Ack Ack (USA)
February 24, 1966 – December 28, 1990
Battle Joined (USA) x Fast Turn (USA), by Turn-to (IRE)
Family 9-h
February 24, 1966 – December 28, 1990
Battle Joined (USA) x Fast Turn (USA), by Turn-to (IRE)
Family 9-h
Originally trained as a sprinter, Ack Ack stretched out at 5 to prove himself an all-around champion, winning titles as champion sprinter, champion older male and Horse of the Year in the first year of Eclipse Award voting. While he did not win a title in the turf division, he also won a turf stakes, setting a new course record and confirming that he could carry his form to any surface. Even though his campaign ended at midseason with a severe colic attack, he had left such an impression that he became the first Horse of the Year to have campaigned solely in California during his championship year. Ack Ack went on to become a good sire, maintaining the male line of Domino through his son Broad Brush.
Race record
27 starts, 19 wins, 6 seconds, 0 thirds, US$636,641
1969:
1970:
1971:
Honors
Assessments
Ack Ack was rated #44 among the top 100 American racehorses of the 20th century by a panel of experts assembled by The Blood-Horse (Thoroughbred Champions, Eclipse Press, 7th printing, 2005).
Rated at 108 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1968, 18 pounds below champion Top Knight.
Rated at 119 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-olds of 1969, 17 pounds below co-highweights Arts and Letters (the official champion) and Majestic Prince.
Rated at 128 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for sprinters of 1970, 8 pounds below champion Ta Wee.
Rated at 132 pounds atop the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1971, 4 pounds above second-rated Cougar II.
As an individual
A bay, Ack Ack stood 15.3 hands. He was a well-balanced horse with a long pelvis and muscular quarters (“real wide across the rear” according to trainer Charlie Whittingham), forearms, and gaskins; his action was collected and well coordinated. While his hocks were angled slightly more than the ideal and his pasterns were slightly low, he had good, flat bone and a correctly angled shoulder. He was known for his determination as well as his speed when on the track and could be a tough customer around the barn. He tended to lug in during his stretch runs. Whittingham believed 1¼ miles to be his limit and did not try to start him at any longer distances.
As a stallion
According to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club, Ack Ack sired 340 winners (56.2%) and 51 stakes winners (8.4%) from 604 named foals; Thoroughbred Times credited Ack Ack with 54 stakes winners (8.9%), while The Blood-Horse credited him with 55 (9.1%). Ack Ack's progeny generally preferred at least intermediate distances and improved with maturity. Ack Ack is an Intermediate/Classic chef-de-race in the Roman dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Notable progeny
Ackstatic (USA), Broad Brush (USA), Flying Target (USA), Joanie's Chief (USA), Rascal Lass (USA), Youth (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Benny the Dip (USA), Fast Gold (USA), Home At Last (USA), La Alcaparra (VEN), Lost Code (USA), North Sider (USA), Royal Anthem (USA), Sharp Cat (USA), Splendid Ann (USA), Domingos (VEN)
Connections
Ack Ack was bred and owned by Captain Harry Guggenheim, who campaigned the colt in the colors of his Cain Hoy Stable at 2 through 4. Guggenheim retained Ack Ack when he dispersed his bloodstock in 1969 but died in January 1971 after Ack Ack's first two races that season. E. E. “Buddy” Fogelson and his wife, actress Greer Garson, then bought a majority interest in the horse for their Forked Lightning Ranch, while trainer Charlie Whittingham bought the remaining one-third interest for a total valuation of US$500,000. Ack Ack was trained by Frank Bonsal at 2 and 3 and by Whittingham at 4 and 5. He entered stud in Kentucky at Claiborne Farm in 1972 and died there in 1990.
Pedigree notes
Ack Ack is inbred 4x5 to Sickle and 5x5 to Plucky Liege. He is a half brother to stakes winner Buckboard (by Olden Times) and to Rain Wind (by Apalachee), dam of juvenile stakes winner Hungerkill (by Relaunch). He is also a half brother to Time to Fly (by Bald Eagle), second dam of 1980 Venezuelan champion 3-year-old male Sweet Candy, and to Speedwriter (by Secretariat), second dam of 2007 Grande Prêmio Estado do Rio de Janeiro (BRZ-G1) winner Onibus Espacial and third dam of Brazilian Group 3 winner Portobelo.
