Southern Halo (USA)
February 9, 1983 – November 19, 2009
Halo (USA) x Northern Sea (USA), by Northern Dancer (CAN)
Family 16-g
February 9, 1983 – November 19, 2009
Halo (USA) x Northern Sea (USA), by Northern Dancer (CAN)
Family 16-g
A horse with a prophetic name, Southern Halo had talent and was surprisingly sound considering a less than ideal set of forelegs, but he was never quite able to push through and earn a stakes win. All of the latent potential contained in his deep and blue-blooded pedigree came out when he was sent to Argentina for stallion duty. For many years the premier stallion at Haras La Quebrada, he rewrote the Argentine record books, surpassing marks that had been set by the great sire Congreve over 50 years earlier. He was not quite as successful In either Japan or the United States but made a significant contribution in the latter country with his Kentucky-sired son More Than Ready, a champion sire of juveniles in both Australia and North America.
Race record
24 starts, 5 wins, 7 seconds, 3 thirds, US$344,875
1986:
1987:
Assessments
Rated at 115 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1986, 11 pounds below champion Snow Chief.
As an individual
A strong, athletic, good-bodied bay horse of the Northern Dancer type, Southern Halo was upright in front and markedly back at the knee. He made two unplaced starts on turf in Ireland at 2 before being sent to the United States, where he raced more successfully on dirt.
As a stallion
Southern Halo was particularly effective with mares by the Buckpasser stallion Logical and the Tom Rolfe stallion Salt Marsh. Like other sires from the Hail to Reason male line, he tended to sire horses that were plain and workmanlike in make, and he often transmitted his own foreleg faults, traits that did not endear him to the commercial market in Kentucky. He often stamped his foals with his own head and eye as well as with a measure of the tough Halo temperament. He was primarily an influence for speed and precocity. According to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club, Southern Halo sired 1118 winners (61.1%) and 173 stakes winners (9.5%) from 1829 named foals. Southern Halo earned Pellegrini Awards as the Argentine Stallion of the Year in 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, and 2007; he also earned Pellegrini Awards as the Argentine Broodmare Sire of the Year in 2014-2018.
Sire rankings
Per the Associação Brasileira de Criadores e Proprietários do Cavalos de Corrida (www.abcpcc.com.br):
Per The Blood-Horse:
Per El Turf (www.elturf.com):
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Per the Stud Book Argentino (https://www.studbook.org.ar/):
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
Notable progeny
Alert (ARG), Any For Love (ARG), Batallosa (ARG), Bon Vivant (ARG), Brisque (ARG), Cadeaux (ARG), Chevillard (ARG), Edenwold (CAN), El Compinche (ARG), Empress Jackie (ARG), Evocado (ARG), Fairy Magic (ARG), Fiesta Lady (ARG), First One (ARG), Flirteador (ARG), Giulie-Halo (ARG), Gouache (ARG), Halo Ola (ARG), Handsome Halo (ARG), Hangar (ARG), Hopetown (ARG), Igreja (ARG), Ivory Tower (ARG), Jolly (ARG), La Costa Azul (ARG), La Galerie (ARG), Manpower (ARG), Masterpiece (ARG), Matthis (ARG), Mi Sureña (ARG), Miss Linda (ARG), More Than Ready (USA), Mr Nancho (ARG), My Halo (ARG), My Lad (ARG), New Heaven (ARG), Numeraria (ARG), Orca (ARG), Overspeed (ARG), Petit Club (ARG), Pryka (ARG), Rimel (ARG), Rockville (ARG), Sebastiano (ARG), Sebi Halo (ARG), Serenita (ARG), Snapy Halo (ARG), South Vagabunda (ARG), Southern Filly (ARG), Southern Spring (ARG), Star Runner (ARG), Sun Spring (ARG), Taimazov (ARG), Team (ARG), Thano (ARG), Vacacionada (ARG), Venusberg (ARG), Venusino (ARG), Wally (ARG)
Notable progeny of daughters
Angiolo (ARG), Art Show (ARG), Arte Pop (ARG), Artemisa (ARG), Asset (ARG), Bamb Craf (ARG), Carina Mia (USA), Chuck Berry (ARG), Comando Secreto (ARG), Conviction (ARG), Don Misil (ARG), Don Pedal (ARG), Doña Joya (ARG), Eclipse West (ARG), Garatero (ARG), Guernika (ARG), Halo Fever (URU), Halo Holiday (ARG), Kalithea (ARG), Kononkop (ARG), La Cocasse (ARG), Lac Azur (ARG), Malpensa (ARG), Mi Amiguito (ARG), Mighty Hunter (ARG), Miss Match (ARG), Nova Era (ARG), Omaggio (BRZ), Pitu da Guanabara (BRZ), Pure Bike (ARG), Quirico (ARG), Real Number (ARG), Refine (ARG), Rosa Miss (ARG), Royal Luck (CHI), Samba Reggae (ARG), Schoolmistress (ARG), Seeking Halo (ARG), Spice Boy (ARG), Stormy Nimble (ARG), Stormy Niña (ARG), Stormy Ninguna (ARG), Surf Point (ARG), Tantos Años (ARG), Todo un Amiguito (ARG), Una Arrabalera (ARG), Watch Her (ARG), Zanzibar (ARG)
Due to Jockey Club rules regarding the naming of horses after actual persons, Chuck Berry raced as "Grand Berry" in the United States.
