Sunday, 10 February 2008 - 10:23 PM EST

I agree. Swale was the best. Although it is very very very very close.

Thursday, 10 July 2014 - 9:32 PM EDT

I really love this website Tim. I have always been a huge thoroughbred horse racing fan. And, my all time favorite race horse was, and still is, Seattle Slew. I think what separates him from many other great runners was the simple fact that he was as equally great on the race track as he was in the stallion barn. I mean, if you think about it, for a thoroughbred stallion to produce over 1100 offspring and have nearly half of them with all time winning records, and nearly 120 of them being multiple stakes winners at the Grade 1 level really shows a rare dominance that the sport of TB racing has ever witnessed. In addition to this, it is quite remarkable that Seattle Slew produced so many great sons and daughters so very quickly. For example, to have a sons like Slew o' Gold come from his very first crop and then have a son like Swale come from his very next crop is practically unprecedented in the long and profound history of the sport.

Tim, I just want to conclude by expressing my heartfelt thanks to you personally for researching and writing a book all about Swale. Your book is simply a testament to his courage and greatness, and I believe strongly it will, one day, very soon, become a best seller. As a result of your great book, Grit And Valor: The Story Of Swale, this champion sons of the immortal Slew is no longer a footnote to history.

 All my best,

                  Eric 

Thursday, 10 July 2014 - 9:42 PM EDT

Dear Eric:

Thank you very much for all of your kind comments with regard to Swale, Seattle Slew and my book, Grit And Valor: The Story Of Swale. I agree with you whole-heartedly, Seattle Slew was equally indomitable as a stallion as he was as a race horse. In my, not so humble, view, I believe that it would be quite appropriate to call Seattle Slew the most complete thoroughbred in the history of the industry. And I have often thought about how Slew O' Gold and Swale could have and would have raced against one another in numerous contests in the fall of 1984, had fate been much kinder to Swale, like it should have been. I even write about in my book how such a series of hotly contested battles between two champion sons of the same stallion would have been completely unprecedented in the long and indelible history of the sport.

Eric, I would just like to close by saying that it was my sincerest pleasure researching and writing this book. I did it all for Swale. I wanted to give his proper due in sports history.

Have a great evening,

                                  Timothy J. Thompson

Thursday, 10 July 2014 - 9:49 PM EDT

Hi Tim:

About two weeks ago I purchased your book and just finished reading it. It made me laugh. It made me cry. It made my cheer. And It left me with a sense of wonder. I have always loved Seattle Slew and all of his sons and daughters. I always had four all time favorites. They are: Slew O' Gold, Swale, A.P. Indy and Landaluce. I only hope that one day, there is a book as great as yours on Swale, about Slew O' Gold, A. P. Indy, and Landaluce. I don't know if you have ever seen it, but there is a special tribute to Swale that was made by HRTV. If you haven't already, I really think you should watch it. It is as great as your book. Take care and have a wonderful evening.

Sincerely,

              Jill Gillispie

Thursday, 10 July 2014 - 9:55 PM EDT

Dear Jill:

Thanks for your wonderful, heartfelt E-Mail. I really do appreciate it. Also, thank you very much for purchasing my book, and I am so glad that you enjoyed it and that it brought out so many worth while emotions in you.

Yes, I have seen the HRTV tribute to Swale, and I really loved it. Did you know that it won numerous year end awards? It certainly deserved it. And, yes, I would very much like to see a series of books all about the lives and great careers of Slew o' Gold, A.P. Indy, and Landaluce. That would be outstanding. You take care and stay in touch.

Sincerely,

              Timothy J. Thompson

Thursday, 10 July 2014 - 9:58 PM EDT

Dear Tim:

I just purchased your book, Grit And Valor: The Story Of Swale. I have always loved Swale, and could not believe that someone had taken the time to write a book all about him. I can't wait until it arrives. I will E-Mail you after I have read it. Thanks again!

Sincerely,

              Janice

Thursday, 10 July 2014 - 10:01 PM EDT

Dear Janice:

Thank you very much for purchasing my book. I really hope that you do enjoy it. I poured my heart out in it. And, I did it all for Swale. I can't wait for you comments. Have a great evening.

 Sincerely,

               Timothy J. Thompson

Thursday, 10 July 2014 - 10:07 PM EDT

It was very close between them all, but I would have to say that A.P. Indy posessed the most God given talent. That being said, I do believe that each one of them did their daddy very proud each and every time they ran!

Sincerely,

               Billy

Thursday, 10 July 2014 - 10:09 PM EDT

Hi Billy:

That is an excellent choice. A.P. Indy was a gladiator. His Belmont Stakes victory and Breeders' Cup triumph were both races for the ages. Thanks for participating!

