Ghostzapper (USA)
April 6, 2000 – Living
Awesome Again (CAN) x Baby Zip (USA), by Relaunch (USA)
Family 23-b
April 6, 2000 – Living
Awesome Again (CAN) x Baby Zip (USA), by Relaunch (USA)
Family 23-b
Ghostzapper flashed across the American racing scene like a meteor, dazzling all who saw him race during his brief career. Had he been as durable as he was brilliant, he would be remembered as one of the greatest of the great; as it was, he gave perhaps the greatest display of raw speed over both routes and sprints since the retirement of Dr. Fager. At stud, he has done well without achieving the heights that he touched as a racehorse.
Race record
11 starts, 9 wins, 0 seconds, 1 third, US$3,446,120
2003:
2004:
2005:
Honors
Assessments
Highweighted at 130 pounds on the 2004 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings, 2 pounds above the 3-year-old Smarty Jones.
Rated at 137 pounds by Timeform as a 4-year-old.
Rated at 128 pounds for his performance in the Metropolitan Handicap on the 2005 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings, 2 pounds below overall highweight Hurricane Run (the European Horse of the Year) but tops among dirt runners.
As an individual
A well-made but plain bay horse standing 16.1 hands, Ghostzapper is leggy and scopy with a good shoulder and a straight, strong hind leg. He was not wedded to any particular style on the track and could win by galloping a field dizzy from the front end, stalking the pace or coming from well behind. He retired from racing in June 2005 after a hairline fracture was discovered in his left front ankle. He had a perfect disposition while racing, relaxed around the barn but fiery and determined on the track.
As a stallion
As of October 12, 2024, Ghostzapper has sired 104 stakes winners and the earners of over US$127.4 million according to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club. He has done particularly well with mares returning Distorted Humor, Mr. Prospector, or Roberto. Ghostzapper's progeny generally need some time to mature but usually have speed and a willing attitude.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
Per The Blood-Horse:
Notable progeny
Better Lucky (USA), Contested (USA), Goodnight Olive (USA), Guarana (USA), Holy Helena (CAN), Hunters Bay (USA), Judy the Beauty (CAN), Moira (CAN), Molly Morgan (USA), Moreno (USA), Mystic Guide (USA), Nucky (USA), Promo Guest (USA), Shaman Ghost (CAN), Starship Truffles (USA), Stately Victor (USA), Stronghold (USA), Theodora B. (USA), Zapper Pirate (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
American Gal (USA), Book'em Danno (USA), Drefong (USA), East Avenue (USA), Justify (USA), Silent Poet (CAN), Up to the Mark (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Ghostzapper was bred by Frank Stronach's Adena Springs and raced in the colors of Stronach Stables. Following the horse's victory in the 2005 Metropolitan Handicap (USA-G1), Jess Jackson bought an interest in him. Ghostzapper was trained by Robert “Bobby” Frankel. He was ridden to his Breeders' Cup Classic win by Javier Castellano, his regular rider. He entered stud at Adena Springs' Kentucky operation in 2006. In October 2020, he was moved to Hill 'n' Dale's new Xalapa Farm facility under a partnership arrangement between Adena Springs and Hill 'n' Dale.
Pedigree notes
Ghostzapper is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to 2000 Hopeful Stakes (USA-G1) winner City Zip (by Carson City), a successful sire in his own right. Ghostzapper is also a half brother to City Wolf (by Giant's Causeway), winner of the 2011 Durham Cup Stakes (CAN-G3), and to Catch the Ghost (by Silver Ghost), dam of restricted stakes winner Phantom Income (by Montbrook). In addition, Ghostzapper is a half brother to Getaway Girl (by Silver Deputy), dam of 2011 British Columbia Derby (CAN-G3) winner Northern Causeway (by Giant's Causeway) and second dam of 2021 American Turf Stakes (USA-G2) winner Du Jour.
Ghostzapper is out of Baby Zip, the 2005 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year. A juvenile stakes winner in her own right, Baby Zip is a half sister to Lucette (by Dayjur), also a stakes winner at 2 and the dam of Grade 3 winner Everyday Heroes (by Awesome Again). She is also a half sister to Mattie Kate (by Major Impact), second dam of Grade 3 winners Touching Promise and Really Mr Greely.
Baby Zip was produced from Grade 1-placed multiple listed stakes winner Thirty Zip (by Tri Jet), a half sister to restricted stakes winner Cutter Sam (by Norcliffe) and to Eileen's Moment (by For the Moment), dam of 1992 Kentucky Derby (USA-G1) winner Lil E. Tee (by At the Threshold) and second dam of Canadian Grade 3 winner Lil Personalitee. The next dam in the tail-female line, the Hawaii mare Sailaway, failed to win but is a half sister to Grade 3 winner Quick Fare (by Warfare), to juvenile stakes winner Quick Swoon (by Swoon's Son) and to Witty Gal (by Swoon's Son), dam of Group 3-placed multiple Italian stakes winner Warden Key (by Key to the Kingdom).
Fun facts
Photo credit
Photo taken by Jessica Morgan in 2007 at Adena Springs. Used by permission.
