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Pillar of Creation
Original article written by Douglas Marley posted 2 years 3 weeks agoFounding fathers are often revered for the part they played in creating a country. Men, like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and others are held in high regard for example they set that is then followed by others, generations after their death. In the same way horses, that help establish a breed, often become the measure of greatness in that breed. Man O’ War, Dash for Cash, Affirmed, Niatross, Kontiki and others are still revered long after their deaths. It is not that their record of accomplishment will not be surpassed, usually they are. In 1920 Man O’ War set a career earnings record of $249,465. Three years later it was surpassed by Zev and today horses of modest ability regularly surpass this record. Yet, Man O’ War is still used as a litmus test of greatness. In the SIMRacing world it is no different.
In Y25, Pillar of Creation rose to prominence in the SIMRacing universe. His accomplishments were phenomenal, a race record of 16: 12-4-0 with earnings of $555,500, ten stakes victories, and he was voted a Champion in every year he raced. Moreover, he accomplished this during a time when legends regularly entered the starting gate. It was not uncommon in these early years of the mixers to have multiple future Hall of Famers enter the starting gate together.
In Y23, the aptly named Pillar of Creation, was created along with numerous other mixers as six new breeds (Arabian, Appaloosa, Paint, Quarter Horse and Standardbred trotters and Pacers) were created. They, like many legends of old, came out of nowhere with no pedigree and only their talent to establish their greatness. Pillar of Creation was sold for $5,000 to Skippy Bowen who directed his training until Y24 when the then unraced colt was sold to Laura Ferguson for an amazing $350,000. It would be easy to second guess Ferguson’s wisdom until Pillar of Creation entered the starting gate.
Pillar of Creation’s first race was a $10,000 maiden special weight at a mile and a quarter, against ten other maidens. When the starting gate opened Pillar of Creation raced to the fore and held the lead from “flag fall to that’s all” winning by almost five lengths. This solid victory was followed by an even more stunning victory in a $25,000 non-winner of two event at a mile and a half. Pillar of Creation again raced to the front, by almost five widening lengths at the first call. Pillar of Creation drew out to almost nine lengths at the second call, eleven at the third call. Pillar of Creation’s jockey, John Pollard, steadied his mount and allowed the horse to canter across the wire nine-and-three-quarter lengths ahead of the demoralized field. After this breathtaking performance, Pillar of Creation was ready to face stakes competition for the first time.
Pillar of Creation first stakes start in the $75,000 Endurance Marathon at two miles. In the field that day was Sayitsyurbirthday, the reigning Y24-Arabian Horse of the Year and, Y24-Arabian Champion Three-Year-Old Male. Sayitsyurbirthday was a colt that was undefeated in seven starts. Sayitsyurbirthday was a patient stalker who would be eased to the middle of the pack and make his winning run from the top of the stretch. Pillar of Creation’s jockeys knew the plan and had his orders to take Pillar of Creation to lead and keep him there. Then the plan fell apart.
When the gates opened Sayitsyurbirthday broke perfectly. That was not the case for Pillar of Creation who fell to his knees on the sloppy track. Pillar of Creation, for the first time in his career was not on the lead at the first call. By the second call he had regained the lead under pressure from Elk Dreamer. At the top of the stretch Sayitsyurbirthday began his patented run and looked to continue his winning streak. Both Pillar of Creation and Sayitsyurbirthday dug deep knowing that one of them would be defeated that day. At the wire Sayitsyurbirthday was beaten for the first time in his storied career. Pillar of Creation was the victor by a solid length.
The Endurance Marathon was Pillar of Creation’s first test of his metal, but not his last. His next race was the $100,000 Endurance Marathon at two miles. Another race another champion. In this race Pillar of Creation faced another reigning Simmy champion in Midnithe the current Y23 Arabian Champion Older Male and a future Hall of Famer. Midnithe was an Arabian freak who during his career won at distance from five furlongs to two miles. When the gates opened the usual script was changed as Midnithe grabbed the lead. Pillar of Creation was forced to duel with the sprinter for two miles. In the stretch Pillar of Creation was able to put a neck ahead of Midnithe as they went under the wire.
