Shanghai (USA)
March 28, 1989 – May 26, 2002
Procida (USA) x Korveya (USA), by Riverman (USA)
Family 22-b
March 28, 1989 – May 26, 2002
Procida (USA) x Korveya (USA), by Riverman (USA)
Family 22-b
Sired by a son of Mr. Prospector from the excellent broodmare Korveya, Shanghai was closely related to his year-older half brother Hector Protector, a champion in France, as well as to the brilliant Bosra Sham (both by Woodman), who was Europe’s champion 3-year-old filly in 1996. Although he did not prove quite as talented as either, Shanghai did have enough ability to score in the 1992 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas, FR-G1). Exported to Japan, Shanghai was a prolific sire of small winners but a poor sire of quality runners.
Race record
15 starts, 3 wins, 4 seconds, 3 thirds, US$349,019 (includes converted French earnings)
1992:
1993:
Assessments
Rated at 119 pounds on the 1992 European Free Handicap for 3-year-olds over 7-9 furlongs, 7 pounds below highweighted Marling.
Rated at 119 pounds on the 1993 European Free Handicap for older horses over 7-9 furlongs, 4 pounds below highweighted Arcangues but second in the division.
As an individual
A bay horse, Shanghai could produce a long drive but lacked the explosive turn of foot seen in top horses. He would run willingly inside horses.
As a stallion
According to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club, Shanghai sired 461 winners (65.2%) and 3 stakes winners (0.4%) from 706 named foals of racing age.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Shanghai was bred by Stavros Niarcho's Flaxman Holdings and was raced by Niarchos. He was trained by François Boutin and was ridden to his Classic triumph by Freddy Head. Shanghai was sold to Japanese interests following his racing career and died in Japan in 2002.
Pedigree notes
Sired by multiple Grade/Group 1 winner Procida, Shanghai is inbred 4x3 to 1962 American champion 2-year-old male and important sire Never Bend and 5x5x4 to Never Bend’s sire, five-time American champion sire Nasrullah (also the English/Irish champion sire of 1951). He is a half brother to 1996 European champion 3-year-old filly Bosra Sham, dam of 2008 Premier’s Stakes (CAN-G3) winner Rosberg (by A.P. Indy) and third dam of Grade 3 winner Dream It Is, and to 1990 French champion 2-year-old male Hector Protector. Shanghai is also a half brother to stakes-placed Maria Isabella (by Kris), dam of 2007 Prix Chloe (FR-G3) winner Utrecht (by Rock of Gibraltar); to Yemanja (by Alleged), whose grandson Kremlin Captain was the 2014/15 Horse of the Year in Mauritius; and to Gioconda (by Nijinsky II), dam of multiple Grade/Group 1 winner Ciro (by Woodman) and second dam of multiple Japanese Group 2 winner Trailblazer. In addition, Shanghai is a half brother to Tapatina (by Seeking the Gold), dam of 2009 Del Mar Oaks (USA-G1) winner Internallyflawless (by Giant’s Causeway; dam of restricted stakes winner Internal Bourbon, by Not Bourbon) and listed stakes winner Billy’s Star (by Perfect Soul). Finally, Shanghai is a half brother to Reflective (by Seeking the Gold), dam of English listed stakes winner Biographer (by Montjeu), and to Truant (by Gone West), dam of Japanese listed stakes winner Dream Kirari (by Giant’s Causeway).
Shanghai and his siblings were produced from 1985 Prix Chloe (FR-G3) winner Korveya, who sold for a record-tying US$7 million for a broodmare sold in foal at the 1998 Keeneland November mixed sale. A daughter of Riverman, Korveya is a full sister to 1999 Jacobs Goldene Peitsche (GER-G2) winner Keos and a half sister to 1994 Premio Umbria (ITY-G2) winner Proskona (by Mr. Prospector), dam of 2002 Canadian Handicap (USA-G2) winner Calista (by Caerleon), second dam of French Group 3 winner Synopsis, and third dam of multiple Group 1 winners Act One, Mawj, and Modern Games. Korveya is also a half sister to listed stakes winner Carnet Solaire (by Sharpen Up), second dam of 2008 Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship Stakes (USA-G1) winner Red Giant and Grade 3 winner Wyomia and third dam of German Group 3 winner Chopin. In addition, Korveya is a half sister to Group 3-placed Talon d’Aiguille (by Big Spruce), dam of French listed stakes winner Stikine (by Slickly) and second dam of French Group 3 winner Gruntled, and to stakes-placed Leo’s Lucky Lady (by Seattle Slew), dam of 2006 Debutante Stakes (IRE-G2) winner Gaudeamus (by Distorted Humor), second dam of three-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty, and third dam of 2018 Slovakian champion 2-year-old filly O’Ffensive and Grade/Group 3 winners King Zachary and O’Juke. Finally, Korveya is a half sister to Cloelia (by Lyphard), dam of 2003 San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap (USA-G1) winner Passineti (by Slew o’ Gold), and to Kamaina (by Mr. Prospector), second dam of 2013 Hong Kong champion stayer California Memory, 2007 Spanish champion imported 2-year-old colt Rituss, and multiple Australian Group 3 winner Mouro.
