Caracolero was bred for stamina but not for soundness. By a sire who had broken down at 3, from a mare by a sire who had broken down before racing at 3 and inbred to a horse who never even made it to the races, he was good-looking but shared a tendency to be to heavy for his underpinnings with several of his ancestors. He lasted just long enough to deliver one excellent performance before retiring to stud, where he was a great disappointment.
Race record
7 starts, 4 wins, 1 second, 1 third
1974:
Honors
French champion 3-year-old male (1974)
Assessments
Assessed at 13 pounds below French champion 2-year-old male Mississipian on the Handicap Optional as a juvenile.
Earned a Timeform rating of 131 pounds at 3, tying him with Comtesse de Loir, Dankaro, Nonoalco and Sagaro atop European 3-year-olds of 1974.
As an individual
A handsome, deep-bodied chestnut horse with powerful hindquarters and short cannons, Caracolero was considered "soft" and lacking in durability. He ran in the Irish Sweeps Derby as his first start following his triumph at Chantilly but was injured and did not race again.
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Caracolero sired 125 winners (40.5%) and 10 stakes winners (3.2%) from 309 named foals. His best runner was French Group 3 winner Indoor.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Caracolero was bred by Leslie Combs II and was owned by Maria Félix Berger, who bought the colt for US$75,000 from the 1972 Keeneland July yearling sale. He was trained by François Boutin. Following his racing career, Caracolero retired to Haras du Petit-Tellier in France. He later returned to the United States but was not a success in either location.
Pedigree notes
Caracolero is inbred 3x4 to the important sire Alibhai and 4x4 to Boudoir II. He is also inbred 5x5 to 1923 Derby Stakes winner Papyrus and to English and French champion sire Pharos, second in Papyrus' Derby and the winner of the 1924 Champion Stakes. He is a half brother to Betty's Secret (by Secretariat), dam of 1984 Ever Ready Derby Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Secreto (by Northern Dancer), restricted stakes winner Interrex (by Vice Regent), and three-time Cheltenham Champion Hurdle winner Istabraq (by Sadler's Wells) and second dam of Gran Premio d'Italia (ITY-G1) winner Close Conflict. He is also a half brother to stakes-placed Native Loraine (by Raise a Native), second dam of five-time Austrian and Serbian champion Roi Estate and Irish Group 3 winner Catch the Blues, and to Pride of Darby (by Danzig), dam of Group 3-placed English stakes winner Bahamian Sunshine (by Sunshine Forever) and Grade 2-placed listed winner Buckeye Search (by Meadowlake).
Caracolero is out of stakes-placed Betty Loraine, a half sister to 1969 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Majestic Prince (by Raise a Native), 1971 English champion 2-year-old male Crowned Prince (by Raise a Native), and multiple stakes winner Lovely Gypsy (by Armageddon). Betty Loraine is also a half sister to Meadow Blue (by Raise a Native), dam of stakes winner Nureyev's Best (by Nureyev) and second dam of 1998 American champion 3-year-old male Real Quiet and Grade/Group 2 winners Andujar and Allied Forces; to Rollabout (by My Babu), dam of Canadian stakes winner Lady Face (by Proud Clarion); to Caronatta (by Raise a Native), dam of restricted stakes winner Rally Run (by Dixieland Band); and to Our Queen (by Raise a Native), second dam of Grade 3 winner Casino Magistrate.
Betty Loraine, in turn, is out of Gay Hostess (Royal Charger x Your Hostess, by Alibhai), a full sister to stakes winner Royal Clipper and a half sister to 1974 Ladies Handicap (USA-G1) winner Coraggioso (by Gallant Man; dam of stakes winner Encourage, by Quack), 1963 Schuylerville Stakes winner Gallatia (by Gallant Man; dam of English Group 2 winner Gallina, by Raise a Native, and stakes winner Right Cross, by Nashua), and 1967 Arlington-Washington Futurity winner T. V. Commercial (by T. V. Lark). Gay Hostess is also a half sister to Etiquette (by Bernborough), dam of multiple stakes winners Command Module (by Knightly Manner) and Mr. Pomranky (by Cannonade) and second dam of 1973 French champion 2-year-old filly Hippodamia and French Group 3 winner Bad Conduct; to Lady Ambassador (by Hill Prince), dam of stakes winner Minstrel Grey (by Tudor Grey) and second dam of Grade 3 winner With a Twist; and to My Guest (by Mister Gus), dam of Grade 3 winner Native Guest (by Raise a Native) and stakes winners Raise Your Sights (by Raise a Native) and Memorable Mitch (by Mehmet). In addition, Gay Hostess is a half sister to Dancing Hostess (by Sword Dancer), dam of stakes winners Palladium (by T. V. Lark) and Loosen Up (by Never Bend), and to Votre Hotesse (by Nantallah), dam of stakes winner Auberge (by Hail to Reason) and second dam of Grade 3 winner Danville.
