Aldebaran (USA)
February 27, 1998 – Living
Mr. Prospector (USA) x Chimes of Freedom (USA), by Private Account (USA)
Family 8-f
February 27, 1998 – Living
Mr. Prospector (USA) x Chimes of Freedom (USA), by Private Account (USA)
Family 8-f
Although Aldebaran won an Eclipse Award as a sprinter, he was actually a miler who showed his best form over 7 to 8 furlongs. Unfortunately, he has failed to live up to his racing performance or his regal pedigree as a stallion.
Race record
25 starts, 8 wins, 12 seconds, 3 thirds, US$1,739,127
2001:
2002:
2003:
Honors
Eclipse Award, American champion sprinter (2003)
Assessments
Rated at 112 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American turf runners of 2001, 15 pounds below American champion turf male and European Horse of the Year Fantastic Light.
Rated at 121 pounds in the Sprint category on the 2003 International Classification, 12 pounds below the overall highweight, Hawk Wing, but tied with Choisir, Congaree, and Silent Witness as best among sprinters.
As an individual
A close-coupled bay horse, Aldebaran was taller and leggier than his dam with a straight, strong hind leg. He was at his best on firm going and on dirt and could handle slop.
As a stallion
As of March 11, 2025, Aldebaran has sired 349 winners (62.4%) and 13 stakes winners (2.3%) from 559 named foals of racing age according to records compiled by The Jockey Club. The best by far of his progeny is Main Sequence, the 2014 American champion older male and turf male.
Notable progeny
Main Sequence (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Aldebaran was bred by the Niarchos' family's breeding operation, Flaxman Holdings Ltd., and raced in the colors of Flaxman Stable. He was trained by Henry Cecil (later Sir Henry Cecil) in England and by Robert “Bobby” Frankel in North America. He entered stud in Kentucky in 2004 at Darby Dan Farm. He was sold to Japanese interests in the fall of 2008 and transferred to Shizunai Stallion Station. He later moved to JBBA Hachinohe.
Pedigree notes
Aldebaran is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to 2002 Atto Mile Stakes (CAN-G1) winner Good Journey (by Nureyev), to 2003 Jenny Wiley Stakes (USA-G3) winner Sea of Showers (by Seattle Slew), to listed stakes winner Tomisue's Indy (by A.P. Indy) and to Modesty Blaise (by A.P. Indy), dam of French stakes winner Poupee Flash (by Elusive Quality) and restricted stakes winner High Noon Rider (by Distorted Humor).
Aldebaran is out of multiple Group 1 winner Chimes of Freedom, a full sister to seven-time Peruvian champion sire Privately Held and to stakes-placed Piquetnol, dam of multiple Group 3 winner Dietrich (by Storm Cat) and German stakes winner Mambo Light (by Kingmambo) and second dam of Irish Group 3 winner Beauty Bright. Chimes of Freedom is also a half sister to four-time Grade 1 winner Denon (by Pleasant Colony) and to Group 1-placed English stakes winner Imperfect Circle (by Riverman), dam of multiple Grade/Group 1 winner Spinning World (by Nureyev) and French stakes winner Visions of Clarity (by Sadler's Wells) and second dam of 2010 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (IRE-G1) winner Pathfork, 2007 French highweighted 3-year-old stayer Sagara and Australian Group 3 winner Global Balance. In addition, Chimes of Freedom is a half sister to Remote Romance (by Irish River), dam of multiple Group 1 winner Saddex (by Sadler's Wells).
Aviance (by Northfields), the dam of Chimes of Freedom, won the 1984 Heinz “57” Phoenix Stakes (IRE-G1). She is a half sister to 1997 Prix du Cadran (FR-G1) winner Chief Contender (by Sadler's Wells) and to Perfect Alibi (by Law Society), dam of English stakes winner Likely Story (by Night Shift). Her dam Minnie Hauk (by Sir Ivor) is a stakes-placed full or half sister to four graded or Group stakes winners produced by 1982 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Best in Show (by Traffic Judge).
