Described as the ideally conformed racehorse by artist and writer Richard Stone Reeves, Buckpasser was a case of “handsome does as handsome is.” Although he had a frustrating habit of pulling himself up after making the lead and nearly gave his fans heart attacks on several occasions with his close finishes, Buckpasser was nonetheless a superbly talented and consistent competitor who was named a champion every year he raced. At stud, he was one of the most influential broodmare sires of modern times.
Race record
31 starts, 25 wins, 4 seconds 1 third, US$1,462,014
1965:
1966:
1967:
Honors
Assessments
Buckpasser was ranked #14 among American racehorses of the 20th century according to an expert panel assembled by The Blood-Horse (Thoroughbred Champions, Eclipse Press, 7th printing, 2005).
Highweighted at 126 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1965, 2 pounds above second-rated Graustark.
Highweighted at 136 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1966, 8 pounds above Buffle and Kauai King.
Highweighted at 136 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1967, 6 pounds above second-rated Pretense.
As an individual
A tall, elegant bay horse of nearly faultless conformation and action, Buckpasser was nonetheless plagued by quarter cracks at 3 and 4 as well as arthritis in his right fore pastern at 4. He was an incurably lazy work horse and difficult to keep in top shape. He stood 16.3 hands at maturity and had a long, low stride. His head was said to have shown refinement not unlike his Arabian ancestors. He had an excellent disposition as a racehorse. As a stallion, he was playful when in his paddock.
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Buckpasser sired 185 winners (57.8%) and 35 stakes winners (10.9%) from 320 named foals; the 2006 reference work Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World credits him with 36 stakes winners. Many of his progeny tended to be back at the knee and to have foot problems. Buckpasser is a Classic chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
Notable progeny
Alluvial (USA), Balzac (USA), Buckaroo (USA), Con Game (USA), Egg Toss (USA), La Prevoyante (CAN), Lassie Dear (USA), L'Enjoleur (CAN), Logical (USA), Norcliffe (CAN), Numbered Account (USA), Passing Mood (CAN), Quick As Lightning (USA), Relaxing (USA), Sex Appeal (USA), Silver Buck (USA), Squander (USA), State Dinner (USA), Toll Booth (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Al Mufti (USA), Cadillacing (USA), Christiecat (USA), Coastal (USA), Dance Number (USA), Defer (USA), Easy Goer (USA), Easy Now (USA), El Gran Senor (USA), Fast Play (USA), Gallantsky (USA), King of Clubs (GB), Maruzensky (JPN), Mining (USA), Miswaki (USA), National Assembly (CAN), Northern Guest (USA), Plugged Nickle (USA), Polish Precedent (USA), Private Account (USA), Seeking the Gold (USA), Slew o' Gold (USA), Touch Gold (USA), Try My Best (USA), Wavering Monarch (USA), Weekend Surprise (USA), With Approval (CAN), Wolfhound (USA)
Connections
Buckpasser was bred and owned by Ogden Phipps. He was trained by William “Bill” Winfrey at 2 and by Eddie Neloy at 3 and 4. He was syndicated for US$150,000 a share at the end of his racing career. Buckpasser stood at his birthplace, Claiborne Farm, where he died of a ruptured aorta in 1978.
Pedigree notes
Buckpasser is inbred 4x4 to Teddy. He is a half brother to major stakes winners Bureaucracy (by Polynesian) and Bupers (by Double Jay). His dam Busanda won the 1951 Suburban Handicap and two runnings of the Saratoga Cup. She is closely related to 1945 Horse of the Year Busher and major stakes winners Striking, Mr. Busher, and Searching as she is by War Admiral out of a daughter of La Troienne.
Books and media
Fun facts
Last updated: May 29, 2024
Race record
31 starts, 25 wins, 4 seconds 1 third, US$1,462,014
1965:
- Won Arlington-Washington Futurity (USA, 7FD, Arlington Park)
- Won Champagne Stakes (USA, 8FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Hopeful Stakes (USA, 6.5FD, Saratoga)
- Won Sapling Stakes (USA, 6FD, Monmouth)
- Won Tremont Stakes (USA, 5.5FD, Aqueduct)
- Won National Stallion Stakes (Males) (USA, 5.5FD, Aqueduct; dead heat w/Hospitality)
- 2nd Futurity Stakes (USA, 6.5FD, Aqueduct)
1966:
- Won Everglades Stakes (USA, 9FD, Hialeah)
- Won Flamingo Stakes (USA, 9FD, Hialeah)
- Won Jockey Club Gold Cup (USA, 16FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Brooklyn Handicap (USA, 10FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Chicagoan Stakes (USA, 9FD, Arlington Park)
- Won American Derby (USA, 9FD, Arlington Park; new track record 1:47)
- Won Arlington Classic Handicap (USA, 8FD, Arlington Park; new world record 1:32-3/5)
- Won Woodward Stakes (USA, 10FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Travers Stakes (USA, 10FD, Saratoga; equaled track record 2:01 3/5)
- Won Lawrence Realization Stakes (USA, 13FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Leonard Richards Stakes (USA, 9FD, Delaware Park)
- Won Malibu Stakes (Dec) (USA, 7FD, Santa Anita)
1967:
- Won Metropolitan Handicap (USA, 8FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Suburban Handicap (USA, 10FD, Aqueduct)
- Won San Fernando Stakes (USA, 9FD, Santa Anita)
- 2nd Woodward Stakes USA, 10FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd Brooklyn Handicap (USA, 10FD, Aqueduct)
- 3rd Bowling Green Handicap (USA, 13FT, Aqueduct)
Honors
- National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 1970)
- Monmouth Park Hall of Champions
- American Horse of the Year (1966)
- American champion 2-year-old male (1965)
- American champion 3-year-old male (1966)
- American co-champion handicap male (1967)
Assessments
Buckpasser was ranked #14 among American racehorses of the 20th century according to an expert panel assembled by The Blood-Horse (Thoroughbred Champions, Eclipse Press, 7th printing, 2005).
