High Chaparral (IRE)
March 1, 1999 – December 21, 2014
Sadler’s Wells (USA) x Kasora (IRE), by Darshaan (GB)
Family 1-n
March 1, 1999 – December 21, 2014
Sadler’s Wells (USA) x Kasora (IRE), by Darshaan (GB)
Family 1-n
Like the great distaff miler Miesque, High Chaparral earned two turf championships in the United States on the strength of two wins in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (USA-G1). Also a dual Classic winner and multiple highweight in Europe, he was a successful sire in a relatively short stud career. In addition to his Group 1 winners on the flat, he also sired top-level winners under National Hunt rules.
Race record
13 starts, 10 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds, US$5,391,888 (includes converted English, French, and Irish earnings)
2001:
2002:
2003:
Honors
Eclipse Award, American champion turf male (2002, 2003)
Assessments
Rated at 117 pounds on the 2001 International Classifications for European 2-year-old males, 9 pounds below European champion 2-year-old male Johannesburg.
Highweighted among 3-year-old males over 11-14 furlongs in England (2002)
Highweighted among 3-year-old males over 11-14 furlongs in Ireland (2002)
Rated at 126 pounds on the 2002 International Classifications for 3-year-olds, 2 pounds below European Horse of the Year Rock of Gibraltar.
Highweighted among males 4 and up over 9.5-11 furlongs in Ireland (2003).
Rated at 127 pounds in the Long category on the 2003 International Classifications, 6 pounds below overall highweight Hawk Wing (a multiple European highweight whose signature win was in the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes, ENG-G1) and 5 pounds below the top horse in the Long category, European Horse of the Year Dalakhani.
As an individual
A well-balanced bay horse, High Chaparral had a well-sloped shoulder, a muscular body, and powerful hindquarters but was sickle-hocked and slightly light-boned. He stood just over 16 hands. He was an excellent mover at all his paces and had a good turn of foot.
As a stallion
According to Jockey Club records, High Chaparral sired 1104 winners (47.9%) and 134 stakes winners 5.8%) from 2303 named foals of racing age. His colts were generally quicker to mature than his fillies, and his fillies had a reputation in some quarters for being rather difficult.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www,arion.co.nz):
Notable progeny
Ace High (AUS), Altior (IRE), Charmont (AUS), Contributer (IRE), Descarado (NZ), Dundeel (NZ), Enaad (AUS), Fenway (AUS), Free Eagle (IRE), High Jinx (IRE), Hiyaam (NZ), Lucky Lion (GB), Monaco Consul (NZ), Montoya’s Secret (AUS), Ponderosa Miss (NZ), Princess Jenni (NZ), Redwood (GB), Rekindling (GB), Shoot Out (AUS), So You Think (NZ), Tivaci (AUS), Toronado (IRE), Tower Bridges (IRE), Wigmore Hall (IRE), Wrote (IRE), Youngstar (AUS)
Connections
High Chaparral was bred by Sean Coughlan. A 270,000 guinea purchase from the 2000 Tattersalls September yearling sale, he raced for Coolmore associates Michael Tabor and Susan Magnier. He was trained by Aidan O'Brien. He entered stud in Ireland in 2004 at Coolmore Stud in County Tipperary. In 2005, he began shuttling to Windsor Park Stud, New Zealand, where he stood for four Southern Hemisphere seasons. He died during colic surgery on December 21, 2014.
Pedigree notes
High Chaparral is outcrossed through five generations. He is a full brother to 2009 Dante Stakes (ENG-G2) winner Black Bear Island and to Chenchikova, dam of 2020 Prix de Diane (French Oaks, FR-G1) winner Fancy Blue (by Deep Impact) and listed stakes winners Smuggler’s Cove and Casteron (both by Fastnet Rock). High Chaparral is a half brother to Mora Bai (by Indian Ridge), dam of 2011 Beresford Stakes (IRE-G2) winner David Livingston (by Galileo) and 2019 Moonee Valley Gold Cup Stakes (AUS-G2) winner Hunting Horn (by Camelot), and to stakes-placedTreasure the Lady (by Indian Ridge), second dam of Irish Group 3 winner Love Locket. He is also a half brother to Patsy Boyne (by Galileo), dam of 2023 La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte (FR-G3) winner Naranco (by Kingman), and to Let’s Misbehave (by Montjeu), dam of Group 3-placed listed stakes winner Sippinsoda (by War Front).
