Ferdinand (USA)
March 12, 1983 – 2002
Nijinsky II (USA) x Banja Luka (USA), by Double Jay (USA)
Family 13-c
March 12, 1983 – 2002
Nijinsky II (USA) x Banja Luka (USA), by Double Jay (USA)
Family 13-c
Famous as the beneficiary of legendary jockey Bill Shoemaker's last great Kentucky Derby (USA-G1) ride, Ferdinand was a talented runner but one with his fair share of quirks. Had he been with less gifted a trainer than National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame member Charles Whittingham, the chances are that he would have been merely another blue-blooded disappointment; as it was, he became a champion but was a horse whose record probably could have been even better had he not had a regrettable tendency to pull himself up after making the lead. He was a disappointing sire in both the United States and Japan, and his reported death in a slaughterhouse in the latter country kicked off a firestorm of adverse publicity for the Japanese Thoroughbred industry. His sad death benefited other stallions, however, as most breeding horses exported to Japan from the United States now have clauses in the sales contracts that provide either for the animal's honorable pensioning or for the last American owner to have the option to repurchase and repatriate the stallion when its stud career is over. Ferdinand's death also resulted in a surge of support for Thoroughbred retirement and rehoming organizations and for anti-horse slaughter legislation in the United States
Race record
29 starts, 8 wins, 9 seconds, 6 thirds, US$3,777,978
1985:
1986:
1987:
1988:
Honors
Assessments
Rated at 116 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1985, 9 pounds below co-highweights Tasso (the official champion) and Ogygian.
Rated at 125 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1986, 1 pound below champion Snow Chief.
Highweighted at 127 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1987, 1 pound above second-rated Broad Brush.
Rated at 124 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1988, 4 pounds below champion Alysheba.
As an individual
A handsome, rangy, strapping chestnut with an excellent shoulder and sickle hocks, Ferdinand had a gentle, friendly disposition. He had the bad habit of trying to pull himself up on making the lead, making it difficult to time his run, but had no lack of courage in a hard drive. His action was light and nimble for a horse of his size. He was less effective on sloppy surfaces than on fast going. He stood 16.1½ hands.
As a stallion
According to Jockey Club records, Ferdinand sired 133 winners (46.6%) and 8 stakes winners (3.6%) from 336 named foals. Records for his Japanese-sired progeny may be incomplete.
Notable progeny
Bull inthe Heather (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Ferdinand was bred by Howard B. Keck and raced in the colors of Keck's wife Elizabeth. He was trained by Charlie Whittingham. He entered stud in Kentucky at Claiborne Farm in 1989 and stood there through the 1994 breeding season. He was then purchased by the Japanese JS Company and exported to Arrow Stud, where he stood in 1995-2000. Sold on following the 2000 season, he serviced a few more mares in 2001 and 2002 while attempts were reportedly made to find a placement for him at a riding club. He is believed to have died in a Japanese slaughterhouse in 2002 before he could be located by members of the Keck family for repurchase and return to the United States, and part of the anger over his death was related to the failure of his last Japanese owner to contact either the Kecks or Claiborne before disposing of the horse. Ferdinand's registration in Japan was annulled September 1, 2002, indicating that he had died by that time.
Pedigree notes
Ferdinand is inbred 5x5 to 1943 American champion sire Bull Dog, also a three-time American champion broodmare sire. He is a half brother to stakes winners Jayston (by Le Fabuleux), Donna Inez (by Herbager; second dam of English Group 2 Lovers Knot and Grade 3 winner Momentum and third dam of Argentine Argentine Group 2 winner Doña Green and Group 3 winner Dargreen), Ancient Art (by Tell; third dam of 2006 Jamaican champion imported 3-year-old filly), Plinth (by Tom Fool), and Dancing (by Forli; dam of multiple Mexican stakes winner Forli's Prince, by Majestic Light). Ferdinand is also a half brother to Castel Cheline (by Avatar), dam of multiple Australian Group 1 winner Zacheline (by Zabeel).
