Very interesting. Nice experience.
As far as psychological, that is a frequent claim of many of these great horse stories.
OK full disclosure, I’ve been involved in many a Secretariat vs. Man O’War argument. I am a MOW fan and as a result of arguments I get a bit acerbic when it comes to Secretariat.
Anyway, Seabiscuit lost many a race, and I don’t just mean before he changed hands. So let that temper any stories about “psyching” any horses.
Likewise, Sham was not “heart-broken” in the Belmont, nor hurt physically. It was about a month later. So of course, he did not race again. Further, Sec lost 3 races as a 3yo, legitimately, so he is not infallible either, thoug much less than Seabiscuit.
I’d also say this for Man O’War, wherein many a fan claims MOW broke Sir Barton’s heart and maybe even John P. Grier’s. Sir Barton can hardly be judged on just 3 races shortly after, in which he finished in the money. And Grier actually went on to win more races as elder, including several track records. MOW did not ruin these horse’s hearts. In fact, a great racing historian wrote that in fact, Grier was much better. Nothing wrong with his heart that was not helped getting away from the long shadow cast by MOW!
I do find horse lore to be interesting.
In my conversations with people who have more intimate horse experience, they emphatically state that horses have a very competitive spirit when it comes to other horses, and I buy into that.
Granted, one has to be careful not to anthropomorphize, but it is clear there is a spark.
As for Seabiscuit losing races, many champions at the top of their game certainly got inside the heads of their opponents, only to have their own skills diminish and have their own heads gotten into.
The cycle of competitive life, I guess!