Mr. Prospector (USA)
January 28, 1970 – June 1, 1999
Raise a Native (USA) x Gold Digger (USA), by Nashua (USA)
Family 13-c
January 28, 1970 – June 1, 1999
Raise a Native (USA) x Gold Digger (USA), by Nashua (USA)
Family 13-c
The sale topper at the 1971 Keeneland July sale, Mr. Prospector had blazing speed but never fulfilled his potential due to repeated injuries. In the breeding shed it was a different story. Beginning his stud career as a regional sire in Florida, Mr. Prospector ended his days as a mainstay at historic Claiborne Farm, where he ensured the survival of the male line of his grandsire Native Dancer. He was also a great sire of broodmares and is seen increasingly often in inbreeding within the American Thoroughbred population.
Race record
14 starts, 7 wins, 4 seconds, 2 thirds, US$112,181
1973:
1974:
Assessments
Highweighted at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for sprinters of 1974. (The official champion sprinter, Horse of the Year Forego, was rated at 130 pounds on the Free Handicap for older males.)
As an individual
A well-made, medium-sized bay horse, Mr. Prospector stood 16 hands. He had strong hindquarters and an unusually straight, strong hind leg but turned out on his right forefoot. His head was masculine but plain, putting older horsemen in mind of his maternal grandsire, Nashua. Mr. Prospector's trainer, Jimmy Croll, described him as quick to learn and very professional in his manners, and the horse retained his professional demeanor during his stallion career.
As a stallion
According to Jockey Club records, Mr. Prospector sired 755 winners (63.2%) and 182 stakes winners (15.2%) from 1195 named foals. He tended to pass on his own excellent hind-end conformation but also tended to transmit his turned-out right forefoot and slightly offset knees. Mr. Prospector is a Brilliant/Classic chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
Per The Blood-Horse:
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Per Japan Bloodstock Information Systems (https://www.jbis.jp/ranking/):
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
Per Thoroughbred Times (previously Thoroughbred Record):
Notable progeny
Afleet (CAN), Aldebaran (USA), Carson City (USA), Chester House (USA), Chic Shirine (USA), Choctaw Ridge (USA), Conquistador Cielo (USA), Coup de Genie (USA), Crafty Prospector (USA), Cuddles (USA), Dancethruthedawn (CAN), Distant View (USA), Easy Miner (USA), Eillo (USA), Fantastic Find (USA), Fappiano (USA), Fast Gold (USA), Forty Niner (USA), Fusaichi Pegasus (USA), Get Lucky (USA), Gold Beauty (USA), Golden Attraction (USA), Gone West (USA), Gulch (USA), Hussonet (USA), Iron (USA), It's in the Air (USA), Kingmambo (USA), Lode (USA), Machiavellian (USA), Miswaki (USA), Mr. P's Princess (USA), Not for Love (USA), Pioneering (USA), Placerville (USA), Preach (USA), Procida (USA), Proskona (USA), Prospectors Delite (USA), Queena (USA), Ravinella (USA), Rhythm (USA), Scan (USA), Scatter the Gold (CAN), Secret Prospector (USA), Seeking the Gold (USA), Silver Ghost (USA), Smart Strike (CAN), Straight Strike (USA), Tank's Prospect (USA), Tersa (USA), Two Punch (USA), Woodman (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Brahms (USA), Brunswick (USA), Dancehall (USA), Dayjur (USA), Denebola (USA), Deposit Ticket (USA), Dowsing (USA), Famous Digger (USA), Fasliyev (USA), Film Maker (USA), Finder's Fee (USA), Fire the Groom (USA), Flatter (USA), Flying Spur (USA), Gemologist (USA), Geri (USA), Girolamo (USA), Golden Opinion (USA), Grand Daddy (USA), Green Tune (USA), Hollywood Wildcat (USA), Lahan (GB), Lailani (GB), Latin American (USA), Malibu Moon (USA), Maplejinsky (USA), Minardi (USA), Mineshaft (USA), Oath (USA), One Cool Cat (USA), Pas de Reponse (USA), Pulpit (USA), Rock Hard Ten (USA), Rumplestiltskin (IRE), Scat Daddy (USA), Sir Harry Lewis (USA), Startac (USA), Summerly (USA), Tempera (USA), Tomisue's Delight (USA), Windsor Park (IRE)
Connections
Mr. Prospector was bred in Kentucky by Leslie Combs II. He was owned by Abraham “Butch” Savin, who paid US$225,000 for the colt at the 1971 Keeneland July yearling sale. He was trained by Jimmy Croll. Mr. Prospector entered stud at Aisco Farm near Ocala, Florida, in 1975. He moved to Claiborne Farm after the 1980 breeding season and died there in June 1999. He is buried in the Claiborne Farm equine cemetery.
