I'm hoping someone may be able to help. I work on a staff magazine and try and find answers to sporting conundrums asked by staff:

In the March issue, one of the items in ‘Horse Trivia’ claimed that Seabiscuit had the following stable companions: a horse called Pumpkin, a dog called Pocatel, and a monkey called Jo Jo. I recently watched the DVD of Seabiscuit and there is absolutely no mention of this fairly unusual ‘fact’ in the film. Is it true or not?

It's a good question. the original trivia 'fact' was found on the internet.
Is it true or not? Any horse racing historians out there?

cheers

I guess you could try the book:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stranger-Than-S ... 162&sr=1-2

"They later provided him with a calm, steady cow pony named Pumpkin and this time, Seabiscuit approved. Pumpkin was given the stall next to Seabiscuit’s and the wall between was taken down to create one extra large stall. Seabiscuit made more friends — Pocatell, a little spotted stray dog who slept on Seabiscuit’s belly; and a spider monkey called Jo Jo who curled up in the crook of his neck at night."

http://www.completerider.com/horsepower.htm

I've read the book and do remember this I think.

Page 110 of the book has all these facts confirmed.

http://www.tbgreats.com/seabiscuit/bio.html

"He also gave his colt a double sized stall complete with roommates. Seabiscuit's new companions were a stray dog named Pocatell, a spider monkey known as Jo Jo, and his lifelong traveling mate, a calm horse name Pumpkin"

How can you sleep on a horse's belly - don't they sleep standing up?

nah that's Bolton Defenders.

Brilliant! thanks Spencer. It does though beg the question, why the makers of the film ommited this gem of information

Velrco