Connections
Bred in Maryland by E. P. Taylor at his Windfields Farm, Southern Halo was owned by Stavros Niarchos after selling for US$600,000 to the British Bloodstock Agency from the Keeneland sales as a yearling. After two unplaced starts as a juvenile in Ireland, he was sent back to the United States, where he was trained by D. Wayne Lukas. Purchased by Hernano Ceriani Cernadas following his racing career, he was exported to Argentina in 1987 and stood at Haras La Quebrada; he also stood Northern Hemisphere seasons at Ashford Stud in Kentucky in 1996-2002 and at Arrow Stud in Japan in 2003. He died in his paddock at Haras La Quebrada in November 2009 after having been pensioned earlier that year and was buried next to the grave of Solazo.
Pedigree notes
Southern Halo is inbred 3x4 to the 20th-century foundation mare Almahmoud and 5x4 to two-time English/Irish champion sire Nearco, an unbeaten champion on the race course. He is a half brother to Excellent Lady (by Smarten), dam of multiple Grade 1 winner General Challenge (by General Meeting), 2000 Oak Leaf Stakes (USA-G1) winner Notable Career (by Avenue of Flags), and listed stakes winner Western Hemisphere (by General Meeting). Excellent Lady is also the second dam of two stakes winners and the third dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Excellent Jewel. Returning to Southern Halo, he is also a half brother to Northern Pageant (by Spectacular Bid), dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Snow Dance (by Forestry), second dam of multiple Japanese Group 3 winner Keiai Leone and Argentine Group 3 winner Panacea, and third dam of 2012 Gran Premio de Las Americas-O.S.A.F. Internacional (ARG-G1) winner Panegirico.
Southern Halo is out of 1977 Test Stakes (USA-G3) winner Northern Sea, whose full sister Dancer’s Saga is the dam of stakes winners Exclusive Story (by Exclusive Native), Colonial Saga (by Pleasant Colony), and Pleasant Tango (by Pleasant Colony) and the second dam of multiple Argentine Group 1 winner Knock; she is also the third dam of multiple Argentine Group 2 winner Blues for Sale. Northern Sea is also a half sister to 1978 Pucker Up Stakes (USA-G3) winner Key to the Saga (by Key to the Mint), dam of multiple stakes winner Cherokee Benji (by Cherokee Colony); second dam of 1983 Santa Anita Handicap (USA-G1) winner Sir Beaufort and Argentine Group 2 winner The New Yorker; and third dam of multiple Group 1 winner A Shin Hikari and Argentine Group 3 winner Fedra Gulch.
Northern Sea and her sisters were produced from 1971 Ladies Handicap winner Sea Saga (by Sea-Bird), whose full sister Sea Sister won the 1973 Rare Treat Stakes (USA-G3) and is the dam of stakes winner Monongahela (by Danzig). Produced from the stakes-placed Bold Ruler mare Shama, Sea Saga is also a half sister to stakes winner Roba Bella (by Ribot) and to Dark Legend (by Round Table), dam of Grade 3 winner Current Legend (by Little Current). In addition, Sea Saga is a half sister to Witch Dance (by Northern Dancer), dam of multiple stakes winners Johnny Dance (by Stage Door Johnny) and Voo Doo Dance (by Stage Door Johnny; dam of multiple restricted stakes winner Pulling Punches, by Two Punch) and second dam of multiple Grade 3 winner Pleasant Temper. Finally, Sea Saga is a half sister to Literary Lark (by Arts and Letters), second dam of Chilean Group 3 winner Parrandeo.
Last updated: January 2, 2025
Race record
24 starts, 5 wins, 7 seconds, 3 thirds, US$344,875
1986:
- 2nd Super Derby Invitational (USA-G1, 10FD, Louisiana Downs; dead heat with Cheapskate)
- 2nd Silver Screen Handicap (USA-G2, 8FD, Hollywood)
- 2nd Swaps Stakes (USA-G1, 10FD, Hollywood)
- 2nd El Cajon Stakes (USA-R, 8.5FD, Del Mar)
1987:
- 3rd Kensington Handicap (USA-L, 10FD, Golden Gate)
Assessments
Rated at 115 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1986, 11 pounds below champion Snow Chief.
