Chief Bearhart (CAN)
February 1, 1993 – September 18, 2012
Chief's Crown (USA) x Amelia Bearhart (USA), by Bold Hour (USA)
Family 13-c
February 1, 1993 – September 18, 2012
Chief's Crown (USA) x Amelia Bearhart (USA), by Bold Hour (USA)
Family 13-c
While Chief Bearhart showed some promise on the dirt as a 3-year-old, it was a course record-equaling performance in a turf allowance race followed by a 9½ length victory in the Breeders' Stakes, the third leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, that demonstrated that his true métier was as a staying turf runner. Thanks to his prowess on grass, he ended up winning seven championship titles in Canada and the United States, including two titles as Canada's Horse of the Year. Unfortunately, he was a far better racehorse than stallion.
Race record
26 starts, 12 wins, 5 seconds, 3 thirds, US$3,381,557 (includes Canadian and Japanese earnings)
1996:
1997:
1998:
Honors
As an individual
A handsome, rangy chestnut horse standing 16.1 hands, Chief Bearhart had notably strong hindquarters. He made only one start at two due to an ankle chip. He won over courses ranging from firm to yielding. He generally did his best running from well off the pace. Trainer Mark Frostad described him as “a little kooky at times.”
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Chief Bearhart sired 408 winners (59.9%) and 14 stakes winners (2.1%) from 681 named foals. The Blood-Horse credits Chief Bearhart with 15 stakes winners (2.2%).
Notable progeny
Meiner Kitz (JPN), Meiner Recolte (JPN), Merci a Time (JPN), Shikoba (NZ)
Connections
Foaled in Ontario, Chief Bearhart was bred by Richard Maynard and was owned by Sam-Son Farms. He was trained by Mark Frostad. After being sold to Japanese interests in late 1998, he entered stud in 1999 at Shizunai Stallion Station. He shuttled to Glenmorgan Stud in New Zealand for the Southern Hemisphere seaon in 2001–2003. He died of heart failure in Japan in 2012 after an illness lasting several months.
Pedigree notes
Chief Bearhart is inbred 4x3 to 1957 American Horse of the Year and eight-time American champion sire Bold Ruler. He is also inbred 5x5 to Bold Ruler's paternal grandsire Nearco, a two-time champion sire in England and an unbeaten champion on the race course. He is a half brother to 1993 Hollywood Derby (USA-G1) winner Explosive Red (by Explodent) and to restricted stakes winner Ruby Ransom (by Red Ransom), dam of five-time Grade 2 winner Strut the Stage (by Theatrical) and multiple English Group 3 winner Sacred Song (by Diesis) and second dam of French Group 2 winner Multidimensional and multiple Grade 3 winner Aldous Snow. Chief Bearhart is also a half brother to Lure the Bear (by Lure), dam of Grade 1-placed listed stakes winner Achiever's Legacy (by City Zip); to Stormy Bear (by Storm Cat), dam of multiple Grade 1-placed listed stakes winner Mr. Z (by Malibu Moon); and to stakes-placed Sundown Serenade (by Deputy Minister), second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Private Zone.
Chief Bearhart is out of stakes-placed Amelia Bearhart, the 1996 Canadian Broodmare of the Year. She is a half sister to Joy of Myrtlewood (by Northern Jove), second dam of 2008 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) winner Oken Bruce Lee.
Amelia Bearhart, in turn, was produced from Myrtlewood Lass (Ribot--Gold Digger, by Nashua), a winning half sister to multiple stakes winners Mr. Prospector (by Raise a Native; a two-time American champion sire and nine-time American champion broodmare sire), Gold Standard (by Sea-Bird) and Lillian Russell (by Prince John). The last-named mare is the second dam of 2003 Indian Two Thousand Guineas winner Rapidash, Grade 2 winner Igotrhythm and Grade 3 winner Slew Gin Fizz and the third dam of 2010 Arkansas Derby (USA-G1) winner Line of David, Japanese Group 2 winner Sakura Gospel and Grade 3 winner Evo Campo. Myrtlewood Lass is also a half sister to Gold Mine (by Raise a Native), dam of stakes winner Etiquette (by Raja Baba).
Fun facts
Last updated: May 2, 2022
Race record
26 starts, 12 wins, 5 seconds, 3 thirds, US$3,381,557 (includes Canadian and Japanese earnings)
1996:
- Won Breeders' Stakes (CAN-R, 12FT, Woodbine)
- 2nd Canadian International Stakes (CAN-G1, 12FT, Woodbine)
- 3rd Plate Trial Stakes (CAN-R, 9FD, Woodbine)
- Also equaled the course record of 2:16 for about 11FT at Woodbine in an allowance race.
