Chief's Crown (USA)
April 7, 1982 – April 29, 1997
Danzig (USA) x Six Crowns (USA), by Secretariat (USA)
Family 23-b
April 7, 1982 – April 29, 1997
Danzig (USA) x Six Crowns (USA), by Secretariat (USA)
Family 23-b
The first of many outstanding runners for three-time American champion sire Danzig, Chief's Crown was fast, game and consistent. While he was not quite able to win back-to-back championships at 2 and 3, he remained among the best of his year at 3 after earning the crown at 2. He went on to become a good if underappreciated sire whose death at the relatively early age of 15 was a significant loss to the Thoroughbred.
Race record
21 starts, 12 wins, 3 seconds, 3 thirds, US$2,191,168
1984:
1985:
Honors
Eclipse Award, American champion 2-year-old male (1984)
Assessments
Highweighted at 126 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1984, 1 pound above Saratoga Six.
Ranked third among American 3-year-old males of 1985 at 125 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap, behind Spend a Buck (127) and Proud Truth (126).
As an individual
A correct and well-made bay horse, Chief's Crown bore a strong resemblance to his sire Danzig but was leggier. He was short-coupled with a strong body and powerful hindquarters. He stood 15.3½ hands. A versatile runner, he could press the pace or lay back off it as his jockey asked.
As a stallion
According to records maintained by The Jockey Club, Chief's Crown sired 366 winners (60.0%) and 47 stakes winners (7.7%) from 610 named foals. In his book Foundation Mares: How Outstanding Female Families Shaped America's Breeding Industry (2008, Thoroughbred Times Books), John Sparkman credits Chief's Crown with 53 stakes winners (8.7%). Chief's Crown is an Intermediate/Solid chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system. A versatile stallion, he got major winners on all surfaces and sired both top juveniles and top stayers. His colts were decidedly better than his fillies.
Sire rankings
Per The Blood-Horse:
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Per the Jockey Club of Turkey (https://www.tjk.org/EN/YarisSever/YarisSever/Index):
Notable progeny
Azzaam (USA), Be My Chief (USA), Charming City (AUS), Chief Bearhart (CAN), Chief Honcho (USA), Erhaab (USA), Grand Lodge (USA), Istidaad (USA), Mukafaah (USA), Stormy Crown T (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Agnes Digital (USA), Eddington (USA), Excellent Meeting (USA), Giovane Imperatore (GB), Scorpion (USA), Sunshine Street (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Chief's Crown was bred by Carl Rosen, who died when the colt was a yearling. Trained by Roger Laurin, Chief's Crown initially raced in the name of Carl Rosen's son Andrew; following his win in the Hopeful Stakes, he raced in the name of the Rosen family's Star Crown Stable. Prior to the Breeders' Cup, Three Chimneys Farm acquired a half interest in Chief's Crown (which the farm syndicated for US$500,000 a share), and Claiborne Farm acquired a quarter interest at the colt's retirement. Chief's Crown entered stud in Kentucky in 1986 at Three Chimneys Farm. He shuttled to Australia for two Southern Hemisphere seasons. The stallion fractured a patella in a paddock accident on April 24, 1997, and underwent repair surgery but compounded the initial fracture five days later, necessitating his humane destruction.
Pedigree notes
Chief's Crown is inbred 4x5 to two-time English/Irish champion sire Nearco, an unbeaten champion on the race course. He is a full brother to Sister Crown, second dam of Grade 2 winner Bourbon Courage. He is a half brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Classic Crown, second dam of Japanese Group 2 winner Reach the Crown and Japanese Group 3 winner A Shin G Line. He is also a half brother to Jeweled Crown (by Seattle Slew), dam of Japanese stakes winner Silk Phoenix (by Adjudicating) and second dam of 2016 Gran Premio Ciudad de Montevideo (URU-G1) winner Giulia.
Chief's Crown is out of stakes winner Six Crowns, whose full sister Center Court Star is the dam of 1997 Sharp Electronics Cup (SAF-G1) winner Lambent Light (by Capote) and stakes winner Best Star (by Seattle Slew). Six Crowns is also a half sister to Nijinsky Star (by Nijinsky II), dam of Grade 2 winner Revasser (by Riverman), Grade 1-placed listed stakes winner Hometown Queen (by Pleasant Colony), and Group 3-placed French stakes winner Viviana (by Nureyev). Niijinsky Star is also the second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Sightseek, 2003 Yellow Ribbon Stakes (USA-G1) winner Tates Creek, 2003 Prix de la Fôret (FR-G1) winner Etoile Montante, and Grade 2 winner Bowman's Band. In addition, Six Crowns is a half sister to stakes winner Wimbledon Star (by Hoist the Flag), second dam of Chilean Group 2 winner Quiet Call, and to stakes-placed Tournament Star (by Nijinsky II), second dam of Grade 3 winner Delay of Game.
