Kotashaan (FR)
May 4, 1988 – c. 2005
Darshaan (GB) x Haute Autorite (USA), by Elocutionist (USA)
Family 19-a
May 4, 1988 – c. 2005
Darshaan (GB) x Haute Autorite (USA), by Elocutionist (USA)
Family 19-a
A moderate runner in Europe, Kotashaan blossomed after switching to longer distances and firmer going in California. He was easily the best turf male in the United States, winning five Grade 1 races, and gained American Horse of the Year honors in a year that lacked a standout runner in the older male and 3-year-old male divisions. He got relatively poor opportunities at stud and was of little importance as a sire.
Race record
22 starts, 10 wins, 5 seconds, 2 thirds, US$2,813,381
1991:
1993:
Honors
As an individual
A big, leggy, late-maturing dark bay or brown horse, Kotashaan saw limited action at 4 due to his fracturing a leg by stepping in a hole in April 1992. He had an explosive turn of foot and was game and determined in a drive. He had an excellent disposition while racing, although he took some time to gain mental maturity.
As a stallion
According to records maintained by The Jockey Club, Kotashaan sired 54 winners (29.5%) and no stakes winners from 183 named foals.
Connections
Kotashaan was bred and owned by the brothers Alain and Gerárd Wertheimer. In France, he was trained by Criquette Head-Maarek. Following the horse’s transfer to the United States, he raced in the silks of the Wertheimers’ La Presle Farm and was trained by Richard Mandella. He was ridden to his win in the Breeders’ Cup Turf by Kent Desormeaux. Kotashaan was sold to a Japanese syndicate following the Breeders’ Cup Turf and made his final start in the 1993 Japan Cup as the syndicate’s property. Kotashaan entered stud at Lex Stud, Japan, in 1994 and stood there until 2000. Afterward, he was purchased by Andrew “Willy” Murphy and transferred to Ballycurragh Stud, Ireland, for use as a National Hunt sire. His last known foals were registered in 2006.
Pedigree notes
Sired by 1984 French champion 3-year-old male Darshaan, Kotashaan is inbred 5x5 to five-time American champion sire Nasrullah, also the English/Irish champion sire of 1951. He is out of the winner Haute Autorite, whose Group 3-placed half sister Ma Pavlova (by Irish River), dam of two-time Slovakian champion Ma Luba (by Averti). Haute Autority is also a half sister to Group 3-placed Bubbling Danseuse (by Arctic Tern), second dam of Grade 2 winner J’Ray and Grade 3 winner Millennium Dragon and third dam of Grade 2 winner Hawksmoor and Group 2 winner Royal Dornoch.
Haute Autorite and her sisters are out of French stakes winner Premiere Danseuse (by Green Dancer). She, in turn, is out of 1970 Prix Saint-Firmin winner Opelia (by Cambremont), a half sister to 1967 Prix Eugene Adam winner Saint Leonard (by St. Paddy) and Group 2-placed stakes winner Opportuniste (by Val de Loir). Produced from English stakes winner Optimistic (by Never Say Die), a half sister to 1958 Doncaster Cup winner Agreement (by Persian Gulf), Opelia is also a half sister to Mistake (by Exbury), dam of multiple French Group 2 winner Midshipman (by Hauban) and stakes winner Mistful (by Baldric) and second dam of multiple Grade 3 winner Glen Kate.
Books and media
Footage of Kotashaan’s victory in the 1993 Breeders’ Cup Turf can be accessed at the Breeders’ Cup Hall of Champions (https://www.breederscup.com/history-tradition/hall-champions/kotashaan-fr).
