Coastal (USA)
April 6, 1976 – September 29, 2005
Majestic Prince (USA) x Alluvial (USA), by Buckpasser (USA)
Family 9-f
April 6, 1976 – September 29, 2005
Majestic Prince (USA) x Alluvial (USA), by Buckpasser (USA)
Family 9-f
Coastal would have been a serious championship contender in most years, but he had the misfortune to be born in the same crop as the great Spectacular Bid. He also was not the soundest of horses, suffering a series of physical problems between his juvenile and sophomore seasons. Nonetheless, he proved himself a high-class colt not much if any short of the ability of his younger half-brother, two-time American champion Slew o' Gold, and became the spoiler in Spectacular Bid's Triple Crown attempt. Unfortunately, he was a disappointing stallion, though a few of his daughters did well as broodmares.
Race record
14 starts, 8 wins, 1 second, 3 thirds, US$493,929
1978:
1979:
Assessments
Rated at 113 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1978, 13 pounds below champion Spectacular Bid.
Rated at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-olds of 1979, 4 pounds below champion Spectacular Bid but tied for second with Flying Paster and General Assembly.
As an individual
A handsome chestnut horse standing 16.1 hands, Coastal was upright in his pasterns and was sufficiently incorrect though his legs that he was turned down for the 1977 Keeneland July yearling sale in spite of his fine pedigree. He typically stalked the pace in his races and was indifferent as to track conditions.
As a stallion
According to Jockey Club records, Coastal sired 192 winners (31.5%) and 19 stakes winners (3.1%) from 610 named foals. Unfortunately, many of his foals were too unsound to be of much use.
Notable progeny
Danger's Hour (USA), Little Brianne (USA)
Connections
Coastal was bred in Kentucky by Claiborne Farm. He was owned by William Haggin Perry, who purchased the colt privately after he was turned down by the 1977 Keeneland July yearling sale. He was trained by Frank Whiteley, Jr., at 2 and by David Whiteley at 3. He entered stud in 1980 at Claiborne Farm. Coastal was exported to South Africa in 1988 and remained at stud at Mick Gross' Summerhill Stud until he was pensioned in the spring of 2003. He died of natural causes on September 29, 2005.
Pedigree notes
Coastal is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to two-time American champion Slew o' Gold (by Seattle Slew) and to Dokki (by Northern Dancer), dam of 1995 Hollywood Oaks (USA-G1) winner Sleep Easy (by Seattle Slew) and multiple Grade 1 winner Aptitude (by A.P. Indy) and third dam of 2015 Knob Creek Manhattan Stakes (USA-G1) winner Slumber. Coastal is also a half brother to Dancing Detente (by Nijinsky II), second dam of Grade 2 winner State of Play and third dam of South African Group 3 winner Addictive, and to Northabout (by Northern Dancer), second dam of three-time Peruvian champion grass horse Tunelero and Grade 2 winner Lattice. Northaout is also the third dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Real Solution and Grade 2 winners Sign and Vexed.
Coastal's dam Alluvial is an unraced half sister to the good stakes mare Batteur (by Bold Ruler), dam of 1977 Illinois Derby (USA-G3) winner Flag Officer (by Hoist the Flag) and second dam of 1980 Turf Classic Invitational Handicap (USA-G1) winner Anifa. Alluvial is also a half sister to Slew (by Bold Ruler), dam of 1987 Flower Bowl Handicap (USA-G1) winner Slew's Exceller (by Exceller); to Bayou Blue (by Bold Ruler), second dam of Grade 3 winner Country Light; and to Pampas Miss, second dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Sixieme Sens and Spanish Group 3 winner Mdudu. Coastal's second dam is 1957 American champion 3-year-old filly Bayou (by Hill Prince), a full or half sister to four other stakes winners including Kentucky Broodmares of the Year Delta (1968) and Levee (1970).
