Uncle Mo
Encyclopedia
Uncle Mo is an American Champion Thoroughbred
racehorse
who went undefeated in his two-year-old season.
In his first start, a maiden special weight on the Travers undercard at Saratoga, Uncle Mo led at every call, crushing the field of 2-yr olds by 14 1/4 lengths . In his next start, the Grade I
Champagne Stakes, he took the lead early and never looked back en route to a 5-length win in the dazzling time of 1:34 2/5 seconds--faster than the immortal Secretariat
's 1972 Champagne win.
In the Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile
Uncle Mo easily manhandled the best of his generation, including the talented and previously undefeated Boys at Toscanova, who finished second by 4 lengths. He was voted the 2010 Eclipse Award
as the American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt.
As the early favorite for the 2011
Kentucky Derby
, the first leg of the U.S. Triple Crown
series, Uncle Mo made his 3-year old debut in the Timely Writer, a one-turn mile overnight stakes at Gulfstream Park
. After dawdling on the lead for the first three-quarters of a mile, he blazed home in a blistering 22 4/5 to win convincingly over an overmatched field.
His next start was the Wood Memorial Stakes
at Aqueduct
on April 9. Running 9 furlongs for the first time in his career, Uncle Mo was defeated by Toby's Corner and finished third.
After his stunning upset at 1-10 odds, he was diagnosed with a gastrointestinal infection but was still sent to Churchill Downs
in anticipation of a start in the Kentucky Derby
. But after finishing a course of antibiotics and regressing immediately after stopping medication, and losing over 70 pounds in the weeks before the Derby, he was scratched the day before the race.
Sent to Winstar Farm
to recuperate and receive attention from top veterinarians, Uncle Mo was diagnosed with cholangiohepatitis, a rare liver disease. He began treatment while continuing to rest at Winstar, and after gaining back 110 pounds in two months, was returned at last to Pletcher's barn at Saratoga
on July 11, 2011. He resumed training and finished second to Caleb's Posse in the 7 furlong King's Bishop Stakes
on August 1, 2011. Uncle Mo was retired from racing on November 10, 2011 shortly after finishing 10th in the Breeders' Cup Classic
. His retirement was prompted due to elevated levels of the liver enzyme GGT, which also occurred earlier in the season and led to a diagnosis of cholangiohepatitis. He will stand at Ashford Stud for the 2012 Thoroughbred breeding season.
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 went undefeated in his two-year-old season.
In his first start, a maiden special weight on the Travers undercard at Saratoga, Uncle Mo led at every call, crushing the field of 2-yr olds by 14 1/4 lengths . In his next start, the 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...
Champagne Stakes, he took the lead early and never looked back en route to a 5-length win in the dazzling time of 1:34 2/5 seconds--faster than the immortal Secretariat
Secretariat
Secretariat may refer to:* Secretariat , racehorse that won the Triple Crown in 1973* Secretariat , 2010 film about the racehorse...
's 1972 Champagne win.
In the Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile
Breeders' Cup Juvenile
The Breeders' Cup Juvenile is a Thoroughbred horse race for 2-year-old colts and geldings raced on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships....
Uncle Mo easily manhandled the best of his generation, including the talented and previously undefeated Boys at Toscanova, who finished second by 4 lengths. He was voted the 2010 Eclipse Award
Eclipse Award
The Eclipse Award is an American thoroughbred horse racing award named after the 18th century British racehorse and sire, Eclipse. The Eclipse Awards, honoring the champions of the sport, are sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association , Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers...
as the American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt.
As the early favorite for the 2011
2011 Kentucky Derby
The 2011 Kentucky Derby was the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby, on May 7. The race was won by Animal Kingdom, ridden by John Velazquez, trained by H. Graham Motion and owned by Team Valor....
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...
, the first leg of the U.S. 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...
series, Uncle Mo made his 3-year old debut in the Timely Writer, a one-turn mile overnight stakes at Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino is a racetrack and county-approved racino in Hallandale Beach, Florida, in the United States. During its annual meet, which spans December through April, it is one of the most important venues for horse racing in America....
. After dawdling on the lead for the first three-quarters of a mile, he blazed home in a blistering 22 4/5 to win convincingly over an overmatched field.
His next start was the Wood Memorial Stakes
Wood Memorial Stakes
The Wood Memorial Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually at Aqueduct Racetrack in Jamaica, New York. It is currently a Grade I race run over a distance of 9 furlongs on dirt....
at Aqueduct
Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack is a thoroughbred horse-racing facility and racino in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Its racing meets usually are from late October/early November through April.-History:...
on April 9. Running 9 furlongs for the first time in his career, Uncle Mo was defeated by Toby's Corner and finished third.
After his stunning upset at 1-10 odds, he was diagnosed with a gastrointestinal infection but was still sent to 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...
in anticipation of a start in the 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...
. But after finishing a course of antibiotics and regressing immediately after stopping medication, and losing over 70 pounds in the weeks before the Derby, he was scratched the day before the race.
Sent to Winstar Farm
WinStar Farm
WinStar Farm is an American Thoroughbred horse breeding and racing farm near Versailles, Kentucky. Formerly known as Prestonwood Farm, it was owned by Houston, Texas oilmen Jack, Art, and J. R...
to recuperate and receive attention from top veterinarians, Uncle Mo was diagnosed with cholangiohepatitis, a rare liver disease. He began treatment while continuing to rest at Winstar, and after gaining back 110 pounds in two months, was returned at last to Pletcher's barn at Saratoga
Saratoga
-United States::*Saratoga, California, city in Santa Clara County*Saratoga, former name of Yeomet, California*Saratoga, Indiana, town in Randolph County*Saratoga, Minnesota*Saratoga, Nebraska Territory, boom and bust town now inside of Omaha, Nebraska...
on July 11, 2011. He resumed training and finished second to Caleb's Posse in the 7 furlong King's Bishop Stakes
King's Bishop Stakes
The King's Bishop Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race run annually at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The race is open to three-year-olds willing to sprint seven furlongs on dirt. The race is a Grade I event and carries a purse of $250,000...
on August 1, 2011. Uncle Mo was retired from racing on November 10, 2011 shortly after finishing 10th 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...
. His retirement was prompted due to elevated levels of the liver enzyme GGT, which also occurred earlier in the season and led to a diagnosis of cholangiohepatitis. He will stand at Ashford Stud for the 2012 Thoroughbred breeding season.