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Pennekamp (USA)

March 26, 1992 – April 24, 2006

Bering (FR) x Coral Dance (FR), by Green Dancer (USA)

Family 20-d

​Conceived in Europe, Pennekamp was foaled in Kentucky (and was therefore technically an American-bred) because his dam was visiting Lear Fan at Gainesway Farm that spring. Although consistent and speedy, he was overshadowed by European champion 2-year-old male Celtic Swing in 1994 in spite of having an unbeaten record. Pennekamp stood off the champion in their first meeting, the 1995 Two Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1) and went into the Derby Stakes as favorite. Unfortunately, he suffered a career-ending injury during the running. Like his half brothers Black Minnaloushe and Nasr El Arab, he proved to be a poor sire.


Race record

7 starts, 6 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds, US$479,100 (includes converted English and French earnings)

1994:
  • Won Prix de la Salamandre (FR-G1, 1400mT, Longchamp)
  • Won Generous Dewhurst Stakes (ENG-G1, 7FT, Newmarket)
  • Won Prix du Haras de la Huderie (FR-L, 1600mT, Deauville)

1995:
  • Won Madagans Two Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1, 8FT, Newmarket)
  • Won Prix Djebel (FR-L, 1400mT, Évry)


Assessments

Highweighted among 2-year-old males of 1994 in France.

Weighted at 124 pounds on the International Classification for European 2-year-old males of 1994, 6 pounds below European champion 2-year-old male Celtic Swing.



As an individual

A bay horse, Pennekamp had an excellent shoulder and strong hindquarters but appeared weakly constructed through the loin coupling. He had a sharp turn of foot and was game and determined in a drive. He suffered a career-ending leg injury while finishing unplaced in the 1995 Derby Stakes, for which he was favorite.


As a stallion

According to records compiled by The Jockey Club, Pennekamp sired 149 winners (44.1%) and five stakes winners (1.5%) on the flat from 338 named foals of racing age. His best runner on the flat was English Group 3 winner Alexander Three D. He was somewhat more successful as a National Hunt sire, his progeny in that field including Penzance, a winner of the Triumph Hurdle (a Group 1 race under National Hunt rules).



Notable progeny

Penzance (GB)


Connections

Foaled in Kentucky, Pennekamp was bred by Magalen O. Bryant. He was owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai and was trained by André Fabre. He was ridden throughout his racing career by Thierry Jarnet. He entered stud in 1996 at Kildangan Stud, Ireland. In 2002, he was moved to Haras du Logis in France and in 2005 went from there to Bracklynn Stud in Ireland.


Pedigree notes

Pennekamp is inbred 4x4 to the great international sire Northern Dancer and 5x4 to two-time French champion Sicambre, the French champion sire of 1966. He is a half brother to multiple Grade/Group 1 winners Nasr El Arab (by Al Nasr) and Black Minnaloushe (by Storm Cat) and to French listed stakes winner Shaal (by Lear Fan). He is also a half brother to Gift of Dance (by Trempolino), dam of 2006 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (USA-G1) winner Round Pond (by Awesome Again) and, through her, second dam of 2017 Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (UAE-G1) winner Long River and third dam of 2022 Carter Handicap (USA-G1) winner Speaker’s Corner. In addition, Pennekamp is a half brother to Lyrical Dance (by Lear Fan), dam of Italian listed stakes winner Sensa Rete (by Barathea).


Pennekamp and his siblings are out of 1980 Criterium des Pouliches (FR-G1) runner-up Coral Dance, whose dam, French stakes winner Carvinia (by 1966 French champion older male Diatome), is a half sister to 1964 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Carvin II (by Marino) and to 1970 Prix de Dangu winner Carabin (by Marino). Carvinia, in turn, was produced from Coraline (by three-time French champion Fine Top), a half sister to 1963 Gran Criterium winner Crylor (by Silnet).

Copelina, the dam of Coraline and Crylor, is a stakes-placed full sister to French stakes winner Cobios. Sired by 1940 Prix Daru winner Loliondo, the siblings are out of Casserole, by 1934 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas) and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Brantôme.



Books and media

Footage of Pennekamp’s win in the 1995 Two Thousand Guineas can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c134AD7xfIY.


Fun facts
  • Pennekamp took his name from Florida’s John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, which lies off Key Largo. Approximately 25 miles long, it extends three miles into the Atlantic Ocean. The park was named for former Miami Herald editor John Pennekamp, who played a key role in getting the coral reefs of the park designated as a permanent nature preserve.
​


Last updated: February 22, 2024
© 2014-2025 by Avalyn Hunter. All rights reserved. Contributors' materials remain the property of the copyright owners and are used by permission. For information regarding use or licensure of photographs, please contact the copyright holder.

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