Pitching Fast comes home: “LongRun brought this special horse back to me”
For years, Hannah Reynolds would gaze out the window of the Kentucky farm and envision the strapping chestnut gelding looking right at home in the grassy field.
The tight-knit Reynolds family, who call the Bluegrass State home, had special reason to track the racing life of Pitching Fast, a handsome son of Munnings who would make the first start of his career at Turfway Park on December 4, 2019.
Hannah’s adoration for the horse named after former MLB star and baseball hall of famer Walter Johnston was forged long before he stepped into the starting gate for that milestone moment four-plus years ago.
“My father [Kevin Reynolds] bred him,” said Hannah, of the horse who was co-bred by Kellie Holland and Tim Holland. “He always had a special place in his heart for this horse. So did I.”
Pitching Fast stepped into the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale ring as Hip No. 2467.
He was sold for $40,000 to Up Hill Stables by his breeders.
The racing career of Pitching Fast would be fleeting, one that started with two races at Turfway Park.
After those appearances, which yielded a fifth and a seventh, he made his way to Woodbine, specifically, to the barn of trainer Rachel Halden.
Pitching Fast raced four times at the Toronto oval, winning his final two starts.
On October 31, with Justin Stein in the irons, he took on 10 rivals over seven furlongs on the Woodbine main track.
Under cloudy skies, Pitching Fast got away ninth and moved up to sixth by the half-mile marker.
Fifth and gaining at the stretch call, he seized command and crossed the wire a 2 ¾-length winner as the 7-2 second choice.
It would mark his final start.
“I watched video of those wins more times than I can recall,” said Hannah. “Everything about him, his stride, his heart, was compelling.”
When Halden and owner Leonard Zenith discovered Pitching Fast had tendonitis, the decision was immediately made to retire the horse.
The chestnut soon found a home with LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement.
Established in 1999, LongRun is one of the most respected horse retirement and adoption organizations, and the first industry-funded adoption program in Canada. Its picturesque property, home to over 50 retired Thoroughbreds, is situated in Hillsburgh, less than an hour’s drive northwest of Woodbine Racetrack.
Not long after Pitching Fast stepped off the van at the 100-acre property in December 2021, Hannah and her father were in contact with the organization’s staff.
“We found out that he had been given to LongRun and in my mind, I had him back before I had even signed the adoption papers,” Hannah said with a laugh. “But I understood that I had to fill out the forms and that they had to ensure he was going to a loving home.”
That is exactly what LongRun staff discovered.
“We called him [Pitching Fast] Walter,” recalled Lauren Millet, LongRun’s farm manager. “He wasn't with us very long for a rehab horse, only six months.
“The main thing I remember is that he came in December at the end of racing season in 2021. We also have a lady who works at the track during the year, but when the track closes, she comes and works with us over the winter. She really took a liking to Walter, and she groomed him, cared for his feet and wrapped his legs every single day while she was here. He was such a fun, kind horse.
“When we heard from Hannah that her family had bred Walter and that she wanted to adopt him for his second career, we thought it was really cool that the family who bred the horse and followed him throughout his career, wanted to give him his retirement.”
Hannah put in a lot of steps the day Pitching Fast was to arrive at her farm.
“LongRun sent me photos and information – he was 17 hands and gorgeous. But I had these butterflies, and I couldn’t sit still on the day he was scheduled to come here.”
She watched intently as the trailer pulled into her property.
“It was surreal. He came on a massive trailer – a professional hauler – and there is a tiny road that leads into our farm. This big, beautiful creature hops off the trailer and is all business.”
Hannah was not the only overcome with joy.
“My dad is so happy to have him back. My dad will say, ‘The Red Rocker, it is so good to see you!’ I don’t know why he calls him that, but he does. He will come visit him and take him out to graze or just spend time with him. It’s wonderful to see them together.”
Hannah’s husband, Jeremy Maynard, has also taken a shine to Pitching Fast.
The feeling is mutual.
“He sees my husband coming and he will gallop from whatever part of the field he is in because he thinks, ‘If this man is here, I get treats.’ He always has his head out of the stall hoping someone will come by and pay attention.”
Pitching Fast has gained plenty of attention in a new arena.
Hannah, a lifelong show jumping participant, introduced the horse affectionately known as “Red” to dressage after he fully recovered from his tendonitis.
“Red is so smart and always up for a challenge. The first show he did was dressage at RRP (Retired Racehorse Project), so there are thousands of competitors that go to that show.
“He was so professional the whole time. He never put a hoof out of line. It was as though he knew what he was there to do and was very serious about it. He scored in the high 60s for his first recognized show, which is a very good number.”
The plan is to stay on the show path.
Where it will lead Hannah and Red is to be determined.
“I want to see him continue to develop as a nice show horse. He has shown in Hunters, Jumpers, Dressage – I’m not sure what he likes the best, but I am excited to figure it out.
“He has growing and learning to do, but he will get there – we will get there together.”
Red has taken others on a thrill ride too.
“I let my friend show him and she just loved him. They are both redheads, so it was a perfect match.”
For Hannah, having her beloved Red as part of the family is a match made in horse heaven.
She is grateful for the organization and its dedicated staff for making it a reality.
“LongRun brought this special horse back to me. They did all the due diligence and they worked so hard to make this work out. They knew how much this horse meant to me and my family. They facilitated everything and they were so helpful. There was no stone unturned to get him back to me.”
Millet is thrilled with how things have worked out for everyone involved.
“It's always tough when someone adopts a horse from that far away, as we can't meet them in person or check out the farm, but Hannah was great about sending us lots of photos and answering all our questions. I could not be happier with how this all turned out – it's a very happy ending.”
More than Hannah could have ever envisioned.
“LongRun still checks on him and they love it when I send them photos. I think it means a lot that a small breeder and his family would want their horse back.”
As it does for Hannah, who smiles every time she looks out the window and sees her beloved chestnut close at hand.
Chris Lomon, Woodbine
