Description
This conformation photograph, taken in May of 1964, is of the American stakes-winning Thoroughbred Never Bend.
Never Bend was foaled in 1960 at Paris, Kentucky’s Claiborne Farm. He was a major contender in American racing during his two-year-old season, claiming several stakes victories and the Outstanding Two-Year-Old Male Horse Eclipse Award in 1962. Although regarded as a likely favorite for the 1963 Triple Crown, Never Bend came in second in the Kentucky Derby, third in the Preakness Stakes, and did not run in the Belmont Stakes that year.
He retired to a successful stud career after his 1963 racing season, with a career record of 13-4-4 from 23 starts and earnings of $641,524. Never Bend sired 61 stakes winners, was the broodmare sire of 115 stakes winners, and earned the title of Leading Sire in Great Britain and Ireland in 1971.