I’ve always been a lover of a come-from-behind horse. Zenyatta is the first to come to mind, as she’d settle way back to the field and mow them down after appearing hopelessly beaten. Racing’s”Queen” lost just one race, and with a short head, following 19 straight victories.
The new generation of horseplayers is probably not as familiar with Silky Sullivan. From the late 1950s, this household name was synonymous with winning a losing battle. Silky Sullivan was, undoubtedly, the best come-from-behind horse of all time.
Silky, often ridden by the excellent Bill Shoemaker, was nicknamed Mr. Heart Attack, and for good reason. This horse did not just come in the clouds, he came from another planet! I have heard lots of tales of old timers who tore their gambling tickets while watching the horse left behind, just to experience the garbage and try to tape their winning slips.
In 1957, Silly won the Golden Gate Futurity, easily making up 27 lengths on the field. In a race at Santa Anita in 1958, Silky took back several 41 lengths off the leaders and handed them all to win by open lengths in a 6-1/2-furlong sprint! What’s even more amazing is that he ran the previous quarter-mile of the race in 22 minutes. Later on in his career, he would come from 32 lengths from it to score handily in The California Breeders’ Champion Stakes.Silky Sullivan was a legend and a folk hero. He had his own train to journey, obtained Christmas and birthday cards and had his own secretary to open and respond to his email.
He was also a gentleman. He’d let children walk underneath him, sit on his back and stroke the white star on his forehead. As soon as an adult would try any of the, Silky would quietly but firmly eliminate them from the region.
Silky Sullivan has been foaled on St. Patrick’s Day in 1955 and hurried through his four-year-old season. Starting in 1965, he was paraded at Golden Gate Fields each year on his birthday. He was also shown at the Santa Anita Derby each year. In the mature age of 20, he was still being exhibited at racetracks across the country, and he loved every minute of it.
While his two- and – three-year old seasons were adequate, he didn’t fire in big races like the Kentucky Derby or Preakness. His career ended with a record of 12 wins from 27 starts, with one second place finish and five thirds. Silky earned $157,700 in his lifetime.
Silky died in his sleep, in Pleasanton, California, on November 18, 1977, at age 22. He was buried in the infield at Golden Gate Park, simply to the left of the tote board. Just one other horse — Lost In The Fog — is buried in that track.
What Silky Sullivan gave a production has been priceless. He provided chills and thrills and pure excitement. He took people’s problems away for a few minutes each time he raced and showed us no matter how bad things are, there is still always expect. His name is still used today in sports and politics — when a individual or staff is so far behind they cannot possibly win and yet they still do, it is known as a Silky Sullivan Finish.
We could all use a little Silky Sullivan within our lives.

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