This horseracing story is about two standardbred racehorses and their friendship. You would be amazed to know the relationship between these two horse. They are intelligent and really special…

Jake and Digger| An Amazing Horseracing Story About two Standardbred Racehorses

By: Mary Ann Molnar

Some people believe that horses aren’t as smart as people. I believe you can look into a horses eyes and see all the way into their souls. They are quite intelligent, have families, make friends, and mourn the loss of any of these things. The following story is about two standardbred  horses that are special. Some people believe they know these animals but there are many horses whose memories are rolled up into two. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did writing it. Jake and Digger first encountered each other  when they were both purchased as yearlings at the fall sale. Both colts were purchased for a reasonable amount, although Digger was smaller the conformation was decent and the breeding acceptable. After being purchased by the same owner the boys were thrown out in the same pasture with 20 other youngsters to grow.

This is where competition is born and speed is found. Day after day the babies raced around the paddock playing tag and rough housing. Every afternoon you could look out at the paddock and see babies sleeping in the grass, basking in the sun, dreaming of races to come. Grooms came out to the paddock everyday to brush the babies, pick up their feet and learn to be led around. Digger was the pet of all the grooms because of his easy disposition, but they also liked Jake for intelligence and his eagerness to learn. As fall turned into winter the babies were sent into the barn and separated into their own stalls. Jake and Digger ended up next to each other and that suited them just fine. When introduced to the bridle and harness Jake was defiant , not impressed and would of been just as happy to have nothing to do with any of it. Digger on the other hand put up no fight and responded to the soothing words from the caretakers. Pretty soon both boys accepted there fate and their destinys. When the hobbles were introduced Jake took on a pace that would take your  breath away. Digger on the other hand struggled helplessly and would become nervous and resort to galloping instead of pacing. The hobbles hurt his legs and because of his size he would tire easily. On the track Jake was the star but in the barn Digger was becoming the stable pet. Everyone took a liking to the little colt who tried harder than anyone else and never gave up. There was even some talk about cross training him to ride in case he didn’t make it as a racehorse. As their training progressed  the two colts were separated into different training groups. They remained next to each other in the barn, shared grain and through the bars in the walls between them they often chatted about their latest lessons.

Jake was moved up to the 1st group of colts , the ones who showed a great deal of promise  and speed. Digger was training with slower learners an issue he often took up with Jake. He had finally learned how to pace but it wasn’t pretty. Jake on the other hand was a star. He carried himself with defiance and grace. He made everything appear easy. As spring made its way around many of the young colts had fallen to the wayside by either size, soreness or injury. They were turned out for another try next year. Jake was preparing for his first stake race.  One day after a training session  he was returned to his stall and Digger was already there and so was the vet. The colt didn’t appear to be in any pain so Jake went about eating his hay and waited for the humans to leave. After everyone left he beckoned the colt over to  the wall.

Baby soreness they called it. He was too small, so Jake would have to go about it alone. Digger knew it was his destiny to watch and not participate. But he also knew Jake was headed for greatness. Digger reassured Jake he was fine and there was some talk about enrolling him in jumping classes and see how he would fair as someones pet. As time went on Jake went on to win stakes race after stakes race doing it all for Digger. When he was on the road he was hateful and distrusting but as soon as the trailer  pulled up to take him back to the farm he did a complete transformation. Into one of the most loving and trusting. He always  had a tale to tell Digger about all the different racetracks and the animals he had seen. Digger was always full of tales about children and fences he would jump. Digger had finally found his calling and was thrilled with his life, but was very worried about Jake. He had heard  the grooms talking about his latest road trip and what a horror show it was. They were calling him borderline unmanagable and there was even some talk about taking him away from the girl with the soothing voice who had taken care of him all along. He was headed to a horrible life with the loud man who believed you could force a horse to do anything. The grooms couldn’t believe he was the same horse on the farm  and the girl insisted it was because of  Digger.

