SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Tuesday, March 08 2016 / Published in General, Sidelines Feature

Seabiscuit: A Four-Legged California Movie Star

By Susan Friedland-Smith

Fred, who appeared in the movie Seabiscuit, still makes appearances as Seabiscuit. Photo by Candace Chew

Fred, who appeared in the movie Seabiscuit, still makes appearances as Seabiscuit.
Photo by Candace Chew

Scrolling through Facebook, it’s not unusual for me to see pictures of friends posting horse show images, but a timeline photo I saw recently of my friend Natalie jumping a cute bay stopped me in my tracks. “I had so much fun on the movie star Seabiscuit, aka Fred, at the Thoroughbred Classic Horse Show.” Another post said, “First place on the movie star Seabiscuit,” with my friend posing in front of the familiar horse, proudly displaying her ribbons. I commented, “No way! I want your autograph and his hoofprint.

I adore the story of Seabiscuit! I read the best-selling book by Laura Hillenbrand, then fell in love with the movie and bought the DVD, and later was thrilled to discover a girlfriend was an extra in the crowd for one of the Santa Anita race scenes!

I’m predisposed to love any tale that has an underdog horse as the hero, but the beauty in this horse story is the people story. Seabiscuit brought together a jockey, owner and trainer who had endured personal losses, and each became a little lighter through their newfound community. Simultaneously the unlikely horse, a plain bay Thoroughbred gelding, brought joy to a beleaguered country during the Depression. I’m a super fan.

So when Natalie suggested, “You should go meet Fred!” I jumped at the chance, setting up an appointment to interview him, which technically occurred via his longtime handler, Candace (Candie) Chew. Currently Fred lives in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, a few towns over from Santa Anita Racetrack where he still makes occasional appearances.

Real-life jockey Gary Stevens on Fred, also known as Seabiscuit. Photo by Katey Barrett

Real-life jockey Gary Stevens on Fred, also known as Seabiscuit.
Photo by Katey Barrett

“Interviewing” the Star

Candie warned me via text the star might be dirty since we’d just experienced a round of El Niño showers. I responded I was glad he wasn’t a prima donna and got to live life like a real horse. She texted back that he definitely was a prima donna. As I walked over to his corral to greet him, the 17-year-old gelding, wearing a red halter and lead, pawed the ground in impatience. Prima donna.

During the course of our interview, which took place in Fred’s spacious pipe corral, the equine star — sporting a fuzzy winter coat in deep mahogany — demonstrated his range of emotions: inquisitive (he sniffed me for treats), friendly (he stood for pats and conversation), wary (when I began taking selfies with him), and aloof (when he left the conversation and turned his hindquarters toward us).

Unlike the real Seabiscuit, Fighting Furrari’s race career was lackluster with 16 starts resulting in only one win; his earnings totaled a mere $4,935. Yet the slow racer was destined for something special beyond racetrack success. Fred’s big break occurred when he was discovered at Turfway Park in Kentucky and cast for the role of Seabiscuit. Fred headed west to California to begin his new life as an actor.

The film Seabiscuit, released in 2003, featured five Thoroughbreds who played Seabiscuit; Fred (Fighting Furrari) was one of them. Candie said, “He wasn’t used for the race scenes as he couldn’t outrun me.” However, Fred was used for most of the close-up shots because his stature and coloring so closely resemble the real Seabiscuit. Tobey Maguire (aka Peter Parker/Spiderman), who played the jockey Red Pollard, actually rode him in some scenes.

Following the filming of Seabiscuit, the producers, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, adopted Fred and he moved to a dude ranch in Telluride, Colorado. About a year later, the ranch was set to close and Chris McCarron, then General Manager of Santa Anita was contacted. Chris, a former jockey and Seabiscuit co-star, arranged to have Fred return to the track where he’d ride the gelding and Candie would oversee his care.

A story was told that one rainy morning during one of Chris and Fred’s rides around the grounds, the still somewhat green horse deposited the Hall of Fame jockey into a puddle and took off running. Chris shot off after him but the mischievous gelding got away. He was later discovered on a grass patch behind one of the barns.

From Big Screen to Show Ring

Fred’s horse show career began a few years after his return to California when a 14-year-old hunter/jumper rider, Randi Pomrehn, lost her trainer suddenly to a heart attack and her horse to colic. A friend of Candie’s, who became the new trainer for the junior rider, asked if the teen could try Fred. The 15.1-hand gelding took to jumping as readily as he took to performing for film. Randi and Fred, shown under the name Seabiscuit, produced reserve or champion ribbons in almost every show they attended during the next four years. When Randi left for college, Marina Vallejos picked up the reins and showed Fred with similar successes. At different times, both girls had weekend jobs at the track as a Seabiscuit handler.

Susan’s friend Natalie showing the movie star Seabiscuit, aka Fred, at the Thoroughbred Classic Horse Show. Photo by Joanie Rietkerk

Susan’s friend Natalie showing the movie star Seabiscuit, aka Fred, at the Thoroughbred Classic Horse Show.
Photo by Joanie Rietkerk

Fred continues to show in the Thoroughbred Classic Horse Show series put on by CARMA (California Retirement Management Account), a non-profit that raises money for retired racehorses. He’s a good sport in the Trainer and Jockey Calcutta, a hilarious jumping class spotlighting jockeys and race trainers who get on and jump a course, some of them without much experience. Just like at the track, horse show fans can place bids on which team they think will win: proceeds then go to the winner/s and charity.

