Shackleford (USA)
February 25, 2008 – Living
Forestry (USA) x Oatsee (USA), by Unbridled (USA)
Family 2-f
February 25, 2008 – Living
Forestry (USA) x Oatsee (USA), by Unbridled (USA)
Family 2-f
Shackleford’s calling card was a high cruising speed, and he used it to sufficient effect to win three Grade 1 races during his career. His efforts helped lift his dam Oatsee to a title as Kentucky Broodmare of the Year, but he himself was only moderately successful at stud and was exported to Korea early in 2020.
Race record
20 starts, 6 wins, 5 seconds, 1 third, $3,090,101
2011:
2012:
Assessments
Rated at 121 pounds on the 2011 World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for his performances in the Preakness Stakes and Haskell Invitational Handicap, 15 pounds below overall highweight Frankel and 1 pound below Caleb’s Posse (who earned his rating in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile) among 3-year-old males on dirt.
Rated at 121 pounds on the 2012 World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for his performance in the Metropolitan Handicap, 19 pounds below overall highweight Frankel and 4 pounds below Fort Larned, whose performance in the Breeders’ Cup Classic made him the top-rated older male on dirt.
As an individual
A chestnut horse with a good shoulder, hip-high conformation, and a steeply sloped pelvis, Shackleford typically ran on or near the lead in his races. He tended to get rather worked up in the paddock and in the starting gate before his races but was determined when hooked for a drive. While generally a fairly calm and sensible horse in other settings, he has an obstinate streak and needs to be allowed to look over a situation for himself and grasp what is wanted before he will comply readily. He enjoys peppermints as treats.
As a stallion
Thus far in his career, Shackleford appears to have been more effective at transmitting speed than stamina.
Notable progeny
Promises Fulfilled (USA), Stilleto Boy (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Shackleford was bred and owned by Michael Lauffer and William Cubbedge; Phillips Racing Partnership later bought into the colt. He was trained by Dale Romans and was ridden to his Preakness win by Jesus Castanon. He entered stud in Kentucky in 2013 at Darby Dan Farm. He was sold for export to Korea in January 2020.
Pedigree notes
Shackleford is inbred 4x5 to 1968 American Horse of the Year Dr. Fager, the American champion sire of 1977. He is a half brother to 2007 Alabama Stakes (USA-G1) winner Lady Joanne (by Orientate), to Grade 2 winner Afleeting Lady (by Afleet Alex), to multiple Grade 3 winner Baghdaria (by Royal Academy), and to listed stakes winner Stephanoatsee (by A.P. Indy). He is also a half brother to Grand Portege (by Grand Slam), dam of multiple Grade 3 winner Florida Won (by Birdstone), and to Haysee (by Orientate), dam of Grade 1-placed stakes winner Uncle Lino (by Uncle Mo)
Shackleford’s dam Oatsee is the 2011 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year. Stakes-placed during her own racing days, she is a full sister to Mille Lacs, second dam of 2017 Champagne Stakes (USA-G1) winner Firenze Fire. She is out of stakes-placed With Every Wish (by Lear Fan), a half sister to stakes winner Amos (by Cryptoclearance) and to Christy Love (by Unbridled), dam of Grade 3 winner Atticus Kristy (by Atticus) and stakes winners Fiery Dancer (by Atticus) and Distorted Reality (by Distorted Humor) and second dam of Grade 3 winner Calculator. With Every Wish is also a half sister to Aim for the Moon (by Deputy Minister), dam of 2014 Korean champion imported 3-year-old filly New York Blue (by Candy Ride).
With Every Wish and her siblings were produced from the winning Hold Your Peace mare Amo, a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Tappiano (by Fappiano; dam of Irish listed stakes winner Ice Dancer, by Sadler’s Wells) and stakes winners A. P Jet (by Fappiano) and My Earl (by Chieftain). The next dam in Shackleford’s tail-temale line is Taminette (In Reality x Tamerett), a full sister to 1980 Two Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1) winner Known Fact and a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Tentam (by Intentionally; a good sire), Grade 2 winner Terete (by Boldnesian), and stakes winners Tamtent (by Intentionally) and Secrettame (by Secretariat; dam of 1987 Dwyer Handicap, USA-G1) winner and important sire Gone West and Grade 2 winner Lion Cavern to covers by Mr. Prospector).
Books and media
A short Blood-Horse video of Shackleford being shown at Darby Dan Farm can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j62izvPJkw.
Fun facts
Photo credit
Photograph taken by Jessica Morgan at Churchill Downs in 2012. Used by permission.
