Storm Cat (USA)
February 27, 1983 – April 24, 2013
Storm Bird (CAN) x Terlingua (USA), by Secretariat (USA)
Family 8-c
February 27, 1983 – April 24, 2013
Storm Bird (CAN) x Terlingua (USA), by Secretariat (USA)
Family 8-c
A high-class juvenile, Storm Cat missed earning an Eclipse Award by inches when he was nailed at the wire by Tasso in the 1985 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (USA-G1). After surgery on his knees over the winter, he failed to train on at 3 and retired to stud at Overbrook Farm with relatively modest expectations. By the time he was pensioned in 2008, he had become the most valuable and expensive stallion in Kentucky and had broken the great sire Bold Ruler's record for American juvenile sire titles by taking his seventh such championship in 2004. Now the head of his own distinct branch of the Northern Dancer sire line, he has also been acknowledged as a first-rate broodmare sire.
Race record
8 starts, 4 wins, 3 seconds, 0 thirds, US$570,610
1985:
Assessments
Rated at 124 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1985, two pounds below co-highweights Tasso (the official champion) and Ogygian.
As an individual
A dark bay or brown horse, Storm Cat stood 16 hands. He was a muscular, powerful, well-built individual with an exceptional hip but had offset knees. He was also known for his peppery disposition, high energy, and strong will, though he could be charmed by peppermints. On the track, he had a powerful will to win. He was injured as a 3-year-old and was unable to return to the races at 4 although he was kept in training that year.
As a stallion
Jockey Club records credit Storm Cat with having sired 811 winners (55.9%) and 177 stakes winners (12.2%) from 1452 named foals. He was often faulted for passing his offset knees and tough disposition to his progeny, but he also passed on his good body and strong hip as well as a powerful competitive instinct--perhaps too powerful, according to top Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien, who described the progeny of Storm Cat as “quick, strong and powerful, but mad. No self-preservation whatsoever.”
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Per The Blood-Horse:
Per Japan Bloodstock Information Systems (https://www.jbis.jp/ranking/):
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
Per Thoroughbred Times (previously Thoroughbred Record):
Notable progeny
Aljabr (USA), Bernstein (USA), Black Minnaloushe (USA), Bluegrass Cat (USA), Cat Thief (USA), Catrail (USA), Desert Stormer (USA), Easing Along (USA), Forestry (USA), Freud (USA), Giant's Causeway (USA), Harlan (USA), Hennessy (USA), Hold That Tiger (USA), Hurricane Cat (USA), Life Is Sweet (USA), November Snow (USA), One Cool Cat (USA), Pure Prize (USA), Sardula (USA), Seeking the Dia (USA), Silken Cat (CAN), Storm Flag Flying (USA), Stormy Atlantic (USA), Tabasco Cat (USA), Tale of the Cat (USA), Tiger Ridge (USA), Tumblebrutus (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
A Shin Hikari (JPN), Ballydoyle (IRE), Bodemeister (USA), Buddha (USA), Churchill (IRE), Clemmie (IRE), Close Hatches (USA), Cuqui's Love (USA), Decorated Knight (GB), Dialed In (USA), Folklore (USA), Gleneagles (IRE), Hail Glory (BRZ), Happily (IRE), Harmonious (USA), Honor Code (USA), Joan of Arc (IRE), Love and Pride (USA), Magnificent Song (USA), Marvellous (IRE), Misty for Me (IRE), Mujahid (USA), Raging Sea (USA), Randy Cat (ARG), Rocking Trick (ARG), Shared Belief (USA), Sidney's Candy (USA), Sky Mesa (USA), Speightstown (USA), Trust in a Gust (AUS), Unfurl the Flag (USA), Weep No More (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Pennsylvania, Storm Cat was bred the name of W. T. Young Storage, Inc., by William Young, who raced the colt in the silks of his Kentucky-based Overbrook Farm. He was trained by Jonathan Sheppard and was frequently galloped by Sheppard's wife, Cathy. Although Young considered selling him following his racing career, Cathy Sheppard persuaded him otherwise and Storm Cat stood his first season at Overbrook in 1988. After the top filly November Snow emerged from his first crop, he rapidly became the farm's premier stallion, a position he held until he was pensioned in May 2008 due to declining fertility. On Young's death in 2009, Storm Cat and Overbrook Farm became the property of his son William Overbrook, Jr. Most of the Overbrook Farm stock was dispersed during the remainder of 2009, but Storm Cat remained a pensioner at Overbrook until his humane destruction at age 30 due to the infirmities of old age. He may have been suffering from cancer at the time of his death, but this was not confirmed by testing due to his advanced age and concerns that testing would only cause unnecessary suffering.
