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Tiago (horse)
Encyclopedia
Tiago, is an American
Thoroughbred
Stallion
Racehorse
. His sire is the 1992 U.S. Outstanding Older Male Horse
, Pleasant Tap
. His dam is the stakes
winning mare Set Them Free
, by Stop The Music
, making him a half-brother to the 2005 Kentucky Derby
winner Giacomo. The colt was named after the son of singer Sergio Mendes, a longtime friend of the owners. Tiago and Giacomo are the same names meaning James, the first being Portuguese and the second, Italian. The two horses also shared the same racing silks.
on December 26, in which he placed third.
Robert B. Lewis Stakes
on March 3, 2007, where he finished seventh.
On April 7, Tiago burst onto horse racing's national stage by rallying dramatically to win the Grade 1
Santa Anita Derby
with odds of 29-1. This was jockey Mike E. Smith's first trip aboard the bay colt.
On May 5, Tiago made his first appearance outside of Southern California racing circuit, placing seventh in the 133rd running of the Kentucky Derby, which was won by Street Sense
at Churchill Downs
. Tiago then returned to California to train and skipped the second leg of the Triple Crown
, the Preakness Stakes
. The colt returned to the East Coast to finish a credible third behind Rags to Riches
and Curlin in the 139th running of the Belmont Stakes
on June 9, 2007, at Belmont Park
.
Tiago then rebounded with an authoritative score in the Grade 2
Swaps Stakes
at Hollywood Park on July 14. In this race, the colt maintained a stalking position until the stretch, where he powered through a gap along the rail to win.
Tiago was to make his first start against older horses in the August 19 Pacific Classic Stakes
at Del Mar Racetrack
, but was scratched the morning of the race due to his trainer John Shirreffs
's apprehension about the Polytrack
surface.
On September 29, he won the Grade 1
Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap
at Santa Anita Park
by a nose over Awesome Gem
. This guaranteed the colt an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Classic thanks to the new "Win and you're in" program. He was the only three-year-old in the Goodwood Handicap, triumphing over older and more experienced horses. The colt was so excited in the testing barn after the race that he had to be administered a tranquilizer.
On October 27, Tiago participated in the prestigious Breeders' Cup Classic
at Monmouth Park. Normally a very energetic colt, Tiago was seen with his head held down as his groom walked him to the paddock before being saddled for the race. At the start of the Classic, Tiago broke slowly and took up the rear behind Awesome Gem
, Street Sense
, and Curlin. Despite a fair amount of last minute media hype, Tiago only showed some mild speed along the stretch and managed a fifth place on the sloppy track.
winning colt made his first start of the 2008 season in the Grade 2
San Fernando Stakes at Santa Anita Park
. Tiago remained mid pack along the backstretch but could not overtake the leaders when he tried to close down the stretch and finished third, two lengths behind the winner. It had been approximately two and half months since the colt last raced, and the shorter distance of this race compared to his previous endeavours may have played a factor in his performance.
On February 2, Tiago made his second start of 2008 in the Grade 2
Strub Stakes
at Santa Anita. He finished second, beaten 4½ lengths by Monterey Jazz. Afterwards, however, his trainer, John Shirreffs, said that he was pleased with the colt's effort.
On March 1, Tiago finished a fast-closing fourth behind Heatseeker, Go Between, and Champs Elysees
in the Grade 1
Santa Anita Handicap
at Santa Anita Park.
On April 5, Tiago earned his first victory as a four-year-old when he captured the Grade 2
Oaklawn Handicap
at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas
, by prevailing by a head over Heatseeker after a grueling stretch duel.
On October 25 at Santa Anita Park
, Tiago finished third in the Breeders' Cup Classic
, picking up $500,000. He finished behind European invaders Raven's Pass
and Henrythenavigator
while finishing ahead of reigning Horse of the Year Curlin.
In 2009, Tiago finished 3rd in the San Antonio Stakes behind Magnum and eventual 2009 Dubai World Cup winner Well Armed.
Tiago was supposed to be entered in the Santa Anita Handicap, but he did not eat his food. His owners decided it was best to scratch him from the race. Later, Tiago was entered in a overnight stakes race at Del Mar on the turf, where he finished 6th.
He then ran in the Goodwood Stakes at Oak Tree at Santa Anita and finished 10th. After the start, John Shirreffs said Tiago suffered a career-ending injury and he was sent to stud at Adena Springs Farm in Paris, Kentucky.
Tiago earned over 2.3 million dollars in his racing career.
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...
Stallion
Stallion
A Stallion is a male horse.Stallion may also refer to:* Stallion , an American pop rock group* Stallion , a figure in the Gobot toyline* Stallion , a character in the console role-playing game series...
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...
. His sire is the 1992 U.S. Outstanding 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...
, Pleasant Tap
Pleasant Tap
Pleasant Tap was an American thoroughbred stallion racehorse. He was sired by 1981 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Pleasant Colony, out of the mare, Never Knock...
