Tapit (USA)
February 27, 2001 – Living
Pulpit (USA) x Tap Your Heels (USA), by Unbridled (USA)
Family 3-o
February 27, 2001 – Living
Pulpit (USA) x Tap Your Heels (USA), by Unbridled (USA)
Family 3-o
A handsome gray who boasted a powerful closing kick at his best, Tapit became one of the favorites for the 2004 Kentucky Derby (USA-G1) after posting an impressive win in the Wood Memorial Stakes (USA-G1). Given that the colt was not fully fit for the Wood after having lost training time to a lung infection, many anticipated that he would turn in a peak performance in the Derby. Instead, he ran out of the money and shortly afterward was diagnosed with a recurrence of the lung infection. He made only one more start before retiring to stud, where he has become by far the best American stallion from his crop.
Race record
6 starts, 3 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds, US$557,300
2004:
2003:
Assessments
Rated at 114 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 2003, 12 pounds below Action This Day (the official champion), Cuvee, and Ruler's Court.
Rated at 113 pounds in the Mile category (8 to 9.5 furlongs) from the North American Ratings Committee for his performance in the 2004 Wood Memorial, 5 pounds below Smarty Jones' category-topping performance for 3-year-old males in the Rebel Stakes.
As an individual
Officially registered as a gray or roan, Tapit is an elegant gray horse whose appearance somewhat recalls that of his distant Arabian ancestors. He has a strong shoulder, powerful hindquarters and a strong, straight hind leg. He stands 16 hands. His temperament has been described as "quirky," and he is intelligent enough to size up the people working with him to see what he might be able to get away with.
As a stallion
Tapit broke the single-season progeny earnings record for a North American sire in each of three consecutive years (2014-2016). The American champion freshman and juvenile sire of 2008 according to both The Blood-Horse and Thoroughbred Times, he also broke Danzig's 24-year-old single-season progeny earnings record for a first-crop sire of US$2,155,216, setting a new mark of US$2,811,337. He tends to pass a strong-willed and competitive disposition to his foals, along with powerful shoulders and flat knees.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
Per The Blood-Horse:
Notable progeny
Arthur's Ride (USA), As de Trebol (USA), Careless Jewel (USA), Chachkova (USA), Chasing Yesterday (USA), Constitution (USA), Creator (USA), Cupid (USA), Dance Card (USA), Dream Dancing (USA), Essential Quality (USA), Flightline (USA), Frosted (USA), Hansen (USA), Joyful Victory (USA), Laragh (USA), Panivino (USA), Pauline's Pearl (USA), Pretty City Dancer (USA), Proxy (USA), Ring Weekend (USA), Stardom Bound (USA), Sweet Loretta (USA), Tapit Girl (TUR), Tapit Trice (USA), Tapitsfly (USA), Tapizar (USA), Tapwrit (USA), Tell a Kelly (USA), Testa Matta (USA), Time and Motion (USA), Tonalist (USA), Unique Bella (USA), Untapable (USA), Valiance (USA), Zazu (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Arcangelo (USA), Carta Embrujada (ARG), Cody's Wish (USA), Gran Alegria (JPN), Harvey's Lil Goil (USA), Jorel (BRZ), Kingsbarns (USA), Lexitonian (USA), Pretty Mischievous (USA), Saudi Crown (USA), Society (USA), Tenwa (USA), Tripoli (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Tapit was bred by Oldenburg Farm LLC. A US$625,000 yearling at the 2002 Keeneland September yearling sale, he was owned by Ron and Joan Winchell's Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Colleen Boyd. He was trained by Michael Dickinson. Following the colt's Wood Memorial win, Anthony Beck of Gainesway Farm bought a one-third interest in Tapit for US$3 million. Now the property of a syndicate, Tapit entered stud in Kentucky in 2005 at Gainesway Farm, where he has stood throughout his career. His initial stud fee was set at US$15,000; it increased steadily after that and reached US$300,000 in 2015, making him the most expensive stallion in North America at that time. His fee has since declined to US$185,000, where it has been since 2021.
Pedigree notes
Tapit is inbred 3x4 to two-time American champion sire Mr. Prospector and 5x4 to two-time American champion broodmare sire Nijinsky II. He is a full brother to Home From Oz, dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Madefromlucky (by Lookin At Lucky). He is also a half brother to listed stakes-placed Overandabeauty (by Grand Slam), dam of listed stakes winner Noble and a Beauty (by Noble Causeway).