Fun facts
Last updated: March 11, 2025
Race record
25 starts, 8 wins, 12 seconds, 3 thirds, US$1,739,127
2001:
- Won Nassau Handicap (USA-L, 8FT, Belmont)
- 2nd Heron Stakes (ENG-L, 8FT, Kempton)
- 2nd Jersey Stakes (ENG-G3, 7FT, Ascot)
- 3rd Hollywood Derby (USA-G1, 9FT, Hollywood)
- 3rd Joel Stakes (ENG, 8FT, Newmarket)
2002:
- 2nd Metropolitan Handicap (USA-G1, 8FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Cigar Mile Handicap (USA-G1, 8FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd Vosburgh Stakes (USA-G1, 7FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Forego Handicap (USA-G1, 6.5FD, Saratoga)
- 2nd Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes (USA-G2, 7FD, Keeneland)
2003:
- Won Metropolitan Handicap (USA-G1, 8FD, Belmont)
- Won Forego Handicap (USA-G1, 7FD, Saratoga)
- Won San Carlos Handicap (USA-G1, 7FD, Santa Anita)
- Won Churchill Downs Handicap (USA-G2, 7FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won Tom Fool Handicap (USA-G2, 7FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Carter Handicap (USA-G1, 7FD, Aqueduct)
- 3rd Stephen Foster Handicap (USA-G1, 9FD, Churchill Downs)
Honors
Eclipse Award, American champion sprinter (2003)
Assessments
Rated at 112 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American turf runners of 2001, 15 pounds below American champion turf male and European Horse of the Year Fantastic Light.
Rated at 121 pounds in the Sprint category on the 2003 International Classification, 12 pounds below the overall highweight, Hawk Wing, but tied with Choisir, Congaree, and Silent Witness as best among sprinters.
As an individual
A close-coupled bay horse, Aldebaran was taller and leggier than his dam with a straight, strong hind leg. He was at his best on firm going and on dirt and could handle slop.
As a stallion
As of March 11, 2025, Aldebaran has sired 349 winners (62.4%) and 13 stakes winners (2.3%) from 559 named foals of racing age according to records compiled by The Jockey Club. The best by far of his progeny is Main Sequence, the 2014 American champion older male and turf male.
Notable progeny
Main Sequence (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Aldebaran was bred by the Niarchos' family's breeding operation, Flaxman Holdings Ltd., and raced in the colors of Flaxman Stable. He was trained by Henry Cecil (later Sir Henry Cecil) in England and by Robert “Bobby” Frankel in North America. He entered stud in Kentucky in 2004 at Darby Dan Farm. He was sold to Japanese interests in the fall of 2008 and transferred to Shizunai Stallion Station. He later moved to JBBA Hachinohe.
Pedigree notes
Aldebaran is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to 2002 Atto Mile Stakes (CAN-G1) winner Good Journey (by Nureyev), to 2003 Jenny Wiley Stakes (USA-G3) winner Sea of Showers (by Seattle Slew), to listed stakes winner Tomisue's Indy (by A.P. Indy) and to Modesty Blaise (by A.P. Indy), dam of French stakes winner Poupee Flash (by Elusive Quality) and restricted stakes winner High Noon Rider (by Distorted Humor).
Aldebaran is out of multiple Group 1 winner Chimes of Freedom, a full sister to seven-time Peruvian champion sire Privately Held and to stakes-placed Piquetnol, dam of multiple Group 3 winner Dietrich (by Storm Cat) and German stakes winner Mambo Light (by Kingmambo) and second dam of Irish Group 3 winner Beauty Bright. Chimes of Freedom is also a half sister to four-time Grade 1 winner Denon (by Pleasant Colony) and to Group 1-placed English stakes winner Imperfect Circle (by Riverman), dam of multiple Grade/Group 1 winner Spinning World (by Nureyev) and French stakes winner Visions of Clarity (by Sadler's Wells) and second dam of 2010 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (IRE-G1) winner Pathfork, 2007 French highweighted 3-year-old stayer Sagara and Australian Group 3 winner Global Balance. In addition, Chimes of Freedom is a half sister to Remote Romance (by Irish River), dam of multiple Group 1 winner Saddex (by Sadler's Wells).
Aviance (by Northfields), the dam of Chimes of Freedom, won the 1984 Heinz “57” Phoenix Stakes (IRE-G1). She is a half sister to 1997 Prix du Cadran (FR-G1) winner Chief Contender (by Sadler's Wells) and to Perfect Alibi (by Law Society), dam of English stakes winner Likely Story (by Night Shift). Her dam Minnie Hauk (by Sir Ivor) is a stakes-placed full or half sister to four graded or Group stakes winners produced by 1982 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Best in Show (by Traffic Judge).
Fun facts
- In astronomy, Aldebaran is the brightest star in the constellation Taurus. Its name means “The Follower” in Arabic, alluding to its apparent pursuit of the Pleiades across the sky.
Last updated: March 11, 2025