King Alfonso (USA)
1872 – After Spring 1895
Phaeton (GB) x Capitola (USA), by Vandal (USA)
American Family 6
1872 – After Spring 1895
Phaeton (GB) x Capitola (USA), by Vandal (USA)
American Family 6
While King Alfonso wasn't the best son of imported Phaeton on the track—that honor went to the great Ten Broeck, a member of the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame—he was good enough to defeat Ten Broeck in the St. Leger Handicap as a 3-year-old. At stud, he was better still, easily outpacing Ten Broeck's record. His son Foxhall won the 1881 Grand Prix de Paris and was widely regarded as the best European-based colt of his year. King Alfonso also sired two Kentucky Derby winners and three Kentucky Oaks winners as well as Grenada, winner of the 1880 Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
Race record
8 starts, 4 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds, US$4,775
1875:
As an individual
A bay horse, King Alfonso stood 16 hands. According to eminent handicapper and racing historian Walter Vosburgh, King Alfonso was “plain about the head, but full-bodied.” He injured himself in a private trial in April 1876 and was retired to stud.
As a stallion
King Alfonso was a successful sire who begot 16 stakes winners according to Clio Hogan's Index to Stakes Winners 1865-1967. This count does not include Foxhall, who raced exclusively in Europe. King Alfonso's last foals were born in 1896.
Notable progeny
Carey (USA), Fonso (USA), Foxhall (USA), Granada (USA), Ida Hope (USA), Joe Cotton (USA), Katie Creel (USA), Lizzie Dwyer (USA), Vera (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Agile (USA), Chant (USA), Lookout (USA), Miss Dixie (USA), Sidney Lucas (USA), Wyeth (USA)
Connections
King Alfonso was bred by Warren Viley. He was owned by Daniel Swigert. He entered stud late in the 1876 breeding season at Woodburn Stud in Kentucky.
Pedigree notes
King Alfonso is inbred 4x3 to 1834 Two Thousand Guineas winner and eight-time American champion sire Glencoe, 4x5 to 1834 St. Leger Stakes winner and four-time English champion sire Touchstone and 5x5 to the influential 19th-century sire Muley. He is a half brother to Letola (by Lexington), dam of 1889 Hopeful Stakes winner Cayuga (by Iroquois).
King Alfonso's dam Capitola is a half sister to Mary Churchill (by Alexander Churchill), dam of 1872 Sequel Stakes winner Wade Hampton (by Asteroid) and third dam of 1888 Kentucky Oaks winner Tenpenny, The sisters are out of an unnamed daughter of Margrave and the Cherokee mare Mistletoe. The female line traces back to an unnamed daughter of Fearnought and cannot be linked to any of the Bruce Lowe families.
Fun facts
Last updated: June 18, 2022
Race record
8 starts, 4 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds, US$4,775
1875:
- Won St. Leger Handicap (USA, 16FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won Galt House Stakes (USA, 2-mile heats, Churchill Downs)
- Won Tobacco Stakes (USA, 1-mile heats, Churchill Downs)
- Won Hotel Stakes (USA, Nashville)
As an individual
A bay horse, King Alfonso stood 16 hands. According to eminent handicapper and racing historian Walter Vosburgh, King Alfonso was “plain about the head, but full-bodied.” He injured himself in a private trial in April 1876 and was retired to stud.
As a stallion
King Alfonso was a successful sire who begot 16 stakes winners according to Clio Hogan's Index to Stakes Winners 1865-1967. This count does not include Foxhall, who raced exclusively in Europe. King Alfonso's last foals were born in 1896.
Notable progeny
Carey (USA), Fonso (USA), Foxhall (USA), Granada (USA), Ida Hope (USA), Joe Cotton (USA), Katie Creel (USA), Lizzie Dwyer (USA), Vera (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Agile (USA), Chant (USA), Lookout (USA), Miss Dixie (USA), Sidney Lucas (USA), Wyeth (USA)
Connections
King Alfonso was bred by Warren Viley. He was owned by Daniel Swigert. He entered stud late in the 1876 breeding season at Woodburn Stud in Kentucky.
Pedigree notes
King Alfonso is inbred 4x3 to 1834 Two Thousand Guineas winner and eight-time American champion sire Glencoe, 4x5 to 1834 St. Leger Stakes winner and four-time English champion sire Touchstone and 5x5 to the influential 19th-century sire Muley. He is a half brother to Letola (by Lexington), dam of 1889 Hopeful Stakes winner Cayuga (by Iroquois).
King Alfonso's dam Capitola is a half sister to Mary Churchill (by Alexander Churchill), dam of 1872 Sequel Stakes winner Wade Hampton (by Asteroid) and third dam of 1888 Kentucky Oaks winner Tenpenny, The sisters are out of an unnamed daughter of Margrave and the Cherokee mare Mistletoe. The female line traces back to an unnamed daughter of Fearnought and cannot be linked to any of the Bruce Lowe families.
Fun facts
- Alfonso was the name of 13 kings of Spain (including kings of the Spanish kingdoms of Aragon, Castile and Léon) and was also the name of the first king of Portugal.
- King Alfonso is one of four stallions to sire the winners of the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks in the same year, a feat he accomplished with Lizzie Dwyer (Oaks) and Joe Cotton (Derby) in 1885. The other stallions to complete the sweep are McGee with Exterminator (Derby) and Viva America (Oaks) in 1918, Bull Lea with Hill Gail (Derby) and Real Delight (Oaks) in 1952, and Native Dancer with Native Street (Oaks) and Kauai King (Derby) in 1966.
Last updated: June 18, 2022