Court Vision (USA)
March 27, 2005 – Living
Gulch (USA) x Weekend Storm (USA), by Storm Bird (CAN)
Family 3-l
March 27, 2005 – Living
Gulch (USA) x Weekend Storm (USA), by Storm Bird (CAN)
Family 3-l
Considered a possible Triple Crown candidate after winning two graded stakes on dirt as a 2-year-old, Court Vision eventually found his niche as a turf miler. He reached the pinnacle of his career with a 64-1 upset in the 2011 Breeders’ Mile (USA-G1), a race marked by the great Goldikova’s attempt to capture the race for the fourth straight time. A winner of five Grade 1 races on his favorite surface, Court Vision has been disappointing as a sire given his excellent pedigree; in fairness to him, he had gotten off to a promising start in Ontario but had to be transferred due to changes in the Ontario-bred program that led to his receiving weaker books in terms of both quality and quantity before his transfer back to the United States. He was never able to recover the ground he had lost and is currently standing to both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse mares in Nebraska.
Race record
31 starts, 9 wins, 4 seconds, 4 thirds, $3,746,658 (includes converted Canadian earnings)
2007:
2008:
2009:
2010:
2011:
Honors
Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 2022)
Assessments
Rated at 116 pounds on the 2008 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, 14 pounds below co-highweights Curlin (the American Horse of the Year) and New Approach (the European champion 3-year-old male).
Rated at 120 pounds on the 2009 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, 16 pounds below overall highweight Sea the Stars (the European Horse of the Year).
Rated at 119 pounds on the 2010 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, 16 pounds below overall highweight Harbinger (the highweighted English older male over 11-14F).
Rated at 121 pounds on the 2011 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, 15 pounds below overall highweight Frankel (the European Horse of the Year).
As an individual
A handsome, light-framed dark bay or brown horse, Court Vision is well-balanced. He typically stalked the pace or came from off the pace as a racehorse and had a powerful finishing kick. He was a ridgling, a trait he shared with his near relatives A.P. Indy and Summer Squall, and underwent surgery as a 4-year-old to remove the undescended testicle.
As a stallion
According to The Blood-Horse, Court Vision led the Louisiana regional sire list in 2017 and the Nebraska regional sire list in 2021 and 2022. As of February 27, 2023, Court Vision has sired 11 stakes winners.
Notable progeny
King and His Court (CAN), Storm the Court (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Court Vision was bred by William S. Farish and Kilroy Thoroughbred Partnership (KY). A US$350,000 purchase from the Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, he was owned by WinStar Farm, which sold an interest to IEAH Stables in January 2008. In August 2011, Court Vision was purchased by B. Wayne Hughes's Spendthrift Farm. He was trained by Bill Mott at 2 and 3, by Rick Dutrow at 4 and 5, and finally by Dale Romans, who took over the training duties after Court Vision's sale to Spendthrift. The horse was ridden to his Breeders' Cup Mile win by Robby Albarado. He entered stud at Michael Byrne's Park Stud, Ontario, in 2012 as a joint venture with Spendthrift Farm and stood there through 2014. He stood at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky in 2015 and at Acadiana Equine@Copper Crowne in Louisiana during the 2016-2020 Northern Hemisphere seasons. He then moved to Pryor Ranch near Omaha, Nebraska. Court Vision also shuttled to Chile for the Southern Hemisphere season in 2014-2016.
Pedigree notes
Court Vision is inbred 4x5 to two-time American Horse of the Year Native Dancer and 5x5 to five-time American champion sire Nasrullah, also the champion English/Irish sire of 1951. He is a full brother to Garcia Marquez, a multiple stakes winner in Hong Kong. He is a half brother to 2009 Hendrie Handicap (CAN-G3) winner Smart Surprise (by Smart Strike), dam of 2018 Canadian champion female sprinter Moonlit Promise (by Malibu Moon). He is also a half brother to Grade 1-placed listed stakes winner Lord Snowdon (by Seeking the Gold) and to stakes-placed Weekend Strike (by Smart Strike), dam of 2018 Give Thanks Stakes (IRE-G3) winner Sizzling (by Galileo).
Court Vision and his siblings are out of Weekend Storm, an unraced full sister to Summer Squall. Weekend Storm is a half sister to 1992 American Horse of the Year and two-time American leading sire A.P. Indy, to Grade 3 winner Welcome Surprise (by Seeking the Gold; second dam of 2024 Personal Ensign Stakes (USA-G1) winner Raging Sea and Grade 3 winner Guest Suite) and to listed stakes winner Eavesdropper (by Kingmambo). She is also a half sister to the useful sires Honor Grades (by Danzig) and Tiger Ridge (by Storm Bird's son Storm Cat) and to Grade 1-placed Weekend in Seattle (by Seattle Slew), dam of Grade 1-placed stakes winner Mambo in Seattle (by Kingmambo) and second dam of Grade 1-placed Grade 3 winner Sky Kingdom and Japanese Group 3 winner Stay in Seattle. Finally, Weekend Storm is a half sister to Lassie’s Legacy (by Deputy Minister), second dam of 2020 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (USA-G1) winner Happy Saver and to Mystery Trip (by Belong to Me), second dam of English Group 3 winner Chemical Charge.