Fast Turn, the dam of Ack Ack, is an unraced full sister to stakes-placed Lay Aft, dam of Grade 2 winner Delay (by Decidedly). She is also a half sister to Shoshanna (by Never Bend), dam of 1974 Futurity Stakes (USA-G1) winner Just the Time (by Advocator); second dam of 1990 Beverly Hills Handicap (USA-G1) winner Reluctant Guest and Grade 3 winner Dowery; and third dam of Grade 2 winner Minister Wife. In addition, Fast Turn is a half sister to Hardy Climber (by Never Bend), third dam of 1997 Breeders' Stakes winner John the Magician.
Ack Ack's second dam is 1954 Coaching Club American Oaks winner Cherokee Rose (by Princequillo), a full sister to 1951 Kentucky Oaks and Coaching Club American Oaks winner How, dam of 1965 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Pocahontas (by Roman). Cherokee Rose is also a full sister to 1957 Spinaway Stakes winner Sequoia, dam of 1973 Santa Anita Derby (USA-G1) winner and dual Classic runner-up Sham (by Pretense).
Books and media
Ack Ack 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
Last updated: April 1, 2023
Race record
27 starts, 19 wins, 6 seconds, 0 thirds, US$636,641
1969:
- Won Arlington Classic Stakes (USA, 8FD, Arlington Park)
- Won Withers Stakes (USA, 8FD, Aqueduct; new track record 1:34-2/5)
- Won Bahamas Stakes (USA, 7FD, Hialeah)
- Won Derby Trial (USA, 8FD, Churchill Downs; new track record 1:34-2/5)
- 2nd Jersey Derby (USA, 9FD, Garden State)
1970:
- Won Los Angeles Handicap (USA, 7FD, Hollywood; by disqualification of Right or Wrong)
- Won Autumn Days Handicap (USA, about 6.5FT, Santa Anita)
- Also set a new track record of 1:02-1/5 for 5.5 furlongs on dirt in an allowance at Del Mar
1971:
- Won Hollywood Gold Cup (USA, 10FD, Hollywood)
- Won Santa Anita Handicap (USA, 10FD, Santa Anita)
- Won American Handicap (USA, 9FT, Hollywood; new course record 1:47-1/5)
- Won San Antonio Stakes (USA, 9FD, Santa Anita)
- Won San Pasqual Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Santa Anita)
- Won San Carlos Handicap (USA, 7FD, Santa Anita; equaled track record 1:21)
- Won Hollywood Express Handicap (USA, 5.5FD, Hollywood)
- 2nd Palos Verdes Handicap (Jan) (USA, 6FD, Santa Anita)
Honors
- National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 1986)
- Arcadia Historical Society's Racing Walk of Champions (inducted as part of the inaugural class in 2014)
- Eclipse Award, American Horse of the Year (1971)
- Eclipse Award, American champion older male (1971)
- Eclipse Award, American champion sprinter (1971)
Assessments
Ack Ack was rated #44 among the top 100 American racehorses of the 20th century by a panel of experts assembled by The Blood-Horse (Thoroughbred Champions, Eclipse Press, 7th printing, 2005).
Rated at 108 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1968, 18 pounds below champion Top Knight.
Rated at 119 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-olds of 1969, 17 pounds below co-highweights Arts and Letters (the official champion) and Majestic Prince.
Rated at 128 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for sprinters of 1970, 8 pounds below champion Ta Wee.
Rated at 132 pounds atop the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1971, 4 pounds above second-rated Cougar II.
As an individual
A bay, Ack Ack stood 15.3 hands. He was a well-balanced horse with a long pelvis and muscular quarters (“real wide across the rear” according to trainer Charlie Whittingham), forearms, and gaskins; his action was collected and well coordinated. While his hocks were angled slightly more than the ideal and his pasterns were slightly low, he had good, flat bone and a correctly angled shoulder. He was known for his determination as well as his speed when on the track and could be a tough customer around the barn. He tended to lug in during his stretch runs. Whittingham believed 1¼ miles to be his limit and did not try to start him at any longer distances.
