Frost King (CAN)
May 1, 1978 – November 1993
Ruritania (USA) x Native Flower (USA), by Restless Native (USA)
Family 1-o
May 1, 1978 – November 1993
Ruritania (USA) x Native Flower (USA), by Restless Native (USA)
Family 1-o
Named for the brand name of a refrigerator found discarded near his breeder-owner’s farm, Frost King could not find a buyer twice as a young horse. His owner’s seeming ill fortune turned into a great stroke of luck as the gelding became a wildly popular and successful racer in his native Canada. He won half of his 52 starts in North America, earned four Canadian championships, and gained respect at the international level in 1981 with a fine second-place finish in the inaugural Japan Cup (JPN-G1), beaten only a length. As a gelding, he had no opportunity to contribute to future generations.
Race record
55 starts, 26 wins, 10 seconds, 3 thirds, US$1,183,260 (includes an approximate conversion of earnings and bonuses from Japan)
1980:
1981:
1982:
1983:
Honors
Assessments
Rated at 122 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for juveniles of 1980, 2 pounds below champion Bayford.
Highweighted at 126 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for 3-year-old males of 1981, 1 pounds above second-rated Classic Go Go and Rambling Native.
Rated at 123 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for turf males of 1981, 4 pounds below champion Ben Fab.
Highweighted at 133 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for older males of 1982, 7 pounds above second-rated Great Gladiator.
Highweighted at 134 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for turf males of 1982, 8 pounds above second-rated Runaway Groom.
Rated at 120 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American-raced turf males of 1982, 8 pounds below champion Perrault.
Rated at 129 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for older males of 1983, 1 pound below divisional champion and Canadian Horse of the Year Travelling Victor.
Rated at 124 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for turf horses of 1983, 6 pounds below highweighted Nijinsky’s Secret but third overall.
Rated at 121 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American-raced older males of 1983, 3 pounds below champion Bates Motel.
As an individual
A big, robust, flashy-looking gray gelding (officially registered as roan), Frost King was tough, durable, and versatile. He won stakes races at distances from 6.5 furlongs to 12 furlongs, handled both dirt and turf with aplomb, and was a good weight carrier who won with up to 132 pounds. He was also a good shipper who often napped in transit. His only fault as a racehorse was that he tended to loaf after hitting the lead. He was forced into retirement by a torn suspensory ligament in an ankle as a 5-year-old.
Connections
Foaled in Ontario, Frost King was bred and owned by Ted Smith, who co-owned the gelding with trainer Bill Marko. Frost King’s regular pilot was Lloyd Duffy. Following his retirement from racing, Frost King lived at Marko’s farm until November 1993, when the horse put his left foreleg through a gate, shattered the limb in his attempts to free himself, and was euthanized.
Pedigree notes
Sired by 1972 Manhattan Handicap winner Ruritania (by Graustark), Frost King is inbred 5x4 to three-time Australian champion sire and two-time New Zealand champion sire Beau Pere. He is a half brother to the minor stakes winner Cool Flower (by Cool Moon).
Frost King was produced from unraced Native Flower, a daughter of the useful Native Dancer horse Restless Native. She, in turn, is out of the winner Valerie J. (by 1951 Santa Anita Maturity winner Great Circle, by Beau Pere), whose stakes-winning half sister Faultless Maid (by Faultless) is the second dam of Grade 2 winner Creme Wave.
The next dam in Frost King’s tail-female line is Apache Squaw, a winning daughter of 1942 Remsen Handicap winner Blue Swords and a half sister to 1957 Mexican Horse of the Year Asombro (by Sun Again). Produced from the Pharamond II mare Dear Virginia, Apache Squaw is also a half sister to 1950 Arlington Lassie Stakes winner Shawnee Squaw (by Burg-El-Arab), second dam of 1961 Mexican champion 3-year-old male Mi Azabache and 1972 Puerto Rican champion imported 2-year-old filly Ineabelle. In addition, Apache Squaw is a half sister to stakes winner Gary Dear (by Sun Again) and to Surf Spray (by Faultless), dam of stakes winner Moral Suasion (by Reneged). Finally, Apache Squaw is a half sister to Bonny Busher (by Mr. Busher), second dam of 1975 Delaware Oaks (USA-G1) winner Let Me Linger and 1966 Saranac Handicap winner Alexville.