Fun facts
Last updated: December 31, 2021
Race record
7 starts, 4 wins, 1 second, 1 third
1974:
- Won Prix du Jockey Club (FR-G1, 2400mT, Chantilly)
- Won Prix Matchem (FR, 1800mT, Evry)
- Won Prix Barneveldt (FR, 1800mT, Maisons-Laffitte)
Honors
French champion 3-year-old male (1974)
Assessments
Assessed at 13 pounds below French champion 2-year-old male Mississipian on the Handicap Optional as a juvenile.
Earned a Timeform rating of 131 pounds at 3, tying him with Comtesse de Loir, Dankaro, Nonoalco and Sagaro atop European 3-year-olds of 1974.
As an individual
A handsome, deep-bodied chestnut horse with powerful hindquarters and short cannons, Caracolero was considered "soft" and lacking in durability. He ran in the Irish Sweeps Derby as his first start following his triumph at Chantilly but was injured and did not race again.
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Caracolero sired 125 winners (40.5%) and 10 stakes winners (3.2%) from 309 named foals. His best runner was French Group 3 winner Indoor.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Caracolero was bred by Leslie Combs II and was owned by Maria Félix Berger, who bought the colt for US$75,000 from the 1972 Keeneland July yearling sale. He was trained by François Boutin. Following his racing career, Caracolero retired to Haras du Petit-Tellier in France. He later returned to the United States but was not a success in either location.
Pedigree notes
Caracolero is inbred 3x4 to the important sire Alibhai and 4x4 to Boudoir II. He is also inbred 5x5 to 1923 Derby Stakes winner Papyrus and to English and French champion sire Pharos, second in Papyrus' Derby and the winner of the 1924 Champion Stakes. He is a half brother to Betty's Secret (by Secretariat), dam of 1984 Ever Ready Derby Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Secreto (by Northern Dancer), restricted stakes winner Interrex (by Vice Regent), and three-time Cheltenham Champion Hurdle winner Istabraq (by Sadler's Wells) and second dam of Gran Premio d'Italia (ITY-G1) winner Close Conflict. He is also a half brother to stakes-placed Native Loraine (by Raise a Native), second dam of five-time Austrian and Serbian champion Roi Estate and Irish Group 3 winner Catch the Blues, and to Pride of Darby (by Danzig), dam of Group 3-placed English stakes winner Bahamian Sunshine (by Sunshine Forever) and Grade 2-placed listed winner Buckeye Search (by Meadowlake).
Caracolero is out of stakes-placed Betty Loraine, a half sister to 1969 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Majestic Prince (by Raise a Native), 1971 English champion 2-year-old male Crowned Prince (by Raise a Native), and multiple stakes winner Lovely Gypsy (by Armageddon). Betty Loraine is also a half sister to Meadow Blue (by Raise a Native), dam of stakes winner Nureyev's Best (by Nureyev) and second dam of 1998 American champion 3-year-old male Real Quiet and Grade/Group 2 winners Andujar and Allied Forces; to Rollabout (by My Babu), dam of Canadian stakes winner Lady Face (by Proud Clarion); to Caronatta (by Raise a Native), dam of restricted stakes winner Rally Run (by Dixieland Band); and to Our Queen (by Raise a Native), second dam of Grade 3 winner Casino Magistrate.
Betty Loraine, in turn, is out of Gay Hostess (Royal Charger x Your Hostess, by Alibhai), a full sister to stakes winner Royal Clipper and a half sister to 1974 Ladies Handicap (USA-G1) winner Coraggioso (by Gallant Man; dam of stakes winner Encourage, by Quack), 1963 Schuylerville Stakes winner Gallatia (by Gallant Man; dam of English Group 2 winner Gallina, by Raise a Native, and stakes winner Right Cross, by Nashua), and 1967 Arlington-Washington Futurity winner T. V. Commercial (by T. V. Lark). Gay Hostess is also a half sister to Etiquette (by Bernborough), dam of multiple stakes winners Command Module (by Knightly Manner) and Mr. Pomranky (by Cannonade) and second dam of 1973 French champion 2-year-old filly Hippodamia and French Group 3 winner Bad Conduct; to Lady Ambassador (by Hill Prince), dam of stakes winner Minstrel Grey (by Tudor Grey) and second dam of Grade 3 winner With a Twist; and to My Guest (by Mister Gus), dam of Grade 3 winner Native Guest (by Raise a Native) and stakes winners Raise Your Sights (by Raise a Native) and Memorable Mitch (by Mehmet). In addition, Gay Hostess is a half sister to Dancing Hostess (by Sword Dancer), dam of stakes winners Palladium (by T. V. Lark) and Loosen Up (by Never Bend), and to Votre Hotesse (by Nantallah), dam of stakes winner Auberge (by Hail to Reason) and second dam of Grade 3 winner Danville.
Fun facts
- In Spanish, “caracolero” is the common name for the snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis).
Last updated: December 31, 2021