As an individual
A strong, athletic, good-bodied bay horse of the Northern Dancer type, Southern Halo was upright in front and markedly back at the knee. He made two unplaced starts on turf in Ireland at 2 before being sent to the United States, where he raced more successfully on dirt.
As a stallion
Southern Halo was particularly effective with mares by the Buckpasser stallion Logical and the Tom Rolfe stallion Salt Marsh. Like other sires from the Hail to Reason male line, he tended to sire horses that were plain and workmanlike in make, and he often transmitted his own foreleg faults, traits that did not endear him to the commercial market in Kentucky. He often stamped his foals with his own head and eye as well as with a measure of the tough Halo temperament. He was primarily an influence for speed and precocity. According to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club, Southern Halo sired 1118 winners (61.1%) and 173 stakes winners (9.5%) from 1829 named foals. Southern Halo earned Pellegrini Awards as the Argentine Stallion of the Year in 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, and 2007; he also earned Pellegrini Awards as the Argentine Broodmare Sire of the Year in 2014-2018.
Sire rankings
Per the Associação Brasileira de Criadores e Proprietários do Cavalos de Corrida (www.abcpcc.com.br):
- 10th on the Brazilian broodmare sire list in 2006/2007
Per The Blood-Horse:
- Led the Argentine general sire list in 1994-2000, 2004, and 2007.
Per El Turf (www.elturf.com):
- 10th on the Argentine general sire list in 2012.
- Led the Argentine broodmare sire list in 2012-2019; 2nd in 2020; 4th in 2021.
- 9th on the Peruvian broodmare sire list in 2019; 10th in 2016, 2020, and 2021.
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- Led the Argentine general sire list in 1994-2001 and 2003; 2nd in 1993, 2002, and 2004; 4th in 1992; 7th in 2005.
- Led the American broodmare sire list in 2004 and 2005; 2nd in 2001-2003.
Per the Stud Book Argentino (https://www.studbook.org.ar/):
- Led the Argentine general sire list in 1992, 1994-2001, 2003, and 2007; 2nd in 1993, 2002, 2004, and 2006; 3rd in 2009; 7th in 2005 and 2010.
- Led the Argentine broodmare sire list in 2004-2019; 2nd in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2020, and 2022; 4th in 2021; 5th in 2023; 7th in 2024; 10th in 2000.
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
- Led the Argentine general sire list in 1994-2001, 2003, and 2007.
Notable progeny
Alert (ARG), Any For Love (ARG), Batallosa (ARG), Bon Vivant (ARG), Brisque (ARG), Cadeaux (ARG), Chevillard (ARG), Edenwold (CAN), El Compinche (ARG), Empress Jackie (ARG), Evocado (ARG), Fairy Magic (ARG), Fiesta Lady (ARG), First One (ARG), Flirteador (ARG), Giulie-Halo (ARG), Gouache (ARG), Halo Ola (ARG), Handsome Halo (ARG), Hangar (ARG), Hopetown (ARG), Igreja (ARG), Ivory Tower (ARG), Jolly (ARG), La Costa Azul (ARG), La Galerie (ARG), Manpower (ARG), Masterpiece (ARG), Matthis (ARG), Mi Sureña (ARG), Miss Linda (ARG), More Than Ready (USA), Mr Nancho (ARG), My Halo (ARG), My Lad (ARG), New Heaven (ARG), Numeraria (ARG), Orca (ARG), Overspeed (ARG), Petit Club (ARG), Pryka (ARG), Rimel (ARG), Rockville (ARG), Sebastiano (ARG), Sebi Halo (ARG), Serenita (ARG), Snapy Halo (ARG), South Vagabunda (ARG), Southern Filly (ARG), Southern Spring (ARG), Star Runner (ARG), Sun Spring (ARG), Taimazov (ARG), Team (ARG), Thano (ARG), Vacacionada (ARG), Venusberg (ARG), Venusino (ARG), Wally (ARG)
Notable progeny of daughters
Angiolo (ARG), Art Show (ARG), Arte Pop (ARG), Artemisa (ARG), Asset (ARG), Bamb Craf (ARG), Carina Mia (USA), Chuck Berry (ARG), Comando Secreto (ARG), Conviction (ARG), Don Misil (ARG), Don Pedal (ARG), Doña Joya (ARG), Eclipse West (ARG), Garatero (ARG), Guernika (ARG), Halo Fever (URU), Halo Holiday (ARG), Kalithea (ARG), Kononkop (ARG), La Cocasse (ARG), Lac Azur (ARG), Malpensa (ARG), Mi Amiguito (ARG), Mighty Hunter (ARG), Miss Match (ARG), Nova Era (ARG), Omaggio (BRZ), Pitu da Guanabara (BRZ), Pure Bike (ARG), Quirico (ARG), Real Number (ARG), Refine (ARG), Rosa Miss (ARG), Royal Luck (CHI), Samba Reggae (ARG), Schoolmistress (ARG), Seeking Halo (ARG), Spice Boy (ARG), Stormy Nimble (ARG), Stormy Niña (ARG), Stormy Ninguna (ARG), Surf Point (ARG), Tantos Años (ARG), Todo un Amiguito (ARG), Una Arrabalera (ARG), Watch Her (ARG), Zanzibar (ARG)
Due to Jockey Club rules regarding the naming of horses after actual persons, Chuck Berry raced as "Grand Berry" in the United States.