Six Crowns, in turn, is out of 1974 American champion 3-year-old filly Chris Evert (by Swoon's Son x Miss Carmie, by T. V. Lark), whose stakes-winning half sister All Rainbows (by Bold Hour) is the dam of 1988 American champion 3-year-old filly Winning Colors (by Caro) and of stakes-placed All Dance (by Northern Dancer), dam of 2003 Japan Cup (JPN-G1) winner Tap Dance City (by Pleasant Tap), stakes winner Carezza (by Caro), and steeplechase stakes winner Ruling (by Alleged). All Rainbows is also the dam of Minifah (by Nureyev), second dam of French Group 3 winner Indian Maiden. Returning to Chris Evert, she is also a half sister to Barbara Schurgin (by Droll Roll), dam of Grade 3 winner Paristo (by Buckpasser); to Social Column (by Vaguely Noble), dam of English Group 2 winner Two Timing (by Blushing Groom) and stakes winner Liaison (also by Blushing Groom; dam of English stakes winner Lagudin, by Eagle Eyed); and to Charmie Carmie (by Lyphard), dam of Peruvian Group 1 winner Faaz (by Fappiano). In addition, Chris Evert is a half sister to Ann Stuart (by Lyphard), dam of English Group 2 winner Beyton (by Alleged); to Search Committee (by Roberto), dam of multiple stakes winner First Stage (by Relaunch); to Missed the Wedding (by Blushing Groom), dam of 1993 Test Stakes (USA-G1) winner Missed the Storm (by Storm Cat) and multiple Grade 3 winner Green Means Go (by Green Dancer); and to Whisper Who Dares (by Green Dancer), dam of 1998 Frizette Stakes (USA-G1) winner Confessional (by Holy Bull) and stakes winner Gossip (by Pleasant Colony).
Books and media
Chief's Crown's 1985 Triple Crown campaign forms the basis for the narrative of Carol Flake's Tarnished Crown (1987, Doubleday & Company).
Fun facts
Last updated: April 22, 2023
Race record
21 starts, 12 wins, 3 seconds, 3 thirds, US$2,191,168
1984:
- Won Breeders' Cup Juvenile (USA-G1, 8FD, Hollywood)
- Won Norfolk Stakes (USA-G1, 8.5FD, Santa Anita)
- Won Hopeful Stakes (USA-G1, 6.5FD, Saratoga)
- Won Cowdin Stakes (USA-G1, 8FD, Belmont)
- Won Saratoga Special Stakes (USA-G2, 6FD, Saratoga)
- 2nd Futurity Stakes (USA-G1, 7FD, Belmont)
1985:
- Won Marlboro Cup Invitational Handicap (USA-G1, 10FD, Belmont)
- Won Flamingo Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Hialeah)
- Won Travers Stakes (USA-G1, 10FD, Saratoga)
- Won Blue Grass Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Keeneland)
- Won Swale Stakes (USA-L, 7FD, Gulfstream Park)
- 2nd Preakness Stakes (USA-G1, 9.5FD, Pimlico)
- 3rd Belmont Stakes (USA-G1, 12FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Kentucky Derby (USA-G1, 10FD, Churchill Downs)
- 3rd Woodward Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Belmont)
- Also disqualified from a win in the Tell Stakes (USA, 8FT, Saratoga) because of interference and placed 4th.
Honors
Eclipse Award, American champion 2-year-old male (1984)
Assessments
Highweighted at 126 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1984, 1 pound above Saratoga Six.
Ranked third among American 3-year-old males of 1985 at 125 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap, behind Spend a Buck (127) and Proud Truth (126).
As an individual
A correct and well-made bay horse, Chief's Crown bore a strong resemblance to his sire Danzig but was leggier. He was short-coupled with a strong body and powerful hindquarters. He stood 15.3½ hands. A versatile runner, he could press the pace or lay back off it as his jockey asked.
As a stallion
According to records maintained by The Jockey Club, Chief's Crown sired 366 winners (60.0%) and 47 stakes winners (7.7%) from 610 named foals. In his book Foundation Mares: How Outstanding Female Families Shaped America's Breeding Industry (2008, Thoroughbred Times Books), John Sparkman credits Chief's Crown with 53 stakes winners (8.7%). Chief's Crown is an Intermediate/Solid chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system. A versatile stallion, he got major winners on all surfaces and sired both top juveniles and top stayers. His colts were decidedly better than his fillies.
Sire rankings
Per The Blood-Horse:
- Led the American freshman sire list in 1989.
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- 8th on the American general sire list in 1997.
- 2nd on the combined English/Irish general sire list in 1994.
- 9th on the Japanese broodmare sire list in 2000.
Per the Jockey Club of Turkey (https://www.tjk.org/EN/YarisSever/YarisSever/Index):
- 7th on the Turkish broodmare sire list in 1999.
