After being prepared as a prospect for the American Triple Crown races at 2 and 3, Lure found his niche on the grass. He followed Miesque as the second horse to win consecutive runnings of the Breeders' Cup Mile (USA-G1) and ended up winning a total of nine graded stakes on turf before being retired to Coolmore Stud in Ireland. Unfortunately, he proved subfertile, but he left a good sire son in Orpen, a champion stallion in Argentina.
Race record
25 starts, 14 wins, 8 seconds, 0 thirds, US$2,515,289
1991:
1992:
1993:
1994:
Honors
National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 2013)
Assessments
Lure was rated #85 among the top 100 American racehorses of the 20th century by a panel of experts assembled by The Blood-Horse (Thoroughbred Champions, Eclipse Press, 7th printing, 2005).
Rated at 115 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1992, 12 pounds below divisional champion and Horse of the Year A.P. Indy.
Highweighted at 129 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf males of 1993, 1 pound above the official divisional champion and Horse of the Year, Kotashaan.
Rated at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American turf males of 1994, 1 pound below champion Paradise Creek.
Rated at 127 pounds on the 1994 International Classification, 3 pounds below co-highweights Holy Bull and Balanchine but tied with Barathea as co-highweight jn the 7-9F division on turf.
As an individual
A handsome bright bay, Lure was a little on the heavy-bodied side and was at his best on firm going. A horse with an excellent personality around the barn, he was territorial about his paddock. He was fond of peppermints.
As a stallion
According to Jockey Club records, Lure sired 72 winners (54.1%) and 7 stakes winners (5.3%) from 133 named foals.
Notable progeny
England's Legend (FR), Orpen (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Eagle Way (AUS)
Connections
Lure was bred and owned by Claiborne Farm and William Haggin Perry's The Gamely Corporation. Following Haggin's death in November 1993, Lure raced for the partnership of Claiborne and Haggin's widow, Nicole Perry Gorman. He was trained by Claude “Shug” McGaughey. He entered stud in 1995 at Claiborne but proved subfertile. After an insurance claim was settled, Lure was acquired by Coolmore Stud and moved to Ireland. He was later transferred to Coolmore's Kentucky division, Ashford Stud, and was pensioned following the 2003 breeding season. He lived out the remainder of his life at Claiborne Farm, where he was humanely destroyed due to the infirmities of old age in November 2017.
Pedigree notes
Lure is inbred 4x4 to Native Dancer and 4x5 to Nearco. He is one of only two named foals produced by 1986 Hempstead Handicap (USA-G1) winner Endear, a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Tiller (by Herbager), Grade 2 winner Digress (by Topsider) and stakes winner Routine (by Northern Dancer). Endear is also a half sister to Pogonip (by Jacinto), dam of English Group 3 winner Linda's Magic (by Far North), and to Bogus (by Nijinsky II), second dam of Grade 2 winner Silver Tree and Grade 3 winner Orchard Park. Endear is out of Chappaquiddick (by Relic), a full sister to 1966 Eclipse Stakes and Champion Stakes winner Pieces of Eight II and a half sister to stakes winner Rod (by Bold Lad).
Books and media
Footage of Lure's victories in the 1992 and 1993 Breeders' Cup Mile can be accessed through the Breeders' Cup Hall of Champions (https://www.breederscup.com/history-tradition/hall-champions/lure).
