Steve Haskin, staff writer for The Blood-Horse, shares his thoughts on racehorse Paynter’s battles with colitis, laminitis, internal abscesses, and his miraculous recovery. Share your thoughts on Steve’s blog at BloodHorse.com.

How can an owner who finishes second in all three Triple Crown races, two of them in photos; loses the Pimlico Special by a nose; and loses his three best horses to injury claim to have had his greatest year ever?

Ahmed Zayat hasn’t come right out and made such a claim, but the truth is, 2012 has indeed been his best year as an owner, because he has had the rare privilege of witnessing and experiencing first-hand the heart and courage of a champion and being right there all the way as his horse fought his greatest battle. Remarkably, it is a battle he currently is winning.

Forget the heartbreaking defeats in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont, and the promising careers cut short. The Zayat family will always remember 2012 as the year of Paynter. And whenever they recall the indomitable fighting spirit displayed by their horse and his will to live, it will bring a smile to their faces that will more than make up for the disappointments on the track