H.M.S. JACKSON IN HIS RACING/WINNING DAYS

If you are a Monmouth Park fan, you no doubt remember HMS Jackson. You will remember him for his physical presence and his heart on race day. You will remember him for his impressive performances at Monmouth. There are lots of thoroughbreds like Jackson that become favorites of fans and handicappers. We all have had the experience of saying, “Gee, I wonder what ever happened to…” This story answers that question about HMS Jackson.

On the cool, misty predawn morning of May 27th, 2004, HMS Jackson walked down the ramp of a trailer and on to the grounds of the farm where he was foaled. That moment represented the retirement of the Monmouth Park fan favorite. It also represented the end of one of the most exciting and rewarding chapters in Headless Horsemen Racing Stable history.

For months, I, along with Pete Glen, Joe and Tracy Wisniewski, Joe and Anne Marie Conroy  (5 of the Jackson Group partners) had been carefully watching the races and looking for an opportunity to claim HMS Jackson back. Not for racing mind you – for retirement. There had been discussions during the glory days of “doing the right thing” but no firm decisions made. When Jackson was claimed from HHRS in 2003, a watch and wait approach was taken. As Jackson moved steadily down the claiming ladder as the result of chronic injuries, our anxiety was raised about what might happen to Jackson (a gelding) if he dropped further competitively. The decision was finally made- GET BACK JACKSON NOW! His entry was noted on Stable Mail and the phone calls began. Calls were made to our friends, Tim & Penny Woolley, who had connections in West Virginia who could put in the claim for HMS Jackson at Charlestown. On our first attempt, we lost a four-way “shake” and we put our hopes on another opportunity arising. On May 26th we put in another claim for Jackson and HHRS had to “shake” for him again! As the fates would have it, HHRS won the shake and Jackson was back in the fold. Now what, you might ask, would prompt horse owners to claim back a 7 year old jersey-bred gelding for the purpose of retirement? The answer follows…

HMS Jackson was bred by Eileen Munyak and Stacey Small. Jackson came to the attention of HHRS quite simply. We were putting together a partnership and looking around for an unraced two year old. Eileen told us that she had an unraced three year old at Garden State Park if we might be interested. Trainer Tim Hills accompanied me out to Cherry Hill to take a look. After a gallop and a quick look at conformation, Tim quietly took me aside and asked if he could purchase a 1/2 interest. That gave us our first clue that Jackson might be something special. The purchase was made and we looked forward to Jackson’s first race. On Sunday, May 28, 2000 Jackson was entered to run in a 6 furlong Jersey Bred MSW race. All of the partners arrived at Monmouth Park with great anticipation. For many owners, this was their first horse. With Stewart Elliott on board, Jackson finished last, 16 lengths behind the winner…oh boy. It took two more tries before HMS Jackson crushed a MSW field by almost 10 lengths on Haskell Day at Monmouth Park. Then, giving us a hint of what kind of horse he would be, one week later Jackson beat an allowance field to finish up his 3 year old campaign.

Jackson enjoyed his winter off and was put back in training targeting the Monmouth meet. Trainer Tim Hills entered Jackson in a 5 furlong turf race at Hialeah for his first start of 2001. Jackson won a incredibly exciting race at a $32.00 price. After a third place finish in open company at Aqueduct, Jackson was once again at Monmouth Park. Jackson won again. And two weeks later, he won again! Given a month off, Jackson came back to take a second. On July 22nd, Jackson was entered in the Bernie Dowd Handicap, a 6 furlong dirt race for Jersey-breds. Jackson put forth an incredible effort, only to be taken down the stretch by New Jersey horse of the year Sea of Tranquility. Several weeks later, Jackson was stretched out and entered in the Lincroft Handicap (1 mile). As the racing form stated, Jackson finished third, “mostly on his own courage”.

The Monmouth Park meet concluded, Jackson headed to the Meadowlands for the Bold Josh Handicap. The fans enjoyed an incredible stretch run with Jackson being nipped at the wire by Holiest Punch. With a subsequent fifth place finish, Jackson let us know he needed a break for the winter.

The 2002 year started for Jackson with a allowance prep at Aqueduct. He was then entered in the John J. Reilly Handicap at Monmouth Park. The field was incredible, including such tough j-breds as Summer Swing, Sea of Tranquility, Dixie Two Thousand, Loaded Gun, Country Music, and Thistyranthasclass. As usual, Jackson showed great heart, finishing 4th, with the first four horses separated by a single length. Back to allowance company and Jackson picked up his first win of 2002. Two weeks later, Jackson won again. Three weeks later brought the repeat of the Bernie Dowd Handicap. The usual suspects were entered, including: Summer Swing, Dixie Two Thousand, and Loaded Gun. Summer Swing ran a great race and Jackson placed. August 29th brought another J-Bred stakes place as Jackson finished second in the Friendly Lover Handicap. It was after this race that Jackson began to show some of the wear and tear often seen in “hard knocking” horses.

No longer competitive in allowance and Jersey-bred stakes company, Jackson was entered into claiming races. On June 5th, 2003, HMS Jackson was claimed from Headless Horsemen Racing Stable. A sad day for his partnership members who had truly fallen in love with Jackson.

HMS Jackson’s race record for Headless Horsemen Racing Stable was 27 starts, 7 wins, 6 seconds, and 5 thirds. That translates to 25% wins and 66% in the money. Jackson tallied over $200,000 in purses during his HHRS career.

Jackson’s race record for HHRS does not tell the full story. During his racing days, the horse seen by race fans in the paddock and on the track was not the same horse seen on the “back side”. Jackson put on his “game face” for races. We always knew that Jackson would run his race on any given day. On the other hand, Jackson is one of the best-tempered thoroughbreds you will ever meet. To this day, certain owners will elicit Jackson “putting on his act” as he knows carrots and attention are coming. His connection with the partners was evident by the crowd around his stall after EVERY RACE. Check out the pictures of Jackson with kids. We never worried. Jackson might nip in play with an adult, but he was and is patient and well-mannered with children.

As the managing partner, I will always be grateful to Joe and Tracy Wisniewski, Pete Glen and Joe and Anne Marie Conroy in giving Jackson a well deserved retirement. The latest visit to see Jackson (see picture below) shows that he has gained a few pounds but most importantly- he is happy, comfortable and safe. 

H.M.S. JACKSON IN HAPPY RETIREMENT - WAITING FOR HIS CARROTS

The story of HMS Jackson would not be complete without recognition and thanks to Eileen Munyak of Hill Haven Farm. To simply note Eileen as the breeder of record does not due justice to her. She attended every race at Monmouth Park with the anxieties and expectations of a protective mom. Eileen has been a great resource to us. She has always been available to educate and share her vast knowledge of the thoroughbred breeding business. She is one of the hardest working individuals we have ever met and this is complemented by a true caring and compassion for the horses she raises and cares for. Jackson, when he was boarding at Hill Haven in Eileen's care completed a circle and you would appreciate the poetry if you knew the relationship between Eileen and Jackson. Eileen - thanks for introducing us to Jackson, and thanks for caring for him all these years.

 Thanks again for all your interest in Jackson. We hope you had as much fun watching the career of this big-hearted horse as we did.

1/11/2009 - Jackson continues to live the life of pampered horse in the "hunt countryside" of Upperville, Virginia. He is the riding horse for a wonderful couple at their beautiful farm. He has got a 10 acre paddock with a brand new barn and stalls to enjoy his retirement in. We'll see you soon Jackson !!!

Randy DePolo

OUR TEAM | HOW TO JOIN | CURRENT OFFERINGS | HALL OF FAME | LINKS | CONTACT US