Fun facts
Last updated: May 9, 2024
Race record
25 starts, 14 wins, 8 seconds, 0 thirds, US$2,515,289
1991:
- Set a new Belmont Park track record of :56-1/5 for 5 furlongs on dirt in a maiden special weight
1992:
- Won Breeders' Cup Mile (USA-G1, 8FT, Gulfstream Park; new course record 1:32-4/5)
- Won Gotham Stakes (USA-G2, 8FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd Lexington Stakes (USA-G2, 8.5FD, Keeneland)
- 2nd Kelso Handicap (USA-G3, 8FT, Belmont)
1993:
- Won Breeders' Cup Mile (USA-G1, 8FT, Santa Anita)
- Won Turf Classic (USA-G3, 9FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won Dixie Handicap (USA-G3, 9FT, Pimlico)
- Won Daryl's Joy Handicap (USA-G3, 8.5FT, Saratoga)
- 2nd Caesars Invitational Handicap (USA-G1, 9.5FT, Atlantic City)
- 2nd Early Times Manhattan Stakes (USA-G2, 10FT, Belmont)
1994:
- Won Caesars Invitational Handicap (USA-G1, 9.5FT, Atlantic City)
- Won Elkhorn Stakes (USA-G2, 9FT, Keeneland)
- Won Bernard Baruch Handicap (USA-G2, 9FT, Saratoga)
- 2nd Turf Classic (USA-G2, 9FT, Churchill Downs)
- 2nd Dixie Handicap (USA-G2, 9FT, Pimlico)
- 2nd Kelso Handicap (USA-G3, 8FT, Belmont)
Honors
National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 2013)
Assessments
Lure was rated #85 among the top 100 American racehorses of the 20th century by a panel of experts assembled by The Blood-Horse (Thoroughbred Champions, Eclipse Press, 7th printing, 2005).
Rated at 115 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1992, 12 pounds below divisional champion and Horse of the Year A.P. Indy.
Highweighted at 129 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf males of 1993, 1 pound above the official divisional champion and Horse of the Year, Kotashaan.
Rated at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American turf males of 1994, 1 pound below champion Paradise Creek.
Rated at 127 pounds on the 1994 International Classification, 3 pounds below co-highweights Holy Bull and Balanchine but tied with Barathea as co-highweight jn the 7-9F division on turf.
As an individual
A handsome bright bay, Lure was a little on the heavy-bodied side and was at his best on firm going. A horse with an excellent personality around the barn, he was territorial about his paddock. He was fond of peppermints.
As a stallion
According to Jockey Club records, Lure sired 72 winners (54.1%) and 7 stakes winners (5.3%) from 133 named foals.
Notable progeny
England's Legend (FR), Orpen (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Eagle Way (AUS)
Connections
Lure was bred and owned by Claiborne Farm and William Haggin Perry's The Gamely Corporation. Following Haggin's death in November 1993, Lure raced for the partnership of Claiborne and Haggin's widow, Nicole Perry Gorman. He was trained by Claude “Shug” McGaughey. He entered stud in 1995 at Claiborne but proved subfertile. After an insurance claim was settled, Lure was acquired by Coolmore Stud and moved to Ireland. He was later transferred to Coolmore's Kentucky division, Ashford Stud, and was pensioned following the 2003 breeding season. He lived out the remainder of his life at Claiborne Farm, where he was humanely destroyed due to the infirmities of old age in November 2017.
Pedigree notes
Lure is inbred 4x4 to Native Dancer and 4x5 to Nearco. He is one of only two named foals produced by 1986 Hempstead Handicap (USA-G1) winner Endear, a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Tiller (by Herbager), Grade 2 winner Digress (by Topsider) and stakes winner Routine (by Northern Dancer). Endear is also a half sister to Pogonip (by Jacinto), dam of English Group 3 winner Linda's Magic (by Far North), and to Bogus (by Nijinsky II), second dam of Grade 2 winner Silver Tree and Grade 3 winner Orchard Park. Endear is out of Chappaquiddick (by Relic), a full sister to 1966 Eclipse Stakes and Champion Stakes winner Pieces of Eight II and a half sister to stakes winner Rod (by Bold Lad).
Books and media
Footage of Lure's victories in the 1992 and 1993 Breeders' Cup Mile can be accessed through the Breeders' Cup Hall of Champions (https://www.breederscup.com/history-tradition/hall-champions/lure).
Fun facts
- The Lure Stakes was inaugurated in 2014 at Saratoga. It is a listed race at 8½ furlongs on grass for ages 4 and up.
- Santa Anita also hosts a turf stakes in Lure's honor, this at a mile for ages 3 and up.
Last updated: May 9, 2024