Stymie (TX)

Biography

Bred by Max Hirsch at King Ranch in Texas, Stymie was a classic story of persistence and an underdog overcoming long odds.

Claimed early in his career for $1,500 by Hall of Fame trainer Hirsch Jacobs, Stymie lost his first 13 career starts and had only seven wins in 57 races by the end of his 3-year-old campaign. Jacobs partnered with Isidor Bieber in Stymie’s ownership with the horse competing in the silks of Mrs. Jacobs. The Bieber-Jacobs Stable campaigned many successful horses, but none as accomplished as Stymie. By the time he retired in 1949, Stymie was one of the most beloved horses in American racing and owned the record for career earnings.

From 1945 through 1948, Stymie was among the elite racehorses in America. His victories included the Aqueduct Handicap (1947, 1948), Brooklyn Handicap (1945), Butler Handicap (1945), Continental Handicap (1945), Edgemere Handicap (1946), Gallant Fox Handicap (1946, 1947), Grey Lag Handicap (1945, 1946), International Gold Cup (1947), Manhattan Handicap (1946), Massachusetts Handicap (1947), Metropolitan Handicap (1947, 1948), New York Handicap (1946), Pimlico Handicap (1945), Questionnaire Handicap (1947), Riggs Handicap (1945), Saratoga Cup (1945, 1946), Sussex Handicap (1947, 1948), Westchester Handicap (1945), and Whitney Handicap (1946).

Throughout the course of his career, Stymie defeated the likes of Triple Crown winner Assault, as well as other Hall of Famers such as Gallorette and Devil Diver. He also beat standouts Pavot, Natchez, and Round View, among others. Stymie was injured in the 1949 Monmouth Handicap and retired with a record of 35-33-28 from 131 starts and record earnings of $918,485.

Stymie died in 1962 at the age of 21.

Achievements

Champion Handicap Horse — 1945