Horse Category: Racing Stable Honor Roll
Cavorting
Rachel Alexandra
Rachel Alexandra rewrote the history books in 2009. We purchased the filly privately after her astounding 20 1/4-length victory in the Kentucky Oaks and entered her in the Preakness Stakes. It proved a wise move, as she became the first female runner to win the classic in 85 years. After easily taking the Grade 1 Mother Goose Stakes against her own gender, she went on best the boys again in both the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational Stakes and Grade 1 Woodward Stakes. She was a perfect 8-for-8 that year and was named Horse of the Year for her achievements. She now resides at our Kentucky farm.
Hot Dixie Chick
Hot Dixie Chick made a name for herself while racing for us in the name of Barbara Banke’s Grace Stables. As a 2-year-old, she won multiple graded stakes including the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes and the Grade 3 Schuylerville Stakes, both at Saratoga. The following year, she won the Prima Donna Stakes and finished third in both the Grade 3 Eight Belles Stakes and the Grade 3 Winning Colors Stakes. Hot Dixie Chick is also known for being paddock mates with Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra after both fillies retired. She is out of the graded stakes-winning mare Above Perfection.
Kantharos
Kantharos is a well-put together son of Lion Heart, who during his juvenile season rocketed his way to the top of the East Coast prospects while racing for us. He broke his maiden with an 11 3/4-length win at Churchill Downs, then followed that effort with a 9 1/2-length victory in the Grade 3 Bashford Manor Stakes. In his third and final career start, he posted a 7 1/4-length victory in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special. He retired undefeated after being injured during a routine workout. Kantharos, who is at stud in Florida, is a half-brother to two stakes winners, including graded stakes winner Ikigai.
Kensei
Kensei broke his maiden for us at first asking in a 2008 maiden special weight at Saratoga against a field that included future multiple grade 1 winner Zensational. As a 3-year-old, Kensei posted back-to-back graded stakes victories by taking the Grade 2 Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park and the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga. During his campaign as on older horse, Kensei added the Grade 3 Salvator Mile Stakes at Monmouth Park to his resume. In 2011, Kensei suffered a broken right front cannon bone and had to be euthanized. Out of the mare Private Feeling, Kensei was a half-brother to champion Lookin at Lucky.
Tiz Wonderful
Tiz Wonderful lived up to his name from the start, breaking his maiden at first asking by more than 12 lengths at Saratoga. He immediately jumped into graded stakes company and didn’t miss a beat, winning the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs with ease. Based off that performance, he entered into the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes undefeated and left it the same way. This time, he had to work harder, but still defeated future grade 1 winner Any Given Saturday by a half-length while carrying our silks to the winner’s circle. Tiz Wonderful entered stud at Spendthrift Farm in 2009.
Wilburn
We purchased Wilburn for $625,000, making him the sale-topper of the 2010 Keeneland April 2-year-olds in training sale. The colt made his first start as a 3-year-old and broke his maiden in his debut. Out of the Carson City mare Moonlight Sonata, Wilburn went on to win the 2011 Smarty Jones Stakes at Parx before traveling to Hoosier Park to score a victory in the Grade 2 Indiana Derby. That day he took on and defeated the likes of Preakness Stakes winner Shackleford and future Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Caleb’s Posse. Wilburn entered stud at Spendthrift Farm in 2012.
Hierro
While racing for us, Hierro found his greatest success in the Grade 3 The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial Stakes at Churchill Downs in 2012. That day he made a run at the leaders with a furlong to go and then drew clear. Finishing behind him in second place was race favorite and future grade 1 winner Paynter. We purchased Hierro as a 2-year-old in training for $350,000 from the OBS March sale. Out of the graded stakes-placed mare mare Brief Bliss, Hierro is a half-brother to stakes winner Cherokee Triangle.
El Roblar
El Roblar won his first three races, including the 2005 Oceanside Stakes at Del Mar, but that was just a hint of things to come for the talented runner. During his career, he also claimed the Grade 3 Ack Ack Handicap and Grade 3 Inglewood Handicap, both at Hollywood Park. Additionally, he hit the board in the Grade 2 Potrero Grande Handicap, Grade 2 Arcadia Handicap, Grade 2 San Antonio Handicap, and Grade 2 La Jolla Handicap. We bought El Roblar after his first career start, and he is out of the graded stakes winner Screamer.