High Chaparral and his siblings are out of unraced Kasora, whose listed stakes-winning half sister Khanata (by Riverman) is the third dam of 2021 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (USA-G1) winner Shantisara. Kasora is also a half sister to listed stakes winner Kotama (by Shahrastani).
Kozana, the dam of Kasora and her sisters, won the 1985 Prix de Malleret (FR-G2). Sired by two-time English champion miler Kris from 1969 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas) winner Koblenza, by 1954 Irish champion 2-year-old male and 1956 English champion miler Hugh Lupus, Kozana is a half sister to 1983 Prix du Cadran (FR-G1) winner Karkour (by Relko). She is also a half sister to Korinetta (by Petingo), dam of multiple English Group 3 winner Kazaroun (by Alleged), and to Reine de Lenza (by Roi Dagobert), second dam of French Group 3 winner Kouroun
Books and media
A video of High Chaparral’s win in the 2002 Derby Stakes can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBGjBVaRP3g.
Fun facts
Last updated: August 23, 2024
Race record
13 starts, 10 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds, US$5,391,888 (includes converted English, French, and Irish earnings)
2001:
- Won Racing Post Trophy (ENG-G1, 8FT, Doncaster)
2002:
- Won Breeders' Cup Turf (USA-G1, 12FT, Belmont)
- Won Vodafone Derby Stakes (ENG-G1, 12F+10y, Epsom)
- Won Budweiser Irish Derby (IRE-G1, 12FT, The Curragh)
- Won Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes (IRE-G3, 10FT, Leopardstown)
- Won Ballysax Stakes (IRE-L, 10FT, Leopardstown)
- 3rd Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (FR-G1, 2400mT, Longchamp)
2003:
- Won John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (USA-G1, 12FT, SA; dead heat with Johar)
- Won Royal Whip Stakes (IRE-G3, 10FT, The Curragh)
- Won Irish Champion Stakes (IRE-G1, 10FT, Phoenix)
- 3rd Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (FR-G1, 2400mT, Longchamp)
Honors
Eclipse Award, American champion turf male (2002, 2003)
Assessments
Rated at 117 pounds on the 2001 International Classifications for European 2-year-old males, 9 pounds below European champion 2-year-old male Johannesburg.
Highweighted among 3-year-old males over 11-14 furlongs in England (2002)
Highweighted among 3-year-old males over 11-14 furlongs in Ireland (2002)
Rated at 126 pounds on the 2002 International Classifications for 3-year-olds, 2 pounds below European Horse of the Year Rock of Gibraltar.
Highweighted among males 4 and up over 9.5-11 furlongs in Ireland (2003).
Rated at 127 pounds in the Long category on the 2003 International Classifications, 6 pounds below overall highweight Hawk Wing (a multiple European highweight whose signature win was in the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes, ENG-G1) and 5 pounds below the top horse in the Long category, European Horse of the Year Dalakhani.
As an individual
A well-balanced bay horse, High Chaparral had a well-sloped shoulder, a muscular body, and powerful hindquarters but was sickle-hocked and slightly light-boned. He stood just over 16 hands. He was an excellent mover at all his paces and had a good turn of foot.
As a stallion
According to Jockey Club records, High Chaparral sired 1104 winners (47.9%) and 134 stakes winners 5.8%) from 2303 named foals of racing age. His colts were generally quicker to mature than his fillies, and his fillies had a reputation in some quarters for being rather difficult.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www,arion.co.nz):
- 4th on the Australian general sire list in 2017/18; 7th in 2010/11 and 2016/17; 8th in 2018/19; 10th in 2009/10.
- 9th on the English general sire list in 2011.