Weekend Storm's dam Weekend Surprise is the 1992 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year. Sired by Secretariat from the Grade 3-winning Buckpasser mare Lassie Dear, she is a Grade 3-winning half sister to French and English Group 1 winner Wolfhound (by Nureyev), who was the highweighted older male in England in 1993 over 5 to 7 furlongs. Weekend Surprise is also a half sister to multiple listed stakes winner Spectacular Spy (by Spectacular Bid); to Group 3-placed French listed stakes winner Foxhound (by Danzig); to Group 1-placed Al Mufti (by Roberto), a successful sire in South Africa; and to Charming Lassie (by Seattle Slew), dam of 2000 American champion older male Lemon Drop Kid (by Kingmambo), Grade 2 winner Brulay (by Rubiano), and Grade 3 winner Statue of Liberty (by Storm Cat). Another half-sibling to Weekend Surprise, Lassie's Lady (by Alydar) is the dam of Grade 2 winner Bite the Bullet (by Spectacular Bid) and English stakes winner Shuailaan (by Roberto) and is the second dam of 2008 European champion older male Duke of Marmalade, 2013 Derby Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Ruler of the World, Australian Group 2 winner Annus Mirabilis, and Grade/Group 3 winners Madison's Charm and Norway.
Books and media
Footage of Court Vision’s win in the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Mile can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_JY35JjPt8.
Fun facts
Photo credit
Court Vision winning the 2009 Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes at Keeneland, Robby Albarado up. Photo by Jessica Morgan. Used by permission.
Last updated: August 23, 2024
Race record
31 starts, 9 wins, 4 seconds, 4 thirds, $3,746,658 (includes converted Canadian earnings)
2007:
- Won Remsen Stakes (USA-G2, 9FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Iroquois Stakes (USA-G3, 8FD, Churchill Downs)
2008:
- Won Hollywood Derby (USA-G1, 9FT, Hollywood)
- Won Jamaica Breeders' Cup Handicap (USA-G2, 9FT, Belmont)
- 2nd Virginia Derby (USA-G2, 9FT, Colonial Downs)
- 3rd Wood Memorial Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Aqueduct)
- 3rd Fountain of Youth Stakes (USA-G2, 8.5FD, Gulfstream Park)
2009:
- Won Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (USA-G1, 8FT, Keeneland)
- 3rd Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes (USA-G1, 9FT, Churchill Downs)
- 3rd Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (USA-G1, 9FT, Gulfstream Park)
2010:
- Won Woodbine Mile Stakes (CAN-G1, 8FT, Woodbine)
- Won Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (USA-G1, 9FT, Gulfstream Park; by disqualification)
- 2nd Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes (USA-G1, 9FT, Churchill Downs)
- 2nd Maker's Mark Mile Stakes (USA-G1, 8FT, Keeneland)
2011:
- Won TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (USA-G1, 8FT, Churchill Downs)
Honors
Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 2022)
Assessments
Rated at 116 pounds on the 2008 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, 14 pounds below co-highweights Curlin (the American Horse of the Year) and New Approach (the European champion 3-year-old male).
Rated at 120 pounds on the 2009 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, 16 pounds below overall highweight Sea the Stars (the European Horse of the Year).
Rated at 119 pounds on the 2010 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, 16 pounds below overall highweight Harbinger (the highweighted English older male over 11-14F).
Rated at 121 pounds on the 2011 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, 15 pounds below overall highweight Frankel (the European Horse of the Year).
As an individual
A handsome, light-framed dark bay or brown horse, Court Vision is well-balanced. He typically stalked the pace or came from off the pace as a racehorse and had a powerful finishing kick. He was a ridgling, a trait he shared with his near relatives A.P. Indy and Summer Squall, and underwent surgery as a 4-year-old to remove the undescended testicle.
As a stallion
According to The Blood-Horse, Court Vision led the Louisiana regional sire list in 2017 and the Nebraska regional sire list in 2021 and 2022. As of February 27, 2023, Court Vision has sired 11 stakes winners.
