"Smarty Jones" Pet Portraits In Charcoal
Welcome back to my Pet Portraits In Charcoal Blog! Please read on about “Smarty Jones”, about one of his greatest fans and about his wonderful career as a thoroughbred racehorse.…BUT FIRST…if you would like your pet, or a friends pet portrayed in an 11 x 14 in Charcoal Portrait sent to you, (or anyone you choose), anywhere in the world, and included in one of these blog posts for the world to see… please visit this link and get the Info! http://www.petportraitsbycy.com/?page_id=743
Smarty Jones is a retired champion thoroughbred racehorse. In 2004 he won both the Kentucky Derby, and the Preakness Stakes, and narrowly missed the triple crown by running second in the Belmont stakes. He earned $7.6 million over a wonderful career running against the worlds best horses. Upon retiring he stood stud at Three Chimneys farm in Midway Kentucky, and now resides at Ghost Ridge Farms in Felton PA.
I was commissioned to draw Smarty by Tara from longmont CO. As a sweet gesture she wanted to give this piece as a gift to one of her good friends and as it turns out one of Smartys most avid fans, Tammy from Niwot CO. Tammy fell in love with the Smarty Jones story shortly after his wonderful 2004 Triple Crown run. She has traveled to Three Chimneys or Smarty’s other farms at least once a year since 2005 to see and learn more about him. I would consider Tammy an expert on this horse, and as a racehorse fan myself, I found it very enjoyable, and informative to discuss him with her.
Smarty Jones’ Sire (father) was Elusive Quality and the Dam (his Mother) was I’ll Get Along . Smarty’s blood line includes some of the most famous racehorses ever to run including, on his fathers side, Secretariat, (his great, great grandfather), Bold Ruler, and Native Dancer. And on his mothers side Fool-Me-Not and his sire, Tom Fool. Smarty Jones has sired some fine horses himself since his retirement including, Backtalk, Be Smart and Smart Coco.
Smarty Jones was bred by Roy and Patricia Chapman. Patricia’s mom, Mildrid (Milly) McNair who died in 1989, shares the same birth date as Smarty (February 28, 2001) and this is how he got his name, Milly’s nickname as a child was Smarty Jones.
Smarty Jones is a beautiful Chestnut Colt. There is a great heritage and success story that will always follow him and I am honored to share my Portrait of him, and his story with you all. Thank you for reading my Pet Portraits In Charcoal blog, and check back soon for another informative entry and some great looking animals!
Know some Horse lovers or Racing fans? Please share this! Thanks, Cy