Pedigree notes
Storm Cat is inbred 4x5 to the great Nearco, a two-time champion sire in England. He is a half brother to multiple Grade 2 winner Chapel of Dreams (by Northern Dancer), second dam of 2008 Racing Post Trophy (ENG-G1) winner Crowded House; Grade 2 winners Postponed, Juniper Pass, and Tale of a Champion; and Grade/Group 3 winners Ilusora, Mr. Roary, and Bandua. In addition, Chapel of Dreams is the third dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Ticker Tape, 2017 Prix Maurice du Gheest (FR-G1) winner Brando, 2024 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (FR-G1) winner Tribalist, Grade 2 winner Daring Dancer, and Grade/Group 3 winners Forest of Dean, Olympic Fluke, and Accidental Hero. Storm Cat is also a half brother to the Mr. Prospector horse Pioneering, a useful sire; to Pueblo (by Mr. Prospector), third dam of multiple Argentine Group 2 winner Spiritus; and to Lyphard's Dancer (by Lyphard), dam of stakes winner C'mon Let's Dance (by Alleged) and third dam of Australian Group 3 winner Galaxy Pegasus.
Terlingua, the dam of Storm Cat, was one of the best juvenile fillies of 1978 and is a full sister to Grade 2 winner Pancho Villa and to Navajo Pass, second dam of Grade 3 winner Palanka City and third dam of Grade 3 winner Lightening Larry and Peruvian Group 3 winner Canoso. Terlingua is also a half sister to 1990 Breeders' Cup Mile (USA-G1) and Carroll Foundation July Cup (ENG-G1) winner Royal Academy (by Nijinsky II), a good sire; to stakes winner Alydariel (by Alydar), dam of Grade 2 winner Jeune Homme (by Nureyev) and second dam of French Group 3 winner Damoiselle; and to Prawn Cocktail (by Artichoke), dam of Australian Group 2 winner Langoustine and Australian Group 3 winner One World (both by Danehill) and second dam of 2016 Japanese champion 2-year-old male Satono Areas and Australian Group 3 winner One Last Dance. The dam of Terlingua and her siblings is the wickedly fast Grade 3 winner Crimson Saint (by Crimson Satan).
Books and media
Fun facts
Last updated: September 8, 2024
Race record
8 starts, 4 wins, 3 seconds, 0 thirds, US$570,610
1985:
- Won Young America Stakes (USA-G1, 8.5FD, The Meadowlands)
- 2nd Breeders' Cup Juvenile (USA-G1, 8FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd World Appeal Stakes (first division) (USA, The Meadowlands)
Assessments
Rated at 124 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1985, two pounds below co-highweights Tasso (the official champion) and Ogygian.
As an individual
A dark bay or brown horse, Storm Cat stood 16 hands. He was a muscular, powerful, well-built individual with an exceptional hip but had offset knees. He was also known for his peppery disposition, high energy, and strong will, though he could be charmed by peppermints. On the track, he had a powerful will to win. He was injured as a 3-year-old and was unable to return to the races at 4 although he was kept in training that year.
As a stallion
Jockey Club records credit Storm Cat with having sired 811 winners (55.9%) and 177 stakes winners (12.2%) from 1452 named foals. He was often faulted for passing his offset knees and tough disposition to his progeny, but he also passed on his good body and strong hip as well as a powerful competitive instinct--perhaps too powerful, according to top Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien, who described the progeny of Storm Cat as “quick, strong and powerful, but mad. No self-preservation whatsoever.”