Sincerely,

               Timothy J. Thompson

Thursday, 10 July 2014 - 10:13 PM EDT

A.P. was something special; as were all Slew's offspring. However, I would have to give the edge to Vindication. In my view, had he not suffered that ligament injury which ended his career, he would have been a very strong competitor for the Triple Crown.

Sincerely,

               Timothy J. Thompson

Thursday, 10 July 2014 - 10:18 PM EDT

Dear Nadine:

Vindy was on the verge of greatness when he suffered that career ending injury; I couldn't agree with you more. At the time, everyone believed that he was yet another victim of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile "jinx". Thanks for writing.

Sincerely,

              Timothy J. Thompson

Thursday, 10 July 2014 - 10:49 PM EDT

I believe that Swale was the best of all of Seattle Slew's sons because he was the most competetive. His incredible courage and unwavering will to win was the reason why he won all those nail biters.

Thank you,

                Thomas

Thursday, 10 July 2014 - 10:52 PM EDT

Dear Thomas:

 You may very well be correct. Swale's competetive instincts were the foundation of all. Thanks for your post.

Sincerely,

               Timothy J. Thompson

Friday, 11 July 2014 - 6:23 PM EDT

Greetings everyone!

I just wanted to write and say thank you to all those persons who posted comments on my bolg. They were all very good and well thought out prose, and I appreciate that very much. Please keep those comments coming! Thanks again!

Sincerely,

               Timothy J. Thompson

Friday, 11 July 2014 - 6:26 PM EDT

This is a great site and what a magnificent book you worte on Swale Timothy. I recommend Grit And Valor: The Story Of Swale to everyone; especially those who love the sport of thoroughbred horse racing. I hope that you write another book very soon on another one of Slew's offspring.

All the best,

                  Jake

Friday, 11 July 2014 - 6:29 PM EDT

Dear Jake:

Thank you very much for your kind comments. I am grateful that you loved Grit And Valor. And, I am currently doing research on a book about the great filly Landaluce. Please keep in touch!

Sincerely,

              Timothy J. Thompson

Friday, 11 July 2014 - 9:43 PM EDT

Hi Tim:

I believe that Swale was the best of all of Seattle Slew's sons. I loved your book, Grit And Valor very much, by the way. You really captured the essence of Swale's competitve spirit gallantly. I also wanted to say that I really love this website you have created as well. Take care and keep up the outstanding work!

Sincerely,

               Jackson 

Friday, 11 July 2014 - 9:47 PM EDT

Dear Jackson:

Thank you very much for all of your kind comments. I am glad that you enjoyed Grit And Valor. In writing it, I was determined to do Swale proud-very proud. I am also glad that you enjoyed the website as well. Have a great evening and stay in touch by checking back very soon.

Sincerely,

               Timothy J. Thompson

Sunday, 13 July 2014 - 3:33 PM EDT

Dear Tim:

This is an awesome website! I was too young to have the pleasure of watching Swale's father run and barely old enough to walk when Swale was running. However, I grew up in a horse racing enthusiast family. And I love reading about the majesty of the thoroughbred. I am going to purchase your book, Grit And Valor, very soon. I just have a few questions about Swale. First, how tall was he? Secondly, who was his mother? Thank you very much! And, I cannot wait to read your book.

Sincerely,

              Julie

Sunday, 13 July 2014 - 3:42 PM EDT

Dear Julie:

Thank you for your kind comments about my website. I am so pleased that you are going to purchase Grit And Valor, and I hope that you enjoy it! As for your questions. Swale was quite tall. He was 16.2/5 hands tall. That translates into 5 feet 6 and 1/2 inches tall at the withers. And, Swale's gallant mother was a Claiborne Farm mare named Tuerta which is Spanish for "One Eyed" She did only possess a single eye on her left side. On her right side, it was partially covered by skin. Despite this, Tuerta was a mulitple stakes winning philly for Arthur "Bull" Hancock Sr., the Patriarch of Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky. And she was also a sucessful mare, with Swale being her most successful and winningest son. Thank you very much! And, write back and tell me how you enjoyed the book.

 All my best,

                  Timothy J. Thompson

Sunday, 13 July 2014 - 3:51 PM EDT

Dear Tim:

Great website! Great book! I think everyone who loves thoroughbred horse racing and horses in general should read it. I have a question for you. Did you see the movie Secretariat? And, if so, what did you think of it?