As Y25 was winding down it was out of the frying pan and into the fire as Pillar of Creation was entered in the $200,000 Player’s Cup Arabian Marathon at two miles. Pillar of Creation would not face one but two future Hall of Famers. Pillar of Creation entered the gate with Sayitsyurbirthday and Bobbie Girl. Bobbie Girl later became the first Arabian millionaire. The cast was different, but the result was the same. Pillar of Creation grabbed the lead and held it against all challengers. Y25 ended the same was it started with Pillar of Creation undefeated. After five races against reigning champions and future Hall of Famers, Pillar of Creation had proved he had the heart of a champion and was named Y25-Arabian Champion Three-Year-Old Male.
Y26 began with three victories from thee starts, all in stakes company and all at a mile and a quarter. Pillar of Creation’s fourth race of the year seemed like a cake walk. The $50,000 Darley Stakes at a mile and a quarter had no champions to challenge, just a modest field of seven. It seemed like another day at the office for an immortal like Pillar of Creation.
In Roman times when a conquering general returned to Rome, he was greeted with a triumph in which he was paraded through the streets of Rome in a chariot while the crowds adored him. Standing behind the general was a slave who, while the crowds cheered, would whisper “you are mortal”.
In the Darley, Pillar of Creation again broke poorly and found himself fifth in a closely bunched field. By the head of the stretch Pillar of Creation gained the lead while being pressured. Down the stretch less than a length separated the top four horses. Pillar of Creation gamely fought to retain the lead. Legend, Pillar of Creation, tasted defeat for the first time as he finished a quarter length behind the forgettable Thunder Nation I.
Pillar of Creation would finish Y26 in the $125,000 Ocean of Fire Stakes at two miles. Pillar of Creation would face only two other challenges, apparently his reputation was not damaged by his defeat in the Darley Stakes. The Ocean of Fire Stakes went true to form. Pillar of Creation gained the lead and would not let it go winning by an easy four- and three-quarter lengths. Pillar of Creation finished Y26 with four victories and a second in five starts. He was also able to add two new Simmy’s to his trophy case as he was voted Y26-Arabian Horse of the Year, Y26-Arabian Champion Older Male.
As Y26 ended Pillar of Creation had proven that he could defeat champions and bounce back from defeat. Now he had to face the only foe that no one can defeat, time and effects of age.
Pillar of Creation’s first two starts of the new year, Endurance Prep Stakes, and the Trial Route Prep, were easy victories were Pillar of Creation grabbing the lead and held it to the wire. In his third start, in the $50,000 Endurance Classic at a mile and a half. The race started well with Pillar of Creation grabbing the lead. All went well until the top of stretch. Pillar of Creation lost the led to Bashir. The two dueled to the top of the stretch where they were overtaken by Colt Forty Nine. Pillar of Creation changed his focus from Bashir to Colt Forty Nine. Pillar of Creation fought gamely but could not overtake Colt Forty Nine . . . or the march of time.
Pillar of Creation showed his greatness in his next start in the $75,000 Endurance Marathon at two miles. He again faced Bashir and Colt Forty Nine with the expected result. He easily won by a length.
Pillar of Creation could overcome champions but not time. In his last two starts Pillar of Creation started showing his age. In both he could only manage second place finishes to lesser horses. As the year ended Pillar of Creation was voted Y27-Arabian Horse of the Year and, Y27-Arabian Champion Older Male based on brilliance of his three stakes victories and gritty second place finishes.
Pillar of Creation ended his career on the track and began a second one in the breeding shed. Pillar of Creation was moved to Bitter Root Farm where he stood at stud for nine years. In those nine years he sired 368 foals. His foals included 160 winner and 34 stakes winners.
The accomplishments of Pillar of Creation’s achievements while exceeded by others still ranks as an example, a measure of greatness that can be used to judge the achievements of those that want to follow in Pillar of Creation’s footsteps.