English Channel (USA)
April 10, 2002 – November 11, 2021
Smart Strike (CAN) x Belva (USA), by Theatrical (IRE)
Family 1-k
April 10, 2002 – November 11, 2021
Smart Strike (CAN) x Belva (USA), by Theatrical (IRE)
Family 1-k
A rather slow-developing horse, English Channel first came to notice with a win in the Virginia Derby (USA-G3) and two seconds in Grade 1 races as a 3-year-old. He was a three-time Grade 1 winner at 4, and at 5 earned his championship title with a 7-length demolition of his field in the John Deere Breeders’ Cup Turf (USA-G1). He was never popular as a commercial sire, but he was a good sire of staying turf runners.
Race record
23 starts, 13 wins, 4 seconds, 1 third, US$5,319,028
2005:
2006:
2007:
Honors
Assessments
Rated at 117 pounds on the 2005 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings for his performance in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, 13 pounds below overall highweight Hurricane Run (the 2005 European Horse of the Year), who was also the top-rated 3-year-old male on turf.
Rated at 121 pounds on the 2006 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings for his performances in the United Nations Stakes and Joe Hirsch Invitational Stakes, 8 pounds below overall highweight Invasor (the American Horse of the Year) and 6 pounds below the top-rated turf runners Deep Impact (Arima Kinen, JPN-G1), George Washington (Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, ENG-G1), and Rail Link (Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, FR-G1).
Rated at 125 pounds on the 2007 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings for his performance in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, 6 pounds below overall highweight Manduro (who also topped the rankings for turf males).
As an individual
A well-balanced and correct but rather plain and lightly built chestnut, English Channel possessed courage, determination, consistency, and a strong turn of foot. He also combined agility with a highly efficient stride. His one fault while racing was that he would tend to drift or become rank if restrained early without having another horse in front of him. He handled turf of every description from firm to boggy. A tough customer as a yearling and as a stallion, he raced only once at 2 due to a hairline fracture after winning his debut at Saratoga. He stood 15.3 hands.
As a stallion
According to The Blood-Horse, English Channel was North America’s champion turf sire in 2020. His runners have had a distinct preference for turf and distance and generally need time to mature, but English Channel did not seem to physically stamp his foals, which came in a variety of types and sizes. As of October 24, 2023, Jockey Club records credit English Channel with 70 stakes winners from 984 named foals of racing age.
Notable progeny
Admiralty Pier (USA), Al’s Gal (USA), Channel Cat (USA), Channel Maker (CAN), Faenon (USA), Far Bridge (USA), Heart to Heart (CAN), Interpol (CAN), Johnny Bear (CAN), Last Call (USA), Strait of Dover (CAN), The Pizza Man (USA), Two Emmys (USA), V. E. Day (USA), Voodoo Song (USA), War Like Goddess (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Nuremberg (PER)
Connections
Bred in Kentucky by Ann McBrayer’s Keene Ridge Farm, English Channel was owned by James Scatuorchio, who purchased the colt for US$50,000 from the 2003 Keeneland September yearling sale. He was trained by Todd Pletcher and was ridden to his Breeders’ Cup Turf score by John Velazquez. He entered stud in 2008 in Kentucky at Hurricane Hall, moving to Lane's End Farm in 2009. Since 2015, he has stood at Calumet Farm. He was euthanized November 11, 2021, due to major health problems.
Pedigree notes
English Channel is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to Lura (by Street Cry), dam of 2014 Rockfel Stakes (ENG-G2) winner Lucida (by Shamardal), and to Birmanie (by Aldebaran), dam of 2915 Velka Jarni Cena (Czech Two Thousand Guineas) winner Aldar (by New Approach). He is also a half brother to Wicked Charm (by Ghostzapper), dam of 2019 Commonweath Stakes (USA-G3) winner Bobby’s Wicked One (by Speightstown).
English Channel is the first foal produced from Belva, an unraced full sister to 1996 Santa Ana Handicap (USA-G1) winner Pharma, who is the third dam of Grade 3 winner White Frost. Belva is also a full sister to multiple Grade 2 winner Hap and a half sister to multiple Irish listed stakes winner Committed Dancer (by Nijinsky II).
