Coronado's Quest
Encyclopedia
February 15, 1995–March 8, 2006) was an American-based
Thoroughbred
racehorse
. He was sired by 1987 Champion Two Year Old Colt Forty Niner
, out of the unraced Damascus
daughter Laughing Look. His granddam, Laughter, is a 3/4 sister to the great Ruffian
.
over future Bluegrass Stakes winner Halory Hunter. The following year, he was known for his moody temperament (which earned him the nickname "the Bad Boy of Racing") as much as his talent. He started his three year old campaign in Florida with a second in the Hutcheson stakes to Time Limit after dumping jockey Mike Smith before the race. His antics just got worse from there, coming to a head with a dismal fifth in the Florida Derby, which effectively ended his chance at the Kentucky Derby.
After the fiasco in Florida, Coronado's Quest returned to New York. He underwent a routine surgery to fix an entrapped epiglottis and the improvement was dramatic. He reeled off five straight graded stakes scores, culminating in a nose win over Belmont Stakes
winner Victory Gallop
in the Travers Stakes
. It was eerily similar to his sire's Travers win over Seeking the Gold and Brian's Time ten years prior.
at the historic Claiborne Farm
in 1999. He was sold to Japan in 2003, where he died March 8, 2006 from heart failure after covering a mare at the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association's Shizunai Stallion Station
in Hokkaido
.
Coronado's Quest was only moderately successful at stud, despite his excellent pedigree and race record. He sired seventeen stakes winners, including multiple grade one winner Society Selection in America, Grade I winner Crucifijo in Mexico and Group 2 winner Al Jadeed in Europe. While standing in Japan he sired Grade 3 winner Ceres Hunt (セレスハン Seresuhanto).
Though a disappointment as a sire, he has quickly become a top young broodmare sire. His most notable grandsons and daughters include champions Kodiak Kowboy
, Grand Adventure and Grade I
winners Mani Bhavan and Boys at Tosconova.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
. He was sired by 1987 Champion Two Year Old Colt Forty Niner
Forty Niner (horse)
Forty Niner is an American champion thoroughbred Stallion racehorse. By Champion sire Mr. Prospector and out of the mare, File, Forty Niner was the U.S...
, out of the unraced Damascus
Damascus (horse)
Damascus was a thoroughbred race horse sired by Sword Dancer out of Kerala foaled at the Jonabell Farm in Lexington, Kentucky...
daughter Laughing Look. His granddam, Laughter, is a 3/4 sister to the great Ruffian
Ruffian (horse)
Ruffian was an American champion thoroughbred racehorse. Ruffian is considered by many to be the greatest female racehorse in history. Ruffian is among the greatest U.S. racehorses of all time. Her story was told in 2007 film Ruffian.- Career :An almost coal black filly of 16 and a half hands,...
.
Racing Career
As a two year old, Coronado's Quest won three graded stakes, all in New York, including a victory in the Remsen StakesRemsen Stakes
The Remsen Stakes is an American Grade II race for Thoroughbred horse race run annually near the end of November at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York...
over future Bluegrass Stakes winner Halory Hunter. The following year, he was known for his moody temperament (which earned him the nickname "the Bad Boy of Racing") as much as his talent. He started his three year old campaign in Florida with a second in the Hutcheson stakes to Time Limit after dumping jockey Mike Smith before the race. His antics just got worse from there, coming to a head with a dismal fifth in the Florida Derby, which effectively ended his chance at the Kentucky Derby.
After the fiasco in Florida, Coronado's Quest returned to New York. He underwent a routine surgery to fix an entrapped epiglottis and the improvement was dramatic. He reeled off five straight graded stakes scores, culminating in a nose win over Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
winner Victory Gallop
Victory Gallop
Victory Gallop was an American-based Thoroughbred racehorse. As a three-year-old he won the Belmont Stakes denying Real Quiet the Triple Crown...
in the Travers Stakes
Travers Stakes
The Travers Stakes is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York.First held in 1864, it was named for William R. Travers, the president of the old Saratoga Racing Association. His horse, Kentucky, won the first running of the Travers...
. It was eerily similar to his sire's Travers win over Seeking the Gold and Brian's Time ten years prior.
Stallion Career
Coronado's Quest was retired to stand studHorse breeding
Horse breeding is reproduction in horses, and particularly the human-directed process of selective breeding of animals, particularly purebred horses of a given breed. Planned matings can be used to produce specifically desired characteristics in domesticated horses...
at the historic Claiborne Farm
Claiborne Farm
Claiborne Farm is a thoroughbred Horse breeding operation in near Paris, Kentucky. It was established in 1910, by Arthur B. Hancock, owner of Ellerslie Farm in Albemarle County, Virginia, and has been operated by members of his family ever since.-Owners:...
in 1999. He was sold to Japan in 2003, where he died March 8, 2006 from heart failure after covering a mare at the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association's Shizunai Stallion Station
Shizunai Stallion Station
Shizunai Stallion Station is a Japanese Thoroughbred horse farm was opened in 1963 and is located on the island of Hokkaidō. Operated by the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association , it is located in Shizunai whose sister city is Lexington, Kentucky...
in Hokkaido
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
.
Coronado's Quest was only moderately successful at stud, despite his excellent pedigree and race record. He sired seventeen stakes winners, including multiple grade one winner Society Selection in America, Grade I winner Crucifijo in Mexico and Group 2 winner Al Jadeed in Europe. While standing in Japan he sired Grade 3 winner Ceres Hunt (セレスハン Seresuhanto).
Though a disappointment as a sire, he has quickly become a top young broodmare sire. His most notable grandsons and daughters include champions Kodiak Kowboy
Kodiak Kowboy
Kodiak Kowboy is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse owned by Vinery Stables and Fox Hill Farms and trained by Steve Asmussen. He was also trained by Larry Jones for part of his career. In 2007 he won a Sovereign Award as Canadian Champion 2-Year-Old Colt.Kodiak Kowboy is a multiple grade...
, Grand Adventure and Grade I
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
winners Mani Bhavan and Boys at Tosconova.