前にブックマークで指摘されたとおり、自分は競走馬が死ぬと「天国のどこかで」を思い浮べている。高橋源一郎が『競馬漂流記』の中でさわりだけ紹介していた詩だ。俺はあの本が好きだ。そして、あの詩も好きだ。けれど、いくら「リチャード・ルーリイ」の英語らしきもの（Horsplayer Magazine?、Richard Lurie? Richard lowrie?）で検索してもわからない。出てこない。訳詩はこちらで紹介されている。
しかし、せっかくなのでひさびさに検索したら、おそらくこれだろうというものが出てきた。こちらだ。
こちらのページの誰かは「Author unknown. Many thanks to the talented writer of this poem.」と記している。よくわからないが、有名な詩人や詩ではないのかもしれない。思い切って、全文を引用してしまおう。無断引用を許してくれ、タレンテドライター、そしてそのサイトの主よ。馬好きのよしみだ。俺にとっては歴史的大発見なのだ。
Somewhere up in Heaven, the track is always fast
The scent of flowers fills the air, the infield lake's like glass
The sun is always shining, gentle breezes always blow
The turf is like an emerald sea for the grasses always grow.Cappy calls the races and Pete Axthelm sets the odds.
As he saddles in the paddock, Jim Fitzsimmons smiles and nods.
The fans enjoy their time here, and many smirk and laugh
About some amusing story in the Morning Telegraph.
A hot dog costs a quarter and an ice cream costs a dime
And the bleacher seats are freebies if you survive the climb.
The grandstand seats are painted in colors bright and bold
No glass surrounds the clubhouse, for it never gets that cold.
This might be old Jamaica, or it could be Lincoln Downs
It might be Naragansett or Longacres that you've found.
It really makes no difference, it's not the name that counts
As the jockeys finish weighing and prepare to meet their mounts.The horses are arriving, so beautiful they are
From the gray of Native Dancer to the blackness of Dark Star.
There's the tiny Northern Dancer and the majesty of Swale
And I'd swear that's Kelso staring hard at Carry Back's long tail.
There's War Admiral being feisty, and his daddy Man 'O War
And that's Citation in the paddock standing next to Alydar.
Secretariat is glowing, his coat a fiery red
And Nashua has just arrived, Mr. Woodward's at his head.
Here's Gallant Man and Fappiano, Dr. Fager and Shergar
And that new colt, Prairie Bayou, bet he wonders who they are.
There's Roberto and Nasrullah, Native Diver and Count Fleet
Walking toward them is Round Table, looking like he can't be beat.Now the crowd turns towards the fillies, Ruffian and Go For Wand
As they walk in graceful motion while the others just look on.
Following them is Landaluce and behind them is Regret
Primonette and Cicada enter moving as a set.
Senor Luro gives a smile, and Gene Klein begins to laugh
As someone from the noisy crowd requests an autograph.
August Belmont seems to chuckle at something C.V. Whitney said
Frances Genter acts embarassed, her face turning a bright red.
The Iceman and Venezia get a leg up on their mounts
They'll win their share of races but no one ever counts.
They'll always come home safely, as they enjoy their ride
For here the fun's not winning; it's only that they've tried.At this track, no one tires and no one is ever hurt
As they strive to do their very best, on the turf or on the dirt.
No horse here runs on Lasix, and no whips are ever used
Medication's just not needed here and no horse gets abused.
As John Loftus mounts Sir Barton, and Earl Sandy, Gallant Fox
Every fan along the apron, every owner in his box
Sees a solitary figure walking slowly towards the track
And they raise their hands to tell him to go back.
At the gate stands Jeffrey Lukas, a white bridle in his hand.
He can't figure out why he's not let in; he doesn't understand.
Then he notices the tote board, and on it is a sign.
It consists of seven words..."Go home Jeff, it's not your time."
アガートは大好きさ、カウントフリートが、という具合にきれいな韻を踏んでいるのかどうか。俺はろくに英語も読めないし、詩としてのできはわからない。第一段目の人名についてもよくわからない。だけれども、高橋源一郎が抄訳した天国の名馬たちについての部分からは、しっかりと良さが伝わってくる。これはとてもいい詩だ。競馬の詩だ。世界にはこんな競馬の詩があって、馬たちには天国があって、世界中の俺たちに競馬があり続ければいいと思う。
それじゃあ、ジャパンカップの予想するから、またね。