Highweighted at 126 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1965, 2 pounds above second-rated Graustark.
Highweighted at 136 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1966, 8 pounds above Buffle and Kauai King.
Highweighted at 136 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1967, 6 pounds above second-rated Pretense.
As an individual
A tall, elegant bay horse of nearly faultless conformation and action, Buckpasser was nonetheless plagued by quarter cracks at 3 and 4 as well as arthritis in his right fore pastern at 4. He was an incurably lazy work horse and difficult to keep in top shape. He stood 16.3 hands at maturity and had a long, low stride. His head was said to have shown refinement not unlike his Arabian ancestors. He had an excellent disposition as a racehorse. As a stallion, he was playful when in his paddock.
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Buckpasser sired 185 winners (57.8%) and 35 stakes winners (10.9%) from 320 named foals; the 2006 reference work Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World credits him with 36 stakes winners. Many of his progeny tended to be back at the knee and to have foot problems. Buckpasser is a Classic chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
- 4th on the American general sire list in 1980
- Led the American broodmare sire list in 1983, 1984, and 1989; 2nd in 1985 and 1988
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- 4th on the American general sire list in 1980.
- Led the American broodmare sire list in 1983, 1984, 1988, and 1989; 2nd in 1985; 5th in 1990.
- 2nd on the combined English/Irish broodmare sire list in 1984.
- 7th on the French broodmare sire list in 1989.
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
- Led the American broodmare sire list in 1983, 1984, 1988, and 1989.
Notable progeny
Alluvial (USA), Balzac (USA), Buckaroo (USA), Con Game (USA), Egg Toss (USA), La Prevoyante (CAN), Lassie Dear (USA), L'Enjoleur (CAN), Logical (USA), Norcliffe (CAN), Numbered Account (USA), Passing Mood (CAN), Quick As Lightning (USA), Relaxing (USA), Sex Appeal (USA), Silver Buck (USA), Squander (USA), State Dinner (USA), Toll Booth (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Al Mufti (USA), Cadillacing (USA), Christiecat (USA), Coastal (USA), Dance Number (USA), Defer (USA), Easy Goer (USA), Easy Now (USA), El Gran Senor (USA), Fast Play (USA), Gallantsky (USA), King of Clubs (GB), Maruzensky (JPN), Mining (USA), Miswaki (USA), National Assembly (CAN), Northern Guest (USA), Plugged Nickle (USA), Polish Precedent (USA), Private Account (USA), Seeking the Gold (USA), Slew o' Gold (USA), Touch Gold (USA), Try My Best (USA), Wavering Monarch (USA), Weekend Surprise (USA), With Approval (CAN), Wolfhound (USA)
Connections
Buckpasser was bred and owned by Ogden Phipps. He was trained by William “Bill” Winfrey at 2 and by Eddie Neloy at 3 and 4. He was syndicated for US$150,000 a share at the end of his racing career. Buckpasser stood at his birthplace, Claiborne Farm, where he died of a ruptured aorta in 1978.
Pedigree notes
Buckpasser is inbred 4x4 to Teddy. He is a half brother to major stakes winners Bureaucracy (by Polynesian) and Bupers (by Double Jay). His dam Busanda won the 1951 Suburban Handicap and two runnings of the Saratoga Cup. She is closely related to 1945 Horse of the Year Busher and major stakes winners Striking, Mr. Busher, and Searching as she is by War Admiral out of a daughter of La Troienne.
Books and media
- Buckpasser is one of 205 stallions whose accomplishments at stud are profiled in Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, The Australian Bloodhorse Review), a massive reference work written by Jennifer Churchill, Andrew Reichard and Byron Rogers.
- Buckpasser is one of 50 Thoroughbreds profiled in Royal Blood: Fifty Years of Classic Thoroughbreds. Written by racing historian Jim Bolus with illustrations and commentary by noted equine artist Richard Stone Reeves, the book was released by The Blood-Horse, Inc., in 1994.
Fun facts
- Buckpasser's average victory margin was just over 1¼ lengths.
- Buckpasser's 1965 earnings of US$586,020 were a world record for a 2-year-old Thoroughbred.
- Because track management felt they were almost certain to have a minus pool (a betting result in which more money is paid out on a given horse than is in the total pool of money bet to win, place, or show, usually as a result of minimum payoff rules) thanks to Buckpasser, they elected to run the 1966 Flamingo Stakes as a betless exhibition even though the race drew nine starters. Buckpasser did win the race (dubbed the “Chicken Flamingo” by eminent racing writer Red Smith) but by only a nose, getting up in the last stride.
- Buckpasser was the first horse to reach US$1 million in earnings as a 3-year-old.
- Buckpasser's owner, Ogden Phipps, named the yacht he used as his winter home for his champion.
Last updated: May 29, 2024