Twitter