Johar (USA)
February 28, 1999 – November 10, 2014
Gone West (USA) x Windsharp (USA), by Lear Fan (USA)
Family 5-j
February 28, 1999 – November 10, 2014
Gone West (USA) x Windsharp (USA), by Lear Fan (USA)
Family 5-j
After a series of frustrating losses, Johar came through late in his 3-year-old season with wins in the Oak Tree Derby (USA-G2) and Hollywood Derby (USA-G1). He seemed poised for a possible championship year at age 4 with an opening win in the San Marcos Handicap (USA-G2) but then went to the sidelines for seven months with a shoulder fracture. His comeback was capped by a dramatic dead-heat win in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (USA-G1). The luster of that win was dimmed somewhat by an ignominious 16th-place finish in the Japan Cup (JPN-G1), and he suffered a suspensory injury while in training for a 5-year-old campaign, ending his racing career. He proved disappointing as a stallion, though in fairness his opportunities were affected by the prejudice against turf stayers in the American market.
Race record
16 starts, 6 wins, 4 seconds, 2 thirds, US$1,494,496
2002:
2003:
Honors
Eclipse Award finalist, American champion turf male (2003)
Assessments
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 bay horse, Johar had the good body and strong hind-end conformation of his sire but was more angular in front. He did his best running when coming from off the pace.
As a stallion
According to Jockey Club records, Johar sired 228 winners (54.0%) and 16 stakes winners (3.8%) from 422 named foals of racing age.
Notable progeny
Guiseppina (NZ), Joha (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Johar was bred and owned by Prince Ahmed bin Salman’s The Thoroughbred Corporation. He was trained by Richard Mandella and was ridden to his Breeders’ Cup win by Alex Solis. He entered stud in 2004 in Kentucky at Mill Ridge Farm. In 2006, he shuttled to Highview Stud, New Zealand. Johar died as the result of a paddock accident on November 10, 2014, and was buried next to his sire.
Pedigree notes
Johar is inbred 4x5 to two-time American Horse of the Year Native Dancer, 4x5 to 1955 American Horse of the Year Nashua, 4x5 to 1973 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Somethingroyal, and 4x5 to the important broodmare Mixed Marriage. He is a full brother to Midsummer Fun, dam of multiple restricted stakes winner Cajun Conoseir and second dam of Brazilian Group 2 winners Texport and Unorthodox, and a half brother to 2003 Del Mar Oaks (USA-G1) winner Dessert (by Storm Cat).
Windsharp, the dam of Johar, was the Canadian champion older female and turf mare of 1996. She was the only North American foal produced by the winner Yes She’s Sharp (by Sharpen Up), who was exported to Venezuela in 1992. Yes She’s Sharp is a half sister to Jazz Kitty (by Tom Cat), dam of stakes winner Purple Babe (by J. O. Tobin).
Yes She’s Sharp, in turn is out of 1969 Falls City Handicap winner Yes Sir (by Sir Gaylord). A half sister to five other stakes winners including 1974 Hollywood Invitational Turf Handicap (USA-G1) winner Court Ruling (by Traffic Judge) and 1979 Argentine champion sire Good Manners (by Nashua), Yes Sir is out of 1962 Ramona Handicap winner Fun House (by The Doge), one of four stakes winners produced from the important broodmare Recess (by Count Fleet).
Books and media
A video of Johar’s and High Chaparral’s dead heat in the 2003 Breeders’ Cup Turf can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv_B4dLv-cY.
Fun facts
Last updated: August 24, 2024
Race record
16 starts, 6 wins, 4 seconds, 2 thirds, US$1,494,496
2002:
- Won Hollywood Derby (USA-G1, 9FT, Hollywood)
- Won Oak Tree Derby (USA-G2, 9FT, Santa Anita)
- 2nd Del Mar Derby (USA-G2, 9FT, Del Mar)
- 2nd Will Rogers Stakes (USA-G3, 8FT, Hollywood)
- 2nd Oceanside Stakes (USA-R, 8FT, Del Mar)
- 3rd Cinema Breeders' Cup Handicap (USA-G3, 9FT, Hollywood)
2003:
- Won John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (USA-G1, 12FT, Santa Anita; in dead heat with High Chaparral)
- Won San Marcos Stakes (USA-G2, 10FT, Santa Anita)
- 2nd Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Cup Stakes (USA-G1, 10FT, Santa Anita)
- 3rd Harry F. Brubaker Handicap (USA-R, 8.5FT, Del Mar)
Honors
Eclipse Award finalist, American champion turf male (2003)
Assessments
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 bay horse, Johar had the good body and strong hind-end conformation of his sire but was more angular in front. He did his best running when coming from off the pace.
As a stallion
According to Jockey Club records, Johar sired 228 winners (54.0%) and 16 stakes winners (3.8%) from 422 named foals of racing age.
Notable progeny
Guiseppina (NZ), Joha (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Johar was bred and owned by Prince Ahmed bin Salman’s The Thoroughbred Corporation. He was trained by Richard Mandella and was ridden to his Breeders’ Cup win by Alex Solis. He entered stud in 2004 in Kentucky at Mill Ridge Farm. In 2006, he shuttled to Highview Stud, New Zealand. Johar died as the result of a paddock accident on November 10, 2014, and was buried next to his sire.
Pedigree notes
Johar is inbred 4x5 to two-time American Horse of the Year Native Dancer, 4x5 to 1955 American Horse of the Year Nashua, 4x5 to 1973 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Somethingroyal, and 4x5 to the important broodmare Mixed Marriage. He is a full brother to Midsummer Fun, dam of multiple restricted stakes winner Cajun Conoseir and second dam of Brazilian Group 2 winners Texport and Unorthodox, and a half brother to 2003 Del Mar Oaks (USA-G1) winner Dessert (by Storm Cat).
Windsharp, the dam of Johar, was the Canadian champion older female and turf mare of 1996. She was the only North American foal produced by the winner Yes She’s Sharp (by Sharpen Up), who was exported to Venezuela in 1992. Yes She’s Sharp is a half sister to Jazz Kitty (by Tom Cat), dam of stakes winner Purple Babe (by J. O. Tobin).
Yes She’s Sharp, in turn is out of 1969 Falls City Handicap winner Yes Sir (by Sir Gaylord). A half sister to five other stakes winners including 1974 Hollywood Invitational Turf Handicap (USA-G1) winner Court Ruling (by Traffic Judge) and 1979 Argentine champion sire Good Manners (by Nashua), Yes Sir is out of 1962 Ramona Handicap winner Fun House (by The Doge), one of four stakes winners produced from the important broodmare Recess (by Count Fleet).
Books and media
A video of Johar’s and High Chaparral’s dead heat in the 2003 Breeders’ Cup Turf can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv_B4dLv-cY.
Fun facts
- “Johar,” meaning “salutation and welcome,” is a greeting used within the tribal communities of Jharkand, a state of eastern India.
- Johar’s victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf was part of a record-breaking day for trainer Richard Mandella, who also took the Juvenile with Action This Day, the Juvenile Fillies with Halfbridled, and the Classic with Pleasantly Perfect.
- Johar’s dead heat with High Chaparral in the Turf was the first (and to date only) dead heat in the history of the Breeders’ Cup. Adding to the excitement of the race, third-place Falbrav finished only a head behind the top pair.
Last updated: August 24, 2024