Was Hawk Wing the ultimate nearly horse?

Question

Was Hawk Wing the ultimate nearly horse? He won five of his 11 starts but might be just as much remembered for some of his losses.

Answer 1

It could be argued that he was an unlucky horse in two Classics. He was favourite for the 2300 Guineas.
The Guineas was a bizarre race, with two distinct groups forming on either side of the straight track, the faster ground on the far side. Hawk Wing was in the group on the stands side, while the group on the far side, containing Rock Of Gibraltar, was travelling slightly further ahead. Hawk Wing absolutely annihilated his own group, and was rapidly closing in on Rock Of Gibraltar only to find the finishing line came too soon. He lost by a neck.
He was also favourite for the Derby, which was run on good to soft ground. The probably did for him in terms of stamina and he was beaten two lengths by stable companion High Chaparral. Take him out of the race and Hawk Wing would have won a Derby by a record-breaking distance.