Sandpit (BRZ)
October 9, 1989 – September 4, 2003
Baynoun (IRE) x Sand Dancer (FR), by Green Dancer (USA)
Family 7-e
October 9, 1989 – September 4, 2003
Baynoun (IRE) x Sand Dancer (FR), by Green Dancer (USA)
Family 7-e
A champion in his native Brazil with four Group 1 wins to his credit in that country, Sandpit proved himself a high-class turf runner in the United States as well, winning five Grade 1 races after his importation. The combination of a preference for turf and an unfamiliar pedigree did not help him as a stallion, however, and he had little impact in that role.
Race record
40 starts, 14 wins, 11 seconds, 6 thirds, US$3,812,597 (includes converted Brazilian and Japanese earnings)
1992:
1993:
1994:
1995:
1996:
1997:
Honors
Brazilian champion 3-year-old male (1992/93)
Assessments
Rated at 120 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American turf males of 1994, 7 pounds below champion Paradise Creek.
As an individual
A big, strong, lengthy chestnut horse standing 16.2 hands, Sandpit was considered unusually handsome. He liked to run on or close to the pace. Following a win, he would pose happily for the cameras for as long as his connections allowed. He was generally a sweet-natured horse around the barn. He might have compiled a still better race record had he not been troubled by a partial paralysis of one of his epiglottal flaps, which reduced his peak airflow when it was most needed.
As a stallion
According to records compiled by the Jockey Club, Sandpit sired 210 winners (47.2%) and eight stakes winners (1.8%) from 445 named foals of racing age. None of his runners approached his own high quality, but they were generally tough and sound.
Connections
Sandpit was bred and owned by Haras São José da Serra, the breeding and racing operation of Brazilian businessman Sergio Menezes. In the USA, he was owned by Menezes’ Sierra Thoroughbreds and was trained by Richard Mandella. He entered stud in 1998 in Kentucky at Vinery. Following the 2002 breeding season, Sandpit moved to nearby Spendthrift Farm. He died of liver disease and cancer in September 2004 and was buried at Spendthrift.
Pedigree notes
Sandpit is inbred 5x5 to two-time Italian champion Donatello II. He is a full brother to 1996 Grande Prêmio João Adhemar e Nelson Almeida Prado (BRZ-G3) winner Sandhill, the second dam of multiple 2022/23 Uruguayan champion miler Quillan, Brazilian Group 1 winner Timeo; Brazilian Group 2 winners Ainda Melhor, Anakin, Bom Gosto, and Tsong; and Brazilian Group 3 winner In-Verso. Sandhill is also the third dam of Argentine Group 3 winner Out of the Blue. Returning to Sandpit, he is also a half brother to Sunningdale (by Patch), dam of 1997 Grande Prêmio Diana (Brazilian Oaks, BRZ-G1) winner Brunnhilde (by Critique) and third dam of Brazilian Group 3 winner Nozze di Figaro.
Sandpit and his siblings are out of Sand Dancer, a half sister to French listed stakes winner So Snob (by Kenmare). Sand Dancer, in turn, is out of Group 3-placed Sinope (by two-time English champion sire Aureole, by Hyperion), whose stakes-placed half sister Ste Nitouche (by Riverman) is the dam of three-time Scandinavian champion Sagittarius (by Sadler’s Wells), multiple Italian Group 3 winner Saint Samba (by Thatch), and Group 2-placed Italian listed stakes winner Saint Georgette (by Glenstal) and the third dam of 2001 Premio Roma (ITY-G1) winner Shibuni’s Falcon, 2008 Grande Prêmio Associação Brasileira de Criadores de Proprietários do Cavalo de Corrida (BRZ-G1) winner Estrela do Oriente, and Brazilian Group 3 winner Wind of Change.
Sinope is out of Suffisante, a daughter of 1961 Prix de la Forêt winner Snob. The next dam in the tail-female line, Suffragette, is by 1951 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas) winner Free Man out of Serena, by the good juvenile Mirza II.
Books and media
A documentary on Sandpit can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhP8VLc07UU.