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
- Led the American general sire list in 1999 and 2000; 2nd in 1994; 4th in 2004; 10th in 2005.
- Led the American broodmare sire list in 2010; 4th in 2005 and 2008.
- Led the American juvenile sire list in 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999, and 2002.
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
- Led the Irish broodmare sire list in 2017; 6th in 2014; 9th in 2011.
- 4th on the Japanese broodmare sire list in 2013; 7th in 2015; 9th in 2014 and 2016; 10th in 2012.
- Led the North American broodmare sire list in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014; 2nd in 2013; 3rd in 2015; 4th in 2016; 5th in 2017; 8th in 2018.
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- Led the American general sire list in 1999 and 2000; 2nd in 1994 and 1998; 5th in 1995; 4th in 2004; 6th in 2002; 10th in 1993 and 1996.
- 2nd on the combined English/Irish general sire list in 2000.
Per The Blood-Horse:
- Led the American general sire list in 1999 and 2000; 4th in 2004; 5th in 2002.
- Led the American broodmare sire list in 2012-2014; second in 2016; third in 2010, 2011, 2015, and 2017; 5th in 2018; 6th in 2005; 7th in 2009, 8th in 2006-2008, and 10th in 2019.
- Led the American juvenile sire list in 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2002, and 2004.
Per Japan Bloodstock Information Systems (https://www.jbis.jp/ranking/):
- 4th on the Japanese broodmare sire list in 2013; 7th in 2015; 8th in 2014; 9th in 2016; 10th in 2012.
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
- Led the American general sire list in 1999 and 2000.
Per Thoroughbred Times (previously Thoroughbred Record):
- Led the American general sire list in 1999 and 2000.
- Led the American juvenile sire list in 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998, 2002, and 2004.
Notable progeny
Aljabr (USA), Bernstein (USA), Black Minnaloushe (USA), Bluegrass Cat (USA), Cat Thief (USA), Catrail (USA), Desert Stormer (USA), Easing Along (USA), Forestry (USA), Freud (USA), Giant's Causeway (USA), Harlan (USA), Hennessy (USA), Hold That Tiger (USA), Hurricane Cat (USA), Life Is Sweet (USA), November Snow (USA), One Cool Cat (USA), Pure Prize (USA), Sardula (USA), Seeking the Dia (USA), Silken Cat (CAN), Storm Flag Flying (USA), Stormy Atlantic (USA), Tabasco Cat (USA), Tale of the Cat (USA), Tiger Ridge (USA), Tumblebrutus (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
A Shin Hikari (JPN), Ballydoyle (IRE), Bodemeister (USA), Buddha (USA), Churchill (IRE), Clemmie (IRE), Close Hatches (USA), Cuqui's Love (USA), Decorated Knight (GB), Dialed In (USA), Folklore (USA), Gleneagles (IRE), Hail Glory (BRZ), Happily (IRE), Harmonious (USA), Honor Code (USA), Joan of Arc (IRE), Love and Pride (USA), Magnificent Song (USA), Marvellous (IRE), Misty for Me (IRE), Mujahid (USA), Raging Sea (USA), Randy Cat (ARG), Rocking Trick (ARG), Shared Belief (USA), Sidney's Candy (USA), Sky Mesa (USA), Speightstown (USA), Trust in a Gust (AUS), Unfurl the Flag (USA), Weep No More (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Pennsylvania, Storm Cat was bred the name of W. T. Young Storage, Inc., by William Young, who raced the colt in the silks of his Kentucky-based Overbrook Farm. He was trained by Jonathan Sheppard and was frequently galloped by Sheppard's wife, Cathy. Although Young considered selling him following his racing career, Cathy Sheppard persuaded him otherwise and Storm Cat stood his first season at Overbrook in 1988. After the top filly November Snow emerged from his first crop, he rapidly became the farm's premier stallion, a position he held until he was pensioned in May 2008 due to declining fertility. On Young's death in 2009, Storm Cat and Overbrook Farm became the property of his son William Overbrook, Jr. Most of the Overbrook Farm stock was dispersed during the remainder of 2009, but Storm Cat remained a pensioner at Overbrook until his humane destruction at age 30 due to the infirmities of old age. He may have been suffering from cancer at the time of his death, but this was not confirmed by testing due to his advanced age and concerns that testing would only cause unnecessary suffering.