Books and media
Fun facts
Last updated: May 25, 2024
Race record
14 starts, 8 wins, 1 second, 3 thirds, US$493,929
1978:
- Won Tyro Stakes (second division) (USA, 5.5FD, Monmouth)
1979:
- Won Belmont Stakes (USA-G1, 12FD, Belmont)
- Won Monmouth Invitational Handicap (USA-G1, 9FD, Monmouth)
- Won Dwyer Stakes (USA-G2, 9FD, Belmont)
- Won Peter Pan Stakes (USA-G3, 9FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Woodward Stakes (USA-G1, 10FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Jockey Club Gold Cup (USA-G1, 12FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Marlboro Cup Handicap (USA-G1, 10FD, Belmont)
Assessments
Rated at 113 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1978, 13 pounds below champion Spectacular Bid.
Rated at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-olds of 1979, 4 pounds below champion Spectacular Bid but tied for second with Flying Paster and General Assembly.
As an individual
A handsome chestnut horse standing 16.1 hands, Coastal was upright in his pasterns and was sufficiently incorrect though his legs that he was turned down for the 1977 Keeneland July yearling sale in spite of his fine pedigree. He typically stalked the pace in his races and was indifferent as to track conditions.
As a stallion
According to Jockey Club records, Coastal sired 192 winners (31.5%) and 19 stakes winners (3.1%) from 610 named foals. Unfortunately, many of his foals were too unsound to be of much use.
Notable progeny
Danger's Hour (USA), Little Brianne (USA)
Connections
Coastal was bred in Kentucky by Claiborne Farm. He was owned by William Haggin Perry, who purchased the colt privately after he was turned down by the 1977 Keeneland July yearling sale. He was trained by Frank Whiteley, Jr., at 2 and by David Whiteley at 3. He entered stud in 1980 at Claiborne Farm. Coastal was exported to South Africa in 1988 and remained at stud at Mick Gross' Summerhill Stud until he was pensioned in the spring of 2003. He died of natural causes on September 29, 2005.
Pedigree notes
Coastal is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to two-time American champion Slew o' Gold (by Seattle Slew) and to Dokki (by Northern Dancer), dam of 1995 Hollywood Oaks (USA-G1) winner Sleep Easy (by Seattle Slew) and multiple Grade 1 winner Aptitude (by A.P. Indy) and third dam of 2015 Knob Creek Manhattan Stakes (USA-G1) winner Slumber. Coastal is also a half brother to Dancing Detente (by Nijinsky II), second dam of Grade 2 winner State of Play and third dam of South African Group 3 winner Addictive, and to Northabout (by Northern Dancer), second dam of three-time Peruvian champion grass horse Tunelero and Grade 2 winner Lattice. Northaout is also the third dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Real Solution and Grade 2 winners Sign and Vexed.
Coastal's dam Alluvial is an unraced half sister to the good stakes mare Batteur (by Bold Ruler), dam of 1977 Illinois Derby (USA-G3) winner Flag Officer (by Hoist the Flag) and second dam of 1980 Turf Classic Invitational Handicap (USA-G1) winner Anifa. Alluvial is also a half sister to Slew (by Bold Ruler), dam of 1987 Flower Bowl Handicap (USA-G1) winner Slew's Exceller (by Exceller); to Bayou Blue (by Bold Ruler), second dam of Grade 3 winner Country Light; and to Pampas Miss, second dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Sixieme Sens and Spanish Group 3 winner Mdudu. Coastal's second dam is 1957 American champion 3-year-old filly Bayou (by Hill Prince), a full or half sister to four other stakes winners including Kentucky Broodmares of the Year Delta (1968) and Levee (1970).
Books and media
- Coastal is profiled in Chapter 10 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
- Footage of Coastal’s win in the 1979 Belmont Stakes can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVSOpPmjG6U.
Fun facts
- Coastal was supplemented to the 1979 Belmont Stakes (USA-G1) at a cost of US$20,000 following his 13-length victory in the Peter Pan Stakes (USA-G3). His Belmont victory made him the first supplemental entry to win the race.
- While at stud in South Africa, Coastal became extremely fond of Guinness, an Irish stout that was given as a tonic.
Last updated: May 25, 2024