Kentucky Gold
Kentucky Gold (foaled 14 February 1973) was a Thoroughbred racehorse who was sold for a world-record $625,000 ($3.2 million inflation adjusted) in 1974. As a racehorse, he won one minor race from seven starts. He was then retired to stud and sired the winners of many minor races.
| Kentucky Gold | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Raise A Native |
| Grandsire | Native Dancer |
| Dam | Gold Digger |
| Damsire | Nashua |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 14 February 1973[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Leslie Combs II |
| Owner | Wallace Gilroy |
| Trainer | Richard J. Fischer |
| Record | 7: 1-0-3 |
| Earnings | $5,950 |
Background
Kentucky Gold was a bay horse bred in Kentucky by Leslie Combs II of Spendhrift Farm. Having been sired by Raise A Native out of the mare Gold Digger he was a full-brother to Mr. Prospector.[2]
At the Keeneland Sales in July 1974 the yearling was sold for a then world-recond price of $625,000, with Mr & Mrs W Gilroy of Chicago winning the auction.[3] He broke the record set a year earlier by Wajima.[4] He was the fifth Spendthrift graduate to hold the record following One Bold Bid, Bold Discovery, Majestic Prince and Crowned Prince.[5]
Racing career
Kentucky Gold was sent into training with Richard J. Fischer. His racing career consisted of seven starts as a three-year-old in 1976. After finishing third at Hollywood Park Racetrack on his debut in a maiden race in April he finished unplaced in two similar events at the same track before winning a maiden at Delaware Park on August 15. He then finished fourth at Keystone Park and finished third in two allowance races at Keeneland in October.[6]
Stud record
Kentucky Gold was retired from racing to become a breeding stallion. He was not particularly successful, but did sire some prolific winners of minor races in North America including Golden Tumiga (twenty-six wins), Native of Kentucky (twenty-one wins), Golden Occasion (thirteen wins) and Fort Worth (thirteen wins).[7] Kentucky Gold died in 2001.
Pedigree
| Sire Raise A Native (USA) 1961 |
Native Dancer (USA) 1950 |
Polynesian | Unbreakable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Polly | |||
| Geisha | Discovery | ||
| Miyako | |||
| Raise You (USA) 1946 |
Case Ace | Teddy | |
| Sweetheart | |||
| Lady Glory | American Flag | ||
| Beloved | |||
| Dam Gold Digger (USA) 1962 |
Nashua (USA) 1952 |
Nasrullah | Nearco |
| Mumtaz Begum | |||
| Segula | Johnstown | ||
| Sekhmet | |||
| Sequence (USA) 1946 |
Count Fleet | Reigh Count | |
| Quickly | |||
| Miss Dogwood | Bull Dog | ||
| Myrtlewood (Family 13-c)[2] |
References
- "Kentucky Gold pedigree". equineline.com. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
- "Stray Shot - Family 13-c". Thoroughbred Bloodlines. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
- Bob LeNoir (January 16, 1975). "Kentucky Gold Runs Red". The Evening Independent. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
- Morris, Tony; Randall, John (1990). Horse Racing: Records, Facts, Champions (Third Edition). Guinness Publishing. p. 75. ISBN 0-85112-902-1.
- Mary Marshall (2008). "Great Breeders and Their Methods". Russell Meerdink. p. 35. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
- "Kentucky Gold - Statistics". Retrieved 3 January 2015.
- "Fort Worth - Statistics". Retrieved 3 January 2015.
| Records | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Wajima |
Most expensive Thoroughbred colt yearling July 1974 – July 1975 |
Next: Elegant Prince |