Belva and her siblings are out of the excellent sprint mare Committed (by 1970 Withers Stakes winner Hagley, by Olden Times), who won five championship titles in Europe. A full sister to listed stakes winner Christiana Hundred and a half sister to listed stakes winner Wooing (by Stage Door Johnny; dam of Irish listed stakes winner Stage Affair, by Theatrical, and second dam of three listed stakes winners), Committed is also a half sister to Gossiping (by Chati), dam of multiple English Group 3 winner Musicale (by The Minstrel). In addition, she is a half sister to Moss (by Woodman), dam of listed stakes winner Dover Dere (by Cherokee Run). Committed and her siblings are out of the Boldnesian mare Mistinguette, a half sister to 1976 Vanity Handicap (USA-G1) winner Miss Toshiba (by Sir Ivor); dam of multiple stakes winner Northeastern (by Northern Dancer); to stakes winner Ogirema (by Amerigo), dam of Grade 3 winner Camarado (by Arts and Letters); to Confection (by Candy Spots), dam of multiple stakes winner Limited Addition (by Limit to Reason); and to Gomesa (by Nadir), dam of stakes winner Gyro Lite (by Quadravan).
Books and media
Footage of English Channel’s win in the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Turf can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx6hQQSkLFY.
Fun facts
Photo credit
Portrait photo taken by Jessica Morgan at Lane's End Farm in 2009. Used by permission.
Last updated: January 6, 2024
Race record
23 starts, 13 wins, 4 seconds, 1 third, US$5,319,028
2005:
- Won Virginia Derby (USA-G3, 10FT, Colonial Downs)
- Won Colonial Turf Cup Stakes (USA-L, 9.5FT, Colonial Downs)
- Won Woodlawn Stakes (USA-L, 8.5FD, Pimlico)
- 2nd Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes (USA-G1, 12FT, Belmont)
- 2nd Secretariat Stakes (USA-G1, 10FT, Arlington Park)
2006:
- Won United Nations Stakes (USA-G1, 11FT, Monmouth; new course record 2:13.24)
- Won Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes (USA-G1, 12FT, Belmont)
- Won Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes (USA-G1, 9FT, Churchill Downs)
- Won Canadian Turf Handicap (USA-L, 8.5FT, Gulfstream Park)
- 3rd John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (USA-G1, 12FT, Churchill Downs)
2007:
- Won United Nations Stakes (USA-G1, 11FT, Monmouth; new course record 2:12.89)
- Won Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes (USA-G1, 12FT, Belmont)
- Won John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (USA-G1, 12FT, Monmouth)
- 2nd Manhattan Handicap (USA-G1, 10T, Belmont)
- 2nd Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap (USA-G1, 12FT, Saratoga)
- Also set a new course record of 1:44.51 for 9FT at Gulfstream Park
Honors
- Eclipse Award, American champion turf male (2007)
- Eclipse Award finalist, American champion turf male (2006)
Assessments
Rated at 117 pounds on the 2005 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings for his performance in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, 13 pounds below overall highweight Hurricane Run (the 2005 European Horse of the Year), who was also the top-rated 3-year-old male on turf.
Rated at 121 pounds on the 2006 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings for his performances in the United Nations Stakes and Joe Hirsch Invitational Stakes, 8 pounds below overall highweight Invasor (the American Horse of the Year) and 6 pounds below the top-rated turf runners Deep Impact (Arima Kinen, JPN-G1), George Washington (Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, ENG-G1), and Rail Link (Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, FR-G1).
Rated at 125 pounds on the 2007 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings for his performance in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, 6 pounds below overall highweight Manduro (who also topped the rankings for turf males).
As an individual
A well-balanced and correct but rather plain and lightly built chestnut, English Channel possessed courage, determination, consistency, and a strong turn of foot. He also combined agility with a highly efficient stride. His one fault while racing was that he would tend to drift or become rank if restrained early without having another horse in front of him. He handled turf of every description from firm to boggy. A tough customer as a yearling and as a stallion, he raced only once at 2 due to a hairline fracture after winning his debut at Saratoga. He stood 15.3 hands.
