This WHIZ Shines
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Triple Crown winner American Pharoah’s Best Buddy is a Quarter Horse!
by Sue Winslow
The Wild West had Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Hollywood has Brad Pitt and George Clooney. Now, the horse world has its own wildly popular “bromance” between the newly crowned Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and his best pal, Smokey. While American Pharoah is certainly the glory boy of the duo, having become the 12th Triple Crown winner and the first since Affirmed in 1978, it’s his best bud, Smokey, who’s gaining quite a bit of attention.
Smokey, whose registered name is This Whiz Shines, is a 2009 American Quarter Horse by Shiners Chex Olena and out of Si Rositas Whiz. His pedigree can be traced back to such luminaries as AQHA Hall of Famers Peppy San Badger and Doc Bar; the first $9 million National Reining Horse Association sire, Topsail Whiz; and $4 million NRHA Hall of Fame inductee Shining Spark. In 2012, Smokey was shown at the NRHA Futurity by Jarvis M. Anderson, giving him the miles and experience that would ultimately prepare him for a new career as lead stable pony to the most famous horse on the planet.
In his role as lead pony, Smokey’s job is to maintain a cool, calm demeanor as best friend and equine security blanket for the international superstar. It’s a job he’s well-suited for thanks to his genetics, upbringing, and training.
Companion ponies are often the unsung heroes of the racetrack. They are equine Zen Masters, lending a calm, reassuring influence to their high-strung equine partners in the face of roaring crowds and the amped up energy of the track. With his naturally laid-back demeanor and a solid, disciplined background in events like Reining and Trail, Smokey had all the qualities required for a racetrack pony.
Through the power of the Internet, this sweet natured, buckskin gelding has gained a fan following as he travels the country alongside American Pharoah. He has his own Facebook page, “Smokey the Pony,” with over 16,000 followers. From the backside to the track, Smokey is right there, accompanying his famous friend on workouts and often being ridden by Assistant Trainer, Jimmy Barnes, who keeps a watchful eye on the 3-year old superstar from Smokey’s back. Photos abound on the Internet of Smokey making funny faces while traveling in the van with American Pharoah, serenely trotting along the track in Western tack as his partner canters beside him, and in lead-pony mode, walking shoulder-to-hip with American Pharoah, whose pre-race energy radiates like a coiled spring.
American Pharoah’s trainer, Bob Baffert, has also been featured on video, hopping on Smokey in front of reporters at the Belmont to strut his stuff, and Smokey didn’t disappoint. He has been known to break out his spins, roll-backs, and other moves from his Reining days with Baffert in the saddle. Yet this versatile horse can also safely carry Baffert’s ten year-old son, Bode.
All of this is no surprise to Dan Twombly, owner of Twombly Performance Horses in Bayard, Nebraska. Dan and his wife, Ann, established their ranch back in 1997 with the goal of selling well-broke geldings. Their reputation for offering high quality, sane riding horses draws potential customers from all regions and walks of life to their extensive website and auctions. Dan recalls Smokey as being a quality horse from the very beginning. “We bought Smokey from the lady who raised him, and I could see he was something special. He had an impressive Reining pedigree, and those horses are usually pretty solid. When I saw him, I thought he was spectacular. Not only was he pretty, he had a great disposition and lots of talent.”
The Twomblys brought Smokey back to Bayard to let him get adjusted to his new life on the ranch. “We give our horses lots of exposure,” Dan says. “We get them out there on the trails and around all kinds of experiences to make sure they are well-rounded. Smokey was very willing, and he was a real people-horse who enjoyed being ridden. He was also very smart and quiet, all great qualities in a horse.”
Bob Baffert had purchased horses from the Twomblys in the past, so when he contacted Dan again looking for a really solid, well-broke horse, Dan sent him videos of a few suitable options. They narrowed it down to Smokey. Baffert bought him right from the video. Dan says, “We put out a good website with photos and videos of all the horses we have available. Bob Baffert wanted a horse that he could use personally, something that was really well-broke. That’s just what Smokey is. He was the perfect choice for that job.” Baffert reportedly paid a five-digit figure for the now-famous gelding.
Dan describes the level of pride at Twombly Performance Horses after seeing Smokey on television and in the press during American Pharoah’s run for the Triple Crown in 2015. “We love it,” he says. “We were front and center, taping all the races. It’s been exciting to be a part of such a historic event through our connection with Smo-key. He’s a great horse and while we are proud of all the horses we offer, he is definitely special,” he says with pride.