As a stallion
According to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club, Ack Ack sired 340 winners (56.2%) and 51 stakes winners (8.4%) from 604 named foals; Thoroughbred Times credited Ack Ack with 54 stakes winners (8.9%), while The Blood-Horse credited him with 55 (9.1%). Ack Ack's progeny generally preferred at least intermediate distances and improved with maturity. Ack Ack is an Intermediate/Classic chef-de-race in the Roman dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- 6th on the American general sire list in 1982; 7th in 1986.
- 4th on the American broodmare sire list in 1987.
- 3rd on the English/Irish broodmare sire list in 1997.
- 5th on the French general sire list in 1976.
Notable progeny
Ackstatic (USA), Broad Brush (USA), Flying Target (USA), Joanie's Chief (USA), Rascal Lass (USA), Youth (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Benny the Dip (USA), Fast Gold (USA), Home At Last (USA), La Alcaparra (VEN), Lost Code (USA), North Sider (USA), Royal Anthem (USA), Sharp Cat (USA), Splendid Ann (USA), Domingos (VEN)
Connections
Ack Ack was bred and owned by Captain Harry Guggenheim, who campaigned the colt in the colors of his Cain Hoy Stable at 2 through 4. Guggenheim retained Ack Ack when he dispersed his bloodstock in 1969 but died in January 1971 after Ack Ack's first two races that season. E. E. “Buddy” Fogelson and his wife, actress Greer Garson, then bought a majority interest in the horse for their Forked Lightning Ranch, while trainer Charlie Whittingham bought the remaining one-third interest for a total valuation of US$500,000. Ack Ack was trained by Frank Bonsal at 2 and 3 and by Whittingham at 4 and 5. He entered stud in Kentucky at Claiborne Farm in 1972 and died there in 1990.
Pedigree notes
Ack Ack is inbred 4x5 to Sickle and 5x5 to Plucky Liege. He is a half brother to stakes winner Buckboard (by Olden Times) and to Rain Wind (by Apalachee), dam of juvenile stakes winner Hungerkill (by Relaunch). He is also a half brother to Time to Fly (by Bald Eagle), second dam of 1980 Venezuelan champion 3-year-old male Sweet Candy, and to Speedwriter (by Secretariat), second dam of 2007 Grande Prêmio Estado do Rio de Janeiro (BRZ-G1) winner Onibus Espacial and third dam of Brazilian Group 3 winner Portobelo.
Fast Turn, the dam of Ack Ack, is an unraced full sister to stakes-placed Lay Aft, dam of Grade 2 winner Delay (by Decidedly). She is also a half sister to Shoshanna (by Never Bend), dam of 1974 Futurity Stakes (USA-G1) winner Just the Time (by Advocator); second dam of 1990 Beverly Hills Handicap (USA-G1) winner Reluctant Guest and Grade 3 winner Dowery; and third dam of Grade 2 winner Minister Wife. In addition, Fast Turn is a half sister to Hardy Climber (by Never Bend), third dam of 1997 Breeders' Stakes winner John the Magician.
Ack Ack's second dam is 1954 Coaching Club American Oaks winner Cherokee Rose (by Princequillo), a full sister to 1951 Kentucky Oaks and Coaching Club American Oaks winner How, dam of 1965 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Pocahontas (by Roman). Cherokee Rose is also a full sister to 1957 Spinaway Stakes winner Sequoia, dam of 1973 Santa Anita Derby (USA-G1) winner and dual Classic runner-up Sham (by Pretense).
Books and media
Ack Ack 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
- Ack Ack carried 134 pounds to win the 1971 Hollywood Gold Cup, the highest weight ever carried by a winner of that race.
- The Ack Ack Handicap at Churchill Downs was inaugurated in 1991. It is currently contested as a Grade 3 race at 1 mile on dirt for ages 3 and up. Prior to its closure in 2013, Hollywood Park also hosted an Ack Ack Handicap; this race was run over 7.5 furlongs on the main track for horses age 3 and up and was inaugurated in 2001.
Last updated: April 1, 2023