Last updated: January 1, 2024
Race record
20 starts, 6 wins, 5 seconds, 1 third, $3,090,101
2011:
- Won Preakness Stakes (USA-G1, 9.5FD, Pimlico)
- 2nd Haskell Invitational Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Monmouth)
- 2nd Florida Derby (USA-G1, 9FD, Gulfstream Park)
- 2nd Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (USA-G1, 8FD, Churchill Downs)
- 2nd Indiana Derby (USA-G2, 8.5FD, Hoosier Park)
2012:
- Won Metropolitan Handicap (USA-G1, 8FD, Belmont)
- Won Clark Handicap (USA-9FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won Churchill Downs Handicap (USA-G2, 7FD, Churchill Downs)
- 2nd Kelso Handicap (USA-G2, 8FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Carter Handicap (USA-G1, 7FD, Aqueduct)
Assessments
Rated at 121 pounds on the 2011 World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for his performances in the Preakness Stakes and Haskell Invitational Handicap, 15 pounds below overall highweight Frankel and 1 pound below Caleb’s Posse (who earned his rating in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile) among 3-year-old males on dirt.
Rated at 121 pounds on the 2012 World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for his performance in the Metropolitan Handicap, 19 pounds below overall highweight Frankel and 4 pounds below Fort Larned, whose performance in the Breeders’ Cup Classic made him the top-rated older male on dirt.
As an individual
A chestnut horse with a good shoulder, hip-high conformation, and a steeply sloped pelvis, Shackleford typically ran on or near the lead in his races. He tended to get rather worked up in the paddock and in the starting gate before his races but was determined when hooked for a drive. While generally a fairly calm and sensible horse in other settings, he has an obstinate streak and needs to be allowed to look over a situation for himself and grasp what is wanted before he will comply readily. He enjoys peppermints as treats.
As a stallion
Thus far in his career, Shackleford appears to have been more effective at transmitting speed than stamina.
Notable progeny
Promises Fulfilled (USA), Stilleto Boy (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Shackleford was bred and owned by Michael Lauffer and William Cubbedge; Phillips Racing Partnership later bought into the colt. He was trained by Dale Romans and was ridden to his Preakness win by Jesus Castanon. He entered stud in Kentucky in 2013 at Darby Dan Farm. He was sold for export to Korea in January 2020.
Pedigree notes
Shackleford is inbred 4x5 to 1968 American Horse of the Year Dr. Fager, the American champion sire of 1977. He is a half brother to 2007 Alabama Stakes (USA-G1) winner Lady Joanne (by Orientate), to Grade 2 winner Afleeting Lady (by Afleet Alex), to multiple Grade 3 winner Baghdaria (by Royal Academy), and to listed stakes winner Stephanoatsee (by A.P. Indy). He is also a half brother to Grand Portege (by Grand Slam), dam of multiple Grade 3 winner Florida Won (by Birdstone), and to Haysee (by Orientate), dam of Grade 1-placed stakes winner Uncle Lino (by Uncle Mo)
Shackleford’s dam Oatsee is the 2011 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year. Stakes-placed during her own racing days, she is a full sister to Mille Lacs, second dam of 2017 Champagne Stakes (USA-G1) winner Firenze Fire. She is out of stakes-placed With Every Wish (by Lear Fan), a half sister to stakes winner Amos (by Cryptoclearance) and to Christy Love (by Unbridled), dam of Grade 3 winner Atticus Kristy (by Atticus) and stakes winners Fiery Dancer (by Atticus) and Distorted Reality (by Distorted Humor) and second dam of Grade 3 winner Calculator. With Every Wish is also a half sister to Aim for the Moon (by Deputy Minister), dam of 2014 Korean champion imported 3-year-old filly New York Blue (by Candy Ride).
With Every Wish and her siblings were produced from the winning Hold Your Peace mare Amo, a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Tappiano (by Fappiano; dam of Irish listed stakes winner Ice Dancer, by Sadler’s Wells) and stakes winners A. P Jet (by Fappiano) and My Earl (by Chieftain). The next dam in Shackleford’s tail-temale line is Taminette (In Reality x Tamerett), a full sister to 1980 Two Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1) winner Known Fact and a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Tentam (by Intentionally; a good sire), Grade 2 winner Terete (by Boldnesian), and stakes winners Tamtent (by Intentionally) and Secrettame (by Secretariat; dam of 1987 Dwyer Handicap, USA-G1) winner and important sire Gone West and Grade 2 winner Lion Cavern to covers by Mr. Prospector).
Books and media
A short Blood-Horse video of Shackleford being shown at Darby Dan Farm can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j62izvPJkw.
Fun facts
- Shackleford Banks is the southernmost island of the Cape Lookout National Seashore, off the coast of North Carolina. Named for Virginia planter John Shackleford, the island is known for its wild horse herd and for beaches that are good grounds for shell collecting.
- Shackleford showed a marked dislike for close spaces as a youngster, and it took over a month of allowing him to observe other horses going in and out of the starting gate before he would enter and stand quietly. His early training may well have made the difference between a horse with a bad gate problem and a horse whose behavior was manageable.
- Shackleford was known as “Shack” to stable staff and to fans.
Photo credit
Photograph taken by Jessica Morgan at Churchill Downs in 2012. Used by permission.
Last updated: January 1, 2024