Ghostzapper
 |
This article's tone or style may not reflect the formal tone used on Wikipedia. Specific concerns may be found on the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide to writing better articles for suggestions. (December 2007) |
| Ghostzapper | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Awesome Again |
| Grandsire | Deputy Minister |
| Dam | Baby Zip |
| Damsire | Relaunch |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 2000 |
| Country | United States |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Adena Springs Farms |
| Owner | Frank Stronach & Ghostzapper Syndicate |
| Trainer | Robert J. Frankel |
| Jockey | Javier Castellano |
| Record | 11:9-0-1 |
| Earnings | $3,446,120 |
| Major wins | |
|
Vosburgh Stakes (2003) Breeders' Cup Classic (2004) |
|
| Awards | |
| Champion Older Male (2004) United States Horse of the Year (2004) World's Top Ranked Horse (2004) |
|
| Horse (Equus ferus caballus) | |
| Last updated on January 6, 2007 | |
Foaled in Kentucky on April 6 in the year 2000, the thoroughbred racehorse Ghostzapper won the Breeders' Cup Classic in 2004, outdistancing Roses in May by three lengths in a stakes record of 1:59.02. His gate-to-wire Classic victory completed a 4-for-4 season and established him as one of the favorites for the 2004 Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year, which he would eventually win.
Ghostzapper's victory gave trainer Robert J. Frankel his second Breeders' Cup victory in 62 starts and jockey Javier Castellano his first Breeders' Cup win. His overall performance for the year made Ghostzapper the "World's Top Ranked Horse" for 2004 as compiled by the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings.
Contents |
[edit] 2004 Season
After Ghostzapper's smashing victory in the 2003 Vosburgh, many racing fans eagerly awaited his return to the track in 2004. It took the 4-year-old almost six months to make his debut as he recovered from quarter cracks. His first start came on July 4 at Belmont Park in the Tom Fool Handicap. He won the 7 furlong race in 1:20.40, just 2/5 seconds off the track record.
Although Ghostzapper was primarily thought of as a sprinter, Frankel now decided to point the horse towards the Breeders' Cup Classic run at 1 1/4 miles. Before that, Frankel needed to find out how far Ghostzapper could actually run, since he had never been further than 7 furlongs.
Frankel entered him in the Philip H. Iselin Breeders' Cup Handicap at Monmouth Park Racetrack, on August 21. It was his first distance race, run at 1 1/8 miles. The track was muddy, but that didn't stop Ghostzapper from flying home in 1:47.6, winning the race by 10 lengths. He earned a 128 Beyer Speed rating, one of the highest ever recorded around 2 turns and one of the fastest Beyers ever recorded since the figures were invented. (Groovy, 1987 American Champion Sprint Horse, was the last horse to break the 130 Beyer Speed Figure, earning 133 and 132 in back-to-back 6-furlong races in 1987.) Now Frankel was confident he had not only a possible starter in the Breeders' Cup Classic, but a probable favorite for the race. But before that, he had one more prep.
That prep came in the Woodward Stakes at Belmont Park on September 11. Ghostzapper ran the same impressive race as he did in the Iselin, but he wasn't alone. Saint Liam (eventual 2005 Horse of the Year) ran stride for stride with Ghostzapper down the stretch, bumping several times, before Ghostzapper got his head in front in the final few strides.
His next and final race of 2004 was the Breeders' Cup Classic at Lone Star Park. Returning Breeders' Cup champ Pleasantly Perfect went off at almost identical odds to Ghostzapper, with Ghostzapper a slight favorite. The betting was close, but the race was not. Ghostzapper led the entire way, pulling away in the stretch to a 3-length victory. The final time of 1:59.02 set a new track record and Breeders' Cup Classic record.
Ghostzapper went on to win the 2004 Horse of the year, edging out Smarty Jones in votes 174-95.
In 2005, owner/breeder Frank Stronach returned Ghostzapper to racing, which was unusual for a previous Horse of the Year winner. Ghostzapper could easily earn $10 million a season as a stud, which dwarfs what could be made racing. Stronach said he wanted to give something back to the game by returning Ghostzapper to competition, thus taking the financial risk.
Ghostzapper did not disappoint. In his debut 2005 race, he won the 112th running of the Grade 1 $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park.
[edit] Ghostzapper at stud
Ghostzapper was retired from racing on June 13, 2005 after discovery of a hairline fracture in his left front ankle. He retired with career earnings of $3,446,120. He is currently standing stud at Stronach's Adena Springs Farm in Kentucky where his own sire, the champion racehorse Awesome Again (by Deputy Minister) also stands. Ghostzapper's dam is Baby Zip, the 2005 Broodmare of the Year.
Ghostzapper commands $200,000 per live foal, the highest fee ever for a first time stallion. His progeny will hit the track some time in 2009.
Ghostzapper covered 111 mares in the 2006 breeding season. On October 20, 2006, Adena Springs announced a reduction in Ghostzappers stud fee. His 2007 stud fee was $150,000 per live foal. From that year's crop he sired Stately Victor, winner of the 2010 Blue Grass Stakes. His 2010 stud fee has been reduce to $30,000 per live foal.
"Few horses have devastated their opponents in so many ways, at so many distances, and in such fast times."--Steve Haskin
[edit] Racing Record
- 1st - Maiden TWO-YEAR-OLDS, Hollywood Park Racetrack, November 16, 2002
- 4th - Allowance Race, Hollywood Park, December 26, 2002
- 1st - Allowance Race, Belmont Park, June 20, 2003
- 1st - Allowance Race, Saratoga Race Course, July 26, 2003
- 3rd - King's Bishop Stakes G1, Saratoga Racetrack, August 23, 2003
- 1st - Vosburgh Stakes G1, Belmont Park, September 27, 2003
- 1st - Tom Fool Handicap G2, July 4, 2004
- 1st - Philip H Iselin Breeders Cup Handicap G3, Monmouth Park, August 21, 2004
- 1st - Woodward Stakes G1, Belmont Park, September 11, 2004
- 1st - Breeders' Cup Classic G1, Lonestar Park, October 30, 2004
- 1st - Metropolitan Handicap G1, Belmont Park, May 30, 2005
[edit] Pedigree
| Sire Awesome Again 1994 |
Deputy Minister 1979 |
Vice Regent | Northern Dancer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria Regina | |||
| Mint Copy | Bunty's Flight | ||
| Shakney | |||
| Primal Force 1987 |
Blushing Groom | Red God | |
| Runaway Bride | |||
| Prime Prospect | Mr. Prospector | ||
| Square Generation | |||
| Dam Baby Zip 1991 |
Relaunch 1976 |
In Reality | Intentionally |
| My Dear Girl | |||
| Foggy Note | The Axe | ||
| Silver Song | |||
| Thirty Zip 1983 |
Tri Jet | Jester | |
| Haze | |||
| Saliaway | Hawaii | ||
| Quick Wit (F-No.23-b) |
