Around noontime, on August 24 2007, Capote was euthanized at Robert Clay’s Three Chimneys’ Farm near Midway, Kentucky. The Eclipse Award winning son of the legendary and immortal Seattle Slew, was 23 ½ years old.

Capote was born in the early spring of 1984, right at the time when his brother Swale was storming to victories in the Grade 3 Hutcheson Stakes, and Grade 1 Florida Derby.

Capote came from outstanding bloodlines. Not only was his father the most complete thoroughbred in the history of the industry, but his mother, Too Bald, was the former Kentucky Broodmare of the Year.

The dark bay colt began his training under the guidance of future Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lucas soon after being purchased at the Kentucky Yearling Sale of 1985 for $800,000.

The training went well, as Capote won three of six starts in 1986, including two stakes races. They were both quite prestigious. The first one was the grade 1 Norfolk Stakes, while the most significant one was the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup for Juveniles. Both were easy wins, and Capote seemed to be a real Kentucky Derby contender.

As a three-year-old in 1987, Capote trained well, but could never continue his winning ways of the previous year. Persistent knee problems, including bone spurs, were the culprit.

Still, he bravely battled on, training aggressively for the 1987 Kentucky Derby. Capote entered that race and broke quickly from his post position to grab the early lead as they raced past the finish line for the first time. He continued to lead around the first turn, and into the backstretch.

Capote built almost a three-length lead after 5 furlongs in just over :58. He appeared to be going along quite well and looked strong. But, the testing opening fractions were taking an awful toll upon him. He was fighting enormous pain in his front legs with each and every stride.

Finally, after 6 furlongs [¾ of a mile] he could withstand it no more. Capote began to give way, and would eventually have to be eased up by his jockey, the legendary Angel Cordero Jr. Sadly, that would be Capote’s last and final race.

At stud, however, Capote would more than make up for that disappointment. First, he went to Calumet Farm. Then, following their bankruptcy and subsequent dissolution, Capote transferred to Three Chimneys’ Farm on Christmas Eve 1991. He would serve as a stallion there until November 2003, when he was retired due to spinal cord compression.

In just 15 seasons at stud, Capote produced a remarkable 62 Stakes winners, and a Horse of the Year in South Africa. One of his best sons was Boston Harbor, who coincidentally, also won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, and did so exactly 10 years after Capote had won it.

Thus far in 2007, three of his offspring, two sons and one daughter, have done their father proud by entering the Winners’ Circle of three Graded Stakes races. All told, his offspring have amassed 38 million, 250 thousand dollars in winning purses to this date, a very impressive total to say the least.

According to Dan Rosenberg, the president of Three Chimneys’ Farm, Capote’s spirits were high and his appetite good right up to his last day.

He was a winner, no question about it. He did his father proud and carried on the winning family tradition on and off the track. He added to the Slew dynasty in his own special way.

Now, he is reunited up in Horse Heaven with his father Seattle Slew, his brother Swale, and his sister Landaluce. I am sure that they are all having a wonderful time together, and are having fun.

So long Capote. You were a good one.