Tapit is out of the stakes-winning Unbridled mare Tap Your Heels, whose name derives from that of her dam, Ruby Slippers. (In the movie The Wizard of Oz, the heroine, Dorothy, wore the Ruby Slippers and had to tap her heels together three times for the Slippers' magic to return her from the Land of Oz to her home in Kansas.) Tap Your Heels is a half sister to 1992 American champion sprinter Rubiano (by Unbridled's sire Fappiano) and to Hong Kong Jade (by Alysheba), second dam of 2009 American champion 3-year-old male Summer Bird. She is also a half sister to Secret Red (by Secretariat), dam of Canadian Grade 2 winner Dubleo (by Southern Halo), and to Witchitoz (by Affirmed), dam of Grade 2 winner In Tune (by Unbridled's Song) and Grade 3-placed stakes winners Chitoz (by Forest Wildcat) and Affirmatif (by Unbridled's Song).
Ruby Slippers, in turn, is a Nijinsky II half sister to 1990 Philadelphia Park Breeders' Cup Handicap (USA-G3) winner and useful sire Glitterman (by Dewan). Both are out of the stakes-winning In Reality mare Moon Glitter, a full sister to multiple Grade 3 winner and important stallion Relaunch and a half sister to stakes winners Belle o' Reason (by Hail to Reason; second dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Chimes Band) and Battle Call (by Native Charger). The next dam in Tapit's tail-female line, Foggy Note (by The Axe II) was a multiple stakes winner and is a half sister to Grade 2-placed stakes winner Forward Charger (by Native Charger).
Fun facts
Photo credit
Photo taken in 2011 at Gainesway Farm by Jessica Morgan. Used by permission.
Last updated: September 7, 2024
Race record
6 starts, 3 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds, US$557,300
2004:
- Won Wood Memorial Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Aqueduct)
2003:
- Won Laurel Futurity (USA-G3, 8.5FD, Laurel)
Assessments
Rated at 114 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 2003, 12 pounds below Action This Day (the official champion), Cuvee, and Ruler's Court.
Rated at 113 pounds in the Mile category (8 to 9.5 furlongs) from the North American Ratings Committee for his performance in the 2004 Wood Memorial, 5 pounds below Smarty Jones' category-topping performance for 3-year-old males in the Rebel Stakes.
As an individual
Officially registered as a gray or roan, Tapit is an elegant gray horse whose appearance somewhat recalls that of his distant Arabian ancestors. He has a strong shoulder, powerful hindquarters and a strong, straight hind leg. He stands 16 hands. His temperament has been described as "quirky," and he is intelligent enough to size up the people working with him to see what he might be able to get away with.
As a stallion
Tapit broke the single-season progeny earnings record for a North American sire in each of three consecutive years (2014-2016). The American champion freshman and juvenile sire of 2008 according to both The Blood-Horse and Thoroughbred Times, he also broke Danzig's 24-year-old single-season progeny earnings record for a first-crop sire of US$2,155,216, setting a new mark of US$2,811,337. He tends to pass a strong-willed and competitive disposition to his foals, along with powerful shoulders and flat knees.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
- Led the North American general sire list in 2014-2016; 2nd in 2011; 3rd in 2012, 2017, and 2020; 4th in 2020 and 2021; 5th in 2013, 2018, and 2022.
- Led the North American broodmare sire list in 2023; 2nd in 2021 and 2022; 8th in 2020.
Per The Blood-Horse:
- Led the American general sire list in 2014-2016; 2nd in 2020; 3rd in 2011 and 2019; 4th in 2012 and 2021; 5th in 2017 and 2018; 7th in 2013 and 2022.
- 2nd on the American broodmare sire list in 2023; 6th in 2022; 7th in 2021.
- Led the American juvenile sire list in 2008.