Since filming Seabiscuit, Fred has continued to act. He appeared in the 2009 mob drama Public Enemies starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale (lucky horse!). Fred expanded his repertoire to comedy in 2011, appearing in And They’re Off, a film about a failed horse trainer seeking a trip to the winner’s circle. In addition, Fred has starred in several commercials and television shows.

Happy Trails and Happy Fans

These days during a typical week, Fred is a trail horse weaving around the paths near his equestrian center home with Terry Stute in the saddle. Their view at the base of the mountains is reminiscent of a set from a Hollywood western — dusty and golden. And some weekends during the race season, Fred can be found dazzling fans on the Santa Anita infield wearing his tack from the Seabiscuit movie. He’s available for photos and petting, preferring the company of children to adults.

Fred not only loves children, but possesses an affinity for special children. Candie told a story about an annual field trip from a Southern California disability services organization that works with children who have autism and Down syndrome. “The first year we did this, my husband Matthew [a race trainer] and I held him from both sides while the kids surrounded him with petting and feeding carrots. Matt handed his lead to a young autistic boy and let him lead Fred around the walking ring, with me on the right side. The boy happily chatted with Fred while marching around the ring. At the end of the walk, his father and teachers were visibly shocked. I began apologizing for not asking them if we could let the boy lead the horse. Their shock was due to the boy’s talking. He didn’t really talk up to this point … It was amazing, and one of the best things that could have happened.”

Although their race careers couldn’t have been more different, the two Seabiscuits share a commonality beyond size, shape, and color: They both have brought people together, spreading joy along the way.

Susan with an equine movie star — Fred, the star of Seabiscuit. Photo courtesy of Susan Friedland-Smith

Susan with an equine movie star — Fred, the star of Seabiscuit.
Photo courtesy of Susan Friedland-Smith

About the writer: Susan Friedland-Smith, a middle school history teacher who’s been horse-crazy since girlhood, lives in North Tustin, California, with her budding equestrian husband, golden retriever and Doberman. Tiz A Knight, her ex-racehorse, is the main character of Susan’s blog Saddle Seeks Horse, which chronicles her amateur adventures of balancing a green rider hubby and green horse. For OTTB fun, horse tales, and product reviews, follow her blog at susanfriedlandsmith.com or see what’s up on Twitter @SaddleSeeksHorse and Instagram @SaddleSeeksHorse.

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: Fred, ottb, Retired Racehorses, seabiscuit, Susan Friedland-Smith

What you can read next

Kim Herslow: From Drag Racing to Gold Medals
Wellington Dressage CDI-W, presented by The Dutta Corp. Wrap-Up: January 31- February 3, 2013
High Expectation When Entering the Ring for the First Time

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
Breeding season is underway at Iron Spring Farm! W Breeding season is underway at Iron Spring Farm! We're proud to offer exceptional modern Sporthorse stallions, with wonderful temperaments and quality gaits to North American breeders.
 
Among our stallions are Cum Laude and Kaiman. Cum Laude (Apache x Weltmeyer) is a winning FEI horse and sire of quality dressage horses, breed show champions, and offspring scoring 9.0s on gaits.
 
Kaiman (Dark Pleasure x Gribaldi) earned high scores at his stallion testing and in the young horse classes. He's also the sire of a Licensed Oldenburg stallion. Kaiman's first North American foal crop is arriving now and they are gorgeous!
 
If you're looking for top international bloodlines please check out our 2023 stallion collection, now available fresh, frozen, and by the dose.

Among our stallions are Cum Laude and Kaiman. Cum Laude (Apache x Weltmeyer) is a winning FEI horse and sire of quality dressage horses, breed show champions, and offspring scoring 9.0s on gaits.

Breeding season is underway at Iron Spring Farm! We're proud to offer exceptional modern Sporthorse stallions, with wonderful temperaments and quality gaits to North American breeders.

https://www.ironspringfarm.com/biolink/

@iron_spring_farm 

#stallion #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #equine #dressage #pferd #equestrianlife #mare #hengst #horseriding #instahorse #cheval #pferde #equinephotography #horselove #dressagehorse #pony #horselover #caballo #foal #quarterhorse #aqha #arabianhorse #showjumping #photography #caballos #horseofinstagram #sidelinesmagazine
❗️George Williams column❗️ The FEI World ❗️George Williams column❗️
The FEI World Cup Final in Omaha is coming up quickly. That means that it’s starting to heat 
up as the end of the qualifying period for both the Western European League (WEL) and the 
North American League (NAL) nears. I started to write this column before the Amsterdam CDI- W, and I was using the FEI Ranking List from January 15 as a reference. As I sit down to finish 
my column, I’m now looking at the results from Amsterdam. While the list of the top contenders 
for the WEL hasn’t changed, they’re definitely moving around on the ranking list. The WEL has 
three more legs, as they’re referred to: Neumünster February 16–19, Goteborg February 23–26, 
and ’s-Hertogenbosch March 9–12, and they could change things dramatically.
Looking at the top 12 athletes from the WEL as they were ranked on January 15, there are five 
from Germany, three from the Netherlands and one each from Great Britain, Denmark