- 6th on the German general sire list in 2014.
- 3rd on the Irish general sire list in 2011; 9th in 2009.
- Led the Italian broodmare sire list in 2023; 5th in 2022.
- 3rd on the New Zealand broodmare sire list in 2023/24; 6th in 2021/22.
Notable progeny
Ace High (AUS), Altior (IRE), Charmont (AUS), Contributer (IRE), Descarado (NZ), Dundeel (NZ), Enaad (AUS), Fenway (AUS), Free Eagle (IRE), High Jinx (IRE), Hiyaam (NZ), Lucky Lion (GB), Monaco Consul (NZ), Montoya’s Secret (AUS), Ponderosa Miss (NZ), Princess Jenni (NZ), Redwood (GB), Rekindling (GB), Shoot Out (AUS), So You Think (NZ), Tivaci (AUS), Toronado (IRE), Tower Bridges (IRE), Wigmore Hall (IRE), Wrote (IRE), Youngstar (AUS)
Connections
High Chaparral was bred by Sean Coughlan. A 270,000 guinea purchase from the 2000 Tattersalls September yearling sale, he raced for Coolmore associates Michael Tabor and Susan Magnier. He was trained by Aidan O'Brien. He entered stud in Ireland in 2004 at Coolmore Stud in County Tipperary. In 2005, he began shuttling to Windsor Park Stud, New Zealand, where he stood for four Southern Hemisphere seasons. He died during colic surgery on December 21, 2014.
Pedigree notes
High Chaparral is outcrossed through five generations. He is a full brother to 2009 Dante Stakes (ENG-G2) winner Black Bear Island and to Chenchikova, dam of 2020 Prix de Diane (French Oaks, FR-G1) winner Fancy Blue (by Deep Impact) and listed stakes winners Smuggler’s Cove and Casteron (both by Fastnet Rock). High Chaparral is a half brother to Mora Bai (by Indian Ridge), dam of 2011 Beresford Stakes (IRE-G2) winner David Livingston (by Galileo) and 2019 Moonee Valley Gold Cup Stakes (AUS-G2) winner Hunting Horn (by Camelot), and to stakes-placedTreasure the Lady (by Indian Ridge), second dam of Irish Group 3 winner Love Locket. He is also a half brother to Patsy Boyne (by Galileo), dam of 2023 La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte (FR-G3) winner Naranco (by Kingman), and to Let’s Misbehave (by Montjeu), dam of Group 3-placed listed stakes winner Sippinsoda (by War Front).
High Chaparral and his siblings are out of unraced Kasora, whose listed stakes-winning half sister Khanata (by Riverman) is the third dam of 2021 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (USA-G1) winner Shantisara. Kasora is also a half sister to listed stakes winner Kotama (by Shahrastani).
Kozana, the dam of Kasora and her sisters, won the 1985 Prix de Malleret (FR-G2). Sired by two-time English champion miler Kris from 1969 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas) winner Koblenza, by 1954 Irish champion 2-year-old male and 1956 English champion miler Hugh Lupus, Kozana is a half sister to 1983 Prix du Cadran (FR-G1) winner Karkour (by Relko). She is also a half sister to Korinetta (by Petingo), dam of multiple English Group 3 winner Kazaroun (by Alleged), and to Reine de Lenza (by Roi Dagobert), second dam of French Group 3 winner Kouroun
Books and media
A video of High Chaparral’s win in the 2002 Derby Stakes can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBGjBVaRP3g.
Fun facts
- The High Chaparral was a popular Western television series that ran in 1967-1971. Set in the American Southwest of the 1870s, it received highly positive reviews for its realism (including use of Native American and Latino actors for characters of those races, a rare practice at that time) and for its respectful portrayal of Native American and Mexican cultures in their interactions with whites.
- High Chaparral's 2003 dead heat with Johar in the Breeders' Cup Turf was the first (and to date only) dead heat in Breeders' Cup competition. Adding to the excitement of the finish, third-place Falbrav was only a head behind the top pair.
Last updated: August 23, 2024