Alberta Destinations

Seabiscuit races again at Remington Carriage Museum

A life-size bronze statue of the famous racehorse Seabiscuit and Alberta jockey George Woolf now stands outside the Remington Carriage Museum in Cardston.

So Long, Charley! is the name of the statue, which depicts Cardston hero Woolf riding Seabiscuit to victory in the riveting 1938 race against War Admiral.

The statue was unveiled at the museum July 17 in honour of what would have been Woolf’s 100th birthday.

Two Albertans, Woolf and Seabiscuit’s other principal jockey, Edmonton native Red Pollard, rose to instant worldwide fame with the surprise win in the “Match of the Century” at Pimlico Race Course in Maryland.

The $150,000 statue was commissioned and donated by Cardston ranchers Jack and Ida Lowe.

The Remington Carriage Museum is a Government of Alberta facility that houses the largest collection of horse-drawn vehicles in North America.

Created by Lethbridge artist Don Toney, the statue depicts the moment when Woolf called out “So long, Charley!” to War Admiral’s jockey Charley Kurtsinger as Seabiscuit surged to the lead at Maryland’s Pimlico Race Course, ultimately winning by four lengths and setting a new track record.

“When I was a kid growing up in the 1930s, George and Seabiscuit were household names,” said the statue’s co-donor Jack Lowe. “I always felt George needed recognition for what he did, to come from nothing and achieve so much, and that’s what we hope to accomplish with this statue. The bronze is a beautiful piece of work and I think people are going to be in awe when they see it.”

For more information visit www.remingtoncarriagemuseum.com or call 403-653-5139. In Alberta, dial 310-0000 for toll-free access.