➡️Read Georges's full column by clicking the link in our bio, and never miss an article by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine 🦄 

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #horselover #instahorse #love #cheval #showjumping #horselife #photography #nature #pferde #horseofinstagram #caballo #riding #horsebackriding #pferdeliebe #caballos #horsepower #horsephotography #instagram #Sidelinesmagazine
Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Ivaro N strike gold in Gre Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Ivaro N strike gold in Great American $300,000 Grand Prix at HITS Ocala!! 🏆🥇

Crowds filled the stands at the HITS Ocala Grand Prix Ring on Sunday afternoon to watch the world’s top athletes compete in the Great American $300,000 Grand Prix. The day concluded with a thrilling five-horse jump-off featuring athletes 
representing four countries. In the end, it was Lisa Goldman-Smolen (USA) and Ivaro N who produced the only double clear effort of the day, claiming one of the biggest wins of her career. Scott Keach (AUS) and Noble De La Chapelle earned the second-place prize with the fastest 4-fault jump-off, while Aaron Vale (USA) and Obi Wan placed third as the day’s pathfinders.

“I'm still on cloud nine, I still can't believe it – I’ve used up all my luck for the year,” smiled Goldman-Smolen after her win. “I've been knocking on the door a long time in these bigger classes. I am so proud of my horse – he gave every ounce of effort.”

Sunday’s Great American $300,000 Grand Prix marked the conclusion of the 2023 HITS Ocala circuit. HITS CCO Joe Norick concluded, “We are so excited about the new HITS, with 2023 as the launch. New footing, many new arenas here, and a lot of our facilities across America are getting a lot of love and new footing. Our partnerships with Worldly Martin and others across America including our footing leader Bart Poles overseeing our operations – it really makes a big difference for us. Today is about Ocala and these three riders sitting next to me who supported us this entire winter. We want to be a proud destination for our exhibitors and our friends. We know we have to provide them a beautiful showplace to work from that's horseman friendly, and that's our go goal. 

Congratulations to all of the riders, horses, owners, and groom who participated in this prestigious class!!! 🎉
📸 @esi_photography 
#horseshow #horses #horse #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #horselove #horsestagram #instagram #showjumping #equestrianlife #equine  #horsebackriding #dressage #horselife #pony #of #horserider #horseshoe #horsemanship #horseshowlife #riding #instahorse #horseaddict #horseofinstagram #sidelinesmagazine
It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is. It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is...

 ✨PF'S DIAMO BLUE✨
Diarado-Diamant de Semilly- Chacco Blue
17.0hh, Oldenburg International Hunter Derby/ Jumper Stallion
An outstanding Pedigree- Chacco Blue and Diamant de Semilly
WBFSH/ Rolex top ranking Jumping Sires 2017 thru 2022
Standing at Ryan Pedigo Sport Horses, in California

For more information, you can contact 
🖥Ryanpedigosporthorses.com
🖥Ryan.p.f@hotmail.com
☎️(714) 357-2714

You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

@ryanpedigosporthorsespf_

#stallion #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #equine #dressage #pferd #equestrianlife #mare #hengst #horseriding #instahorse #cheval #pferde #equinephotography #horselove #dressagehorse #pony #horselover #caballo #foal #quarterhorse #aqha #arabianhorse #sidelinesmagazine
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • EQUINE HYPERBARIC CENTER OF SOUTH FLORIDA
    Hyperbaric Oxygen is an Adjunctive Treatment to your Medical and Surgical Treatments 1630 F Road, Loxahatchee, FL 33470 561-319-2557 equinehyperbariccenter.com

    [Read more]

  • FOX LAKE FARM
    ALABAMA Allison Majerik Black Hunters/Jumpers/Equitation/Ponies Birmingham, AL 205-991-0624 www.foxlakefarm.com

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
  • Longines Global Champions Tour of New York Returns to Governors Island
  • A Paris Horse Adventure: Saut Hermes 2022

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • 2023 Upperville Colt & Horse Show Presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™ Returns for 170th Year on June 5-11
  • Will Coleman Retains Yanmar America CCI4*-S Lead in Dramatic Show Jumping at Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International
  • First edition of the World Sport Horse Sales was a hit with $410.000 for the most expensive horse

Category

Recent Posts

  • April 2023 – Table of Contents

    Subscribe for just $9.95 or Order Individual Is...
  • Building a Bond With a New Horse

    By Margie Sugarman I just bought a new horse. I...
  • Developing Healthy Relationships With Your Barnmates

    By Rob Jacobs The purpose of this month’s colum...
  • The Value of Self-Coaching

    By Liz Halliday-Sharp The sport of eventing is ...
  • Unbridled With Annette Longenecker

    By Britney Grover  Annette Longenecker wasn’t j...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!