Discovery

[Bill from WA]

I am currently reading a book called “American Race Horses, 1936” by John Hervey.
I thought you might be interested in Mr. Hervey’s view of Discovery. I love hearing first-hand accounts of the great ones, especially by someone as poetic in his writing style as Mr. Hervey. Following is an excerpt.

Bill

“Discovery stands 16.1 hands tall and in racing condition this past season weighed 1,180 pounds. His sire Display, has a small and very fine head, much of the Oriental type, with a tapering muzzle and dished face. That of Discovery is more masculine. It is full of character, which its white blaze accentuates. His eye is clear and bright and his ear small for so big a horse, almost daintily cut, and is beautifully set and carried. Bodily his distinctive mark is power. It is revealed at every point. His neck, which is of good length, is muscular and at maturity will be nicely crested, while the throat-latch is clean. His breast is broad and deep, his shoulder well laid, his barrel round and well ribbed-up back to the coupling, which is smooth and strong. His hips and quarters do not “swell with muscle” but are swathed with it in long fillets, so firmly set and molded that beneath his shining coat they look as if wrought in bronze. His stifle is powerful but his gaskin and second-thigh not noticeably so. His limbs are of excellent bone, knees and hocks well articulated, cannons of medium length, pasterns short and strong rather than long and flexible.

Without being a leggy horse he stands well off the ground and, despite his powerful physique, gives no impression of bulkiness---rather the reverse. The grooved muscles of his hind-quarters were often remarked by close observers, as indicative of the equine athlete that he proved himself. His action is that of a distance runner. The stroke very precise and like that of the piston-rod of a locomotive, apparently under perfect control and never, when making an extreme effort, broad and sprawling, and is propelled with great force. The air of Discovery in action is that of the most resolute determination. In some of his best races he has gone immediately out in front, set the pace and won all the way. In others he has been kept back and not made his run until the race approached its climax.”

John Hervey (Salvator)

[xfactor fan]

Would it be proper to post that in the info box on the pedigree side? Lovely description, and one that others would enjoy.

[Shammy Davis]

Must have been quite horse to win HOY over OMAHA in 1935.

[Lucy]

Would it be proper to post that in the info box on the pedigree side? Lovely description, and one that others would enjoy.

Given the age of the piece, it probably wouldn't be an issue if properly credited...but the info field has a 500-character limit, so it'd never fit. The conformation field doesn't, but that info isn't visible, so that doesn't do you any good.

Is that description on the web anywhere? You could always put a link to it....

[Bill from WA]

Hi

It's not on the web anywhere to my knowledge. It comes from a book that I have in my library, part of a series of books on the American Race Horse that are filled with wonderful photos, and descriptions of many of the great horses of the past. Lovely read.

Bill