The Kentucky Derby took place Saturday, and one horse that was trained in New Hampshire is rooted in controversial history at Churchill Downs.Dancer’s Image was trained at Runnymede Farm in North Hampton under owner Peter Fuller and won the 1968 Kentucky Derby. But just days later, Dancer’s Image was disqualified, becoming the first winning horse ever disqualified from the Kentucky Derby.He tested positive for phenylbutazone, also known as “bute.” The current manager at Runnymede Farm says bute is similar to a common over-the-counter medication, but it must be out of a horse’s system on race day.”Dancer’s Image did have some ankle issues, so he was administered bute prior to the race, which in human terms is like ibuprofen or Tylenol for us,” said Miranda Smith, manager at Runnymede.Smith says many believe Dancer’s Image’s 1968 title was stripped for political reasons.The horse had won the Governor’s Gold Cup just days after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Fuller then donated the race winnings to Coretta Scott King.Some attribute the disqualification to the veterinarian who treated Dancer’s Image and also cared for the second-place horse. The veterinarian was never charged with wrongdoing, but many still question the real reason the horse’s title was stripped.”So, who knows? It could have been something that went on behind the scenes, and it could have not,” Smith said. “We do know Dancer’s Image had issues with his ankles. It’s just kind of the mystery of it. Did it really happen that way? Did it really happen because of this? I don’t think the answer will ever truly be out there.”Despite the controversy, the 1968 trophy is still on display at Runnymede. Smith says the trophy remained at the farm after the win and was never requested back.”It’s really kind of a tribute to him. He did have a fantastic life, regardless of the loss that was taken away,” Smith said.Smith showed Hearst sister station WMUR logs of Dancer’s Image’s ancestors, along with images from the winner’s circle and locks of the horse’s hair.”We did actually come across his tail in a box full of other trophies,” Smith said. “The myth is if a horse goes to heaven with a full tail, it was a bad pony.”Runnymede Farm hosted a Kentucky Derby party Saturday, and staff say they are grateful for the lasting history created by Dancer’s Image.
The Kentucky Derby took place Saturday, and one horse that was trained in New Hampshire is rooted in controversial history at Churchill Downs.
Dancer’s Image was trained at Runnymede Farm in North Hampton under owner Peter Fuller and won the 1968 Kentucky Derby. But just days later, Dancer’s Image was disqualified, becoming the first winning horse ever disqualified from the Kentucky Derby.
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He tested positive for phenylbutazone, also known as “bute.” The current manager at Runnymede Farm says bute is similar to a common over-the-counter medication, but it must be out of a horse’s system on race day.
“Dancer’s Image did have some ankle issues, so he was administered bute prior to the race, which in human terms is like ibuprofen or Tylenol for us,” said Miranda Smith, manager at Runnymede.
Smith says many believe Dancer’s Image’s 1968 title was stripped for political reasons.
The horse had won the Governor’s Gold Cup just days after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Fuller then donated the race winnings to Coretta Scott King.
Some attribute the disqualification to the veterinarian who treated Dancer’s Image and also cared for the second-place horse. The veterinarian was never charged with wrongdoing, but many still question the real reason the horse’s title was stripped.
“So, who knows? It could have been something that went on behind the scenes, and it could have not,” Smith said. “We do know Dancer’s Image had issues with his ankles. It’s just kind of the mystery of it. Did it really happen that way? Did it really happen because of this? I don’t think the answer will ever truly be out there.”
Despite the controversy, the 1968 trophy is still on display at Runnymede. Smith says the trophy remained at the farm after the win and was never requested back.
“It’s really kind of a tribute to him. He did have a fantastic life, regardless of the loss that was taken away,” Smith said.
Smith showed Hearst sister station WMUR logs of Dancer’s Image’s ancestors, along with images from the winner’s circle and locks of the horse’s hair.
“We did actually come across his tail in a box full of other trophies,” Smith said. “The myth is if a horse goes to heaven with a full tail, it was a bad pony.”
Runnymede Farm hosted a Kentucky Derby party Saturday, and staff say they are grateful for the lasting history created by Dancer’s Image.
