A brilliant juvenile, Johannesburg emulated Arazi by winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (USA-G1) and becoming a champion in both Europe and the United States after undefeated seasons at 2. Unfortunately, he also emulated Arazi at 3 by proving a huge disappointment as a sophomore (including a bad defeat in the Kentucky Derby, USA-G1) and by having an inconsistent stud career. Nonetheless, he has had his moments at stud, including a freshman sire title in 2006, and got a stallion better than himself in Scat Daddy, a champion stallion in Chile and a rapidly rising sire in the United States until his premature death in 2015.
Race record
10 starts, 7 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds, US$1,104,585 (includes converted earnings from England, France and Ireland)
2001:
2002:
Honors
Assessments
Johannesburg topped the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 2001 with 126 pounds, 2 pounds above second-rated Siphonic. He was also the highweighted 2-year-old male of 2001 in England, France and Ireland.
As an individual
A bay horse, Johannesburg has an excellent shoulder and strong hindquarters. His hocks are somewhat out behind him and he stands higher at the point of his hips than at his withers. He was an excellent mover on the track.
As a stallion
Johannesburg was the American champion freshman sire of 2006 according to Thoroughbred Times; he was second on The Blood-Horse's list and was also second on The Blood-Horse's second-crop sire list in 2007. As of June 3, 2022, he has sired 70 stakes winners according to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
Notable progeny
Bamba Jane (ARG), Grand Daddy (USA), Juhayna (ARG), Once Were Wild (AUS), Sageburg (IRE), Scat Daddy (USA), Strapping Groom (USA), Turffontein (AUS)
Notable progeny of daughters
Basin (USA), Collected (USA), Gaming (USA), Going to Vegas (USA), Niño Guapo (ARG), Olivia do Iguassu (BRZ), Rattle N Roll (USA), Seventh Heaven (IRE), Swiss Skydiver (USA), Wandack (CHI)
Connections
Foaled at Ashview Farm in Kentucky, Johannesburg was bred by Wayne G. Lyster III and Jayeff “B” Stables (the nom de course of Richard Santulli and George Prussin). He raced for Coolmore associated Michael Tabor and Susan Magnier, who acquired the colt for US$200,000 from the 2000 Keeneland September yearling sale after he had sold to Chestnut Hill Farm for US$240,000 at the 1999 Keeneland November mixed sale. He was trained by Aidan O'Brien. He entered stud in Kentucky in 2003 at Ashford Stud. In 2010, he transferred to Shizunai Stallion Station in Japan. He also shuttled to Australia and Argentina while at Ashford.
Pedigree notes
Johannesburg is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to Show Me the Roses (by Hennessy's sire Storm Cat), second dam of Grade 2 winner Stanford.
Myth, the dam of Johannesburg, is a winning half sister to 2000 English and Irish champion 2-year-old male Minardi (by Boundary), Grade 2 winner and successful sire Tale of the Cat (by Storm Cat), and restricted stakes winner Spunoutacontrol (by Wild Again). The last-named mare is the dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Fed Biz (by Giant's Causeway) and restricted stakes winner Spun Silk (by A.P. Indy); the second dam of four stakes winners including 2016 Vosburgh Stakes (USA-G1) winner Joking; and the third dam of Grade 2 winner Red Carpet Ready. Myth is also a half sister to Castanea (by Horse Chestnut), second dam of Grade 3 winner Untrapped.
Myth and her siblings are out of the Mr. Prospector mare Yarn, whose full sister Preach won the 1991 Frizette Stakes (USA-G1) before producing multiple Grade 2 winner and successful sire Pulpit (by A.P. Indy) and stakes producers Tell It (by Storm Cat), Orate (by A.P. Indy) and Convent (by A.P. Indy). Yarn and Preach, in turn, are out of the Honest Pleasure mare Narrate, winner of the 1983 Falls City Handicap (USA-G3) and a half sister to Grade 2 winner Region (by Devil's Bag), Grade 3 winners Announce (by Forty Niner) and Double Feint (by Spectacular Bid), and listed stakes winner Dibs (by Spectacular Bid; dam of Grade 2 winner Simmard, by Dixieland Band, and multiple French stakes winner Le Carre, by Miswaki). The female line traces back to 1959 Arlington Lassie Stakes winner Monarchy, a full sister to the great Round Table.
Fun facts
Photo credit
Photo taken by Jessica Morgan in 2008 at Ashford Stud. Used by permission.
