Trempolino (USA)
March 17, 1984 – March 19, 2018
Sharpen Up (GB) x Trephine (FR), by Viceregal (CAN)
Family 26
March 17, 1984 – March 19, 2018
Sharpen Up (GB) x Trephine (FR), by Viceregal (CAN)
Family 26
Bred in Kentucky but of European parentage, Trempolino was among the many progeny of English-bred but Kentucky-based Sharpen Up to make his mark abroad. Following a scintillating victory in the 1987 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (FR-G1), in which he set a new stakes record, Trempolino gave American racegoers a thrill in the same year's Breeders' Cup Turf (USA-G1), briefly heading American champion Theatrical in the stretch before going down by half a length. Trempolino was not an outstanding stallion but did sire a number of top performers both on the flat and over jumps.
Race record
11 starts, 4 wins, 3 seconds, 3 thirds, US$1,388,517 (includes converted French earnings)
1986:
- 3rd Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte (FR-G2, 1400mT, Maisons-Laffitte; moved up from fourth by disqualification)
1987:
- Won Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (FR-G1, 2400mT, Longchamp)
- Won Prix Niel (FR-G2, 2400mT, Longchamp)
- Won Prix de Courcelles (FR-L, Longchamp)
- 2nd Breeders' Cup Turf Stakes (USA-G1, 12FT, Hollywood)
- 2nd Prix Lupin (FR-G1, 2100mT, Longchamp)
- 2nd Prix du Jockey Club Lancia (FR-G1, 2400mT, Chantilly)
- 3rd Grand Prix de Paris (FR-G1, 2000mT, Longchamp)
- 3rd Prix Guillaume d'Ornano (FR-G2, 2000mT, Deauville)
Assessments
Earned a Timeform rating of 135 pounds as a 3-year-old.
As an individual
An attractive chestnut horse standing 16 hands, Trempolino had an explosive turn of foot and did his best racing when reserved for a late run. He was extremely game and determined as a racehorse. He was best over firm going.
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Trempolino sired 590 winners (56.5%) and 44 stakes winners (4.2%) from 1045 foals of racing age on the flat. In addition, Trempolino had several runners who were winners of major races in steeplechase and hurdle events.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
- 7th on the French general sire list in 2008 and 2009.
Per the Associação Brasileira de Criadores e Prooprietários do Cavalo de Corrida (https://abcpcc.com.br/#):
- 7th on the Brazilian broodmare sire list in 2016/2017.
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers);
- 10th on the French general sire list in 1993.
- 7th on the French broodmare sire list in 2004.
Notable progeny
Bike (BRZ), Dernier Empereur (USA), Germany (USA), Hokan (USA), Mandarino (USA), Juvenia (USA), Sharp Face (USA), Snow Polina (USA), Starman (BRZ), Valixir (IRE), Zimbamia (BRZ)
Notable progeny of daughters
Action This Day (USA), Blue Canari (FR), Chelsea Rose (IRE), Round Pond (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Trempolino was bred by Mayland Stud, the American breeding operation of owner Paul de Moussac (who also bred horses in the United States under the name of Marystead Farm and in France in the name of his Haras du Mezeray). A week before the 1987 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Los Angeles Kings owner Bruce McNall bought a half interest in Trempolino. The colt was trained by Andre Fabre.
Following his retirement from racing, Trempolino entered stud in Kentucky in 1988 at Gainesway Farm and stood there through 1999; he also stood the Southern Hemisphere season in Brazil in 1998. From 2000 on, he stood at Haras du Mezeray in Normandy, France. He was pensioned in 2012 and died at Haras du Mezeray in March 2018.
Pedigree notes
Trempolino is inbred 3x5 to two-time American Horse of the Year Native Dancer. His dam Trephine was Group 3-placed in France and is a half sister to French Group 2 winner Trepan (by Breakspear). She is also a half sister to Batouta (by Beaugency), whose daughter Ballyshannon (by Rex Magna) stands at the head of a good family of racers over fences.
Quiriquina, the dam of Trephine and Trepan, was sired by Ribot's son Molvedo, the French champion 3-year-old male of 1961 and a three-time champion sire in Italy. Unplaced in five starts, she was produced from La Chaussee (by 1956 French champion 2-year-old male Tyrone), a full sister to 1963 Prix Greffulhe winner Le Mesnil and a half sister to 1948 Prix de la Forêt winner Fontenay (by Tornado), 1960 Prix Vanteaux winner Toscanella (by Tosco) and French stakes winners Fontenoy (by Tornado) and Le Tricolore (by Tornado). The siblings' dam, Flying Colours (by 1924 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Ascot Gold Cup winner Massine), was a stakes winner and is a full sister to the minor stakes winner Moscow II. She is also a half sister to 1938 Prix Lupin winner Castel Fusano (by Ksar) and minor stakes winner Gallica (by Galene).
Last updated: February 24, 2024