Connections
Bred in Maryland by E. P. Taylor at his Windfields Farm, Southern Halo was owned by Stavros Niarchos after selling for US$600,000 to the British Bloodstock Agency from the Keeneland sales as a yearling. After two unplaced starts as a juvenile in Ireland, he was sent back to the United States, where he was trained by D. Wayne Lukas. Purchased by Hernano Ceriani Cernadas following his racing career, he was exported to Argentina in 1987 and stood at Haras La Quebrada; he also stood Northern Hemisphere seasons at Ashford Stud in Kentucky in 1996-2002 and at Arrow Stud in Japan in 2003. He died in his paddock at Haras La Quebrada in November 2009 after having been pensioned earlier that year and was buried next to the grave of Solazo.
Pedigree notes
Southern Halo is inbred 3x4 to the 20th-century foundation mare Almahmoud and 5x4 to two-time English/Irish champion sire Nearco, an unbeaten champion on the race course. He is a half brother to Excellent Lady (by Smarten), dam of multiple Grade 1 winner General Challenge (by General Meeting), 2000 Oak Leaf Stakes (USA-G1) winner Notable Career (by Avenue of Flags), and listed stakes winner Western Hemisphere (by General Meeting). Excellent Lady is also the second dam of two stakes winners and the third dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Excellent Jewel. Returning to Southern Halo, he is also a half brother to Northern Pageant (by Spectacular Bid), dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Snow Dance (by Forestry), second dam of multiple Japanese Group 3 winner Keiai Leone and Argentine Group 3 winner Panacea, and third dam of 2012 Gran Premio de Las Americas-O.S.A.F. Internacional (ARG-G1) winner Panegirico.
Southern Halo is out of 1977 Test Stakes (USA-G3) winner Northern Sea, whose full sister Dancer’s Saga is the dam of stakes winners Exclusive Story (by Exclusive Native), Colonial Saga (by Pleasant Colony), and Pleasant Tango (by Pleasant Colony) and the second dam of multiple Argentine Group 1 winner Knock; she is also the third dam of multiple Argentine Group 2 winner Blues for Sale. Northern Sea is also a half sister to 1978 Pucker Up Stakes (USA-G3) winner Key to the Saga (by Key to the Mint), dam of multiple stakes winner Cherokee Benji (by Cherokee Colony); second dam of 1983 Santa Anita Handicap (USA-G1) winner Sir Beaufort and Argentine Group 2 winner The New Yorker; and third dam of multiple Group 1 winner A Shin Hikari and Argentine Group 3 winner Fedra Gulch.
Northern Sea and her sisters were produced from 1971 Ladies Handicap winner Sea Saga (by Sea-Bird), whose full sister Sea Sister won the 1973 Rare Treat Stakes (USA-G3) and is the dam of stakes winner Monongahela (by Danzig). Produced from the stakes-placed Bold Ruler mare Shama, Sea Saga is also a half sister to stakes winner Roba Bella (by Ribot) and to Dark Legend (by Round Table), dam of Grade 3 winner Current Legend (by Little Current). In addition, Sea Saga is a half sister to Witch Dance (by Northern Dancer), dam of multiple stakes winners Johnny Dance (by Stage Door Johnny) and Voo Doo Dance (by Stage Door Johnny; dam of multiple restricted stakes winner Pulling Punches, by Two Punch) and second dam of multiple Grade 3 winner Pleasant Temper. Finally, Sea Saga is a half sister to Literary Lark (by Arts and Letters), second dam of Chilean Group 3 winner Parrandeo.
Last updated: January 2, 2025