This video was put together by the folks at SpeedHorse magazine, and posted on their You-Tube channel. It is pretty lengthy, but well worth your time. It’s the story of Eastex.
Eastex was the Champion 2 Year Old of the 1984 racing season, earning $1,573,622 as a 2-year-old. He raced until 5 years of age and retired with $1,869,406 from a race record of 31 starts-13 wins-4 seconds and -5 third place finishes. Eastex was bred by Dr. and Mrs. H. D. Hall of Ada, Oklahoma. He won his first start in a 250-yard maiden race at Manor Downs, and went on to win the All American Futurity, Dash For Cash Futurity and Bay Meadows Futurity for trainer James McArthur. He set a 350-yard track record, while posting a career-high 106 speed index in the Bay Meadows Futurity trials in 1984.
But in the summer of 1985, Eastex suffered an injury to his hind leg in a stall accident, while in transit from California to Ruidoso Downs as a 3 year old. He returned to the track after his injury, but was unable to compete at a championship level. He was eventually sold to interests in Mexico.
But, after being spotted at a barn near El Paso, Texas Eastex was rescued by a group of dedicated horsemen, who came forward to help pay for him, Eastex was returned to Oklahoma and finally retired.
Eastex died at the age of 32, and was buried at Dee and Betty Raper’s farm, south of Norman, Oklahoma.
Eastex died at the age of 32, and was buried at Dee and Betty Raper’s farm, south of Norman, Oklahoma.
Hope you enjoy this video as much as I do.. Stretch
