Challedon (USA)

April 1936 – January 1958

Challenger II (IRE) x Laura Gal (USA), by Sir Gallahad III (FR)

Family 12-c

The pride of Maryland, Challedon was the first Maryland-bred to capture the Preakness Stakes in 50 years. He also became the first horse to earn back-to-back Horse of the Year titles since the beginning of official polling in 1936. His last two seasons of racing were a sad anticlimax due to tendon trouble and quarter cracks, and he failed to distinguish himself as a sire.


Race record

44 starts, 20 wins, 7 seconds, 6 thirds, US$334,685

1938:

• Won New England Futurity (USA, 8f+70yD, Narragansett Park)
• Won Maryland Futurity (USA, 6FD, Laurel)
• Won Pimlico Futurity (USA, 8.5FD, Pimlico)

1939:

• Won Preakness Stakes (USA, 9.5FD, Pimlico)
• Won Classic Stakes (USA, 10FD, Arlington Park)
• Won Narragansett Special (USA, 9.5FD, Narragansett Park)
• Won Havre de Grace Handicap (USA, 9FD, Havre de Grace)
• Won Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (USA, 10FD, Hawthorne)
• Won Yankee Handicap (USA, 9.5FD, Suffolk)
• Won Pimlico Special (USA, 9.5FD, Pimlico)
• Won Maryland Handicap (USA, 10FD, Laurel)
• Won Tranter Purse (USA, 9.5FD, Keeneland; new world record 1:54-3/5)
• 2nd Kentucky Derby (USA, 10FD, Churchill Downs)
• 2nd James C. Thornton Memorial Handicap (USA, 9FD, Narragansett Park)
• 3rd Chesapeake Stakes (USA, 8.5FD, Havre de Grace)
• 3rd Kent Handicap (USA, 8.5D, Delaware Park)
• 3rd Dwyer Stakes (USA, 9FD, Aqueduct)

1940:

• Won Hollywood Gold Cup (USA, 10FD, Hollywood Park; new track record 2:02)
• Won Havre de Grace Handicap (USA, 9FD, Havre de Grace)
• Won Pimlico Special (USA, 9.5FD, Pimlico)
• Won Whitney Handicap (USA, 10FD, Saratoga)
• 2nd Narragansett Special (Narragansett Park)
• 3rd Massachusetts Handicap (USA, 9FD, Suffolk Downs)

1942:

• Won Philadelphia Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Havre de Grace)

Honors

• National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 1977)
• Maryland Thoroughbred Hall of Fame (inducted in the inaugural class of 2013)
• American Horse of the Year (1939, 1940)
• American champion 3-year-old male (1939)
• American champion handicap male (1940)

Assessments

Challedon was rated #38 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).

Ranked fourth among American juveniles of 1938 by The Blood-Horse.

Ranked second among American 3-year-old males of 1939 by The Blood-Horse.


As an individual

A handsome, well-balanced bay with powerful quarters, Challedon stood 16.1 hands. He was said to have had a perfect disposition and a commanding presence. He suffered from tendon trouble and quarter cracks during his last two seasons of racing. He handled both fast and muddy tracks well.


As a stallion

According to Jockey Club records, Challedon sired 208 winners (73.2%) and 13 stakes winners (4.6%) from 284 named foals. He proved an influence for stamina.


Notable progeny

Ancestor (USA), Challe Anne (USA), Flitabout (USA)


Connections

Challedon was bred by Branncastle Farm, a partnership between William L. Brann and Robert S. Castle. Castle ended the partnership due to declining health before Challedon raced, leaving Brann as sole owner of both the colt and the farm. (Brann renamed the farm Glade Valley Farm). Challedon was trained by Louis J. Schaefer at ages 2 through September of the colt's 4-year-old season. Don Cameron took over at that point, turning over the reins to L. T. “Whitey” Whitehill in February 1941. Challedon's last trainer was Edward A. Christmas, who trained him as a 6-year-old. The horse was ridden to his Preakness Stakes victory by George Seabo. Challedon stood at Gallaher Farm in Kentucky. He was humanely destroyed after breaking a leg in a paddock accident in 1958.


Pedigree notes

Challedon is inbred 4x5 to Isinglass and 5x5 to Flying Fox and St. Simon. He is a full brother to stakes winner Challadette and stakes-placed Little Sleeper, granddam of two-time American champion filly Bed o' Roses. His third dam Lady Errant (by Knight Errant) won the 1914 Latonia Cup, while his fourth dam Outcome (by Sir Dixon) won the 1904 Latonia Oaks.


Books and media

Challedon is profiled in Chapter 6 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).


Fun facts

• ​In 1940, Challedon became the first horse to be voted Horse of the Year honors while conditioned by two different trainers: Louis Schaefer in 1939 and Don Cameron in 1940.
• Challedon was the first 20th-century Maryland-bred colt to win the Preakness Stakes, traditionally contested at Pimlico near Baltimore, Maryland.
• Challedon's Preakness win made trainer Louis Schaefer the first man win the Preakness as both jockey and trainer. Schaefer had ridden Dr. Freeland to victory in the 1929 Preakness.
• The Challedon Stakes is a 7-furlong sprint for Maryland-bred horses aged 3 and up on dirt at Laurel Park.
• The Links at Challedon, one of Maryland's top golf courses, is named for the champion.

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Photo credit

Photographer unknown. From the collection of Quarter Horse Record (Susan Larkin); used by permission.



Last updated: May 19, 2022