If you have followed Sebastian K at all you can't help but feel good about racing, as you read about the love for the horse and the sport by his owners, Swedish brothers Michael Knutsson and Tristan Sjorberg.
One can see why the brothers pledged one per cent of the eight-year-old's earnings this year to the Standardbred Retirement Foundation (SRF).
Sjoberg and Knutsson stepped into every moment of excitement Sebastian K has given them, and it's pretty clear to see when you read Sjoberg's tweets that he gets a whole lot more out of having a horse like Sebastian K than most U.S. owners might.
Sjoberg has mentioned the enjoyment of morning jogs at the farm; photographs comical moments his trainer, Aka Svandstedt, has with ‘Sebastian;’ jokes about entering his well-noted horse, White Bliss, in to race on the same night to keep Sebastian company; and thanks the Meadowlands spectators that broke into spontaneous applause when Sebastian K exited the winner's circle after another great victory.
When Sjoberg tweeted about paying tribute to Valley Victory, noting that his legacy is enduring, it was obvious that his passion is complete – it is a love of the animals and the sport hand-in-hand that makes the difference for him. A pledge to support SRF's work with a gift of one per cent in honour of Modern Family, another great horse that recently passed away, was truly admirable of Knutsson and Sjoberg. Maybe it's the different attitude of the people toward their horses and racing in Sweden where they are commonly applauded, they race longer, and claiming races just don't work for them. Maybe Sjoberg relates better as he, too, is an athlete, a runner.
Standardbred Retirement Foundation President Paula Campbell and Executive Director and Co-Founder Judith Bokman expressed their gratitude to the brothers.
"It is very special when someone gives back to the horses that have served well; we are so appreciative," said Campbell.
"This is such a commendable gesture and a great story. We hope their passion for the horses and the sport is infectious here, they truly share a love and respect for them," Bokman said.
Sebastian K earned more than $600,000 this year and set a world record of 1:49.
(SRF)