Korveya, in turn, is out of 1976 One Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1) runner-up Konafa (by Damascus). Produced from the winning Northern Dancer mare Royal Statute, Konafa is a half sister to 1982 English champion 3-year-old filly and 1983 Italian champion older female Awaasif (by Snow Knight), dam of 1989 Gold Seal Oaks (ENG-G1) winner Snow Bride (by Blushing Groom), 1992 New Orleans Handicap (ENG-G3) winner Jarraar (by Mr. Prospector), and 2002 Saranac Handicap (USA-G3) winner Ibn al Haitham (by Zafonic) and second dam of 1995 European champion 3-year-old male Lammtarra and French Group 3 winner Saytarra. Konafa is also a half sister to 1981 Fountain of Youth Stakes (USA-G3) winner Akureyri (by Buckpasser) and to 1984 Premio Bagutta (ITY-G3) winner Royal Lorna (by Val de l’Orne), dam of 2000 Prix du Lys (FR-G3) winner Lycitus (by Lycius) and Australian listed stakes winner Forlorna (by Nashwan) and second dam of 2002 Premio Roma (ITY-G1) winner Sunstrach and English Group 3 winner Music Box. In addition, Konafa is a half sister to Baederwood (by Tentam), a useful regional sire in the Mid-Atlantic region and to Royal Stance (by Dr. Fager), dam of multiple Group 3 winner Majuscule (by Majestic Light), 1987 Falls City Handicap (USA-G3) winner Royal Cielo (by Conquistador Cielo), and multiple listed stakes winner Luhuk (by Forty Niner; an important sire in Argentina). Finally, Konafa is a half sister to Victoress (by Conquistador Cielo), second dam of 2011 Derby Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Pour Moi and Group 3 winners Dawn Patrol and Gagnoa.
Books and media
Footage of Shanghai’s win in the 1992 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-xcd2zKhBk.
Fun facts
Last updated: April 10, 2026
Race record
15 starts, 3 wins, 4 seconds, 3 thirds, US$349,019 (includes converted French earnings)
1992:
- Won Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas) (FR-G1, 1600mT, Longchamp)
- Won Prix Montenica (FR-L, 1300mT, Chantilly)
- 3rd Prix Jean Prat (FR-G1, 1800mT, Longchamp)
1993:
- 2nd Prix du Chemin de Fer du Nord (FR-G3, 1600mT, Chantilly)
- 2nd Prix du Muguet (FR-G3, 1600mT, Saint-Cloud)
- 2nd Prix Edmond Blanc (FR-G3, 1600mT, Saint-Cloud)
- 3rd Prix d'Ispahan (FR-G1, 1850mT, Longchamp)
- 3rd Prix de la Porte Maillot (FR-G3, 1400mT, Longchamp)
Assessments
Rated at 119 pounds on the 1992 European Free Handicap for 3-year-olds over 7-9 furlongs, 7 pounds below highweighted Marling.
Rated at 119 pounds on the 1993 European Free Handicap for older horses over 7-9 furlongs, 4 pounds below highweighted Arcangues but second in the division.
As an individual
A bay horse, Shanghai could produce a long drive but lacked the explosive turn of foot seen in top horses. He would run willingly inside horses.
As a stallion
According to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club, Shanghai sired 461 winners (65.2%) and 3 stakes winners (0.4%) from 706 named foals of racing age.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Shanghai was bred by Stavros Niarcho's Flaxman Holdings and was raced by Niarchos. He was trained by François Boutin and was ridden to his Classic triumph by Freddy Head. Shanghai was sold to Japanese interests following his racing career and died in Japan in 2002.