Pedigree notes
Mr. Prospector is inbred 4x5 to Teddy. He is a half brother to stakes winners Gold Standard (by Sea-Bird) and Lillian Russell (by Prince John; second dam of graded stakes winners Slew Gin Fizz and Igotrhythm and Indian Classic winner Rapidash). Mr. Prospector is also a half brother to Myrtlewood Lass (by Ribot), second dam of two-time Canadian Horse of the Year Chief Bearhart and 1993 Hollywood Derby (USA-G1) winner Explosive Red. Mr. Prospector's dam Gold Digger won five stakes races and is a half sister to stakes winner Noorsaga (by Noor) and steeplechase stakes winner Hermod (by Royal Charger). The female line traces back to 1936 American champion sprinter and handicap female Myrtlewood, also the ancestress of Seattle Slew.
Books and media
Fun facts
Photo credit
Mr. Prospector as a yearling at the 1971 Keeneland July sale. Photo by George Featherston. From the Keeneland Library Featherston Collection; used by permission. Please contact the Keeneland Library with any questions regarding use or licensure of this photo.
Last updated: May 9, 2024
Race record
14 starts, 7 wins, 4 seconds, 2 thirds, US$112,181
1973:
- 2nd Derby Trial Stakes (USA, 8FD, Churchill Downs)
- Also set a new 6-furlong track record at Gulfstream Park of 1:07-4/5 in an allowance race.
1974:
- Won Gravesend Handicap (USA, 6FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Whirlaway Handicap (USA, 6FD, Garden State; new track record 1:08-3/5)
- 2nd Carter Handicap (USA-G2, 7FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd Firecracker Handicap (USA-G3, 6FD, Liberty Bell)
- 2nd Royal Poinciana Stakes (USA, 7FD, Hialeah)
- 3rd Paumonok Handicap (USA-G3, 6FD, Aqueduct)
Assessments
Highweighted at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for sprinters of 1974. (The official champion sprinter, Horse of the Year Forego, was rated at 130 pounds on the Free Handicap for older males.)
As an individual
A well-made, medium-sized bay horse, Mr. Prospector stood 16 hands. He had strong hindquarters and an unusually straight, strong hind leg but turned out on his right forefoot. His head was masculine but plain, putting older horsemen in mind of his maternal grandsire, Nashua. Mr. Prospector's trainer, Jimmy Croll, described him as quick to learn and very professional in his manners, and the horse retained his professional demeanor during his stallion career.
As a stallion
According to Jockey Club records, Mr. Prospector sired 755 winners (63.2%) and 182 stakes winners (15.2%) from 1195 named foals. He tended to pass on his own excellent hind-end conformation but also tended to transmit his turned-out right forefoot and slightly offset knees. Mr. Prospector is a Brilliant/Classic chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
- 7th on the English broodmare sire list in 2009
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
- Led the American general sire list in 1987 and 1988; 3rd in 1981; 4th in 1982 and 2000; 5th in 1980, 1984, and 1989; 7th in 1992; 8th in 1985; 10th in 1986.
- Led the American broodmare sire list in 1996-2001; 2nd in 1994, 2003, and 2005; 5th in 1992 and 2004; 10th in 2008.
- Led the American juvenile sire list in 1979 and 1987.
Per The Blood-Horse:
- Led the American general sire list in 1987 and 1988.
- Led the American broodmare sire list in 1997-2003, 2005, and 2006; 2nd in 2004; 4th in 2007; 5th in 2008.
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- Led the American general sire list in 1987 and 1988; 3rd in 1981, 1990, 1991, and 1993; 4th in 1982; 5th in 1980, 1984, and 2000; 6th in 1992; 7th in 1989; 8th in 1985; 10th in 1986.
- Led the American broodmare sire list in 1997-2003 and 2005; 2nd on the American broodmare sire list in 1993, 1994, 1996, and 2004; 4th in 1990, 1992, and 1995; 7th in 1991.
- Led the Chilean broodmare sire list in 1999.
- 9th on the combined English/Irish general sire list in 1985; 10th in 1984.
- 3rd on the combined English/Irish broodmare sire list in 1987; 9th in 2000 and 2001.
- 8th on the French broodmare sire list in 1989; 9th in 1999 and 2003.
- 9th on the Japanese broodmare sire list in 2000, 2002, and 2004; 10th in 2005.
- Led the Peruvian broodmare sire list in 1999.
Per Japan Bloodstock Information Systems (https://www.jbis.jp/ranking/):
- 6th on the Japanese broodmare sire list in 2006; 9th in 2002 and 2004.
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
- Led the American general sire list in 1987 and 1988.
- Led the American broodmare sire list in 1997-2003, 2005, and 2006.
Per Thoroughbred Times (previously Thoroughbred Record):
- Led the American general sire list in 1987 and 1988.
- Led the American broodmare sire list in 1997-2005.