Notable progeny
Arthur's Ride (USA), As de Trebol (USA), Careless Jewel (USA), Chachkova (USA), Chasing Yesterday (USA), Constitution (USA), Creator (USA), Cupid (USA), Dance Card (USA), Dream Dancing (USA), Essential Quality (USA), Flightline (USA), Frosted (USA), Hansen (USA), Joyful Victory (USA), Laragh (USA), Panivino (USA), Pauline's Pearl (USA), Pretty City Dancer (USA), Proxy (USA), Ring Weekend (USA), Stardom Bound (USA), Sweet Loretta (USA), Tapit Girl (TUR), Tapit Trice (USA), Tapitsfly (USA), Tapizar (USA), Tapwrit (USA), Tell a Kelly (USA), Testa Matta (USA), Time and Motion (USA), Tonalist (USA), Unique Bella (USA), Untapable (USA), Valiance (USA), Zazu (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Arcangelo (USA), Carta Embrujada (ARG), Cody's Wish (USA), Gran Alegria (JPN), Harvey's Lil Goil (USA), Jorel (BRZ), Kingsbarns (USA), Lexitonian (USA), Pretty Mischievous (USA), Saudi Crown (USA), Society (USA), Tenwa (USA), Tripoli (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Tapit was bred by Oldenburg Farm LLC. A US$625,000 yearling at the 2002 Keeneland September yearling sale, he was owned by Ron and Joan Winchell's Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Colleen Boyd. He was trained by Michael Dickinson. Following the colt's Wood Memorial win, Anthony Beck of Gainesway Farm bought a one-third interest in Tapit for US$3 million. Now the property of a syndicate, Tapit entered stud in Kentucky in 2005 at Gainesway Farm, where he has stood throughout his career. His initial stud fee was set at US$15,000; it increased steadily after that and reached US$300,000 in 2015, making him the most expensive stallion in North America at that time. His fee has since declined to US$185,000, where it has been since 2021.
Pedigree notes
Tapit is inbred 3x4 to two-time American champion sire Mr. Prospector and 5x4 to two-time American champion broodmare sire Nijinsky II. He is a full brother to Home From Oz, dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Madefromlucky (by Lookin At Lucky). He is also a half brother to listed stakes-placed Overandabeauty (by Grand Slam), dam of listed stakes winner Noble and a Beauty (by Noble Causeway).
Tapit is out of the stakes-winning Unbridled mare Tap Your Heels, whose name derives from that of her dam, Ruby Slippers. (In the movie The Wizard of Oz, the heroine, Dorothy, wore the Ruby Slippers and had to tap her heels together three times for the Slippers' magic to return her from the Land of Oz to her home in Kansas.) Tap Your Heels is a half sister to 1992 American champion sprinter Rubiano (by Unbridled's sire Fappiano) and to Hong Kong Jade (by Alysheba), second dam of 2009 American champion 3-year-old male Summer Bird. She is also a half sister to Secret Red (by Secretariat), dam of Canadian Grade 2 winner Dubleo (by Southern Halo), and to Witchitoz (by Affirmed), dam of Grade 2 winner In Tune (by Unbridled's Song) and Grade 3-placed stakes winners Chitoz (by Forest Wildcat) and Affirmatif (by Unbridled's Song).
Ruby Slippers, in turn, is a Nijinsky II half sister to 1990 Philadelphia Park Breeders' Cup Handicap (USA-G3) winner and useful sire Glitterman (by Dewan). Both are out of the stakes-winning In Reality mare Moon Glitter, a full sister to multiple Grade 3 winner and important stallion Relaunch and a half sister to stakes winners Belle o' Reason (by Hail to Reason; second dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Chimes Band) and Battle Call (by Native Charger). The next dam in Tapit's tail-female line, Foggy Note (by The Axe II) was a multiple stakes winner and is a half sister to Grade 2-placed stakes winner Forward Charger (by Native Charger).
Fun facts
- While Tapit was in training, trainer Michael Dickinson routinely supplemented his feed with a pint of Guinness stout and three eggs. He would also roll out sod from his home base at Tapeta Farm for the colt to graze on when away at the track.
- Tapit does not like seeing other stallions pass by his paddock and will kick at the fencing of the enclosure to express his displeasure. For that reason, he is always the last Gainesway stallion to be turned into his paddock and the first to be brought out when the stallions are returned to the barn.
- Tapit is one of five grays to head the American general sire list. The others are Mahmoud (1957), Grey Dawn II (1990), Cozzene (1996) and Unbridled's Song (2017)..
- Tapit became the first North American stallion to surpass US$16 million in progeny earnings for a single season in 2014, the first North American stallion to surpass US$18 million in single-season progeny earnings in 2015 and the first North American stallion to exceed US$19 million in single-season progeny earnings in 2016.
- In a rare feat indeed, Tapit's daughters Pretty City Dancer and Sweet Loretta finished in a dead heat for the 2016 Spinaway Stakes (USA-G1).
- Tapit reached the milestone of 100 stakes winners as a sire on August 9, 2017, when his son Blind Ambition won the Quick Call Stakes at Saratoga. He gained his 100th Graded or Group stakes winner when his son Tapit Trice won the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (USA-G3) on March 11, 2023.
- With the Belmont Stakes (USA-G1) win of Essential Quality in 2021, Tapit joined Lexington as the only stallions to sire four Belmont winners.
Photo credit
Photo taken in 2011 at Gainesway Farm by Jessica Morgan. Used by permission.
Last updated: September 7, 2024