Figonero was a 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...

 who is best known for racing in the United States where he set a world record

World record

A world record is usually the best global performance ever recorded and verified in a specific skill or sport. The book Guinness World Records collates and publishes notable records of all types, from first and best to worst human achievements, to extremes in the natural world and beyond...

 for 1⅛ miles in winning the 1969 Del Mar Handicap

Del Mar Handicap

The Del Mar Handicap is an American thoroughbred horse race run each year during the third week of August at the Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California...

 at Del Mar Racetrack

Del Mar Racetrack

Del Mar Racetrack is an American Thoroughbred horse racing track at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in the seaside city of Del Mar, California, 20 miles north of San Diego. Operated by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, it is known for the slogan: "Where The Turf Meets The Surf." It was built by a partnership...

 in California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

.

In October 1968, the three-year-old Figonero won the Gran Premio San Isidro at the Hipódromo de San Isidro

Hipódromo de San Isidro

The Hipódromo de San Isidro is a horse racing track located in San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is owned by the Jockey Club. It was inaugurated on 8 December 1935 and is one of the largest in the Americas....

 in San Isidro, Buenos Aires

San Isidro, Buenos Aires

San Isidro, Buenos Aires is a municipality in Greater Buenos Aires and one of the most affluent municipalities in Argentina. It is located in San Isidro Partido in the Buenos Aires Province....

. Purchased from his Argentine owners in 1969 by Californian Clement L. Hirsch

Clement L. Hirsch

Clement Lang Hirsch was an American businessman and a prominent Thoroughbred racehorse owner who co-founded Oak Tree Racing Association....

, he immediately made a winning debut in the prestigious Hollywood Gold Cup

Hollywood Gold Cup

The Hollywood Gold Cup is an American Grade I stakes race for thoroughbred horses inaugurated in 1938 at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. It was run as a handicap race until 1997 when it was switched to weight-for-age conditions...

 for his new American trainer, Warren Stute. He was ridden to victory by jockey Alvaro Pineda

Alvaro Pineda

Alvaro Pineda was a Mexican jockey who competed in Thoroughbred horse racing in the United States.A top jockey in California, in 1966 Álvaro Pineda finished second in wins at Del Mar Racetrack to Donald Pierce then was the track's leading rider in 1968. He made one one appearance in the Kentucky...

 who would be aboard Figonero for his world record win that same year.

Figonero raced in the United States for four years into age eight before being retired to stud

Stud (animal)

A stud animal is a registered animal retained for breeding. The terms for the male of a given animal species usually imply that the animal is entire—that is, not castrated—and therefore capable of siring offspring...

. He met with limited success as a sire.