Arcangelo was something of an ugly duckling when he went through the sales, fetching only $35,000. He looked much better after growing into himself at 3, when he stamped himself as the best sophomore male in the United States with powerful wins in the Belmont Stakes (USA-G1) and Travers Stakes (USA-G1). Unfortunately, injury derailed plans to have him meet his elders in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (USA-G1), for which he probably would have started as either favorite or second choice. He was retired and is now a young stallion.
Race record
6 starts, 4 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds, US$1,754,900
2023:
Honors
Assessments
Arcangelo was rated at 121 pounds on the 2023 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, 8 pounds below overall highweight Equinox (the Japanese Horse of the Year) and 2 pounds below the highest-rated dirt horses, American Horse of the Year Cody's Wish and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner White Abarrio.
As an individual
A big, long-striding gray ridgling with the deep shoulder and girth of his sire, Arcangelo made only one start at 2 and did not break his maiden until March 2023. He was fluid mover and a determined runner on the track. He was retired after showing signs of injury in his left hind foot; the injury turned out to by a condylar fracture for which he underwent surgery.
As a stallion
Arcangelo is standing his first season at Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky.
Connections
Arcangelo was bred by Don Alberto Corporation, the US arm of noted Chilean breeding operation Haras Don Alberto (Liliana Solari and Carlos Alberto Solari). A US$35,000 purchase from the 2021 Keeneland September sale, he was owned by Jon Ebbert’s Blue Rose Farm. He was trained by Jena Antonucci and was ridden to his Belmont victory by Javier Castellano. Following his withdrawal from the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Arcangelo was retired to take up stallion duties in Kentucky at Lane’s End Farm beginning in 2024.
Pedigree notes
Arcangelo is inbred 3x4 to 1990 American champion 3-year-old male Unbridled, 4x4 to 1981 Canadian Horse of the Year and two-time American champion sire Deputy Minister, and 5x5x5 to two-time American champion sire Mr. Prospector. His dam Modeling is an unraced half sister to 2013 Hollywood Starlet Stakes (USA-G1) winner Streaming (by Smart Strike) and to listed stakes winners Cascading (by A.P. Indy) and Treasuring (by Smart Strike). Modeling is also a half sister to Achieving (by Bernardini), dam of 2022 San Carlos Stakes (USA-G2) winner Cezanne (by Curlin), 2017 International Istanbul Trophy (TUR-G3) winner Arabian Hope (by Distorted Humor), and stakes winner Counterforce (by Smart Strike). In addition, Modeling is a half sister to Honouring (by Smart Strike), dam of 2023 Seagram Cup Stakes (CAN-G2) winner Tyson (by Tapit).
Modeling and her siblings are out of Teeming (by Storm Cat), who won three of her four starts. A half sister to 2007 American champion 3-year-old filly Rags to Riches (by A.P. Indy), 2006 Belmont Stakes winner Jazil (by Seeking the Gold), 2008 Peter Pan Stakes (USA-G2) winner Casino Drive (by Mineshaft), and 2009 Breeders’ Cup Marathon (USA-L) winner Man of Iron (by Giant’s Causeway), Teeming is out of 2007 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour (by Deputy Minister).
Books and media
The New York Racing Association’s footage of Arcangelo’s victory in the 2023 Travers Stakes can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jidTk3vhUME.
Fun facts
Last updated: April 12, 2024
Race record
6 starts, 4 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds, US$1,754,900
2023:
- Won Travers Stakes (USA-G1, 10FD, Saratoga)
- Won Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (USA-G1, 12FD, Belmont)
- Won Peter Pan Stakes (USA-G3, 9FD, Belmont)
Honors
- Eclipse Award, American champion 3-year-old male (2023)
- Kentucky-bred champion 3-year-old male (2023)
Assessments
Arcangelo was rated at 121 pounds on the 2023 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, 8 pounds below overall highweight Equinox (the Japanese Horse of the Year) and 2 pounds below the highest-rated dirt horses, American Horse of the Year Cody's Wish and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner White Abarrio.
As an individual
A big, long-striding gray ridgling with the deep shoulder and girth of his sire, Arcangelo made only one start at 2 and did not break his maiden until March 2023. He was fluid mover and a determined runner on the track. He was retired after showing signs of injury in his left hind foot; the injury turned out to by a condylar fracture for which he underwent surgery.
As a stallion
Arcangelo is standing his first season at Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky.
Connections
Arcangelo was bred by Don Alberto Corporation, the US arm of noted Chilean breeding operation Haras Don Alberto (Liliana Solari and Carlos Alberto Solari). A US$35,000 purchase from the 2021 Keeneland September sale, he was owned by Jon Ebbert’s Blue Rose Farm. He was trained by Jena Antonucci and was ridden to his Belmont victory by Javier Castellano. Following his withdrawal from the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Arcangelo was retired to take up stallion duties in Kentucky at Lane’s End Farm beginning in 2024.
Pedigree notes
Arcangelo is inbred 3x4 to 1990 American champion 3-year-old male Unbridled, 4x4 to 1981 Canadian Horse of the Year and two-time American champion sire Deputy Minister, and 5x5x5 to two-time American champion sire Mr. Prospector. His dam Modeling is an unraced half sister to 2013 Hollywood Starlet Stakes (USA-G1) winner Streaming (by Smart Strike) and to listed stakes winners Cascading (by A.P. Indy) and Treasuring (by Smart Strike). Modeling is also a half sister to Achieving (by Bernardini), dam of 2022 San Carlos Stakes (USA-G2) winner Cezanne (by Curlin), 2017 International Istanbul Trophy (TUR-G3) winner Arabian Hope (by Distorted Humor), and stakes winner Counterforce (by Smart Strike). In addition, Modeling is a half sister to Honouring (by Smart Strike), dam of 2023 Seagram Cup Stakes (CAN-G2) winner Tyson (by Tapit).
Modeling and her siblings are out of Teeming (by Storm Cat), who won three of her four starts. A half sister to 2007 American champion 3-year-old filly Rags to Riches (by A.P. Indy), 2006 Belmont Stakes winner Jazil (by Seeking the Gold), 2008 Peter Pan Stakes (USA-G2) winner Casino Drive (by Mineshaft), and 2009 Breeders’ Cup Marathon (USA-L) winner Man of Iron (by Giant’s Causeway), Teeming is out of 2007 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour (by Deputy Minister).
Books and media
The New York Racing Association’s footage of Arcangelo’s victory in the 2023 Travers Stakes can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jidTk3vhUME.
Fun facts
- Arcangelo’s name means “archangel” in Italian.
- At the time that Arcangelo was sold as a yearling, he was on the small side, immature for his age, and also had a case of sesamoiditis, not uncommon in young horses.
- Arcangelo’s victory in the Belmont Stakes made trainer Jena Antonucci the first woman to train the winner of an American Triple Crown race.
- Jockey Javier Castellano also won the 2023 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (USA-G1) on Mage, making him the first man to win two legs of the American Triple Crown in the same year on two different horses since Calvin Borel won the Derby with Mine That Bird and the Preakness with Rachel Alexandra in 2009.
- Arcangelo was the first Belmont Stakes winner for Tapit as a broodmare sire. The stallion had previously sired Belmont Stakes winners Tonalist (2014), Creator (2016), Tapwrit (2017), and Essential Quality (2021).
Last updated: April 12, 2024