Sallie Gardner

Born: unknown

Died: unknown

Sallie Gardner was a racehorse possibly ridden by Gilbert Domm. Gilbert Domm was a stock manager on Leland Stanford's farm in 1878. Leland Stanford was a wealthy tycoon and the Governor of California. Stanford made a bet that all four hooves of a horse left the ground whilst in full gallop and photographer Edwaerd Muybridge set up an experiment to help him prove it was true. A jockey, unbeknownst to himself, became an iconic figure in the future world of film when he rode the racehorse 'Sallie Gardner' in front of series of still cameras in this experiment. These photographs could be turned into a short film of sorts using a zoopraxiscope, invented by Muybridge, and later using animation techniques. It is only assumed that Gilbert Domm was the jockey and no concrete evidence has ever been found. This experiment was one of several similar experiments carried out in July 1878.

The Horse in Motion: Sallie Gardner at a Gallop (1878) as Self/Racehorse (uncredited)

This 'film' was made on 19th July 1878.