The Story of Seabiscuit1949

Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer:
Ted, I've just had news of a startling nature. George Woolf has signed to ride Heel Fly for the Circle F.

Ted Knowles, Jockey:
No kidding?

Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer:
We're in a pickle. And there's only one way out. [looking pointedly at Ted]

Ted Knowles, Jockey:
That's a bad break. No, sir. Nothing doing. I'm going to be sitting up in the grand stand with my best girl by my side.

Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer:
Ted. Just a minute. Now, see here, lad. You brought this about. You'd no right to tell George you were definitely riding the Biscuit.

Ted Knowles, Jockey:
Now, wait a minute...

Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer:
Now, don't attempt to evade the situation. It rests squarely on your strong, young shoulders. Would you let Mr. Howard down? And through Mr. Howard me, your uncle-to-be? And through me, Margaret, the girl you love?

Ted Knowles, Jockey:
Look who's talking. Who got me to give up riding? Who talked about food until I was starving to death?

Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer:
Aw, food is for pigs.

Ted Knowles, Jockey:
Who practically forced me to take the job of assistant trainer?

Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer:
It was an old man talking to you, boy. An old man with the blood dried in his veins. You should never listen to such nonsense.

Ted Knowles, Jockey:
I don't know. No that I think about it, I kind of like the idea of sitting in the grandstand.

Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer:
Oh, the saints preserve us! Did I ever think I'd see a young jock with the hot blood in him ready to swap a seat on a horse for one on the grandstand?

Ted Knowles, Jockey:
You can talk all you want. It won't do any good. I gave Margaret my promise.

Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer:
Ah, yes, but was your heart in your promise? Do you really want to see some other jockey on the Biscuit in the handicap? Are you the sort of boy that any old fool like meself can talk out of the greatest thrill in the world, winning the Santa Anita? What's sitting in the grandstands compared to checking your horse at the starting gate? And the gate sprung, and you're off. You feel Seabiscuit running swift and sure...

Ted Knowles, Jockey:
Cut it out. You know I'd give my right eye to be up there.

Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer:
You shouldn't have interrupted. I had the race all but won for you.

Ted Knowles, Jockey:
But I won't be winning it. When Margaret comes back she expects to find me a trainer. And that's just what I'm gonna be.

Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer:
Ted, a word to the wise. The O'Hara women are not inclined to favor men they can dominate. I recall sadly the case of my great Aunt Sheila, rest her soul. A beauty if ever there was one, and every young man for miles around showed he's willing to be a slave. She went to the grave an old maid. She didn't want slaves. She wanted to be one. Now, Margaret is much like Sheila.

Ted Knowles, Jockey:
Well, I'll write to Margaret, and if she says...

Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer:
No, no, no. Let me do the telling. When she sees you again, she'll melt in your arms, loving you the more because you're a headstrong young bucko with a will of your own. No, let me do the telling. She's and O'Hara, and the O'Hara's understand each other and stick to each other through thick and thin.

Ted Knowles, Jockey:
Okay, Shawn. You've got yourself a boy. Providing you square it with the future Mrs. Knowles.

Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer:
Right. Now get in the hot box and sweat off that steak and chocolate layer cake. Quickly now, or do I have to take the whip to you!