Fun facts
Last updated: September 25, 2026
Race record
40 starts, 14 wins, 11 seconds, 6 thirds, US$3,812,597 (includes converted Brazilian and Japanese earnings)
1992:
- Won Grande Prêmio Linneo de Paula Machado (BRZ-G1, 2000mT, Gávea)
- 2nd Grande Prêmio Conde de Herzberg (BRZ-G2, 1600mT, Gávea)
- 2nd Grande Prêmio Costa Ferraz (BRZ-G3, 1500mT, Gávea)
1993:
- Won Grande Prêmio Cruzeiro do Sul (Brazilian Derby) (BRZ-G1, 2400mT, Gávea)
- Won Grande Prêmio Francisco Eduardo de Paula Machado (BRZ-G1T, 2000mT, Gávea)
- Won Copa ANPC Classica (BRZ-G1, 2400mT, Cidade Jardim)
- 2nd Grande Prêmio Derby Paulista (BRZ-G1, Cidade Jardim)
- 3rd Grande Prêmio Brasil (BRZ-G1, 2400mT, Gávea)
1994:
- Won Oak Tree Invitational Stakes (USA-G1, 12FT, Santa Anita)
- Won Live the Dream Stakes (USA-L, 11FT, Del Mar)
1995:
- Won Caesars International Handicap (USA-G1, 9.5FT, Atlantic City)
- Won San Luis Rey Stakes (USA-G1, 12FT, Santa Anita)
- Won Caesars Palace Turf Championship Handicap (USA-G2, 12FT, Hollywood)
- 2nd Arlington Million (USA-G1, 10FT, Arlington Park)
- 2nd Hollywood Turf Handicap (USA-G1, 10FT, Hollywood)
- 2nd Oak Tree Invitational Handicap (USA-G1, 12FT, Santa Anita)
1996:
- Won Caesars International Handicap (USA-G1, 9.5FT, Atlantic City)
- Won Hollywoof Turf Handicap (USA-G1, 10FT, Hollywood)
- 2nd Fort Harrod Stakes (USA-G3, 8FT, Keeneland)
- 3rd Arlington Million (USA-G1, 10FT, Arlington Park)
- 3rd Caesars Palace Turf Championship Handicap (USA-G2, 12FT, Hollywood)
1997:
- Won San Marcos Handicap (USA-G2, 10FT, Santa Anita)
- 2nd Santa Anita Handicap (USA-G1, 10FD, Santa Anita)
- 2nd Arlington Million (USA-G1, 10FT, Arlington Park)
- 3rd Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap (USA-G1, 10FD, Hollywood)
- 3rd Oak Tree Turf Championship S. (USA-G1, 12FT, Santa Anita)
- 3rd Dubai World Cup (UAE, 2000mD, Nad al Sheba)
Honors
Brazilian champion 3-year-old male (1992/93)
Assessments
Rated at 120 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American turf males of 1994, 7 pounds below champion Paradise Creek.
As an individual
A big, strong, lengthy chestnut horse standing 16.2 hands, Sandpit was considered unusually handsome. He liked to run on or close to the pace. Following a win, he would pose happily for the cameras for as long as his connections allowed. He was generally a sweet-natured horse around the barn. He might have compiled a still better race record had he not been troubled by a partial paralysis of one of his epiglottal flaps, which reduced his peak airflow when it was most needed.
As a stallion
According to records compiled by the Jockey Club, Sandpit sired 210 winners (47.2%) and eight stakes winners (1.8%) from 445 named foals of racing age. None of his runners approached his own high quality, but they were generally tough and sound.
Connections
Sandpit was bred and owned by Haras São José da Serra, the breeding and racing operation of Brazilian businessman Sergio Menezes. In the USA, he was owned by Menezes’ Sierra Thoroughbreds and was trained by Richard Mandella. He entered stud in 1998 in Kentucky at Vinery. Following the 2002 breeding season, Sandpit moved to nearby Spendthrift Farm. He died of liver disease and cancer in September 2004 and was buried at Spendthrift.
Pedigree notes
Sandpit is inbred 5x5 to two-time Italian champion Donatello II. He is a full brother to 1996 Grande Prêmio João Adhemar e Nelson Almeida Prado (BRZ-G3) winner Sandhill, the second dam of multiple 2022/23 Uruguayan champion miler Quillan, Brazilian Group 1 winner Timeo; Brazilian Group 2 winners Ainda Melhor, Anakin, Bom Gosto, and Tsong; and Brazilian Group 3 winner In-Verso. Sandhill is also the third dam of Argentine Group 3 winner Out of the Blue. Returning to Sandpit, he is also a half brother to Sunningdale (by Patch), dam of 1997 Grande Prêmio Diana (Brazilian Oaks, BRZ-G1) winner Brunnhilde (by Critique) and third dam of Brazilian Group 3 winner Nozze di Figaro.
Sandpit and his siblings are out of Sand Dancer, a half sister to French listed stakes winner So Snob (by Kenmare). Sand Dancer, in turn, is out of Group 3-placed Sinope (by two-time English champion sire Aureole, by Hyperion), whose stakes-placed half sister Ste Nitouche (by Riverman) is the dam of three-time Scandinavian champion Sagittarius (by Sadler’s Wells), multiple Italian Group 3 winner Saint Samba (by Thatch), and Group 2-placed Italian listed stakes winner Saint Georgette (by Glenstal) and the third dam of 2001 Premio Roma (ITY-G1) winner Shibuni’s Falcon, 2008 Grande Prêmio Associação Brasileira de Criadores de Proprietários do Cavalo de Corrida (BRZ-G1) winner Estrela do Oriente, and Brazilian Group 3 winner Wind of Change.
Sinope is out of Suffisante, a daughter of 1961 Prix de la Forêt winner Snob. The next dam in the tail-female line, Suffragette, is by 1951 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas) winner Free Man out of Serena, by the good juvenile Mirza II.
Books and media
A documentary on Sandpit can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhP8VLc07UU.
Fun facts
- One of the few horses to break his maiden in a Grade/Group 1 event, Sandpit got his first win in his fifth start, the Grande Prêmio Linneo de Paula Machado.
- In a national poll conducted in Brazil in 2007, Sandpit was selected as one of five candidates for consideration as the best Brazilian turf runner of all time.
Last updated: September 25, 2026