Citation was a Thoroughbred racehorse who was considered one of the greatest horses of the 20th century. Born in 1945, he was bred by Calumet Farm and trained by Ben A. Jones. Over the course of his career, Citation won 16 of his 19 starts and was the first horse in history to earn over $1 million in prize money.

Debut

Citation made his racing debut at the age of two, and by the end of his first season, he had won seven of his nine starts and was named the 1948 Horse of the Year. He continued to dominate in the following years, winning races such as the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes, among others. In 1948, Citation became the first horse to win the Triple Crown since 1941, cementing his place as one of the greatest horses of his time.

Setbacks

Despite his success on the track, Citation was not without his challenges. He suffered from a number of injuries during his career, and his owner and trainer had to work hard to keep him in top form. But he continued to win races, and his string of victories made him a fan favorite.

Impact

The impact of Citation on horse racing cannot be overstated. He was the first horse to earn over $1 million in prize money, and his success on the track helped to popularize the sport and attract a new generation of fans. His influence can be seen in the many horses that followed in his footsteps, and his legacy continues to inspire horse racing enthusiasts today.

Specialty

One of the things that made Citation such a great horse was his versatility. He was equally effective on both dirt and turf tracks, and his ability to run long distances made him a formidable competitor. In addition, Citation was a strong finisher, and he was able to come from behind to win races even when he was far behind the leader.

Impact Of The Trainer

Another factor that contributed to Citation’s success was his training. His trainer, Ben A. Jones, was a master at preparing horses for racing, and he worked tirelessly to ensure that Citation was in top form for each race. Jones also knew how to manage Citation’s injuries, and he worked closely with the horse’s owner to ensure that Citation was always at his best.

Records

Over the course of his career, Citation won 16 of his 19 starts and was the first horse in history to earn over $1 million in prize money. Here are some of his notable records:

1948 Horse of the Year: Citation was named the Horse of the Year in 1948 after winning seven of his nine starts as a two-year-old.
Triple Crown Winner: In 1948, Citation became the first horse to win the Triple Crown since 1941, by winning the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes.
First horse to earn over $1 million: Citation was the first horse in history to earn over $1 million in prize money, a feat that was considered impossible at the time.
16 wins in 19 starts: Throughout his career, Citation won 16 of his 19 starts, including prestigious races such as the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.
Multiple track records: Citation set multiple track records during his career, including a new record for the 1 1/16-mile at Garden State Park in 1949.
Successful sire: After retiring from racing, Citation became one of the most successful sires of his time, with many of his offspring going on to become champions in their own right.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Citation was one of the greatest horses of the 20th century, and his impact on horse racing continues to be felt today. He was a fan favorite and a true champion, and his success on the track inspired a new generation of horse racing enthusiasts. Despite the challenges he faced, Citation remained a dominant force in horse racing, and his legacy continues to inspire horse racing enthusiasts around the world.