The best French racehorse of his generation, Épinard covered himself with glory in a series of international races in the United States without winning any of them, each time finishing second to a high-class American runner under racing conditions that did not favor him. As a result, racing historians commonly rank him as the best American-raced older male of 1924 even though he went sour and quit after five furlongs in his last race, the Laurel Stakes; after the race, a quarter crack was found in one hoof, suggesting that he refused to extend himself further due to pain. His stud career was probably not helped by his being repeatedly moved about between North America and Europe, and he was no more than moderately successful. He died during World War II under circumstances that remain something of a mystery.
Race record
20 starts, 12 wins, 6 seconds, 0 thirds
1922:
1923:
1924:
Honors
As an individual
A handsome chestnut horse of great presence, Épinard had an excellent shoulder and strong hindquarters but also had bad feet that were prone to thrush infections. His optimum distance was at a mile or a little more.
As a stallion
According to Sires and Dams of Stakes Winners 1925-1985, Épinard sired 25 stakes winners in North America and Europe.
Sire rankings
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Notable progeny
Epithet (USA), Marica (USA), Rodosto (FR)
Connections
Épinard was bred and owned by Pierre Wertheimer. He was trained by Eugene Leigh. He entered stud in 1925 at Dixiana Stud but spent his stallion career back and forth between the United States and France. In disposition he was "a great gentleman" in the words of Daily Racing Form writer Charles Hatton.
Pedigree notes
Épinard is inbred 4x4 to unbeaten champion and nine-time English champion sire St. Simon. His dam, Epine Blanche, was said to have been so unattractive that on seeing her, Badajoz' stud groom urged the stallion's owner to turn the mare away and forgo the stud fee. Badajoz' owner, being more practical and less moved by aesthetics, pocketed the money instead and so gave his stallion the chance to sire the best runner he would ever father. Badajoz himself had been no mean runner, winning the Grosser Preis von Baden Baden and the Prix Boiard among other good races.
A half sister to stakes winners Hawthorne and Thornhill (both by Hastings), Epine Blanche was produced from unraced White Thorn, a daughter of 1901 American champion 2-year-old male Nasturtium. The next dam in Epinard's tail-female line, Thorn Blossom, was sired by Martenhurst from the imported Galopin mare Eye Sweet, an unraced daughter of the winning Springfield mare Whin Blossom.
Fun facts
Photo credit
Photographer unknown. From the collection of Quarter Horse Record (Susan Larkin); used by permission.
Last updated: April 21, 2023
Race record
20 starts, 12 wins, 6 seconds, 0 thirds
1922:
- Won Grand Critérium (FR, 1600mT, Longchamp)
- Won Prix de la Forêt (FR, 1600mT, Longchamp)
- Won Critérium de Maisons-Laffitte (FR, 1500mT, Maisons-Laffitte)
- Won Prix de Coteaux (FR, 1000mT, Chantilly)
- Won Prix Yacowlef (FR, 1000mT, Deauville)
1923:
- Won Prix d.Ispahan (FR, 1850mT, Longchamp)
- Won Prix du Gros Chêne (FR, 1000mT, Chantilly)
- Won Stewards' Cup (ENG, 6FT, Goodwood)
- 2nd Cambridgeshire Stakes (ENG, 9FT, Newmarket)
1924:
- 2nd Match race with Sir Gallahad III (FR, 1300mT, Saint-Cloud)
- 2nd International Special #1 (USA, 6FD, Belmont)
- 2nd International Special #2 (USA, 8FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd International Special #3 (USA, 10FD, Latonia)
Honors
- French champion 2-year-old male (1922)
- American champion older male (1924)
As an individual
A handsome chestnut horse of great presence, Épinard had an excellent shoulder and strong hindquarters but also had bad feet that were prone to thrush infections. His optimum distance was at a mile or a little more.
As a stallion
According to Sires and Dams of Stakes Winners 1925-1985, Épinard sired 25 stakes winners in North America and Europe.
Sire rankings
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- 4th on the French general sire list in 1933; 5th in 1940; 6th in 1934; 7th in 1942; 10th in 1941.
- 9th on the French broodmare sire list in 1947.
Notable progeny
Epithet (USA), Marica (USA), Rodosto (FR)
Connections
Épinard was bred and owned by Pierre Wertheimer. He was trained by Eugene Leigh. He entered stud in 1925 at Dixiana Stud but spent his stallion career back and forth between the United States and France. In disposition he was "a great gentleman" in the words of Daily Racing Form writer Charles Hatton.
Pedigree notes
Épinard is inbred 4x4 to unbeaten champion and nine-time English champion sire St. Simon. His dam, Epine Blanche, was said to have been so unattractive that on seeing her, Badajoz' stud groom urged the stallion's owner to turn the mare away and forgo the stud fee. Badajoz' owner, being more practical and less moved by aesthetics, pocketed the money instead and so gave his stallion the chance to sire the best runner he would ever father. Badajoz himself had been no mean runner, winning the Grosser Preis von Baden Baden and the Prix Boiard among other good races.
A half sister to stakes winners Hawthorne and Thornhill (both by Hastings), Epine Blanche was produced from unraced White Thorn, a daughter of 1901 American champion 2-year-old male Nasturtium. The next dam in Epinard's tail-female line, Thorn Blossom, was sired by Martenhurst from the imported Galopin mare Eye Sweet, an unraced daughter of the winning Springfield mare Whin Blossom.
Fun facts
- “Épinard” means “spinach” in French.
- Épinard played a significant if indirect role in Arthur Hancock's decision to form a syndicate to buy Sir Gallahad III as a stallion prospect. As turf historian William Robertson put it, Hancock reasoned that if Épinard was a good enough stud prospect to attract wealthy American horsemen willing to buy him, a horse that had beaten him (albeit with the help of an 11-pound weight concession and a flare-up of Épinard's chronic foot soreness) was a still better one. Hancock was right, as Sir Gallahad III became a four-time American champion sire and 12-time American champion broodmare sire while standing at Hancock's Claiborne Farm. Further, because of Sir Gallahad III's early successes in the United States, his full brother Bull Dog was also imported and also became an American champion sire and broodmare sire.
- According to turf historian Richard Ulbrich, Épinard's feet were so painful on the day of his match race with Sir Gallahad III that he had to be literally dragged to the race course. Abram S. Hewitt, who actually witnessed the race, stated that the horse's connections were smacking him across the buttocks with a plank to get him to move to the starting line. Nonetheless, Épinard lost the race by only a neck.
- Épinard had an Airedale terrier as a stable companion and could sometimes be seen picking the dog up by the scruff of the neck and carrying it in that fashion.
- Épinard was said to have been commandeered by the Germans during their occupation of France in World War II and reportedly was last seen being worked as a cart horse. Racing historian John Hervey held a different position, however, stating that Épinard died on the beaches at Dunkirk in 1940.
Photo credit
Photographer unknown. From the collection of Quarter Horse Record (Susan Larkin); used by permission.
Last updated: April 21, 2023