Sunday, 13 July 2014 - 4:02 PM EDT

Dear harold:

Thank you for your kind words about my website and book. I appreciate it. Yes, I did see the movie, Secretariat. It was a good movie in my opinion and I did enjoy it. However, it could have been made much better in many areas, I believe. For example, They showed his Preakness race live. If the producers and directors were going to show any of Big Red's Triple Crown races live, they should definitely have shown his Belmont Stakes; that was the one for the ages. Also, the producers clearly made Sham out to be much more of a threat to Secretariat than he actually was. Truth be told, he [Sham] did not have a prayer in beating Secretariat straight up. I don't mean any disprespect to Sham when I say that, either. It is simply a statement of fact. Also, the movie really did a terrible thing to Frank [Pancho] Martin, Sham's trainer. He was portrayed as a mean spirited and jealous man overwhelmed with bitterness. And, this is simply not the case. He [Mr. Martin] was, in reality, one of the best horsemen of his time, and was a kind gentleman. Even Secretariat's jockey, the legendary Ron Turcotte, spoke out against the way in which Mr. Martin was portrayed in the film. Hollywood can be very inaccurate and cruel sometimes. Again, thanks for your kind words about my website. Take care.

Sincerely,

               Timothy J. Thompson

Monday, 14 July 2014 - 5:16 PM EDT

Hi Tim:

I purchased Grit And Valor: The Story Of Swale a few weeks ago and just finished reading it. The book is simply amazing. It made me cry at the end. I loved Swale so much. He and his father were some of my greatest heroes. I am so glad that you wrote such a magnificent book all about him. And, I also love this amazing website that you have created. I visit it very often! Take care and keep up the outstanding work.

Sincerely,

               Alice

Monday, 14 July 2014 - 5:29 PM EDT

Dear Alice:

Thank you very much for all your kind words and thoughtful comments. It is people like you who make a writer's job very worthwhile. Take care and check back soon!

Sincerely,

               Timothy J. Thompson

Monday, 14 July 2014 - 7:35 PM EDT

Hi Tim:

Monday, 14 July 2014 - 7:43 PM EDT

Dear Laura:

Thank you for your kind words regarding my website and my book. Very, very interesting question about who would emerge victorious in a match race between Seattle Slew and Secretariat. Clearly, they were both gladiators. Belmont Park was also the scene of their greatest triumphs. I would have to say that I think Slew would edge Secretariat by a short neck at the wire. Thanks again for your kind words about my website and book. Keep in touch.

Sincerely,

              Timothy J. Thompson

Monday, 14 July 2014 - 7:52 PM EDT

Hi Tim:

Great book you wrote! I really enjoyed it! I really love the fact that you devoted an entire chapter to each one of Swale's races. That displayed a lot of class on your part.

Sincerely,

               Ben

Monday, 14 July 2014 - 7:54 PM EDT

Dear Ben:

Thank you for your kind comments. I am so pleased that you enjoyed my book. I appreciate that very much. Take care.

Sincerely,

               Timothy J. Thompson

Wednesday, 16 July 2014 - 10:00 PM EDT

Excellent website and great book!

                                                        Stan

Wednesday, 16 July 2014 - 10:02 PM EDT

Dear Stan:

Thank you very much. I am glad that you enjoyed both the book and the website.

Sincerely,

               Timothy J. Thompson

Wednesday, 16 July 2014 - 10:05 PM EDT

Dear Tim:

This is such a great website. And Grit And Valor is such a wonderfully written book. It will stand the test of time as a great tribute to Swale, his life, his racing career, and his legacy. You are a phenomenal writer. I hope that more and more people read you magnificent book.

Very truly yours,

                         Bethany

Wednesday, 16 July 2014 - 10:08 PM EDT

Dear Bethany:

Many thanks for all of your warm and kind comments regarding my website, and especially my book, Grit And Valor. I really appreciate that more than I can say. Take care and have a wonderful evening.

Sincerely,

               Timothy J. Thompson

Wednesday, 16 July 2014 - 10:12 PM EDT

Dear Tim:

Your book is great! I loved it very much. I have a question for you. How do you think Swale would have done in this years Triple Crown races had he been a 3 year old? Thank you very much!

Sincerely,

               Bob Townsend

Wednesday, 16 July 2014 - 10:16 PM EDT

Dear Robert:

I am very pleased that you enjoyed my book. That is one of the many things that makes writing worthwhile is the pleasure persons such as yourself get out of reading it. To you question. I think Swale could have handled California Chrome and the rest of this 3 year-old crop pretty handily. I believe that he would have taken the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes for sure. Thanks again and have a great evening!

Sincerely,

               Timothy J. Thompson

Thursday, 9 November 2017 - 10:55 PM EST

Greetings friends! Tim Thompson's Historical Publications is looking forward to a great Christmas season!!  

Thursday, 14 November 2019 - 10:24 PM EST

I hope that everyone enjoys my brand new revamped website, along with my updated version of Grit And Valor entitled: SEATTLE SLEW'S SON: SWALE. You may choose from e-book, 6 x 9 softcover, as well as a special 8.5 x 11 full color version. Each one is available through amazon.com. They would all make great Christmas gifts.