Fun facts
Last updated: October 1, 2021
Race record
22 starts, 10 wins, 5 seconds, 2 thirds, US$2,813,381
1991:
- Won Prix La Force (FR-G3, 2000mT, Longchamp)
- Won Prix de Courcelles (FR-L, 2100mT, Longchamp)
- 2nd La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte (FR-G3, 2000mT, Maisons-Laffiite)
- 3rd Grand Prix de Paris Louis Vuitton (FR-G1, 2000mT, Longchamp)
- 3rd Prix Guillaume d'Ornano (FR-G2, 2000mT, Deauville)
1993:
- Won Breeders' Cup Turf (USA-G1, 12FT, Santa Anita)
- Won San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap (USA-G1, about 14FT, SA; new course record 2:45)
- Won Eddie Read Handicap (USA-G1, 9FT, Del Mar)
- Won Oak Tree Invitational Stakes (USA-G1, 12FT, Santa Anita)
- Won San Luis Rey Stakes (USA-G1. 12FT, Santa Anita)
- Won San Luis Obispo Handicap (USA-G2, 12FT, Santa Anita)
- 2nd Japan Cup (JPN-G1, 2400mT, Tokyo)
- 2nd Del Mar Invitational Handicap (USA-G2, 11FT, Del Mar)
- 2nd San Marcos Handicap (USA-G2, 10FT, Santa Anita)
Honors
- Eclipse Award, American Horse of the Year (1993)
- Eclipse Award, American champion turf male (1993)
As an individual
A big, leggy, late-maturing dark bay or brown horse, Kotashaan saw limited action at 4 due to his fracturing a leg by stepping in a hole in April 1992. He had an explosive turn of foot and was game and determined in a drive. He had an excellent disposition while racing, although he took some time to gain mental maturity.
As a stallion
According to records maintained by The Jockey Club, Kotashaan sired 54 winners (29.5%) and no stakes winners from 183 named foals.
Connections
Kotashaan was bred and owned by the brothers Alain and Gerárd Wertheimer. In France, he was trained by Criquette Head-Maarek. Following the horse’s transfer to the United States, he raced in the silks of the Wertheimers’ La Presle Farm and was trained by Richard Mandella. He was ridden to his win in the Breeders’ Cup Turf by Kent Desormeaux. Kotashaan was sold to a Japanese syndicate following the Breeders’ Cup Turf and made his final start in the 1993 Japan Cup as the syndicate’s property. Kotashaan entered stud at Lex Stud, Japan, in 1994 and stood there until 2000. Afterward, he was purchased by Andrew “Willy” Murphy and transferred to Ballycurragh Stud, Ireland, for use as a National Hunt sire. His last known foals were registered in 2006.
Pedigree notes
Sired by 1984 French champion 3-year-old male Darshaan, Kotashaan is inbred 5x5 to five-time American champion sire Nasrullah, also the English/Irish champion sire of 1951. He is out of the winner Haute Autorite, whose Group 3-placed half sister Ma Pavlova (by Irish River), dam of two-time Slovakian champion Ma Luba (by Averti). Haute Autority is also a half sister to Group 3-placed Bubbling Danseuse (by Arctic Tern), second dam of Grade 2 winner J’Ray and Grade 3 winner Millennium Dragon and third dam of Grade 2 winner Hawksmoor and Group 2 winner Royal Dornoch.
Haute Autorite and her sisters are out of French stakes winner Premiere Danseuse (by Green Dancer). She, in turn, is out of 1970 Prix Saint-Firmin winner Opelia (by Cambremont), a half sister to 1967 Prix Eugene Adam winner Saint Leonard (by St. Paddy) and Group 2-placed stakes winner Opportuniste (by Val de Loir). Produced from English stakes winner Optimistic (by Never Say Die), a half sister to 1958 Doncaster Cup winner Agreement (by Persian Gulf), Opelia is also a half sister to Mistake (by Exbury), dam of multiple French Group 2 winner Midshipman (by Hauban) and stakes winner Mistful (by Baldric) and second dam of multiple Grade 3 winner Glen Kate.
Books and media
Footage of Kotashaan’s victory in the 1993 Breeders’ Cup Turf can be accessed at the Breeders’ Cup Hall of Champions (https://www.breederscup.com/history-tradition/hall-champions/kotashaan-fr).
Fun facts
- Kotashaan was the first Breeders’ Cup winner for National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux.
Last updated: October 1, 2021