They told her she was crazy and she better get a handle on him because he had only one stake race yet and it was the big one. Training for this would take one week, she had that amount of time to convince him to be a good boy. After everyone left she went into his stall with a soft body brush and went all over him talking softly but loud enough so Digger could hear. ”Jake , this the most important race of you life and you have to behave or they will make me go away, anyway you will not be alone on this trip , they are having a petting zoo at this racetrack and  the boss thinks Digger could use some kid exposure so after pulling a couple of strings you guys are going to ship together .

“I think it will help your disposition.” Jake nuzzled the girl on her way out of the stall so she would know he understood. For the rest of the week Jake was on his best behavior and everyone was amazed. His training sessions were incredible and soon the farm was buzzing with excitement. The plan was to ship the day before the race so that they could have a day of rest before the race. When it came time to load in the trailer he was behaving like the perfect gentleman. When they went to put Digger in the trailer the farm foreman began complaining about shipping two. When they went to take Digger off the trailer Jake began to thrash wildly expressing his dislike for the situation. The trainer upon hearing the commotion came running out of the office, ”What the hell is going on? he shouted.” The groom stepped forward and said ”I wanted to ship the colt with his barn buddy to keep him relaxed.”  They went to unload him and Jake threw himself about it. “If this colt hurts himself shipping you won’t have to worry about the stakes race.” A deal was struck then and there. The boys would ship together  and the groom would look after both of them. As soon as the colt was reloaded you never heard a peep out of either one of them for the entire trip. On the way there Jake described to Digger what he would see there, and pretty soon they were both pretty excited. The day before the big race was filled with interviews and pictures. Jake was the picture of ease you couldn’t ask for a nicer guy. Digger on the other hand was becoming a favorite mascot among the press. They thought it was a novelty that a racing superstar had a jumping horse for a best friend. Many people came and took pictures of the two and everyone commented on how they had a genuine liking for each other.

The morning of the big race Jake was nervous and uneasy. Digger on the other hand was relaxed and enjoying everything that was going on around him. Jake and Digger had to be separated at 9:00 a.m.  Jake had to be in the detention barn and Digger had to get ready for his very first real public appearance. As post time approached  and it was time for Jake to report to the paddock an unreal feeling came over him. This was his destiny, what he was born for. No matter what else happened in his life he would not forget this moment in time. As he went his warm up mile he heard a familiar whinny wishing him good luck. And he knew no matter what else happened Digger was with him and he always would be. As the prepared for the post parade the trainer was helping the groom hook in and commented how great Jake was behaving. The groom said, “You have to give Digger the credit because he has a calming effect on this colt.” “ I tell you what Jake old boy you win this race you and Digger  will never be apart again”, The trainer stated. “ I  will hold you to your word sir” . The groom said. As the horses were led out on the track one at a time a spot light hit them. When it became Jakes turn he turned his head towards the barn and  whinnied loudly  as if to say here we go Digger boy. Jake was meant to be a star that night. He won the race in a world record time. And as the trophy was handed to the owner, the blanket was put on Jake and the flowers put around his neck. The groom in tears looked towards the shedrow and pulled Jakes head around, so he could see the  boy lead the small horse out from the shadows towards the winners circle. Jake hollered and threw his head. Digger replied by answering him and rearing up. The trainer said ”you won Jake now you two can be together always.” The groom said “congratulations Jake you did it” kissing him on his cheek. Even though that night was years ago Jake remembers it well. He has not left the farm for years. He raced some at 3 yrs old but a freak trucking accident ended his racing career and began his breeding career. He has had many wonderful offspring and I am sure you are wondering what had happened to Digger. Well he went on to an amateur jumping champion for 4 yrs in a row. The soreness he had as a youngster came back to haunt him in his older years. The trainer ended up buying him back so he could keep his word and let him live out his life with Jake at the farm. And now as the years go by if you drive by the farm you will see two older horses in the front pasture watching the yearlings play and enjoy each others company.

Mary Ann Molnar