Vigors (horse)

Vigors (1973–1994) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse known as "The White Tornado."[1] Called by Bloodhorse.com in a 2011 article "the great California closer," Vigors earned the affection of racing fans because of his dramatic come-from-behind running style.[2]

Vigors
SireGrey Dawn
GrandsireHerbager
DamRelifordie
DamsireEl Relicario
SexStallion
Foaled1973
CountryUnited States
ColourGray
BreederWilliam R. Hawn
OwnerWilliam R. Hawn
TrainerLarry J. Sterling
Record34: 9-6-4
EarningsUS$633,305
Major wins
Hollywood Invitational Handicap (1977)
Rolling Green Handicap (1977)
San Marcos Handicap (1978)
San Antonio Stakes (1978)
Bel Air Handicap (1978)
Santa Anita Handicap (1978)

Background

Vigors was bred in Kentucky by William R. Hawn, a Dallas, Texas businessman who was the president and a shareholder of Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California, and a founding partner of the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. The horse was named for William Hawn's friend Tim Vigors, a World War II fighter ace and founder of Ireland's renowned Coolmore Stud.[3]

Racing career

Raced mainly on grass, in 1977 the late developing Vigors won the Hollywood Invitational Handicap and the Rolling Green Handicap. The following year, trainer Larry Sterling entered him in the San Marcos Handicap, a race of a mile and an eighth on dirt. Under jockey Darrel McHargue, Vigors won easily[4] then with the same rider followed up with a win in the San Antonio Stakes in track record time on dirt.[5] In the most important win of his career, Darrel McHargue brought Vigors from dead last to win the Santa Anita Handicap by two lengths, again on dirt.[6] For jockey McHargue, the win topped off an extraordinary day in which he won six races.[7] Vigors did not race again until early June when he won the Bel Air Handicap on dirt.[8] Assigned top weight in the Hollywood Gold Cup, Vigors ran third in what was his final race before retiring to stud duty.[9]

Stud career

Vigors stood at Jonabell Farm, near Lexington Kentucky. He was the successful sire of numerous winners including multiple stakes winners, Royal Mountain Inn, Exemplary Leader and Lovlier Linda, among others. He also sired millionaires Hodges Bay and Real Connection and had five other of his progeny earn more than half a million dollars in racing.[10] Vigors is also the damsire of Ginger Gold, the 2001 Canadian Champion Two-Year-Old Filly.

Vigors died at age twenty-three on September 27, 1994 due to health problems.

Pedigree
Pedigree of Vigors
Sire
Grey Dawn		 Herbager Vandale Plassy
Vanille
Flagette Escamillo
Fidgette
Polamia Mahmoud Blenheim
Mah Mahal
Ampola Pavot
Blue Denim
Dam
Relifordie		 El Relicario Relic War Relic
Bridal Colors
Saponite Épinard
Soap Water
Crafordie Cranach Coronach
Reine Isaure
Maforte Massine
Fox Tor
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References
  1. "Daily Racing Form July 27, 2007". Drf.com. Retrieved 2011-12-10.
  2. "– August 5, 2011". Bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 2011-12-10.
  3. Frankel and other Famous Horses Named After People (2009-11-16). "TVG, The Grandstand - October 20, 2010". 208.74.204.74. Retrieved 2011-12-10.
  4. "Los Angeles Times - March 04, 1998 titled "Vigors Established Himself as a Breed Apart 20 Years Ago"". Articles.latimes.com. 1998-03-04. Retrieved 2011-12-10.
  5. [ Displaying Abstract ] (1978-02-20). "New York Times – February 20, 1978". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2011-12-10.
  6. Special to The New York Times (1978-03-06). "New York Times - March 6, 1978". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2011-12-10.
  7. "Oxnard, California Press-Courier - March 6, 1978". News.google.com. Retrieved 2011-12-10.
  8. "Press-Courier - Jun 5, 1978". News.google.com. Retrieved 2011-12-10.
  9. "St. Petersburg Times - Jun 26, 1978". News.google.com. Retrieved 2011-12-10.
  10. "Vigors' progeny". Pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 2011-12-10.
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