Unbridled
| Unbridled | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Fappiano |
| Grandsire | Mr. Prospector |
| Dam | Gana Facil |
| Damsire | Le Fabuleux |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | March 5, 1987 |
| Country | USA  |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Tartan Farms |
| Owner | Frances A. Genter |
| Trainer | Carl Nafzger |
| Record | 24: 8-6-6 |
| Earnings | $4,489,475 |
| Major wins | |
| Florida Derby (1990) Kentucky Derby (1990) Breeders' Cup Classic (1990) | |
| Awards | |
| U.S. Champion 3-Yr-Old Colt (1990) | |
| Honours | |
| Unbridled Stakes at Calder Race Course | |
| Last updated on May 15, 2007 | |
Unbridled (March 5 1987 - October 18, 2001) was a champion American thoroughbred racehorse.
The colt was sired by Fappiano (10 wins in 17 starts), by Mr. Prospector, and his dam Gana Facil, by Le Fabuleux. Unbridled retired with a career record of 8 wins, 6 places and 6 shows in 24 starts, and $4,489,475 in career earnings.
In 1989 at age two, Unbridled won the "What A Pleasure Stakes" and placed in all six of his starts. At age three, ridden by jockey Craig Perret, he won the won the Grade I Florida Derby by four lengths and America's most prestigious race, the Kentucky Derby by 3 1/2 lengths. He finished second in the Preakness Stakes to Summer Squall then in a major upset, finished fourth in the Belmont Stakes to the Irish colt, Go And Go. In the fall, ridden by Pat Day, Unbridled won the 1 1/4 mile Breeders' Cup Classic at Belmont Park in 2:02.20 minutes. His performance for the year earned him the prestigious Eclipse Award as Champion 3-year-old male of 1990.
Unbridled's Kentucky Derby win provided one of the most memorable moments in that race's history. A network television camera in the Churchill Downs stands captured Unbridled's trainer, Carl Nafzger, giving the horse's elderly owner, Frances Genter, an exciting stretch call because of her poor vision. Nafzger shouted, "He's going to win! He's going to win! Oh, Mrs. Genter, I love you!"
Racing as a four year old, Unbridled won the Deputy Minister Handicap at Gulfstream Park and placed second in the Fayette Handicap behind Summer Squall.
Unbridled sired 292 runners that produced 183 winners (38 of those stakes winners) out of 437 foals earning over $31 million by 2000. Ten of his offspring were Grade I Stakes winners, four were classic winners, and three received Eclipse Awards. Unbridled is the last Kentucky Derby winner to sire another Derby winner, Grindstone, who placed first in the Kentucky Derby in 1996.
Unbridled is also the last stallion to have sired at least one winner each of the American Triple Crown races: Grindstone, Kentucky Derby, 1996; Red Bullet, Preakness Stakes, 2000; and Empire Maker, Belmont Stakes, 2003.
Some of Unbridled's offspring include:
- Colts/Horses: Unbridled's Song, Grindstone, Empire Maker, Eddington, Red Bullet, Anees, Unshaded, Saarland, Mustanfar, Symphony Sid, Rebridled, Malabar Gold, Unbridled Jet, Unbridled's Image, Niigon, Greed is Good, Wheelaway, Broken Vow and Pupil.
- Fillies/Mares: Banshee Breeze, Halfbridled, Exogenous, Santa Catarina, Surya, Lady Ballade, Happily Unbridled, Boom Town Girl, Unrestrained, Manistique and Belterra.
In September 2001, Unbridled underwent two operations at Hagyard-Davidson-McGee veterinary clinic, near Lexington, Kentucky. He was euthanized at the clinic after a severe bout of colic.