A respectable but not exceptional runner at 2 and 3 in England, The Axe II matured into one of the best turf runners in North America at 4 and 5. He overcame the American bias against staying turf runners as sires to become Mahmoud's best son at stud in North America, handing on the male line to his sons Al Hattab and Executioner.
Race record
38 starts, 15 wins, 3 seconds, 6 thirds, US$393,391
1960:
1961:
1962:
1963:
Assessments
Rated at 119 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1962, 12 pounds below Horse of the Year Kelso.
Co-highweighted with divisional champion Mongo at 130 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf runners of 1963, 8 pounds above third-rated Bronze Babu.
As an individual
A bigger, stronger horse than most of Mahmoud's progeny, The Axe II had the straight, strong hind leg associated with stayers. He had a strong turn of foot and was game and determined when called on but did not fare well when staying too close to a swift pace, being better suited to the European style of galloping covered up early and then being produced in the home straight. He handled firm and yielding turf with equal ease and was quite sound.
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, The Axe II sired 260 winners (61.3%) and 41 stakes winners (9.7%) from 424 named foals.
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual series (Daily Racing Form):
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Per Thoroughbred Record (later Thoroughbred Times):
Notable progeny
Al Hattab (USA), Executioner (USA), Foggy Note (USA), Hatchet Man (USA), Poleax (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Buckhar (USA), Bull inthe Heather (USA), Caveat (USA), El Catedratico (USA), Green Forest (USA), Heatherten (USA), Lively One (USA), Man on the Moon (PAN), Misil (USA), Mr. Epperson (USA), Relaunch (USA), Swing Till Dawn (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, The Axe II was bred by Greentree Stud and raced in the colors of Greentree Stable. He was trained by John Gaver, Sr. He stood at Greentree throughout his stud career and was buried on land that is now part of Gainesway Farm.
Pedigree notes
The Axe II is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to the good stakes winner Malicious (by Helioscope) and to Hester Prynne (by Dedicate), dam of stakes winners Not Even (by Sadair), Bold Conquest (by Bold Bidder) and Perry Cabin (by Arts and Letters) and third dam of Canadian Grade 3 winner Bishop Bob. He is also a half brother to Nancy Strieter (by Devil Diver), third dam of Mexican Group 3 winner Innegable S; to Monkey Business (by Tom Fool), dam of stakes winner Lucky Caper (by Lucky Debonair); to Foolish Fancy (by Tom Fool), second dam of Grade 3 winner Trumpeter Swan; and to Alice Sit Down (by Alycidon), dam of stakes winner Straphanger (by Gallant Man) and third dam of 1990 Puerto Rican champion imported 2-year-old filly Another Diana. In addition, The Axe II is a half brother to Pirate Flag (by Crafty Admiral), second dam of Grade 3 winner Stone White and third dam of Grade 3 winners Bursting Forth and World Class Splash, and to Out You Go (by Hail to Reason), dam of stakes winner Out Door Johnny (by Stage Door Johnny).
Blackball, dam of The Axe II, is an unraced full sister to 1951 American Derby winner Hall of Fame and to stakes-placed Queen Caroline, second dam of Grade 2 winner and important Argentine sire Salt Marsh. Blackball is also a half sister to Blue Eyed Momo (by War Admiral), dam of 1960 Wood Memorial Stakes and Dwyer Handicap winner Francis S. (by Royal Charger), second dam of 1962 Diamond State Handicap winner Piper's Son. Blackball and her siblings are out of stakes-placed Big Event (by Blue Larkspur), whose dam La Troienne remains the most celebrated matriarch of American racing history.
Fun facts
Last updated: August 23, 2023
Race record
38 starts, 15 wins, 3 seconds, 6 thirds, US$393,391
1960:
- Won Imperial Stakes (ENG, Kempton)
- 2nd Gainsborough Stakes (ENG, Hurst)
- 3rd Autumn Breeders' Stakes (ENG, Manchester)
1961:
- Won Newmarket Stakes (ENG, 10FT, Newmarket)
1962:
- Won Long Island Handicap (first division) (USA, 11FT, Belmont)
- Won Washington's Birthday Handicap (USA, 12FT, Santa Anita)
- Won Knickerbocker Handicap (USA, 11FT, BEL; new American record 2:13-1/5)
- Won San Marcos Handicap (USA, 10FT, Santa Anita)
- 3rd Man o' War Stakes (USA, 12FT, Belmont)
- 3rd San Gabriel Handicap (USA, 9FT, Santa Anita)
- 3rd San Juan Capistrano Handicap (USA, about 14FT, Santa Anita)
1963:
- Won Man o' War Stakes (USA, 13FT, Aqueduct)
- Won Arcadia Handicap (USA, 10FT, Santa Anita)
- Won Benjamin F. Lindheimer Handicap (USA, 12FT, Arlington Park)
- Won Canadian Championship Stakes (CAN, 13FT, Woodbine; new course record 2:41)
- Won San Luis Rey Handicap (USA, 12FT, Santa Anita)
- 2nd Long Island Handicap (USA, 9.5FT, Aqueduct)
- 3rd San Marcos Handicap (USA, 10FT, Santa Anita)
Assessments
Rated at 119 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1962, 12 pounds below Horse of the Year Kelso.