Last updated: October 12, 2024
Race record
11 starts, 9 wins, 0 seconds, 1 third, US$3,446,120
2003:
- Won Vosburgh Stakes (USA-G1, 6.5FD, Belmont)
- 3rd King's Bishop Stakes (USA-G1, 7FD, Saratoga)
2004:
- Won Breeders' Cup Classic—Powered by Dodge (USA-G1, 10FD, Lone Star; new track record 1:59.02)
- Won Woodward Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Belmont)
- Won Tom Fool Handicap (USA-G2, 7FD, Belmont)
- Won Philip H. Iselin Breeders' Cup Handicap (USA-G3, 9FD, Monmouth)
2005:
- Won Metropolitan Handicap (USA-G1, 8FD, Belmont)
Honors
- National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 2012)
- Monmouth Park Hall of Champions
- Eclipse Award, American Horse of the Year (2004)
- Eclipse Award, American champion older male (2004)
- New York Turf Writers' Association Secretariat Award as the best New York-raced horse of 2004
Assessments
Highweighted at 130 pounds on the 2004 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings, 2 pounds above the 3-year-old Smarty Jones.
Rated at 137 pounds by Timeform as a 4-year-old.
Rated at 128 pounds for his performance in the Metropolitan Handicap on the 2005 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings, 2 pounds below overall highweight Hurricane Run (the European Horse of the Year) but tops among dirt runners.
As an individual
A well-made but plain bay horse standing 16.1 hands, Ghostzapper is leggy and scopy with a good shoulder and a straight, strong hind leg. He was not wedded to any particular style on the track and could win by galloping a field dizzy from the front end, stalking the pace or coming from well behind. He retired from racing in June 2005 after a hairline fracture was discovered in his left front ankle. He had a perfect disposition while racing, relaxed around the barn but fiery and determined on the track.
As a stallion
As of October 12, 2024, Ghostzapper has sired 104 stakes winners and the earners of over US$127.4 million according to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club. He has done particularly well with mares returning Distorted Humor, Mr. Prospector, or Roberto. Ghostzapper's progeny generally need some time to mature but usually have speed and a willing attitude.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
- 7th on the North American general sire list in 2017.
Per The Blood-Horse:
- 2nd on the American general sire list in 2021; 9th in 2017.
Notable progeny
Better Lucky (USA), Contested (USA), Goodnight Olive (USA), Guarana (USA), Holy Helena (CAN), Hunters Bay (USA), Judy the Beauty (CAN), Moira (CAN), Molly Morgan (USA), Moreno (USA), Mystic Guide (USA), Nucky (USA), Promo Guest (USA), Shaman Ghost (CAN), Starship Truffles (USA), Stately Victor (USA), Stronghold (USA), Theodora B. (USA), Zapper Pirate (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
American Gal (USA), Book'em Danno (USA), Drefong (USA), East Avenue (USA), Justify (USA), Silent Poet (CAN), Up to the Mark (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Ghostzapper was bred by Frank Stronach's Adena Springs and raced in the colors of Stronach Stables. Following the horse's victory in the 2005 Metropolitan Handicap (USA-G1), Jess Jackson bought an interest in him. Ghostzapper was trained by Robert “Bobby” Frankel. He was ridden to his Breeders' Cup Classic win by Javier Castellano, his regular rider. He entered stud at Adena Springs' Kentucky operation in 2006. In October 2020, he was moved to Hill 'n' Dale's new Xalapa Farm facility under a partnership arrangement between Adena Springs and Hill 'n' Dale.
Pedigree notes
Ghostzapper is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to 2000 Hopeful Stakes (USA-G1) winner City Zip (by Carson City), a successful sire in his own right. Ghostzapper is also a half brother to City Wolf (by Giant's Causeway), winner of the 2011 Durham Cup Stakes (CAN-G3), and to Catch the Ghost (by Silver Ghost), dam of restricted stakes winner Phantom Income (by Montbrook). In addition, Ghostzapper is a half brother to Getaway Girl (by Silver Deputy), dam of 2011 British Columbia Derby (CAN-G3) winner Northern Causeway (by Giant's Causeway) and second dam of 2021 American Turf Stakes (USA-G2) winner Du Jour.
Ghostzapper is out of Baby Zip, the 2005 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year. A juvenile stakes winner in her own right, Baby Zip is a half sister to Lucette (by Dayjur), also a stakes winner at 2 and the dam of Grade 3 winner Everyday Heroes (by Awesome Again). She is also a half sister to Mattie Kate (by Major Impact), second dam of Grade 3 winners Touching Promise and Really Mr Greely.
Baby Zip was produced from Grade 1-placed multiple listed stakes winner Thirty Zip (by Tri Jet), a half sister to restricted stakes winner Cutter Sam (by Norcliffe) and to Eileen's Moment (by For the Moment), dam of 1992 Kentucky Derby (USA-G1) winner Lil E. Tee (by At the Threshold) and second dam of Canadian Grade 3 winner Lil Personalitee. The next dam in the tail-female line, the Hawaii mare Sailaway, failed to win but is a half sister to Grade 3 winner Quick Fare (by Warfare), to juvenile stakes winner Quick Swoon (by Swoon's Son) and to Witty Gal (by Swoon's Son), dam of Group 3-placed multiple Italian stakes winner Warden Key (by Key to the Kingdom).
Fun facts
- Ghostzapper earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 128 for his performance in the 2004 Philip H. Iselin Handicap (USA-G3), the highest Beyer figure ever awarded for a non-sprint distance up to that time.
- Ghostzapper's initial stud fee of US$200,000 was the highest ever asked for a first-year North American-based sire up to that time.
- Ghostzapper joined the "Century Club" of stallions that have sired 100 or more stakes winners when his son Stronghold won the Sunland Park Derby (USA-G3) on February 18, 2024.
Photo credit
Photo taken by Jessica Morgan in 2007 at Adena Springs. Used by permission.
Last updated: October 12, 2024