Ferdinand and his siblings are out of 1987 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Banja Luka. A daughter of four-time American champion broodmare sire Double Jay, Banja Luka is a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Tallahto (by Nasrullah), dam of multiple Grade 1 winners Prince True and Hidden Light (both by Majestic Light) and second dam of 2008 Breeders' Cup Mile (USA-G1) winner Artie Schiller and multiple Grade 3 winner Marcavely. Tallahto is also the third dam of 2015 Cape Fillies Guineas Stakes (SAF-G1) winner Silver Mountain, 2016 S. A. Nursery Stakes (SAF-G1) winner Cloth of Cloud, Japanese Group 2 winner Toho Alan, and Grade/Group 3 winners Munirah, Flirtini and Theory
Returning to Banja Luka, she is also a half sister to Grade 2 winner Le Cle (by Tom Rolfe), dam of stakes winner Ask Me (by Ack Ack) and third dam of Argentine Group 3 winner Mystify Me; to Jiddu (by Bagdad), dam of Irish stakes winner Five Nations (by Apalachee); and to Star Hawaii (by Hawaii), dam of stakes winners Fappiano's Star and Waikiki Star (both by Fappiano). The sisters are out of the winning Dark Star mare Legato, a half sister to stakes winners Firerullah (by Nasrullah) and Nascania (by Nasrullah; dam of the high-class turf horse Fiddle Isle, by Bagdad). Also a half sister to Cloud Counting (by Outing Class; dam of multiple Canadian stakes winner Bill's Express, by Bagdad) and to Conga (by Sword Dancer; dam of stakes winners Conga Miss, by Dewan, and Chancey Bidder, by Bold Bidder), Legato is out of 1951 Diana Handicap winner Vulcania (by Some Chance), whose dam Vagrancy (the American champion 3-year-old filly of 1942) also produced 1948 English champion 3-year-old male Black Tarquin (by Rhodes Scholar) and the good steeplechaser Hyvania (by Hypnotist II).
Books and media
Fun facts
Last updated: December 4, 2022
Race record
29 starts, 8 wins, 9 seconds, 6 thirds, US$3,777,978
1985:
- 3rd Hollywood Futurity (USA-G1, 8FD, Hollywood)
1986:
- Won Kentucky Derby (USA-G1, 10FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won Malibu Stakes (USA-G2, 7FD, Santa Anita)
- Won Santa Catalina Stakes (USA-LR, 8.5FD, Santa Anita)
- 2nd Preakness Stakes (USA-G1, 9.5FD, Pimlico)
- 2nd San Rafael Stakes (USA-G2, 8FD, Santa Anita)
- 2nd Los Feliz Stakes (USA-L, 8FD, Santa Anita)
- 3rd Santa Anita Derby (USA-G1, 9FD, Santa Anita)
1987:
- Won Breeders' Cup Classic (USA-G1, 10FD, Hollywood)
- Won Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap (USA-G1, 10FD, Hollywood)
- Won Goodwood Handicap (USA-G3, 9FD, Santa Anita)
- Won Cabrillo Handicap (USA-L, 9FD, Del Mar)
- 2nd Santa Anita Handicap (USA-G1, 10FD, Santa Anita)
- 2nd Charles H. Strub Stakes (USA-G1, 10FD, Santa Anita)
- 3rd John Henry Handicap (USA-G1, 9FT, Hollywood)
1988:
- 2nd Santa Anita Handicap (USA-G1, 10FD, Santa Anita)
- 2nd San Bernardino Handicap (USA-G2, 9FD, Santa Anita)
- 2nd San Antonio Handicap (USA-G1, 9FD, Santa Anita)
- 3rd Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap (USA-G1, 10FD, Hollywood)
Honors
- Eclipse Award, American Horse of the Year (1987)
- Eclipse Award, American champion older male (1987)
Assessments
Rated at 116 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1985, 9 pounds below co-highweights Tasso (the official champion) and Ogygian.
Rated at 125 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1986, 1 pound below champion Snow Chief.
Highweighted at 127 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1987, 1 pound above second-rated Broad Brush.
Rated at 124 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1988, 4 pounds below champion Alysheba.
As an individual
A handsome, rangy, strapping chestnut with an excellent shoulder and sickle hocks, Ferdinand had a gentle, friendly disposition. He had the bad habit of trying to pull himself up on making the lead, making it difficult to time his run, but had no lack of courage in a hard drive. His action was light and nimble for a horse of his size. He was less effective on sloppy surfaces than on fast going. He stood 16.1½ hands.
As a stallion
According to Jockey Club records, Ferdinand sired 133 winners (46.6%) and 8 stakes winners (3.6%) from 336 named foals. Records for his Japanese-sired progeny may be incomplete.
Notable progeny
Bull inthe Heather (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Ferdinand was bred by Howard B. Keck and raced in the colors of Keck's wife Elizabeth. He was trained by Charlie Whittingham. He entered stud in Kentucky at Claiborne Farm in 1989 and stood there through the 1994 breeding season. He was then purchased by the Japanese JS Company and exported to Arrow Stud, where he stood in 1995-2000. Sold on following the 2000 season, he serviced a few more mares in 2001 and 2002 while attempts were reportedly made to find a placement for him at a riding club. He is believed to have died in a Japanese slaughterhouse in 2002 before he could be located by members of the Keck family for repurchase and return to the United States, and part of the anger over his death was related to the failure of his last Japanese owner to contact either the Kecks or Claiborne before disposing of the horse. Ferdinand's registration in Japan was annulled September 1, 2002, indicating that he had died by that time.
