Lucky Pulpit (USA)
February 10, 2001 – February 13, 2016
Pulpit (USA) x Lucky Soph (USA), by Cozzene (USA)
Family 3-l
February 10, 2001 – February 13, 2016
Pulpit (USA) x Lucky Soph (USA), by Cozzene (USA)
Family 3-l
In spite of his name, Lucky Pulpit was not the most fortunate of horses. His racing career was probably compromised by a throat infection he picked up as an early 3-year-old, and he died when only 16. In between, however, he enjoyed one moment of dazzling brilliance as the sire of California Chrome, one of the most successful and popular American racehorses of recent years.
Race record
22 starts, 3 wins, 5 seconds, 5 thirds, US$209,928
2003:
2004:
2005:
Assessments
Rated at 106 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 2003, 20 pounds below co-highweights Declan's Moon (the official divisional champion) and Wilko.
As an individual
A muscular chestnut horse with good knees, good bone, powerful hindquarters and a straight, strong hind leg, Lucky Pulpit stood 16 hands. He developed the dipped topline typical of the Seattle Slew male line as he aged. Dan Kiser, who gave him his early schooling as a racehorse at the Williams' Tree Top Ranches in Idaho, described him as having been very intelligent and eager to please. He developed a wind infirmity after suffering a viral infection early in his 3-year-old season and was forced into retirement by an ankle injury following his first start as a 5-year-old. He was professional and well-mannered as a stallion.
As a stallion
Lucky Pulpit led the California regional sire list in 2014 and 2016. As of March 27, 2021, he has sired 274 winners and 12 stakes winners from 491 named foals of racing age.
Sire rankings
Per The Blood-Horse:
Notable progeny
California Chrome (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Lucky Pulpit was bred and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams. He was trained by Grant Forster. He entered stud in 2007 in California at Harris Farms. He died of an apparent heart attack immediately after covering his first mare of 2017.
Pedigree notes
Lucky Pulpit is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to Unbridled Glory (by Unbridled), dam of stakes winner Thetrailerguy (by Henny Hughes). He is also a half brother to Back in Time (by Empire Maker), dam of multiple juvenile stakes winner Time for Gold (by Harbor the Gold).
Lucky Soph, the dam of Lucky Pulpit, won once in six tries. She is a full sister to Trolley Song, dam of multiple Grade I winner and successful sire Unbridled's Song; second dam of Grade/Group 3 winners D’Accord, Eh Cumpari, and Ballagh Rocks; and third dam of Grade/Group 3 winners Blanc Bonheur, Bien Fait, Eye of a Jedi, and Faraway Kitten. Lucky Soph is also a half sister to English Group 3 winner Merlins Charm (by Bold Bidder) and to listed stakes winner Goldspell (by Cozzene's sire Caro), dam of stakes winner Bashful Charmer (by Capote) and third dam of Venezuelan champion sprinter Jorge Prince.
Lucky Soph is out of 1974 Princess Stakes (USA-G3) winner Lucky Spell (by Lucky Mel), a half sister to multiple Grade/Group 1 winner Seattle Song (by Seattle Slew). Lucky Spell is also a half sister to Celebration Song (by J. O. Tobin), dam of stakes winner Let the Music Play and second dam of four stakes winners, and to Stormy Slew (by Tsunami Slew), dam of Grade 3 winner Malabar Gold (by Unbridled).
Last updated: January 3, 2022
Race record
22 starts, 3 wins, 5 seconds, 5 thirds, US$209,928
2003:
- 2nd Pinjara Stakes (USA-R, 8FT, Santa Anita)
- 3rd Generous Stakes (USA-G3, 8FT, Hollywood)
2004:
- 2nd Santa Catalina Stakes (USA-G2, 8.5FD, Santa Anita)
- 3rd Oceanside Stakes (USA-R, 8FT, Del Mar)
2005:
- Won Smile Stakes (USA, 5FT, Arlington Park)
- 3rd Taylor's Special Stakes (USA, 5.5FT, Arlington Park)
Assessments
Rated at 106 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 2003, 20 pounds below co-highweights Declan's Moon (the official divisional champion) and Wilko.
As an individual
A muscular chestnut horse with good knees, good bone, powerful hindquarters and a straight, strong hind leg, Lucky Pulpit stood 16 hands. He developed the dipped topline typical of the Seattle Slew male line as he aged. Dan Kiser, who gave him his early schooling as a racehorse at the Williams' Tree Top Ranches in Idaho, described him as having been very intelligent and eager to please. He developed a wind infirmity after suffering a viral infection early in his 3-year-old season and was forced into retirement by an ankle injury following his first start as a 5-year-old. He was professional and well-mannered as a stallion.
As a stallion
Lucky Pulpit led the California regional sire list in 2014 and 2016. As of March 27, 2021, he has sired 274 winners and 12 stakes winners from 491 named foals of racing age.
Sire rankings
Per The Blood-Horse:
- 6th on the American general sire list in 2016.
Notable progeny
California Chrome (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Lucky Pulpit was bred and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams. He was trained by Grant Forster. He entered stud in 2007 in California at Harris Farms. He died of an apparent heart attack immediately after covering his first mare of 2017.
Pedigree notes
Lucky Pulpit is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to Unbridled Glory (by Unbridled), dam of stakes winner Thetrailerguy (by Henny Hughes). He is also a half brother to Back in Time (by Empire Maker), dam of multiple juvenile stakes winner Time for Gold (by Harbor the Gold).
Lucky Soph, the dam of Lucky Pulpit, won once in six tries. She is a full sister to Trolley Song, dam of multiple Grade I winner and successful sire Unbridled's Song; second dam of Grade/Group 3 winners D’Accord, Eh Cumpari, and Ballagh Rocks; and third dam of Grade/Group 3 winners Blanc Bonheur, Bien Fait, Eye of a Jedi, and Faraway Kitten. Lucky Soph is also a half sister to English Group 3 winner Merlins Charm (by Bold Bidder) and to listed stakes winner Goldspell (by Cozzene's sire Caro), dam of stakes winner Bashful Charmer (by Capote) and third dam of Venezuelan champion sprinter Jorge Prince.
Lucky Soph is out of 1974 Princess Stakes (USA-G3) winner Lucky Spell (by Lucky Mel), a half sister to multiple Grade/Group 1 winner Seattle Song (by Seattle Slew). Lucky Spell is also a half sister to Celebration Song (by J. O. Tobin), dam of stakes winner Let the Music Play and second dam of four stakes winners, and to Stormy Slew (by Tsunami Slew), dam of Grade 3 winner Malabar Gold (by Unbridled).
Last updated: January 3, 2022