Notable progeny
King and His Court (CAN), Storm the Court (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Court Vision was bred by William S. Farish and Kilroy Thoroughbred Partnership (KY). A US$350,000 purchase from the Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, he was owned by WinStar Farm, which sold an interest to IEAH Stables in January 2008. In August 2011, Court Vision was purchased by B. Wayne Hughes's Spendthrift Farm. He was trained by Bill Mott at 2 and 3, by Rick Dutrow at 4 and 5, and finally by Dale Romans, who took over the training duties after Court Vision's sale to Spendthrift. The horse was ridden to his Breeders' Cup Mile win by Robby Albarado. He entered stud at Michael Byrne's Park Stud, Ontario, in 2012 as a joint venture with Spendthrift Farm and stood there through 2014. He stood at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky in 2015 and at Acadiana Equine@Copper Crowne in Louisiana during the 2016-2020 Northern Hemisphere seasons. He then moved to Pryor Ranch near Omaha, Nebraska. Court Vision also shuttled to Chile for the Southern Hemisphere season in 2014-2016.
Pedigree notes
Court Vision is inbred 4x5 to two-time American Horse of the Year Native Dancer and 5x5 to five-time American champion sire Nasrullah, also the champion English/Irish sire of 1951. He is a full brother to Garcia Marquez, a multiple stakes winner in Hong Kong. He is a half brother to 2009 Hendrie Handicap (CAN-G3) winner Smart Surprise (by Smart Strike), dam of 2018 Canadian champion female sprinter Moonlit Promise (by Malibu Moon). He is also a half brother to Grade 1-placed listed stakes winner Lord Snowdon (by Seeking the Gold) and to stakes-placed Weekend Strike (by Smart Strike), dam of 2018 Give Thanks Stakes (IRE-G3) winner Sizzling (by Galileo).
Court Vision and his siblings are out of Weekend Storm, an unraced full sister to Summer Squall. Weekend Storm is a half sister to 1992 American Horse of the Year and two-time American leading sire A.P. Indy, to Grade 3 winner Welcome Surprise (by Seeking the Gold; second dam of 2024 Personal Ensign Stakes (USA-G1) winner Raging Sea and Grade 3 winner Guest Suite) and to listed stakes winner Eavesdropper (by Kingmambo). She is also a half sister to the useful sires Honor Grades (by Danzig) and Tiger Ridge (by Storm Bird's son Storm Cat) and to Grade 1-placed Weekend in Seattle (by Seattle Slew), dam of Grade 1-placed stakes winner Mambo in Seattle (by Kingmambo) and second dam of Grade 1-placed Grade 3 winner Sky Kingdom and Japanese Group 3 winner Stay in Seattle. Finally, Weekend Storm is a half sister to Lassie’s Legacy (by Deputy Minister), second dam of 2020 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (USA-G1) winner Happy Saver and to Mystery Trip (by Belong to Me), second dam of English Group 3 winner Chemical Charge.
Weekend Storm's dam Weekend Surprise is the 1992 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year. Sired by Secretariat from the Grade 3-winning Buckpasser mare Lassie Dear, she is a Grade 3-winning half sister to French and English Group 1 winner Wolfhound (by Nureyev), who was the highweighted older male in England in 1993 over 5 to 7 furlongs. Weekend Surprise is also a half sister to multiple listed stakes winner Spectacular Spy (by Spectacular Bid); to Group 3-placed French listed stakes winner Foxhound (by Danzig); to Group 1-placed Al Mufti (by Roberto), a successful sire in South Africa; and to Charming Lassie (by Seattle Slew), dam of 2000 American champion older male Lemon Drop Kid (by Kingmambo), Grade 2 winner Brulay (by Rubiano), and Grade 3 winner Statue of Liberty (by Storm Cat). Another half-sibling to Weekend Surprise, Lassie's Lady (by Alydar) is the dam of Grade 2 winner Bite the Bullet (by Spectacular Bid) and English stakes winner Shuailaan (by Roberto) and is the second dam of 2008 European champion older male Duke of Marmalade, 2013 Derby Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Ruler of the World, Australian Group 2 winner Annus Mirabilis, and Grade/Group 3 winners Madison's Charm and Norway.
Books and media
Footage of Court Vision’s win in the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Mile can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_JY35JjPt8.
Fun facts
- Court Vision’s name alludes to the sport of basketball, in which a player who is aware of everything going on while on the court of play is said to have good “court vision.”
- Court Vision’s Breeders’ Cup Mile payoff of $131.60 on a two-dollar win ticket was the second-highest in Breeders’ Cup history, following only the $269.20 paid out on a similar bet on Arcangues in the 1993 Breeders’ Cup Classic (USA-G1). The Mile was the horse’s first time in the money since winning the Woodbine Mile in 2010.
Photo credit
Court Vision winning the 2009 Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes at Keeneland, Robby Albarado up. Photo by Jessica Morgan. Used by permission.
Last updated: August 23, 2024