Kentucky Stallions

Since our first trip to Kentucky, we've been lucky enough to visit champion race horses at their lavish stud farms. On the following pages you'll find photos of the stallions we've seen, along with a little info on each horse.

Enjoy!

Claiborne Farm

We toured Claiborne Farm in the summer of 1999. Claiborne Farm is one of the most famous farms in the bluegrass, for many, many champions have been nurtured on its lush pastures. I was really excited to visit this place, because Secretariat lived here when he retired from racing.

Meet Charles, our guide at Claiborne. He is a stallion manager and knows a lot about the horses on the farm. He was really nice, too, so if you plan to go to Claiborne, ask for Charles to be your guide!

This pretty face belongs to GO FOR GIN, the 1994 Kentucky Derby winner. GO FOR GIN won the Derby going away; in the slop, no less. He was trained by Nick Zito. At the time we visited, Gin was only represented on the track by a few promising 2-year-olds. In 2000, Gin's son ALBERT THE GREAT won the Jockey Club Gold Cup, and today is a millionaire.

GO FOR GIN, Cormorant - Never Knock, by Stage Door Johnny

Gin was very well-behaved while posing for pics with us.

After putting GO FOR GIN back in his stall, Charles brought out DANZIG.

DANZIG is the farm's oldest stallion, though only 1 month before our visit he was 2nd behind MR. PROSPECTOR.

DANZIG, Northern Dancer- Pas de Nom, by Admiral's Voyage

Danzig was a wonderful race horse, though his career was cut short by injury. However, he has had phenominal success as a sire. Danzig has sired: WAR CHANT, 2000 Breeder's Cup Mile winner; CHIEF'S CROWN, BC Juvenile winner; DANCE SMARTLY, Horse of the Year & BC Distaff winner, and so many others!

Here Cassie poses with the grand old horse.

Here's Charles & Danzig

Me & Danzig

NOTE: Though we are pictured petting the horses, we did not do so unless Charles said we could. Thoroughbred stallions can be dangerous, so please, if you find yourself in this situation, ASK FIRST!

WHEE! This is SEEKING THE GOLD!

SEEKING THE GOLD was 'feeling his oats', so-to-speak, on the day we visited Claiborne. Charles told us about him while standing safely outside the stall. Don't be fooled; SEEKING THE GOLD is not being mean in this picture. He is displaying the 'flehmen' action, which is what a horse (usually a stallion) does when it smells something cool!

SEEKING THE GOLD, Mr. Prospector - Con Game, by Buckpasser

SEEKING THE GOLD has sired such great runners as FLANDERS, BC Juvenile Fillies winner and dam of the 2000 CH 3yo F SURFSIDE; he also sired the best horse Godolphin racing ever had, the king of European racing, the incomparable, simply amazing (can't you tell I liked this horse?)

DUBAI MILLENNIUM (1996-2001).

Above is CONQUISTADOR CIELO, Mr. Prospector - KD Princess, by Bold Commander.

CONQUISTADOR CIELO is also a son of the immortal Mr. Prospector. In 1982 Cielo won the Met Mile, then five (5) days later he won the Belmont Stakes. His is one of the more memorable stories of the 1980's, for not only did he pull off two amazing wins in 6 days, he was also one of Woody Stephens's record 5 Belmont winners.

Me and Cassie get a close look at Conquistador Cielo. Cielo was owned by Henrik de Kwiakowski, the "Count of Calumet." He named Cielo after an air club he was a member of. Kwiakowski also owned DANZIG.

Cielo thought he was going out to play; his paddock was just across from where we stood. CONQUISTADOR CIELO has sired: MARQUETRY, sire of ARTAX; WAGON LIMIT, Jockey Club Gold Cup winner (over Skip Away); CONQUISTAROSE; ALANNAN

Who is this peeking from the shadows?

It's UNBRIDLED, 1990 Kentucky Derby winner!

UNBRIDLED, Fappiano - Gana Facil, by *Le Fabuleaux

Unbridled was my favorite at Claiborne. He was so well-mannered that everyone got to pet him, and got their picture made with him! But I won't bore you with Grandma's pic with Unbridled, just Dad's!

Unbridled won the Kentucky Derby in 1990. His trainer, Carl Nafzger, called the race for Unbridled's 92-year-old owner, who could not see from her seat in the grandstand. TV crews picked up the moment, and it has become Unbridled's lasting legacy. When Unbridled crossed the finish line, Nafzger cried, "Oh Mrs. Genter, I love you!"

Unbridled has become a great sire in the 11 years since his Derby win. Among his many winners are: GRINDSTONE, 1996 KY Derby winner; RED BULLET, 2000 Preakness winner; UNBRIDLED'S SONG, 1996 Florida Derby winner; BANSHEE BREEZE, champion filly; MANISTIQUE, UNSHADED, and ANEES.

TAKE ME OUT, Cure The Blues - White Feather, by Tom Rolfe

TAKE ME OUT is a son of the stallion Cure The Blues. Cure The Blues is featured in many good runners' pedigrees. TAKE ME OUT has sired KIMBERLITE PIPE, 1999 Louisiana Derby winner. On the day we visited, he really wanted us to make up silly one-liners with his name, as you can see.... (he's biting his stall rail)...

Other stallions that stand at Claiborne are: ARCH, BOUNDARY, CORONADO'S QUEST, OUR EMBLEM, OUT OF PLACE, ORDWAY, DEVIL'S BAG, SULTRY SONG, and PULPIT (who was sound asleep and snoring LOUDLY when we visited!). WE saved those boys for our next visit!

Our trip to Claiborne Farm also included a vigil in the Claiborne Cemetery>>>>>>>.

On the next page you'll find more of our pictures of KENTUCKY STALLIONS>>>>>>>

Before you take a farm tour, check out our FARM TOUR TIPS!>>>>>>>