Харви Уоллбэнгер (Harvey Wallbanger Buffalo Race) , скаковой бизон, вошел в историю 4 марта 1989 года на Голден Гейт Филдс в Калифорнии. Бизон весом 2 000 фунтов, которого тренировал, владел и на котором ездил Т.К. Торстенсон, участвовал в спринте на 110 ярдов против квотер-лошади по кличке Двуглазый Берт, на которой скакал "Ковбой" Джек Каенел.
Вопреки ожиданиям, Харви Уоллбэнгер вырвался вперед и победил с отрывом в полметра, показав впечатляющее время - 9,4 секунды. В 8 лет он уже одержал 21 победу в 26 скачках, доказав, что буйволы, несмотря на свою крупность, могут быть грозными скакунами. Его неожиданная скорость и мощь покорили зрителей, сделав его легендой в мире гонок-новинок.
Галерея
Harvey Wallbanger was no ordinary racing legend. This remarkable bison made history on March 4, 1989, when he debuted at Golden Gate Fields in California, thrilling the crowd with his unexpected speed. Owned, trained, and ridden by T.C. Thorstenson, Harvey took on a quarter horse named Two Eyed Burt in a 110-yard sprint—and won by half a length in an impressive 9.4 seconds.
But Harvey’s story started long before that. Born in 1980, he became an orphan when his mother was killed by a poacher. Collin Thorstenson, working on a Milwaukee Railway road crew, took the young bison in, bottle-fed him, and even let him sleep in his car. Harvey’s talent was soon recognized when he was invited to race at Energy Downs—and he won. His powerful starts and intimidating presence often left his equine competitors rattled, setting the stage for an incredible career.
Over the years, Harvey raced across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, winning an astonishing 79 out of 93 races. He became a fan favorite, proving that speed and heart know no species. Sadly, America lost this extraordinary athlete too soon when he passed away from hay poisoning in Tucson, Arizona, in 1991. Colleen Thorstenson was awarded $475,000 in damages, but no amount of money could replace the legacy of the greatest racing bison in history.
https://www.instagram.com/bestofamericabyhorseback/p/DG5pnorR2Wl/?locale=ru&hl=am-et&img_index=1