From racehorse to pet: The story of Spot the Diplomat

For some, a racehorse's worth can be summed up in a dollar amount -- prize winnings, successful bets, even stud fees. But Times sports columnist Bill Dwyre recently told the story of a family who views their own racehorse in very different -- and much better, if you ask us -- terms.

This horse, a thoroughbred with the unusual name Spot the Diplomat (it reminds one of Santa's Little Helper from "The Simpsons," doesn't it?), wasn't a big winner on the racetrack. His odds were respectable enough -- total winnings: $342,231 -- but he really came into his own after a sesamoid fracture permanently ended his racing career.

Spot was sent to rehabilitate at a farm in Riverside County. Around the same time, Grant and Greta Hays of L.A. began considering a change of scene to better suit the needs of their two young sons, Jack and Dylan, both of whom are severely autistic. A visit to a Texas horse ranch last year made a big impression on the boys. "Jack speaks no words," Grant Hays explained, "but we got off the plane and he turned to me and said, 'Texas.' I was stunned."

So the family made plans to move to Texas and looked into adding a horse to their family. As it happened, Grant knew Bob Ike, a partner in Summit Racing, the company that owned Spot. Spot moved to Texas, and the rest is history. "In Los Angeles, we were a stressed-out family," Hays told Dwyre. "Now, we are all happy. The boys are constantly with Spot. They play around him, ride him, sometimes sit on him for two or three hours at a time."

Learn more about Spot's new career as a much-loved pet in Dwyre's recent column.

-- Lindsay Barnett

Photo: Dylan Hays sits atop Spot the Diplomat. Photo courtesy of the Hays family

Comments

[Sharla Sanders]

As a person that places retired race horses into new homes and careers, its always great to read a story of where an ex-racer has found a wonderful new home.
In particular it was fun to read about Spot the Diplomat as I followed him in Southern California.

Cheers to all!
Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Race

[Kitty]

The child in this picture is in an incredibly dangerous situation. Seriously. Horses are lovely, and we love to think of them as pets, but they are essentially prey animals who can spook and take off in seconds. This is not a safe thing to do with your child, no matter how nice the horse is.

[Grant Hays]

If you knew Spot and how he behaves around Jack and Dylan you would not view this photo as dangerous. He is completely calm and predictable. People that become champions take risks in life. Driving your car is a big risk yet you do it everyday. I have surfed the North Shore and jumped off cliffs on my skis in Oregon. These moments I cherish the most. Most of the people you admire are risk takers they have to be in order to achieve a higher level of accomplishment. Many in the public have criticized this photo and completely disregarded the beauty of the story and how positive the experience has been for Jack and Dylan. If you live in fear you will never live life. Our society has become one based on fear rather than truth. The truth is Dylan was completely safe while sitting on Spots back for this horse protects him at all times. Spot , Jack , and Dylan love each other very much as do the rest of us.