Last updated: September 9, 2024
Race record
10 starts, 7 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds, US$1,104,585 (includes converted earnings from England, France and Ireland)
2001:
- Won Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (USA-G1, 8.5, Belmont)
- Won Prix Morny (FR-G1, 1200mT, Deauville)
- Won Middle Park Stakes (ENG-G1, 6FT, Newmarket)
- Won Phoenix Stakes (IRE-G1, 6FT, Leopardstown)
- Won Norfolk Stakes (ENG-G3, 1000mT, Ascot)
- Won Anglesey Stakes (IRE-G3, 6f+63yT, The Curragh)
2002:
- 2nd Gladness Stakes (IRE-G3, 7FT, The Curragh)
Honors
- Cartier Award, European champion 2-year-old male (2001)
- Eclipse Award, American champion 2-year-old male (2001)
- Eclipse Award finalist, American Horse of the Year (2001)
Assessments
Johannesburg topped the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 2001 with 126 pounds, 2 pounds above second-rated Siphonic. He was also the highweighted 2-year-old male of 2001 in England, France and Ireland.
As an individual
A bay horse, Johannesburg has an excellent shoulder and strong hindquarters. His hocks are somewhat out behind him and he stands higher at the point of his hips than at his withers. He was an excellent mover on the track.
As a stallion
Johannesburg was the American champion freshman sire of 2006 according to Thoroughbred Times; he was second on The Blood-Horse's list and was also second on The Blood-Horse's second-crop sire list in 2007. As of June 3, 2022, he has sired 70 stakes winners according to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
- 10th on the Irish broodmare sire list in 2016.
Notable progeny
Bamba Jane (ARG), Grand Daddy (USA), Juhayna (ARG), Once Were Wild (AUS), Sageburg (IRE), Scat Daddy (USA), Strapping Groom (USA), Turffontein (AUS)
Notable progeny of daughters
Basin (USA), Collected (USA), Gaming (USA), Going to Vegas (USA), Niño Guapo (ARG), Olivia do Iguassu (BRZ), Rattle N Roll (USA), Seventh Heaven (IRE), Swiss Skydiver (USA), Wandack (CHI)
Connections
Foaled at Ashview Farm in Kentucky, Johannesburg was bred by Wayne G. Lyster III and Jayeff “B” Stables (the nom de course of Richard Santulli and George Prussin). He raced for Coolmore associated Michael Tabor and Susan Magnier, who acquired the colt for US$200,000 from the 2000 Keeneland September yearling sale after he had sold to Chestnut Hill Farm for US$240,000 at the 1999 Keeneland November mixed sale. He was trained by Aidan O'Brien. He entered stud in Kentucky in 2003 at Ashford Stud. In 2010, he transferred to Shizunai Stallion Station in Japan. He also shuttled to Australia and Argentina while at Ashford.
Pedigree notes
Johannesburg is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to Show Me the Roses (by Hennessy's sire Storm Cat), second dam of Grade 2 winner Stanford.
Myth, the dam of Johannesburg, is a winning half sister to 2000 English and Irish champion 2-year-old male Minardi (by Boundary), Grade 2 winner and successful sire Tale of the Cat (by Storm Cat), and restricted stakes winner Spunoutacontrol (by Wild Again). The last-named mare is the dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Fed Biz (by Giant's Causeway) and restricted stakes winner Spun Silk (by A.P. Indy); the second dam of four stakes winners including 2016 Vosburgh Stakes (USA-G1) winner Joking; and the third dam of Grade 2 winner Red Carpet Ready. Myth is also a half sister to Castanea (by Horse Chestnut), second dam of Grade 3 winner Untrapped.
Myth and her siblings are out of the Mr. Prospector mare Yarn, whose full sister Preach won the 1991 Frizette Stakes (USA-G1) before producing multiple Grade 2 winner and successful sire Pulpit (by A.P. Indy) and stakes producers Tell It (by Storm Cat), Orate (by A.P. Indy) and Convent (by A.P. Indy). Yarn and Preach, in turn, are out of the Honest Pleasure mare Narrate, winner of the 1983 Falls City Handicap (USA-G3) and a half sister to Grade 2 winner Region (by Devil's Bag), Grade 3 winners Announce (by Forty Niner) and Double Feint (by Spectacular Bid), and listed stakes winner Dibs (by Spectacular Bid; dam of Grade 2 winner Simmard, by Dixieland Band, and multiple French stakes winner Le Carre, by Miswaki). The female line traces back to 1959 Arlington Lassie Stakes winner Monarchy, a full sister to the great Round Table.
Fun facts
- Johannesburg is named for the largest city in South Africa.
- Johannesburg won one Grade or Group 1 race in each of the four countries he raced in.
- Johannesburg was the first horse to top the juvenile rankings in four different countries.
Photo credit
Photo taken by Jessica Morgan in 2008 at Ashford Stud. Used by permission.
Last updated: September 9, 2024