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DENIM N DIAMONDS
The real story of Denim N Diamonds is one that proves how patience can pay off over the lure of a quick return.
The Black Mare
by Gloria Dow
This issue features a reprinting of an article on Denim N Diamonds and her sire, Timeto Thinkrich, which was first published in Aug. of 1981. Larry Thornton follows that up with an update and pedigree analysis
of Denim N Diamonds. The Denim N Diamonds Handicap has been contested at Los Alamitos over the years and is not one of the richest races out there, but its namesake is one that should not be forgotten.
The sleek black mare was euthanized at Vessels Stallion Farm in 2003 at the age of 26, and she was buried at the California farm. The real story of Denim
N Diamonds is one that proves how patience can pay off over the lure of a quick return. Many may know the story of Denim N Diamonds, but for those who don’t . . .
She was from the first crop sired by Three-Time Champion Timeto Thinkrich out of stakes winner Bachelor’s Dream. She was bred by Raquel Malick, who cleaned her and wiped her nose after she was born. The foal’s coat seemed to blend with her jeans, and Malik thought, “Denim.” Then she noticed the contrast of the diamonds in her ring with the filly’s black coat in the night.
Malick was in the business of breeding and sell- ing, so she sent the yearling to the 1978 All American Sale. She was purchased for $25,000 by B.F. Phillips, Jr. outside the sale ring, then immediately sent through the ring. R.D. Hubbard, with guidance from his trainer Don Farris, was the successful bidder at $32,000. The filly began training with Farris and legendary rider Jerry Nicodemus.
Her career began with turmoil-filled 2 and 3-year- old seasons. Farris noticed she wasn’t quite right all the time - she had to be extremely fresh for a race to do any good. She ran well in trials, often setting the fastest qualifying time, then she’d go off her feed and fail to do well in the finals. Denim N Diamonds, in fact, was the only horse at the time to qualify to the Kansas, Rainbow and All American Futurities as a two year old and then to the Kansas, Rainbow and All American Derbies as a three year old.
Hubbard and Farris were not deterred, exhibiting great patience. They did not give up on her and send her to the broodmare band, instead they searched for the problem and solution. She had an intestinal disorder that acted up when she was under stress. Farris worked on the problem and prepared her for her four-year-old season.
That was the year she wrote her own chapter
in racing history. In a fiercely competitive season, Denim N Diamonds won nine consecutive races and
six stakes, earning more than any other older horse ever before, defeating the likes of Sgt Pepper Feature, Vespero, Town Policy and Kita Charger. She was named Aged Champion and Champion Aged Mare, losing the World Champion title to Quarter Horse racing’s only Triple Crown winner Special Effort.
She proved again what she was made of in her five-year-old season, winning an additional three stakes and receiving Champion Aged Mare honors. She retired sound with $731,118 and a race record of 25(10)-5(3)-2(2) from 35 starts.
Denim N Diamonds was a nervous filly. She was hot-tempered, ill-mannered and ornery. She wasn’t playful and disliked being looked at or petted. She loved to kick and bite at her groom - Mark Junger, who had a time catching her in her stall. Farris once said he tolerated her manners because he knew it was all bull. “If she was vicious, I’d correct her,” he said. “She does have fun though. She enjoys it when she’s being mean. If she really wanted to kick you, she would. She’s really just playing, only she plays rough.”
Denim N Diamonds wasn’t like that, however, around children. She would stretch her neck and do almost anything to watch the kids playing in the barn. She wasn’t like that when she was turned out in the pasture. She was gentle and kind. And, she wasn’t like that as a mother.
She moved to the broodmare band and she raised her foals with gentleness and kindness. But, her career there didn’t seem to be as illustrious as her race career. As it turns out, however, she became the foundation of a line that has produced Champions Prankster CF and The Diamond Side, as well as sires Latest Version and Winners Version. Her line continues on, and I guess that’s about all anyone can ask for.
Mark Junger leads Denim N Diamonds and Jerry Nicodemus to the winner’s circle following her victory in the Go Man Go Handicap.
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SPEEDHORSE, March 8, 2013
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Speedhorse Files