Denver Broncos Mascot “Thunder” to be Flown to Super Bowl by Show Horse Shipper Dutta Corp.

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Thunder, the Arabian horse that's the Denver Broncos mascot to be flown to New York for Super Bowl XLVIII. Photo courtesy of NFL
Thunder, the Arabian horse that’s the Denver Broncos mascot to be flown to New York for Super Bowl XLVIII. Photo courtesy of NFL

Jan. 26, 2014

When America’s National Football League Super Bowl is held next Sunday, Feb. 2 one of the stars of what is likely to be the most watched television program in history will be Thunder, an Arabian horse that is the mascot of the Denver Broncos.

Thunder will be flown from his stable in Colorado to New York for the game–actually a frenzied extravaganza unlike any other event–between the Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks.

The horse’s first flight has created intense media and fan attention matching the frenzy around the Super Bowl itself.

Thunder’s flight arrangements have been made by Dutta Corp. of North Salem, New York and Wellington, Florida that has been shipping Olympic and championship horses for the United States and several other nations around the world over the past quarter century.

Thunder whose duties at home games for the past 10 years is to be galloped by Sharon Magness Blake from one end of the field to the other whenever the Broncos score a touchdown.

Thunder will be shipped out of Denver to Newark, New Jersey on Wednesday. He’ll be accompanied by Kathy Martin, Dutta’s head pro groom who has many years experience shipping horses.

The NFL gave permission for Thunder to make his first airplane flight to go to the big game that’s projected to draw a television audience of well over 100 million people in the United States alone and for which advertisers pay $4 million (€2.9 million) for a 30-second spot.

But it’s not likely Thunder will get to gallop down the field for any touchdowns by Denver.

But he will be on the field and plans are being prepared for a possible half-time appearance.

Thunder has to be back in Denver by Tuesday for a celebratory parade through downtown, win or lose.

“We at Dutta Corp. will give Thunder wings,” said Tim Dutta, 48, who has built the horse transportation company from a $1,500 investment 26 years ago into one of the largest in the world.

Now, he said, after living in the United States for 30 years he’s learning American football.