Lost in the Fog (USA)
February 4, 2002 – September 17, 2006
Lost Soldier (USA) x Cloud Break (USA), by Dr. Carter (USA)
Family 19-b
February 4, 2002 – September 17, 2006
Lost Soldier (USA) x Cloud Break (USA), by Dr. Carter (USA)
Family 19-b
The greatest popular hero to come out of Northern California since Seabiscuit, Lost in the Fog burst onto the racing scene of 2005 like a meteor, winning eight sprint stakes that year and coming into the TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint (USA-G1) as an unbeaten favorite. To everyone's shock, he faded rapidly in the stretch and finished out of the money. The reason why became tragically apparent after a brief comeback attempt in 2006. After examination for what was thought to be colic in August 2006, Lost in the Fog was diagnosed with terminal cancer, which doctors estimated had been growing for as much as a year. Chemotherapy, steroids and holistic therapies failed to provide any lasting relief, and the colt was humanely destroyed, leaving only the memory of his brilliance behind.
Race record
14 starts, 11 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds, US$978,099
2004:
2005:
2006:
Honors
As an individual
A powerfully made dark bay or brown colt with a deep girth and strong hindquarters, Lost in the Fog possessed tremendous charisma. He was an excellent shipper, making three trips to Florida and four to New York during his sophomore season without turning a hair.
Connections
Foaled in Florida, Lost in the Fog was bred by Susan Seper, who sold him for US$13,000 as a weanling at the 2002 Keeneland November mixed sale. Resold at the 2003 Ocala Breeders' Sales August yearling sale, he was purchased by Karen and Greg Dodd for US$48,000 from the consignment of their friend Kelli Mitchell. After failing to make a reserve of US$195,000 on him at the 2004 OBS March sale of 2-year-olds in training, the Dodds sold the colt privately to Harry Aleo for US$140,000. As Lost in the Fog's win streak continued, Aleo refused offers reported to be as much as US$12 million for him. Lost in the Fog was trained by Greg Gilchrist throughout his career.
On August 6, 2006, Lost in the Fog was taken to the University of California-Davis veterinary school with what was believed to be colic. Palpation revealed a displacement of the spleen with a suspected mass and testing confirmed the presence of a lymphoma. Testing on August 18, 2006, revealed that the colt's condition was terminal with additional masses being found just under the spine and just outside the spleen. Lost in the Fog was humanely destroyed September 17, 2006. He was cremated and his ashes were encased in an urn decorated in Harry Aleo's racing colors that remains in Gilchrist's possession.
Pedigree notes
Lost in the Fog is inbred 4x5 to Bold Ruler and 5x5 to Native Dancer and Almahmoud. He was sired by Grade 3 winner Lost Soldier (by Danzig) and is a half brother to Amusing (by Distorted Humor), dam of multiple restricted stakes winner Rose Tree (by Harlan's Holiday).
Lost in the Fog is out of unraced Cloud Break. She in turn is out of 1981 Hempstead Handicap (USA-G2) winner Wistful (by Maribeau), whose half sister Luminaire (by Al Hattab) is a multiple Grade 2 winner and the second dam of 2002 Vosburgh Stakes, USA-G1, winner Bonapaw. Wistful is also a half sister to stakes winner Tank's Number (by Tank's Prospect); to Queen Maggie (by His Majesty), dam of restricted stakes winner Family Trust (by Explodent); and to Listen Well (by Secretariat), dam of 1996 Hollywood Oaks (USA-G1) winner Listening (by Night Shift) and Grade 2 winner Beautiful Noise (by Sunny's Halo) and second dam of Grade 2 winner Listen Here.
Wistful was produced from multiple Grade 3 winner Margaret's Number (by Native Charger), whose half sister Martha's Turn (by High Echelon) produced Grade 2 winner Allemande (by Dewan). She is also a half sister to Bessie's Mother (by Olden Times), dam of restricted stakes winner My Phillipe (by Lord Avie). The next dam in the tail-female line, the Correlation mare Dungiven, is a winning half sister to 1963 Cowdin Stakes winner Dunfee (by Hilarious) and to multiple stakes winner Bol 'n Jac (by Bolivar II).
Books and media
Fun facts
Last updated: May10, 2023
Race record
14 starts, 11 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds, US$978,099
2004:
- Won Arizona Juvenile Stakes (USA, 6.5FD, Turf Paradise; new track record 1:13.55)
2005:
- Won King's Bishop Stakes (USA-G1, 7FD, Saratoga)
- Won Carry Back Stakes (USA-G2, 6FD, Calder)
- Won Riva Ridge Breeders' Cup Stakes (USA-G2, 7FD, Belmont)
- Won Swale Stakes (USA-G2, 7FD, Gulfstream Park)
- Won Bay Shore Stakes (USA-G3, 7FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Bay Meadows Speed Handicap (USA-L, 6FD, Bay Meadows)
- Won Golden Bear Breeders' Cup Stakes (USA-L, 6FD, Golden Gate; new track record 1:07.32)
- Won Ocala Stud Dash Stakes (USA-R, 6FD, Gulfstream Park)
2006:
- Won Aristides Breeders' Cup Stakes (USA-G3, 6FD, Churchill Downs)
- 2nd Golden Gate Fields Sprint Stakes (USA-L, 6FD, Golden Gate)
Honors
- Eclipse Award, American champion sprinter (2005)
- Florida-bred champion sprinter (2005)
As an individual
A powerfully made dark bay or brown colt with a deep girth and strong hindquarters, Lost in the Fog possessed tremendous charisma. He was an excellent shipper, making three trips to Florida and four to New York during his sophomore season without turning a hair.