As a stallion
According to The Blood-Horse, English Channel was North America’s champion turf sire in 2020. His runners have had a distinct preference for turf and distance and generally need time to mature, but English Channel did not seem to physically stamp his foals, which came in a variety of types and sizes. As of October 24, 2023, Jockey Club records credit English Channel with 70 stakes winners from 984 named foals of racing age.
Notable progeny
Admiralty Pier (USA), Al’s Gal (USA), Channel Cat (USA), Channel Maker (CAN), Faenon (USA), Far Bridge (USA), Heart to Heart (CAN), Interpol (CAN), Johnny Bear (CAN), Last Call (USA), Strait of Dover (CAN), The Pizza Man (USA), Two Emmys (USA), V. E. Day (USA), Voodoo Song (USA), War Like Goddess (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Nuremberg (PER)
Connections
Bred in Kentucky by Ann McBrayer’s Keene Ridge Farm, English Channel was owned by James Scatuorchio, who purchased the colt for US$50,000 from the 2003 Keeneland September yearling sale. He was trained by Todd Pletcher and was ridden to his Breeders’ Cup Turf score by John Velazquez. He entered stud in 2008 in Kentucky at Hurricane Hall, moving to Lane's End Farm in 2009. Since 2015, he has stood at Calumet Farm. He was euthanized November 11, 2021, due to major health problems.
Pedigree notes
English Channel is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to Lura (by Street Cry), dam of 2014 Rockfel Stakes (ENG-G2) winner Lucida (by Shamardal), and to Birmanie (by Aldebaran), dam of 2915 Velka Jarni Cena (Czech Two Thousand Guineas) winner Aldar (by New Approach). He is also a half brother to Wicked Charm (by Ghostzapper), dam of 2019 Commonweath Stakes (USA-G3) winner Bobby’s Wicked One (by Speightstown).
English Channel is the first foal produced from Belva, an unraced full sister to 1996 Santa Ana Handicap (USA-G1) winner Pharma, who is the third dam of Grade 3 winner White Frost. Belva is also a full sister to multiple Grade 2 winner Hap and a half sister to multiple Irish listed stakes winner Committed Dancer (by Nijinsky II).
Belva and her siblings are out of the excellent sprint mare Committed (by 1970 Withers Stakes winner Hagley, by Olden Times), who won five championship titles in Europe. A full sister to listed stakes winner Christiana Hundred and a half sister to listed stakes winner Wooing (by Stage Door Johnny; dam of Irish listed stakes winner Stage Affair, by Theatrical, and second dam of three listed stakes winners), Committed is also a half sister to Gossiping (by Chati), dam of multiple English Group 3 winner Musicale (by The Minstrel). In addition, she is a half sister to Moss (by Woodman), dam of listed stakes winner Dover Dere (by Cherokee Run). Committed and her siblings are out of the Boldnesian mare Mistinguette, a half sister to 1976 Vanity Handicap (USA-G1) winner Miss Toshiba (by Sir Ivor); dam of multiple stakes winner Northeastern (by Northern Dancer); to stakes winner Ogirema (by Amerigo), dam of Grade 3 winner Camarado (by Arts and Letters); to Confection (by Candy Spots), dam of multiple stakes winner Limited Addition (by Limit to Reason); and to Gomesa (by Nadir), dam of stakes winner Gyro Lite (by Quadravan).
Books and media
Footage of English Channel’s win in the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Turf can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx6hQQSkLFY.
Fun facts
- The English Channel (la Manche in French) is the arm of the Atlantic Ocean that lies between England and France. The busiest shipping area in the world, it is 21 miles wide at its narrowest point, the Strait of Dover, which has been famous as a challenge for long-distance swimmers.
- English Channel is the namesake for a turf stakes at Gulfstream Park.
Photo credit
Portrait photo taken by Jessica Morgan at Lane's End Farm in 2009. Used by permission.
Last updated: January 6, 2024