Notable progeny
Azzaam (USA), Be My Chief (USA), Charming City (AUS), Chief Bearhart (CAN), Chief Honcho (USA), Erhaab (USA), Grand Lodge (USA), Istidaad (USA), Mukafaah (USA), Stormy Crown T (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Agnes Digital (USA), Eddington (USA), Excellent Meeting (USA), Giovane Imperatore (GB), Scorpion (USA), Sunshine Street (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Chief's Crown was bred by Carl Rosen, who died when the colt was a yearling. Trained by Roger Laurin, Chief's Crown initially raced in the name of Carl Rosen's son Andrew; following his win in the Hopeful Stakes, he raced in the name of the Rosen family's Star Crown Stable. Prior to the Breeders' Cup, Three Chimneys Farm acquired a half interest in Chief's Crown (which the farm syndicated for US$500,000 a share), and Claiborne Farm acquired a quarter interest at the colt's retirement. Chief's Crown entered stud in Kentucky in 1986 at Three Chimneys Farm. He shuttled to Australia for two Southern Hemisphere seasons. The stallion fractured a patella in a paddock accident on April 24, 1997, and underwent repair surgery but compounded the initial fracture five days later, necessitating his humane destruction.
Pedigree notes
Chief's Crown is inbred 4x5 to two-time English/Irish champion sire Nearco, an unbeaten champion on the race course. He is a full brother to Sister Crown, second dam of Grade 2 winner Bourbon Courage. He is a half brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Classic Crown, second dam of Japanese Group 2 winner Reach the Crown and Japanese Group 3 winner A Shin G Line. He is also a half brother to Jeweled Crown (by Seattle Slew), dam of Japanese stakes winner Silk Phoenix (by Adjudicating) and second dam of 2016 Gran Premio Ciudad de Montevideo (URU-G1) winner Giulia.
Chief's Crown is out of stakes winner Six Crowns, whose full sister Center Court Star is the dam of 1997 Sharp Electronics Cup (SAF-G1) winner Lambent Light (by Capote) and stakes winner Best Star (by Seattle Slew). Six Crowns is also a half sister to Nijinsky Star (by Nijinsky II), dam of Grade 2 winner Revasser (by Riverman), Grade 1-placed listed stakes winner Hometown Queen (by Pleasant Colony), and Group 3-placed French stakes winner Viviana (by Nureyev). Niijinsky Star is also the second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Sightseek, 2003 Yellow Ribbon Stakes (USA-G1) winner Tates Creek, 2003 Prix de la Fôret (FR-G1) winner Etoile Montante, and Grade 2 winner Bowman's Band. In addition, Six Crowns is a half sister to stakes winner Wimbledon Star (by Hoist the Flag), second dam of Chilean Group 2 winner Quiet Call, and to stakes-placed Tournament Star (by Nijinsky II), second dam of Grade 3 winner Delay of Game.
Six Crowns, in turn, is out of 1974 American champion 3-year-old filly Chris Evert (by Swoon's Son x Miss Carmie, by T. V. Lark), whose stakes-winning half sister All Rainbows (by Bold Hour) is the dam of 1988 American champion 3-year-old filly Winning Colors (by Caro) and of stakes-placed All Dance (by Northern Dancer), dam of 2003 Japan Cup (JPN-G1) winner Tap Dance City (by Pleasant Tap), stakes winner Carezza (by Caro), and steeplechase stakes winner Ruling (by Alleged). All Rainbows is also the dam of Minifah (by Nureyev), second dam of French Group 3 winner Indian Maiden. Returning to Chris Evert, she is also a half sister to Barbara Schurgin (by Droll Roll), dam of Grade 3 winner Paristo (by Buckpasser); to Social Column (by Vaguely Noble), dam of English Group 2 winner Two Timing (by Blushing Groom) and stakes winner Liaison (also by Blushing Groom; dam of English stakes winner Lagudin, by Eagle Eyed); and to Charmie Carmie (by Lyphard), dam of Peruvian Group 1 winner Faaz (by Fappiano). In addition, Chris Evert is a half sister to Ann Stuart (by Lyphard), dam of English Group 2 winner Beyton (by Alleged); to Search Committee (by Roberto), dam of multiple stakes winner First Stage (by Relaunch); to Missed the Wedding (by Blushing Groom), dam of 1993 Test Stakes (USA-G1) winner Missed the Storm (by Storm Cat) and multiple Grade 3 winner Green Means Go (by Green Dancer); and to Whisper Who Dares (by Green Dancer), dam of 1998 Frizette Stakes (USA-G1) winner Confessional (by Holy Bull) and stakes winner Gossip (by Pleasant Colony).
Books and media
Chief's Crown's 1985 Triple Crown campaign forms the basis for the narrative of Carol Flake's Tarnished Crown (1987, Doubleday & Company).
Fun facts
- Chief's Crown's win in the 1985 Flamingo Stakes (USA-G1) ranks among the more controversial in a major American race in the 1980s, as he was initially disqualified for interference with second-place Proud Truth and then was reinstated when a state review board overturned the stewards' decision.
- Chief's Crown started as the betting favorite for all three 1985 Triple Crown races.
- When Chief's Crown retired to stud, trainer Roger Laurin retired as well, reportedly saying, “He's the horse of a lifetime. It took 30 years to find him, and I can't wait another 30.”
Last updated: April 22, 2023