Fun facts
Last updated: March 12, 2026
Race record
55 starts, 26 wins, 10 seconds, 3 thirds, US$1,183,260 (includes an approximate conversion of earnings and bonuses from Japan)
1980:
- Won Winnipeg Futurity (CAN-R, 6FD, Assiniboia Downs)
- Won Cup and Saucer Stakes (CAN-R, 9FT, Woodbine)
- 2nd Vandal Stakes (CAN, 6.5FD, Fort Erie)
- 2nd Coronation Futurity (CAN-R, 9FD, Woodbine)
1981:
- Won Toronto Cup Stakes (CAN, 8.5FT, Woodbine)
- Won Canadian Derby (CAN, 11FD, Northlands Park)
- Won Col. R. S. McLaughlin Stakes. (CAN, 9.5FD, Woodbine)
- Won Queenston Stakes (CAN-R, 7FD, Woodbine)
- Won Bunty Lawless Stakes (CAN-R, 8FT, Woodbine)
- Won Plate Trial Stakes (CAN-R, 9FD, Woodbine)
- Won Achievement Handicap (CAN-R, 7FD, Greenwood)
- 2nd Japan Cup (JPN-G1, 2400mT, Tokyo)
- 2nd Breeders' Stakes (CAN-R, 12FT, Woodbine)
- 2nd Alberta Derby (CAN-R, 9FD, Stampede Park)
- 3rd Queen's Plate (CAN-R, 10FD, Woodbine)
1982:
- Won Eclipse Handicap (CAN, 8.5FD, Woodbine)
- Won National Jockey Club Handicap (USA, 9FD, Sportsman’s Park)
- Won Jockey Club Cup Handicap (CAN, 10FT, Woodbine)
- Won Jacques Cartier Stakes (CAN-R, 7FD, Greenwood)
- Won Connaught Cup Stakes (CAN-R, 8.5FT, Woodbine)
- Won Canadian Maturity Stakes (CAN-R, 10FT, Woodbine)
- Won Bold Venture Handicap (CAN, 6.5FD, Greenwood)
- Won Bunty Lawless Stakes (CAN-R, 8FT, Woodbine)
- 2nd Dominion Day Handicap (CAN-G3, 9FD, Woodbine)
- 3rd Massachusetts Handicap (USA-G3, 9FD, Suffolk Downs)
1983:
- Won Dominion Day H. (CAN-G3, 10FD, Woodbine)
- Won Fayette Handicap (USA-G3, 9FD, Keeneland)
- Won Eclipse Stakes (CAN-L, 8.5FD, Woodbine)
- Won Speed to Spare Championship Stakes (CAN-L, 11FD, Northlands Park; new track record 2:16-1/5)
- 2nd Michigan Mile and One-Eighth Handicap (USA-G2, 9FD, Detroit)
- 2nd Jacques Cartier Handicap (CAN-R, 7FD, Greenwood)
- 3rd Bunty Lawless Stakes (CAN-R, 8FT, Woodbine)
Honors
- Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 1986)
- Sovereign Award, Canadian Horse of the Year (1982)
- Sovereign Award, Canadian champion 3-year-old male (1981)
- Sovereign Award, Canadian champion older male (1982)
- Sovereign Award, Canadian champion grass male (1982)
Assessments
Rated at 122 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for juveniles of 1980, 2 pounds below champion Bayford.
Highweighted at 126 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for 3-year-old males of 1981, 1 pounds above second-rated Classic Go Go and Rambling Native.
Rated at 123 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for turf males of 1981, 4 pounds below champion Ben Fab.
Highweighted at 133 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for older males of 1982, 7 pounds above second-rated Great Gladiator.
Highweighted at 134 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for turf males of 1982, 8 pounds above second-rated Runaway Groom.
Rated at 120 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American-raced turf males of 1982, 8 pounds below champion Perrault.
Rated at 129 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for older males of 1983, 1 pound below divisional champion and Canadian Horse of the Year Travelling Victor.
Rated at 124 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for turf horses of 1983, 6 pounds below highweighted Nijinsky’s Secret but third overall.
Rated at 121 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American-raced older males of 1983, 3 pounds below champion Bates Motel.
As an individual
A big, robust, flashy-looking gray gelding (officially registered as roan), Frost King was tough, durable, and versatile. He won stakes races at distances from 6.5 furlongs to 12 furlongs, handled both dirt and turf with aplomb, and was a good weight carrier who won with up to 132 pounds. He was also a good shipper who often napped in transit. His only fault as a racehorse was that he tended to loaf after hitting the lead. He was forced into retirement by a torn suspensory ligament in an ankle as a 5-year-old.
Connections
Foaled in Ontario, Frost King was bred and owned by Ted Smith, who co-owned the gelding with trainer Bill Marko. Frost King’s regular pilot was Lloyd Duffy. Following his retirement from racing, Frost King lived at Marko’s farm until November 1993, when the horse put his left foreleg through a gate, shattered the limb in his attempts to free himself, and was euthanized.
Pedigree notes
Sired by 1972 Manhattan Handicap winner Ruritania (by Graustark), Frost King is inbred 5x4 to three-time Australian champion sire and two-time New Zealand champion sire Beau Pere. He is a half brother to the minor stakes winner Cool Flower (by Cool Moon).
Frost King was produced from unraced Native Flower, a daughter of the useful Native Dancer horse Restless Native. She, in turn, is out of the winner Valerie J. (by 1951 Santa Anita Maturity winner Great Circle, by Beau Pere), whose stakes-winning half sister Faultless Maid (by Faultless) is the second dam of Grade 2 winner Creme Wave.
The next dam in Frost King’s tail-female line is Apache Squaw, a winning daughter of 1942 Remsen Handicap winner Blue Swords and a half sister to 1957 Mexican Horse of the Year Asombro (by Sun Again). Produced from the Pharamond II mare Dear Virginia, Apache Squaw is also a half sister to 1950 Arlington Lassie Stakes winner Shawnee Squaw (by Burg-El-Arab), second dam of 1961 Mexican champion 3-year-old male Mi Azabache and 1972 Puerto Rican champion imported 2-year-old filly Ineabelle. In addition, Apache Squaw is a half sister to stakes winner Gary Dear (by Sun Again) and to Surf Spray (by Faultless), dam of stakes winner Moral Suasion (by Reneged). Finally, Apache Squaw is a half sister to Bonny Busher (by Mr. Busher), second dam of 1975 Delaware Oaks (USA-G1) winner Let Me Linger and 1966 Saranac Handicap winner Alexville.
Fun facts
- Frost King gained the nickname of the “Travelin’ Man” for the mileage he logged during his four years on the track. His adoring fans also called him “The Forego of Canada.”
- At the time of his retirement, Frost King was the second-leading earner among Canadian-breds, trailing only Kentucky Derby winner Sunny’s Halo.
- Ted Smith actually tried to sell Frost King twice, once as a weanling at the 1979 Keeneland November mixed sale and once as a yearling at the 1980 Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society sale. Both times, Frost King failed to make his reserve of US$10,000.
- Frost King became the namesake for a stakes race for Ontario-bred Thoroughbreds at Woodbine.
Last updated: March 12, 2026