1997:
- Won Breeders' Cup Turf (USA-G1, 12FT, Hollywood)
- Won Canadian International Stakes (CAN-G1, 12FT, Woodbine)
- Won King Edward Breeders' Cup Handicap (CAN-G3, 9FT, Woodbine)
- Won Elkhorn Stakes (USA-G3, 12FT, Keeneland)
- Won Sky Classic Handicap (CAN-L, 11FT, Woodbine; equaled course record 2:13-2/5)
- 2nd Stars and Stripes Breeders' Cup Turf Handicap (USA-G3, 12FT, Arlington Park)
- 2nd Maker's Mark Mile Stakes (USA-G3, 8FT, Keeneland)
1998:
- Won Manhattan Handicap (USA-G1, 10FT, Belmont)
- Won Niagara Breeders' Cup Handicap (CAN-L, 12FT, Woodbine)
- Won Sky Classic Handicap (CAN-L, 11FT, Woodbine)
- 2nd Canadian International Stakes (CAN-G1, 12FT, Woodbine)
- 2nd Elkhorn Stakes (USA-G3, 12FT, Keeneland)
- 3rd Bowling Green Handicap (USA-G2, 11FT, Belmont)
Honors
- Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 2002)
- Sovereign Award, Canadian Horse of the Year (1997, 1998)
- Sovereign Award, Canadian champion turf male (1996–1998)
- Sovereign Award, Canadian champion older male (1997)
- Eclipse Award, American champion turf male (1997)
As an individual
A handsome, rangy chestnut horse standing 16.1 hands, Chief Bearhart had notably strong hindquarters. He made only one start at two due to an ankle chip. He won over courses ranging from firm to yielding. He generally did his best running from well off the pace. Trainer Mark Frostad described him as “a little kooky at times.”
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Chief Bearhart sired 408 winners (59.9%) and 14 stakes winners (2.1%) from 681 named foals. The Blood-Horse credits Chief Bearhart with 15 stakes winners (2.2%).
Notable progeny
Meiner Kitz (JPN), Meiner Recolte (JPN), Merci a Time (JPN), Shikoba (NZ)
Connections
Foaled in Ontario, Chief Bearhart was bred by Richard Maynard and was owned by Sam-Son Farms. He was trained by Mark Frostad. After being sold to Japanese interests in late 1998, he entered stud in 1999 at Shizunai Stallion Station. He shuttled to Glenmorgan Stud in New Zealand for the Southern Hemisphere seaon in 2001–2003. He died of heart failure in Japan in 2012 after an illness lasting several months.
Pedigree notes
Chief Bearhart is inbred 4x3 to 1957 American Horse of the Year and eight-time American champion sire Bold Ruler. He is also inbred 5x5 to Bold Ruler's paternal grandsire Nearco, a two-time champion sire in England and an unbeaten champion on the race course. He is a half brother to 1993 Hollywood Derby (USA-G1) winner Explosive Red (by Explodent) and to restricted stakes winner Ruby Ransom (by Red Ransom), dam of five-time Grade 2 winner Strut the Stage (by Theatrical) and multiple English Group 3 winner Sacred Song (by Diesis) and second dam of French Group 2 winner Multidimensional and multiple Grade 3 winner Aldous Snow. Chief Bearhart is also a half brother to Lure the Bear (by Lure), dam of Grade 1-placed listed stakes winner Achiever's Legacy (by City Zip); to Stormy Bear (by Storm Cat), dam of multiple Grade 1-placed listed stakes winner Mr. Z (by Malibu Moon); and to stakes-placed Sundown Serenade (by Deputy Minister), second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Private Zone.
Chief Bearhart is out of stakes-placed Amelia Bearhart, the 1996 Canadian Broodmare of the Year. She is a half sister to Joy of Myrtlewood (by Northern Jove), second dam of 2008 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) winner Oken Bruce Lee.
Amelia Bearhart, in turn, was produced from Myrtlewood Lass (Ribot--Gold Digger, by Nashua), a winning half sister to multiple stakes winners Mr. Prospector (by Raise a Native; a two-time American champion sire and nine-time American champion broodmare sire), Gold Standard (by Sea-Bird) and Lillian Russell (by Prince John). The last-named mare is the second dam of 2003 Indian Two Thousand Guineas winner Rapidash, Grade 2 winner Igotrhythm and Grade 3 winner Slew Gin Fizz and the third dam of 2010 Arkansas Derby (USA-G1) winner Line of David, Japanese Group 2 winner Sakura Gospel and Grade 3 winner Evo Campo. Myrtlewood Lass is also a half sister to Gold Mine (by Raise a Native), dam of stakes winner Etiquette (by Raja Baba).
Fun facts
- Chief Bearhart was known as “The Chief” to his fans.
- The Chief Bearhart Stakes was run at Woodbine in 2002–2007 and in 2009. It was staged over 10 furlongs on turf.
Last updated: May 2, 2022