Connections
Foaled in Florida, Lost in the Fog was bred by Susan Seper, who sold him for US$13,000 as a weanling at the 2002 Keeneland November mixed sale. Resold at the 2003 Ocala Breeders' Sales August yearling sale, he was purchased by Karen and Greg Dodd for US$48,000 from the consignment of their friend Kelli Mitchell. After failing to make a reserve of US$195,000 on him at the 2004 OBS March sale of 2-year-olds in training, the Dodds sold the colt privately to Harry Aleo for US$140,000. As Lost in the Fog's win streak continued, Aleo refused offers reported to be as much as US$12 million for him. Lost in the Fog was trained by Greg Gilchrist throughout his career.
On August 6, 2006, Lost in the Fog was taken to the University of California-Davis veterinary school with what was believed to be colic. Palpation revealed a displacement of the spleen with a suspected mass and testing confirmed the presence of a lymphoma. Testing on August 18, 2006, revealed that the colt's condition was terminal with additional masses being found just under the spine and just outside the spleen. Lost in the Fog was humanely destroyed September 17, 2006. He was cremated and his ashes were encased in an urn decorated in Harry Aleo's racing colors that remains in Gilchrist's possession.
Pedigree notes
Lost in the Fog is inbred 4x5 to Bold Ruler and 5x5 to Native Dancer and Almahmoud. He was sired by Grade 3 winner Lost Soldier (by Danzig) and is a half brother to Amusing (by Distorted Humor), dam of multiple restricted stakes winner Rose Tree (by Harlan's Holiday).
Lost in the Fog is out of unraced Cloud Break. She in turn is out of 1981 Hempstead Handicap (USA-G2) winner Wistful (by Maribeau), whose half sister Luminaire (by Al Hattab) is a multiple Grade 2 winner and the second dam of 2002 Vosburgh Stakes, USA-G1, winner Bonapaw. Wistful is also a half sister to stakes winner Tank's Number (by Tank's Prospect); to Queen Maggie (by His Majesty), dam of restricted stakes winner Family Trust (by Explodent); and to Listen Well (by Secretariat), dam of 1996 Hollywood Oaks (USA-G1) winner Listening (by Night Shift) and Grade 2 winner Beautiful Noise (by Sunny's Halo) and second dam of Grade 2 winner Listen Here.
Wistful was produced from multiple Grade 3 winner Margaret's Number (by Native Charger), whose half sister Martha's Turn (by High Echelon) produced Grade 2 winner Allemande (by Dewan). She is also a half sister to Bessie's Mother (by Olden Times), dam of restricted stakes winner My Phillipe (by Lord Avie). The next dam in the tail-female line, the Correlation mare Dungiven, is a winning half sister to 1963 Cowdin Stakes winner Dunfee (by Hilarious) and to multiple stakes winner Bol 'n Jac (by Bolivar II).
Books and media
- The documentary Lost in the Fog was produced by John Corey and released by Doctored Pictures. The film won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at its world premiere at the CineVegas Film Festival in June 2008. At the 2008 International Documentary Festival of Amsterdam, it was a nominee in the category of Best First Feature.
- A commemorative DVD featuring Lost in the Fog's 11 career victories was distributed to fans at Golden Gate Fields on September 30, 2006, as part of a day of tributes to the late champion and his connections.
- A video biography of Lost in the Fog can be viewed at https://www.google.com/search?q=lost+in+the+fog+horse&rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS917US917&source=lnms&tbm=vid&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjXo4D55438AhVqRDABHZ4aA9QQ_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=1422&bih=990&dpr=0.9#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:89102359,vid:oPnQy3tTXto.
Fun facts
- While Lost in the Fog's name fits his breeding, breeder Susan Seper said she gave the colt the name after literally losing him in a heavy fog one morning.
- Lost in the Fog was known as “Foggy” to his fans.
- Lost in the Fog was the betting favorite in every race he contested. In 12 of his 14 starts, he went off at less than even money, and the highest payoff of his career was in his maiden race, when he went off at 6-to-5.
- Lost in the Fog was only the second horse based in Northern California to win an Eclipse Award. The first was Brown Bess, who was honored as American champion turf female in 1989.
- Thanks to Lost in the Fog's accomplishments, his breeder, Susan Seper, received the 2005 Needles Award as the Florida small breeder who had made the most outstanding contribution to the Florida Thoroughbred industry. Another Lost in the Fog connection, Kelli Mitchell, was honored with the Joe O'Farrell Memorial Award as the original consignor of the year's best graduate of a Florida public auction.
- Golden Gate Fields hosts a stakes race named after Lost in the Fog, which as of 2022 is carded as a 6-furlong sprint on the main track for horses aged 3 and up.
Last updated: May10, 2023