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Retired from racing, Scrappy T settles here Danielle Mason enjoys a moment with former horse racing star Scrappy T, who now lives on her family’s county farm. Scrappy T made national news when he finished second in the Preakness in 2005. | photo by Michael Copley 
18 CommentsPublished: November 19, 2008 By Michael Copley The dogs at his hoofs follow him from the barn into the yard and when he stops, they scramble to nip and lick his nose. “He’s a true gentleman,” said Danielle Mason, the horse’s handler. The six-year-old horse’s name is Scrappy T and he took second place in the 2005 Preakness after a thrilling five-win lead-up to the race. Now he lives on the Mason family property in Powhatan, a rookie in his new gig, a racer away from the track. Danielle worked at the tracks around Scrappy T beginning in 2005, but she hadn’t the chance to handle him until now. “He was the big shot back then,” she says, flashing a proud smile at the behemoth in the stall behind us. Scrappy T is huge, with muscles that bulge at the joints and a brown coat that glistens even against a gray sky. He’s absolutely impressive, and it’s obvious this animal can move very, very quickly. But his demeanor is not what you would expect from a former racing great. He acts more like pet than conditioned athlete; gentle with strangers, patient during pictures, and obliging to the dogs that circle him, whining. “He’s my buddy,” said Danielle, “I can come out here [to the barn] when I’m having a bad day and he’ll stand in his stall looking at me like he understands.” But Scrappy T hasn’t always been the horse with the “whatever” attitude that Danielle speaks of. Danielle’s father, William Mason, remembers a young Scrappy T “so mean his first trainer slid the feed bowl under the stall because he was so scared of him.” Marshall Dowell is the horse’s owner and William Mason remembers that “after Marshall had him snipped, he became a totally different horse ... he got his mind off the women.” William Mason estimates Scrappy T grossed between $940,000 and $950,000 over his career. “He was a big money horse,” said Danielle. But race horses aren’t all as lucky as Scrappy T. They face a variety of fates when their professional careers are over, usually when the horse is about six years old. Danielle mentions a new foundation for retired racers - a program that gives the horses to prisoners, as a sort of therapy for both parties. In other cases the horses are given away, and sometimes they are led to slaughter. When I ask her about the treatment of race horses generally, she smiles like she’s been waiting for it. “Yeah,” she says, “I guess the treatment the horse gets depends a lot on the trainer, I’ve seen some really nice things and some things that weren’t, but on the whole I think they’re taken care of.” Scrappy T gets a daily workout, fox hunts, takes Sundays off, enjoys good hay — “not the crappy stuff,” said Williams — and relishes peppermints. And he isn’t left alone in the fields with the other horses. “He’d just let them beat up on him, he’d get kicked, and he’s a two million dollar horse,” his handler modestly concedes. The “they” Williams refers to are the miniature ponies that stalk the field next to the barn; and they’re not impressed by track times. The life and times of Scrappy T • Career earnings: between $940,000 and $950,000 • Took second place purse at 130th running of Preakness Stakes • Entering the Preakness Scrappy T had won three of nine career starts and earned $279,120. • Prior to Preakness Scrappy T never finished worse than third. • Favorite treats are peppermints. • Currently living the good life, fox hunting with his handler Danielle. |
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Melissa Clayton of Powhatan, VA Aug. 17, 2010, 11:47 PM
Just an update: This evening my 9 year old daughter rode Scrappy T at a local Hunter Show and won Champion Beginner Rider. Scrappy took care of her in the ring and that is all thanks to Danielle. My daughter Ashdin has been riding since she was basically born and has grown up in my 4-H club that Danielle was a member and is now my co-leader. We decided to start them off in a Beginner class to see how they would work together and words cannot express how awesome they looked together!! Scrappy T is such a great horse and has won the heart of another!!!
Nancy Benstead of BC, Canada May. 25, 2010, 02:23 AM
Thank you for the update. We still love Scrappy.
danielle mason of powhatan va Feb. 23, 2010, 07:39 PM
hello all, thanks so much Danielle
Caitlin of Powhatan VA Aug. 29, 2009, 12:53 PM
I’m so glad he’s here. It’s amazing to be able to say there’s an ex-racehorse in my hometown. Hope he’s doing good!
Gerrie Pantle of Las Vegas Nevada May. 24, 2009, 01:24 PM
I have often thought of Scrappy T. He was a standout peformer and a huge presence. My fears were a set of different possibilities for Scrappy’s future. My thanks and gratitude to Danielle. Hopefully, Scrappy has a secure and safe retirement when he becomes a senior citizen. If there is ever a doubt, please let me know of his situation. One thing I am sure of is horse racing would rise again if the public were assured the horses would receive the respect, love, and care they deserve in their later years.
jbrown of ohio Jan. 7, 2009, 07:55 PM
Good to read about Scrappy T - picked him and Aflet Alex for the Preakness! I have wondered about him and I am so glad that Danielle is taking good care of him - he knows he is loved -thanks Danielle ! He sounds like a cuddler- Give him a hug & peppermint from JB !! Thanks for the upbeat article !
Hanna Hartman of Pottstown,Pennsylvania Jan. 1, 2009, 05:11 PM
I have fallen in love with horses and horse racing and I too follow what happens to these great creatures. Yes some are lucky, more get treated awfully (and take that awful long tirp on a truck to a slaughter house. Some great champions are used as stable ponies after they don’t race anymore and I think that’s an insult. Thank goodness, some of the owners then decide to place them in kinder circumstances such as with Old Friends in Lexington, KY. There is also far too much overbreeding going on, I watch the auctions and worry what will happen to these
Lori Morton of Cleveland OH Dec. 30, 2008, 05:52 PM
Yeah for the news! I too have followed Scrappy’s racing career and somehow knew he’d be at risk eventually after Bowie.. God bless Danielle for picking up this great racehorse - how happy you have made his many fans!!!!
Phil of SE Pennsylvania (Near Delaware Park) Dec. 23, 2008, 04:27 PM
Danielle, I’ve often wondered what happened to Scrappy T and am so happy he’s in safe hands. Would it be possible to stop in and see him? He was one of my favorites while he was racing!
L.M. Riedel, FOB of Pennsylvania Dec. 22, 2008, 10:50 PM
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Blessings and Bravo to Ms. Williams and Scrappy T’s people! Submit Your Comments Below
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