Pedigree notes
Ferdinand is inbred 5x5 to 1943 American champion sire Bull Dog, also a three-time American champion broodmare sire. He is a half brother to stakes winners Jayston (by Le Fabuleux), Donna Inez (by Herbager; second dam of English Group 2 Lovers Knot and Grade 3 winner Momentum and third dam of Argentine Argentine Group 2 winner Doña Green and Group 3 winner Dargreen), Ancient Art (by Tell; third dam of 2006 Jamaican champion imported 3-year-old filly), Plinth (by Tom Fool), and Dancing (by Forli; dam of multiple Mexican stakes winner Forli's Prince, by Majestic Light). Ferdinand is also a half brother to Castel Cheline (by Avatar), dam of multiple Australian Group 1 winner Zacheline (by Zabeel).
Ferdinand and his siblings are out of 1987 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Banja Luka. A daughter of four-time American champion broodmare sire Double Jay, Banja Luka is a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Tallahto (by Nasrullah), dam of multiple Grade 1 winners Prince True and Hidden Light (both by Majestic Light) and second dam of 2008 Breeders' Cup Mile (USA-G1) winner Artie Schiller and multiple Grade 3 winner Marcavely. Tallahto is also the third dam of 2015 Cape Fillies Guineas Stakes (SAF-G1) winner Silver Mountain, 2016 S. A. Nursery Stakes (SAF-G1) winner Cloth of Cloud, Japanese Group 2 winner Toho Alan, and Grade/Group 3 winners Munirah, Flirtini and Theory
Returning to Banja Luka, she is also a half sister to Grade 2 winner Le Cle (by Tom Rolfe), dam of stakes winner Ask Me (by Ack Ack) and third dam of Argentine Group 3 winner Mystify Me; to Jiddu (by Bagdad), dam of Irish stakes winner Five Nations (by Apalachee); and to Star Hawaii (by Hawaii), dam of stakes winners Fappiano's Star and Waikiki Star (both by Fappiano). The sisters are out of the winning Dark Star mare Legato, a half sister to stakes winners Firerullah (by Nasrullah) and Nascania (by Nasrullah; dam of the high-class turf horse Fiddle Isle, by Bagdad). Also a half sister to Cloud Counting (by Outing Class; dam of multiple Canadian stakes winner Bill's Express, by Bagdad) and to Conga (by Sword Dancer; dam of stakes winners Conga Miss, by Dewan, and Chancey Bidder, by Bold Bidder), Legato is out of 1951 Diana Handicap winner Vulcania (by Some Chance), whose dam Vagrancy (the American champion 3-year-old filly of 1942) also produced 1948 English champion 3-year-old male Black Tarquin (by Rhodes Scholar) and the good steeplechaser Hyvania (by Hypnotist II).
Books and media
- Ferdinand was profiled in Chapter 11 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2012 (2003, Eclipse Press).
- The story of Ferdinand's Kentucky Derby victory is recounted in “The Bull and the Sunshine Boys,” the fourth chapter of Jim Bolus' Derby Magic (1997, Pelican Publishing Company).
Fun facts
- Ferdinand was named for the title character of the children's book The Story of Ferdinand the Bull. Written by Munro Leaf and illustrated by Robert Lawson, the book tells the story of a bull that would rather sit and smell the flowers than fight in the bullring.
- Ferdinand prepared for the Kentucky Derby (USA-G1) with a mile workout against his stablemate and “cousin,” the undefeated 3-year-old filly Hidden Light. The mile went in 1:38-4/5, and five days later the same pair worked five furlongs with Ferdinand going in a sparkling :58-3/5. While the workouts were exactly what Ferdinand needed to sharpen his speed and competitive instincts, trainer Charlie Whittingham admitted later that he probably sacrificed Hidden Light's chances in the Kentucky Oaks (USA-G1) with those same workouts (she ended up seventh).
- Ferdinand's Kentucky Derby win made the 73-year-old Whittingham the oldest trainer to saddle a Derby winner, a record that the “Bald Eagle” broke when he trained Sunday Silence to victory three years later. Whittingham's status as the oldest Derby-winning trainer held up until 2014, when 77-year-old Art Sherman saddled that year's victor, California Chrome. Ferdinand's victory also made 54-year-old Bill Shoemaker the oldest jockey to ride a Derby winner.
- The 1987 Breeders' Cup Classic (USA-G1) marked the first time that two Kentucky Derby winners contested the race. The Classic winners finished 1-2 as Ferdinand defeated 3-year-old Alysheba by the narrowest of noses, making Ferdinand the first Kentucky Derby winner to capture the Breeders' Cup Classic. Alysheba would follow suit the following year.
- In one of the closest Horse of the Year votes ever, Ferdinand carried two of the three required voting blocs by a single vote each over American champion turf male Theatrical. Reflecting a season in which no one horse had been truly dominant but several had become legitimate contenders, Ferdinand won only 38 percent of the first-place votes in the popular voting for Horse of the Year.
Last updated: December 4, 2022