The Wicked North
Encyclopedia
The Wicked North was an American champion Thoroughbred
racehorse. He won three Grade I
stakes in 1994, for which he was voted U.S. Champion Older Male Horse
. He died at the Hagyard Equine Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky
in 2011.
and one white sock, was sired by the Northern Dancer stallion Far North out of the stakes-winning broodmare Wicked Witchcraft.
He was an unusually large thoroughbred, reportedly weighing about 1,300 lbs
at one point in his career. As a yearling, The Wicked North was bought at auction by the retired plumbing contractor Philip Hersh for $10,000. He was trained in California
by David Bernstein and ridden in all his Grade I wins by Kent Desormeaux
.
In 1994 Bernstein moved The Wicked North up in distance, and he showed much improved form. He won the Californian Stakes
, the Oaklawn Handicap
and the San Antonio Handicap
. He also finished first in the Santa Anita Handicap
but was disqualified.
He started odds-on favourite for the Hollywood Gold Cup
but finished fourth after sustaining a serious injury to his suspensory ligament
. He was unable to race again and was retired to stud.
for 1994 at the Eclipse Awards.
until 2008 when he was retired after suffering from equine protozoal myeloencephalitis.
He spent the remainder of his life at the Old Friends
retirement centre at Georgetown, Kentucky
.
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. He won three 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...
stakes in 1994, for which he was voted U.S. Champion Older Male Horse
Eclipse Award for Outstanding Older Male Horse
The title of American Champion Older Male Horse is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor awarded annually to a stallion or gelding, four years old and up. Prior to 1971, this award was referred to as "Champion Handicap Male Horse", and was open to any horse, three years old and up...
. He died at the Hagyard Equine Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
in 2011.
Background
The Wicked North, a chestnut horse with a white blazeHorse markings
Markings on horses usually are distinctive white areas on an otherwise dark base coat color. Most horses have some markings, and they help to identify the horse as a unique individual. Markings are present at birth and do not change over the course of the horse's life...
and one white sock, was sired by the Northern Dancer stallion Far North out of the stakes-winning broodmare Wicked Witchcraft.
He was an unusually large thoroughbred, reportedly weighing about 1,300 lbs
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
at one point in his career. As a yearling, The Wicked North was bought at auction by the retired plumbing contractor Philip Hersh for $10,000. He was trained 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...
by David Bernstein and ridden in all his Grade I wins by Kent Desormeaux
Kent Desormeaux
Kent Jason Desormeaux is an American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey who holds the U.S. record for most races won in a single year, 1989.-Brief biography:...
.
Racing career
Until he was five years old The Wicked North was mainly campaigned over sprint distances with his most significant win coming in the Grade III Bing Crosby Handicap.In 1994 Bernstein moved The Wicked North up in distance, and he showed much improved form. He won the Californian Stakes
Californian Stakes
The Californian Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually during the second week of June at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. The Grade II event is open to horses age three and up willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt...
, the Oaklawn Handicap
Oaklawn Handicap
The Oaklawn Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the first week of April at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas....
and the San Antonio Handicap
San Antonio Handicap
The San Antonio Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the first week of February at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California...
. He also finished first in the Santa Anita Handicap
Santa Anita Handicap
The Santa Anita Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in early March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. It is a Grade I race for horses four years old and up , and is considered the most important race for older horses in North America during the winter racing season...
but was disqualified.
He started odds-on favourite for the 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...
but finished fourth after sustaining a serious injury to his suspensory ligament
Suspensory ligament
Suspensory ligament describes any ligament that supports a body part, especially an organ. Types include:* In humans** Suspensory ligament of thyroid gland or Berry's ligament** Suspensory ligament of clitoris...
. He was unable to race again and was retired to stud.
Honors and awards
The Wicked North was voted U.S. Champion Older Male HorseEclipse Award for Outstanding Older Male Horse
The title of American Champion Older Male Horse is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor awarded annually to a stallion or gelding, four years old and up. Prior to 1971, this award was referred to as "Champion Handicap Male Horse", and was open to any horse, three years old and up...
for 1994 at the Eclipse Awards.
Stud career
The Wicked North stood as a stallion at the True North farm at Versailles, KentuckyVersailles, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,511 people, 3,160 households, and 2,110 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,330 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 88.18% White, 8.67% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.35%...
until 2008 when he was retired after suffering from equine protozoal myeloencephalitis.
He spent the remainder of his life at the Old Friends
Old Friends Equine
Old Friends is a nonprofit equine retirement facility in Georgetown, Kentucky. It is the only thoroughbred retirement facility in the United States that accepts stallions....
retirement centre at Georgetown, Kentucky
Georgetown, Kentucky
Georgetown is a city in Scott County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 29,098 at the 2010 census. The original settlement of Lebanon, founded by Rev. Elijah Craig, was renamed in 1790 in honor of President George Washington. It is the home of Georgetown College, a private liberal arts...
.