Co-highweighted with divisional champion Mongo at 130 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf runners of 1963, 8 pounds above third-rated Bronze Babu.
As an individual
A bigger, stronger horse than most of Mahmoud's progeny, The Axe II had the straight, strong hind leg associated with stayers. He had a strong turn of foot and was game and determined when called on but did not fare well when staying too close to a swift pace, being better suited to the European style of galloping covered up early and then being produced in the home straight. He handled firm and yielding turf with equal ease and was quite sound.
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, The Axe II sired 260 winners (61.3%) and 41 stakes winners (9.7%) from 424 named foals.
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual series (Daily Racing Form):
- 10th on the American general sire list in 1971.
- 9th on the American broodmare sire list in 1983.
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- 9th on the American broodmare sire list in 1983.
Per Thoroughbred Record (later Thoroughbred Times):
- 10th on the American general sire list in 1971.
- 10th on the American broodmare sire list in 1983.
Notable progeny
Al Hattab (USA), Executioner (USA), Foggy Note (USA), Hatchet Man (USA), Poleax (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Buckhar (USA), Bull inthe Heather (USA), Caveat (USA), El Catedratico (USA), Green Forest (USA), Heatherten (USA), Lively One (USA), Man on the Moon (PAN), Misil (USA), Mr. Epperson (USA), Relaunch (USA), Swing Till Dawn (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, The Axe II was bred by Greentree Stud and raced in the colors of Greentree Stable. He was trained by John Gaver, Sr. He stood at Greentree throughout his stud career and was buried on land that is now part of Gainesway Farm.
Pedigree notes
The Axe II is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to the good stakes winner Malicious (by Helioscope) and to Hester Prynne (by Dedicate), dam of stakes winners Not Even (by Sadair), Bold Conquest (by Bold Bidder) and Perry Cabin (by Arts and Letters) and third dam of Canadian Grade 3 winner Bishop Bob. He is also a half brother to Nancy Strieter (by Devil Diver), third dam of Mexican Group 3 winner Innegable S; to Monkey Business (by Tom Fool), dam of stakes winner Lucky Caper (by Lucky Debonair); to Foolish Fancy (by Tom Fool), second dam of Grade 3 winner Trumpeter Swan; and to Alice Sit Down (by Alycidon), dam of stakes winner Straphanger (by Gallant Man) and third dam of 1990 Puerto Rican champion imported 2-year-old filly Another Diana. In addition, The Axe II is a half brother to Pirate Flag (by Crafty Admiral), second dam of Grade 3 winner Stone White and third dam of Grade 3 winners Bursting Forth and World Class Splash, and to Out You Go (by Hail to Reason), dam of stakes winner Out Door Johnny (by Stage Door Johnny).
Blackball, dam of The Axe II, is an unraced full sister to 1951 American Derby winner Hall of Fame and to stakes-placed Queen Caroline, second dam of Grade 2 winner and important Argentine sire Salt Marsh. Blackball is also a half sister to Blue Eyed Momo (by War Admiral), dam of 1960 Wood Memorial Stakes and Dwyer Handicap winner Francis S. (by Royal Charger), second dam of 1962 Diamond State Handicap winner Piper's Son. Blackball and her siblings are out of stakes-placed Big Event (by Blue Larkspur), whose dam La Troienne remains the most celebrated matriarch of American racing history.
Fun facts
- Although he was foaled in Kentucky, The Axe II was initially registered as a yearling in England, where he was known simply as “The Axe.” He received the “II” suffix to his name on his return to the United States to avoid confusion with a 1954 gelding by Guillotine, a horse much more notable for durability than class.
Last updated: August 23, 2023