Pedigree notes
Sired by multiple Grade/Group 1 winner Procida, Shanghai is inbred 4x3 to 1962 American champion 2-year-old male and important sire Never Bend and 5x5x4 to Never Bend’s sire, five-time American champion sire Nasrullah (also the English/Irish champion sire of 1951). He is a half brother to 1996 European champion 3-year-old filly Bosra Sham, dam of 2008 Premier’s Stakes (CAN-G3) winner Rosberg (by A.P. Indy) and third dam of Grade 3 winner Dream It Is, and to 1990 French champion 2-year-old male Hector Protector. Shanghai is also a half brother to stakes-placed Maria Isabella (by Kris), dam of 2007 Prix Chloe (FR-G3) winner Utrecht (by Rock of Gibraltar); to Yemanja (by Alleged), whose grandson Kremlin Captain was the 2014/15 Horse of the Year in Mauritius; and to Gioconda (by Nijinsky II), dam of multiple Grade/Group 1 winner Ciro (by Woodman) and second dam of multiple Japanese Group 2 winner Trailblazer. In addition, Shanghai is a half brother to Tapatina (by Seeking the Gold), dam of 2009 Del Mar Oaks (USA-G1) winner Internallyflawless (by Giant’s Causeway; dam of restricted stakes winner Internal Bourbon, by Not Bourbon) and listed stakes winner Billy’s Star (by Perfect Soul). Finally, Shanghai is a half brother to Reflective (by Seeking the Gold), dam of English listed stakes winner Biographer (by Montjeu), and to Truant (by Gone West), dam of Japanese listed stakes winner Dream Kirari (by Giant’s Causeway).
Shanghai and his siblings were produced from 1985 Prix Chloe (FR-G3) winner Korveya, who sold for a record-tying US$7 million for a broodmare sold in foal at the 1998 Keeneland November mixed sale. A daughter of Riverman, Korveya is a full sister to 1999 Jacobs Goldene Peitsche (GER-G2) winner Keos and a half sister to 1994 Premio Umbria (ITY-G2) winner Proskona (by Mr. Prospector), dam of 2002 Canadian Handicap (USA-G2) winner Calista (by Caerleon), second dam of French Group 3 winner Synopsis, and third dam of multiple Group 1 winners Act One, Mawj, and Modern Games. Korveya is also a half sister to listed stakes winner Carnet Solaire (by Sharpen Up), second dam of 2008 Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship Stakes (USA-G1) winner Red Giant and Grade 3 winner Wyomia and third dam of German Group 3 winner Chopin. In addition, Korveya is a half sister to Group 3-placed Talon d’Aiguille (by Big Spruce), dam of French listed stakes winner Stikine (by Slickly) and second dam of French Group 3 winner Gruntled, and to stakes-placed Leo’s Lucky Lady (by Seattle Slew), dam of 2006 Debutante Stakes (IRE-G2) winner Gaudeamus (by Distorted Humor), second dam of three-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty, and third dam of 2018 Slovakian champion 2-year-old filly O’Ffensive and Grade/Group 3 winners King Zachary and O’Juke. Finally, Korveya is a half sister to Cloelia (by Lyphard), dam of 2003 San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap (USA-G1) winner Passineti (by Slew o’ Gold), and to Kamaina (by Mr. Prospector), second dam of 2013 Hong Kong champion stayer California Memory, 2007 Spanish champion imported 2-year-old colt Rituss, and multiple Australian Group 3 winner Mouro.
Korveya, in turn, is out of 1976 One Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1) runner-up Konafa (by Damascus). Produced from the winning Northern Dancer mare Royal Statute, Konafa is a half sister to 1982 English champion 3-year-old filly and 1983 Italian champion older female Awaasif (by Snow Knight), dam of 1989 Gold Seal Oaks (ENG-G1) winner Snow Bride (by Blushing Groom), 1992 New Orleans Handicap (ENG-G3) winner Jarraar (by Mr. Prospector), and 2002 Saranac Handicap (USA-G3) winner Ibn al Haitham (by Zafonic) and second dam of 1995 European champion 3-year-old male Lammtarra and French Group 3 winner Saytarra. Konafa is also a half sister to 1981 Fountain of Youth Stakes (USA-G3) winner Akureyri (by Buckpasser) and to 1984 Premio Bagutta (ITY-G3) winner Royal Lorna (by Val de l’Orne), dam of 2000 Prix du Lys (FR-G3) winner Lycitus (by Lycius) and Australian listed stakes winner Forlorna (by Nashwan) and second dam of 2002 Premio Roma (ITY-G1) winner Sunstrach and English Group 3 winner Music Box. In addition, Konafa is a half sister to Baederwood (by Tentam), a useful regional sire in the Mid-Atlantic region and to Royal Stance (by Dr. Fager), dam of multiple Group 3 winner Majuscule (by Majestic Light), 1987 Falls City Handicap (USA-G3) winner Royal Cielo (by Conquistador Cielo), and multiple listed stakes winner Luhuk (by Forty Niner; an important sire in Argentina). Finally, Konafa is a half sister to Victoress (by Conquistador Cielo), second dam of 2011 Derby Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Pour Moi and Group 3 winners Dawn Patrol and Gagnoa.
Books and media
Footage of Shanghai’s win in the 1992 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-xcd2zKhBk.
Fun facts
- Incorporating land that has been continuously inhabited for at least 6,000 years, the city of Shanghai is the heart of China’s most populous urban area and is a globally important hub for shipping, finance, and technology.
Last updated: April 10, 2026