Class Honours

The next horse I will profile from the Sheldon Wolfe racing stable is Class Honours. This handsome son of Outting Class was very well named. My father said that it was easy to devise the colt's name. When my father was in school. He was not a scholar. The fact was that he never once ever achieved Class Honours. Now he finally had! Like most of the talented Wolfe runners. They were all products of the fall Keeneland yearling sales. Class Honours was purchased in the fall of 1972. He was a handsome tall bay, with a very kind and gentleman like personality. But he was all race horse! He didn't make the races as a two year old. He was big and awkward, and suffered from legs problems during his 2 year old campaign. So the decision was made to castrate him and give him the rest of his two year old year off. This would give him the time to strengthen and mature for his 3 year old campaign. Class Honours became a gelding. Not because of bad attitude or poor personality. It was to try and reduce his body mass. Which in turn would take some pressure off his fragile legs? As a three year old he trained a lot better and his front legs were much improved compared to his two year old year season. Class Honours was starting to train like a good horse. If a horse has it. It doesn't take long for the good signs to come to the surface. These are; desire, intelligence, speed and courage. Class Honours had started to show all of these attributes. One special quality that I remember well from this talented racehorse was his stride. From an awkward, and gangly two year old. He had now developed this graceful stride when he was running that make owners and trainers dream of having a champion. May 1, 1974 was to be Class Honours debut. Would he prove to be the second high profile Wolfe runner. Or would he be just a morning glory. This is racetrack slang for a practice superstar. The horse that performs like a champ in the morning workouts. But is a total bust in the races in the afternoon. When the gate opened for Class Honours first race. We had our answer in a hurry. He broke a little slowly. This is a common mistake for a first time starter. Bill McMahon let him settle into his glorious stride. Then it was time to go! The race was only 6 1/2 furlongs and there was no time to waste. When Bill asked Class Honours to run. It was a beautiful site for the Wolfe family to behold. Class Honours in no time had already made the lead and was ready to improve his position. It was a most impressive debut as he glided home to an easy 5 1/2 length win. Bill McMahon did not have to work very hard for this win. He was able to enjoy the lovely scenery in the infield at the Ft. Erie racetrack. I have posted the picture of his first win. It was a very special moment.