Pedigree notes
Storm Cat is inbred 4x5 to the great Nearco, a two-time champion sire in England. He is a half brother to multiple Grade 2 winner Chapel of Dreams (by Northern Dancer), second dam of 2008 Racing Post Trophy (ENG-G1) winner Crowded House; Grade 2 winners Postponed, Juniper Pass, and Tale of a Champion; and Grade/Group 3 winners Ilusora, Mr. Roary, and Bandua. In addition, Chapel of Dreams is the third dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Ticker Tape, 2017 Prix Maurice du Gheest (FR-G1) winner Brando, 2024 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (FR-G1) winner Tribalist, Grade 2 winner Daring Dancer, and Grade/Group 3 winners Forest of Dean, Olympic Fluke, and Accidental Hero. Storm Cat is also a half brother to the Mr. Prospector horse Pioneering, a useful sire; to Pueblo (by Mr. Prospector), third dam of multiple Argentine Group 2 winner Spiritus; and to Lyphard's Dancer (by Lyphard), dam of stakes winner C'mon Let's Dance (by Alleged) and third dam of Australian Group 3 winner Galaxy Pegasus.
Terlingua, the dam of Storm Cat, was one of the best juvenile fillies of 1978 and is a full sister to Grade 2 winner Pancho Villa and to Navajo Pass, second dam of Grade 3 winner Palanka City and third dam of Grade 3 winner Lightening Larry and Peruvian Group 3 winner Canoso. Terlingua is also a half sister to 1990 Breeders' Cup Mile (USA-G1) and Carroll Foundation July Cup (ENG-G1) winner Royal Academy (by Nijinsky II), a good sire; to stakes winner Alydariel (by Alydar), dam of Grade 2 winner Jeune Homme (by Nureyev) and second dam of French Group 3 winner Damoiselle; and to Prawn Cocktail (by Artichoke), dam of Australian Group 2 winner Langoustine and Australian Group 3 winner One World (both by Danehill) and second dam of 2016 Japanese champion 2-year-old male Satono Areas and Australian Group 3 winner One Last Dance. The dam of Terlingua and her siblings is the wickedly fast Grade 3 winner Crimson Saint (by Crimson Satan).
Books and media
- Storm Cat is one of 50 Thoroughbreds profiled in Royal Blood: Fifty Years of Classic Thoroughbreds. Written by racing historian Jim Bolus with illustrations and commentary by noted equine artist Richard Stone Reeves, the book was released by The Blood-Horse, Inc., in 1994.
- Storm Cat is one of the older Thoroughbreds profiled in photographs and essays in Barbara Livingston's More Old Friends: Visits With My Favorite Thoroughbreds (2007, Blood-Horse Publications).
- Video of Storm Cat's win in the 1985 Young America Stakes can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3LKPbqWxF8.
Fun facts
- Storm Cat's edition of the Young America Stakes featured an exceptionally high-class field. His rivals that day included future American champion sprinter Groovy, future Belmont Stakes (USA-G1) winner Danzig Connection, and Champagne Stakes (USA-G1) winner Mogambo.
- Over the course of his stud career, Storm Cat sired a record 91 yearlings that sold for US$1 million or more at public auction.
- Storm Cat reached a peak stud fee of US$500,000, 25 times his initial fee.
- Storm Cat actually continued siring foals after he was pensioned as his services were offered to Quarter Horse breeders via artificial insemination in 2009. (AI is permissible in Quarter Horse breeding but is not permitted by The Jockey Club.)
- In April 2015, Crestview Genetics produced two colts cloned from Storm Cat's cells; one died in a paddock accident not long after being photographed for a Vanity Fair article on Crestview Genetics and equine cloning. The surviving colt was ineligible for racing in any major racing nation but according to the article was intended to be tried as a polo pony or as a sire of polo ponies.
- Storm Cat became the namesake for a stakes race for Pennsylvania-bred horses aged 3 and up at Parx Racing.
Last updated: September 8, 2024