. His dam is the stakes
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...
winning mare Set Them Free
Set Them Free
Set Them Free is an American thoroughbred mare racehorse. She is sired by stakes winner Stop The Music, who in turn was sired by the 1960 U.S...
, by Stop The Music
Stop The Music (horse)
Stop The Music was an American thoroughbred stallion racehorse. Owned and bred in Kentucky by the Greentree Stud, Inc., he was sired by Hail To Reason, out of the mare Bebopper, whose sire, Tom Fool, was the leading broodmare sire for 1965 and was inducted into National Museum of Racing and Hall...
, making him a half-brother to the 2005 Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
winner Giacomo. The colt was named after the son of singer Sergio Mendes, a longtime friend of the owners. Tiago and Giacomo are the same names meaning James, the first being Portuguese and the second, Italian. The two horses also shared the same racing silks.
Racing Career (2006)
Tiago made his racing debut as a two year old in a Maiden Special Weight race at Santa Anita ParkSanta Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent racing events in the United States during the winter and in spring. With its backdrop of the purple San Gabriel Mountains, it is considered by many as the world's most beautiful race...
on December 26, in which he placed third.
Racing Career (2007)
On January 23, Tiago finished second in another Maiden Special Weight race, but was bumped to first place after the leader was disqualified for interference down the stretch. The colt then ran in the Grade 2Graded 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...
Robert B. Lewis Stakes
Robert B. Lewis Stakes
The Robert B. Lewis Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in early March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Raced over a distance of 11/16 miles on dirt, the Grade II race is open to three-year-old horses...
on March 3, 2007, where he finished seventh.
On April 7, Tiago burst onto horse racing's national stage by rallying dramatically to win the Grade 1
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...
Santa Anita Derby
Santa Anita Derby
The Santa Anita Derby is an American Grade 1 thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds run each April at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California and carries a purse of $1 million. Inaugurated in 1935, it is considered the most important West Coast stepping-stone to the Kentucky Derby...
with odds of 29-1. This was jockey Mike E. Smith's first trip aboard the bay colt.
On May 5, Tiago made his first appearance outside of Southern California racing circuit, placing seventh in the 133rd running of the Kentucky Derby, which was won by Street Sense
Street Sense (horse)
Street Sense is an American Thoroughbred racehorse, U.S. Champion 2-Yr-Old Colt and winner of the 2007 Kentucky Derby, the 2007 Travers Stakes and runner up in the 2007 Preakness Stakes by a head. Owned and bred by James B...
at Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs, located in Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, is a Thoroughbred racetrack most famous for hosting the Kentucky Derby annually. It officially opened in 1875, and held the first Kentucky Derby and the first Kentucky Oaks in the same year. Churchill Downs...
. Tiago then returned to California to train and skipped the second leg of the Triple Crown
United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
In the United States, the "Triple Crown" is usually the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, a series of three Thoroughbred horse races for three-year-old horses run in May and early June of each year consisting of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.While Daily Racing Form...
, the Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
. The colt returned to the East Coast to finish a credible third behind Rags to Riches
Rags to Riches (horse)
Rags to Riches is an American thoroughbred filly racehorse who in 2007 became the first filly to win the Belmont Stakes in over a century. She was sired by 1992 U.S. Horse of the Year and U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee A.P. Indy, who in turn was a son of 1977 U.S...
and Curlin in the 139th running of the 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...
on June 9, 2007, at Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
.
Tiago then rebounded with an authoritative score in the Grade 2
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...
Swaps Stakes
Swaps Stakes
The Swaps Stakes is a race for Thoroughbred horses run annually at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. The race is open to three-year-old horses willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt. A Grade II event, it carries a purse of $350,000.Run in mid July, this race is...
at Hollywood Park on July 14. In this race, the colt maintained a stalking position until the stretch, where he powered through a gap along the rail to win.
Tiago was to make his first start against older horses in the August 19 Pacific Classic Stakes
Pacific Classic Stakes
The Pacific Classic Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race for runners aged 3-year-old or up run at the classic American distance of a mile and a quarter...
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...
, but was scratched the morning of the race due to his trainer John Shirreffs
John Shirreffs
John A. Shirreffs is an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer.Based in California, Vietnam War veteran John Shirreffs began training Thoroughbreds in 1978. He has won a number of stakes races with his most important coming in the 2005 Kentucky Derby when Giacomo scored a major upset...
's apprehension about the Polytrack
Polytrack
A synthetic racetrack surface is any kind of surface substance that replaces grass, dirt or sand as the racing surface on a horse racing track. Synthetic surfaces may be desirable over traditional surfaces for several reasons, most prominently the reduction of injuries and possible deaths to horses...
surface.
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...
Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap
Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap
The Goodwood Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race run annually since 1982 during the Oak Tree Racing Association at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California....
at Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent racing events in the United States during the winter and in spring. With its backdrop of the purple San Gabriel Mountains, it is considered by many as the world's most beautiful race...
by a nose over Awesome Gem
Awesome Gem
Awesome Gem is a Thoroughbred racehorse. This son of Awesome Again was sold by Crupi's New Castle Farm to West Point Thoroughbreds for $150,000 in California at the 2005 Barretts March 2-year-old sale. His partnership includes Paul Blavin, Scott Cadwallader and Patrice Arundel of Vista, CA, and...
. This guaranteed the colt an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Classic thanks to the new "Win and you're in" program. He was the only three-year-old in the Goodwood Handicap, triumphing over older and more experienced horses. The colt was so excited in the testing barn after the race that he had to be administered a tranquilizer.
On October 27, Tiago participated in the prestigious Breeders' Cup Classic
Breeders' Cup Classic
The Breeders' Cup Classic is a Grade I Weight for Age thoroughbred horse race for 3 year olds and older run at a distance of 1¼ miles on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships...
at Monmouth Park. Normally a very energetic colt, Tiago was seen with his head held down as his groom walked him to the paddock before being saddled for the race. At the start of the Classic, Tiago broke slowly and took up the rear behind Awesome Gem
Awesome Gem
Awesome Gem is a Thoroughbred racehorse. This son of Awesome Again was sold by Crupi's New Castle Farm to West Point Thoroughbreds for $150,000 in California at the 2005 Barretts March 2-year-old sale. His partnership includes Paul Blavin, Scott Cadwallader and Patrice Arundel of Vista, CA, and...
, Street Sense
Street Sense (horse)
Street Sense is an American Thoroughbred racehorse, U.S. Champion 2-Yr-Old Colt and winner of the 2007 Kentucky Derby, the 2007 Travers Stakes and runner up in the 2007 Preakness Stakes by a head. Owned and bred by James B...
, and Curlin. Despite a fair amount of last minute media hype, Tiago only showed some mild speed along the stretch and managed a fifth place on the sloppy track.
Racing Career (2008)
The two-time Grade 1Graded 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...
winning colt made his first start of the 2008 season in the Grade 2
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...
San Fernando Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent racing events in the United States during the winter and in spring. With its backdrop of the purple San Gabriel Mountains, it is considered by many as the world's most beautiful race...
. Tiago remained mid pack along the backstretch but could not overtake the leaders when he tried to close down the stretch and finished third, two lengths behind the winner. It had been approximately two and half months since the colt last raced, and the shorter distance of this race compared to his previous endeavours may have played a factor in his performance.
On February 2, Tiago made his second start of 2008 in the Grade 2
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...
Strub Stakes
Strub Stakes
The Strub Stakes is an American race for thoroughbred horses run at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California each year.Currently a Grade II stakes race with a purse of $300,000, it is open to horses, age four, willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the synthetic surface of Santa Anita and offers...
at Santa Anita. He finished second, beaten 4½ lengths by Monterey Jazz. Afterwards, however, his trainer, John Shirreffs, said that he was pleased with the colt's effort.
On March 1, Tiago finished a fast-closing fourth behind Heatseeker, Go Between, and Champs Elysees
Champs Elysees (horse)
Champs Elysees is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse who has competed successfully in Europe and North America....
in the Grade 1
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...
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...
at Santa Anita Park.
On April 5, Tiago earned his first victory as a four-year-old when he captured the Grade 2
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...
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....
at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs is the 10th most populous city in the U.S. state of Arkansas, the county seat of Garland County, and the principal city of the Hot Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area encompassing all of Garland County...
, by prevailing by a head over Heatseeker after a grueling stretch duel.
On October 25 at Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent racing events in the United States during the winter and in spring. With its backdrop of the purple San Gabriel Mountains, it is considered by many as the world's most beautiful race...
, Tiago finished third in the Breeders' Cup Classic
Breeders' Cup Classic
The Breeders' Cup Classic is a Grade I Weight for Age thoroughbred horse race for 3 year olds and older run at a distance of 1¼ miles on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships...
, picking up $500,000. He finished behind European invaders Raven's Pass
Raven's Pass
Raven's Pass is an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse most notable for being the first English-trained winner of the Grade I Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California....
and Henrythenavigator
Henrythenavigator
Henrythenavigator is an American-bred and Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He won the 2,000 Guineas, the Irish 2,000 Guineas, the St...
while finishing ahead of reigning Horse of the Year Curlin.
In 2009, Tiago finished 3rd in the San Antonio Stakes behind Magnum and eventual 2009 Dubai World Cup winner Well Armed.
Tiago was supposed to be entered in the Santa Anita Handicap, but he did not eat his food. His owners decided it was best to scratch him from the race. Later, Tiago was entered in a overnight stakes race at Del Mar on the turf, where he finished 6th.
He then ran in the Goodwood Stakes at Oak Tree at Santa Anita and finished 10th. After the start, John Shirreffs said Tiago suffered a career-ending injury and he was sent to stud at Adena Springs Farm in Paris, Kentucky.
Tiago earned over 2.3 million dollars in his racing career.