Notable progeny
Afleet (CAN), Aldebaran (USA), Carson City (USA), Chester House (USA), Chic Shirine (USA), Choctaw Ridge (USA), Conquistador Cielo (USA), Coup de Genie (USA), Crafty Prospector (USA), Cuddles (USA), Dancethruthedawn (CAN), Distant View (USA), Easy Miner (USA), Eillo (USA), Fantastic Find (USA), Fappiano (USA), Fast Gold (USA), Forty Niner (USA), Fusaichi Pegasus (USA), Get Lucky (USA), Gold Beauty (USA), Golden Attraction (USA), Gone West (USA), Gulch (USA), Hussonet (USA), Iron (USA), It's in the Air (USA), Kingmambo (USA), Lode (USA), Machiavellian (USA), Miswaki (USA), Mr. P's Princess (USA), Not for Love (USA), Pioneering (USA), Placerville (USA), Preach (USA), Procida (USA), Proskona (USA), Prospectors Delite (USA), Queena (USA), Ravinella (USA), Rhythm (USA), Scan (USA), Scatter the Gold (CAN), Secret Prospector (USA), Seeking the Gold (USA), Silver Ghost (USA), Smart Strike (CAN), Straight Strike (USA), Tank's Prospect (USA), Tersa (USA), Two Punch (USA), Woodman (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Brahms (USA), Brunswick (USA), Dancehall (USA), Dayjur (USA), Denebola (USA), Deposit Ticket (USA), Dowsing (USA), Famous Digger (USA), Fasliyev (USA), Film Maker (USA), Finder's Fee (USA), Fire the Groom (USA), Flatter (USA), Flying Spur (USA), Gemologist (USA), Geri (USA), Girolamo (USA), Golden Opinion (USA), Grand Daddy (USA), Green Tune (USA), Hollywood Wildcat (USA), Lahan (GB), Lailani (GB), Latin American (USA), Malibu Moon (USA), Maplejinsky (USA), Minardi (USA), Mineshaft (USA), Oath (USA), One Cool Cat (USA), Pas de Reponse (USA), Pulpit (USA), Rock Hard Ten (USA), Rumplestiltskin (IRE), Scat Daddy (USA), Sir Harry Lewis (USA), Startac (USA), Summerly (USA), Tempera (USA), Tomisue's Delight (USA), Windsor Park (IRE)
Connections
Mr. Prospector was bred in Kentucky by Leslie Combs II. He was owned by Abraham “Butch” Savin, who paid US$225,000 for the colt at the 1971 Keeneland July yearling sale. He was trained by Jimmy Croll. Mr. Prospector entered stud at Aisco Farm near Ocala, Florida, in 1975. He moved to Claiborne Farm after the 1980 breeding season and died there in June 1999. He is buried in the Claiborne Farm equine cemetery.
Pedigree notes
Mr. Prospector is inbred 4x5 to Teddy. He is a half brother to stakes winners Gold Standard (by Sea-Bird) and Lillian Russell (by Prince John; second dam of graded stakes winners Slew Gin Fizz and Igotrhythm and Indian Classic winner Rapidash). Mr. Prospector is also a half brother to Myrtlewood Lass (by Ribot), second dam of two-time Canadian Horse of the Year Chief Bearhart and 1993 Hollywood Derby (USA-G1) winner Explosive Red. Mr. Prospector's dam Gold Digger won five stakes races and is a half sister to stakes winner Noorsaga (by Noor) and steeplechase stakes winner Hermod (by Royal Charger). The female line traces back to 1936 American champion sprinter and handicap female Myrtlewood, also the ancestress of Seattle Slew.
Books and media
- Gold Rush: How Mr. Prospector Became Racing's Billion-Dollar Sire was written by Avalyn Hunter and was released by Eclipse Press in 2007.
- Mr. Prospector is one of 75 stallions profiled in Tony Morris' Thoroughbred Stallions (1990, The Crowood Press).
- Mr. Prospector is profiled in Part Four of Edward L. Bowen's Dynasties (2000, Eclipse Press).
- Mr. Prospector is one of 205 stallions whose accomplishments at stud are profiled in Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, The Australian Bloodhorse Review), a massive reference work written by Jennifer Churchill, Andrew Reichard and Byron Rogers.
Fun facts
- Jimmy Croll, who also trained two-time American champion sprinter Housebuster, said of Mr. Prospector, “If you could have matched him against Housebuster, I think it would have been close.”
- Mr. Prospector was originally syndicated for US$50,000 a share. Six years later, when he moved to Claiborne, his value had jumped to US$500,000 a share.
- Mr. Prospector's 6-furlong track record at Gulfstream Park was not equaled until 1993, when his great-grandson Artax won the Breeders' Cup Sprint (USA-G1) in 1:07.89.
- Gulfstream Park hosts the Mr. Prospector Stakes, a Grade 3 sprint over 6 furlongs on dirt for ages 3 and up. Monmouth Park also hosts a stakes race in the great stallion's honor; a listed race, it is contested at 6 furlongs on dirt and is open to horses aged 3 and up.
Photo credit
Mr. Prospector as a yearling at the 1971 Keeneland July sale. Photo by George Featherston. From the Keeneland Library Featherston Collection; used by permission. Please contact the Keeneland Library with any questions regarding use or licensure of this photo.
Last updated: May 9, 2024