Corniche (horse)

Last updated
Corniche
Sire Quality Road
Grandsire Elusive Quality
DamWasted Tears
DamsireNajran
Sex Colt
Foaled17 February 2019 [1]
CountryUnited States
Colour Bay
BreederBart Evans & Stonehaven Steadings
OwnerSpeedway Stables
Trainer Bob Baffert (2021)
Todd A. Pletcher (2022– )
Record4: 3-0-0
Earnings$1,263,500 [2]
Major wins
American Pharoah Stakes (2021)
Breeders' Cup
Breeders' Cup Juvenile (2021)
Awards
American Champion Two-Year-Old Male Horse (2021)
Last updated on 1 August 2022

Corniche (foaled February 17, 2019) is a retired Champion American thoroughbred racehorse who, as a two-year-old, won the American Pharoah Stakes and Breeders' Cup Juvenile. [2]

Contents

Background

Corniche is a bay colt that was bred in Kentucky by Bart Evans and Stonehaven Steadings. His sire is Quality Road and his dam is Wasted Tears who was sired by Najran. He is the second black-type horse out of his dam, a multiple graded stakes winner who excelled in routes on turf. Her first black-type performer is the stakes-placed Coffee Crush (by Medaglia d'Oro), who died in 2019. All six of the dam's foals to start are winners. [3]

Initially, Corniche was placed in the 2020 Keeneland Association September Yearling Sale but his reserve price of $350,000 was not met. [3] Later he was bought for $1,500,000 by Speedway Stables, a partnership of Peter Fluor and Kane C. Weiner at the 2021 Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training. [3] Corniche was trained by Bob Baffert and his jockey is Mike E. Smith in 2021. However, his owners sent the colt to trainer Todd Pletcher in 2022 after Bob Baffert was suspended. [4]

Racing career

2021: two-year-old season

Corniche began his career on 4 September 2021 at Del Mar Racetrack in a Maiden Special Weight event for two-year-olds over a distance of 5+1⁄2 furlongs facing nine other first-starters. Corniche drew the outside barrier, nonetheless started as the 1/2 odds-on favorite crossed over from the wide barrier, took the lead leading throughout with Mike E. Smith giving an energetic hand ride inside the last furlong and drawing off to win easily by 4+1⁄2 lengths in a time of 1:03.01. [5]

With such a commanding performance Bob Baffert entered Corniche in the Grade I American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita Park over a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles. On 1 October 2021, Corniche was sent off as the 2/5 odds-on faced six other entrants, took control early from the inside draw, leading the way to the far turn when stablemate Rockefeller pursued into the straight bend, Corniche kicked clear drew away under Mike E. Smith's strong handling to defeat Pappacap by 3+1⁄4 lengths in a time of 1:44.75. [6] Smith commented after the race, "There's just so much upside to this horse. This is what's really exciting about him. When he broke his maiden as impressive as he did, he just gave me that feeling that we weren't even close to his full potential ... He's a big colt and he carries a lot of flesh. As he starts to get even fitter and harder inside, he's gonna be a force to reckon with." [7] By winning the American Pharoah Stakes, Corniche qualified to the Breeders' Cup since the event is a "Win and You're In" race for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

On 5 November 2021, Corniche started as the 7/5 favorite in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar Racetrack. Facing ten other entrants Corniche again showed his usual speed to jump out in front and dictate terms in the event. In the straight Corniche dug in, turned all challengers away, gamely winning by 1+3⁄4 lengths in a time of 1:42.50. [8] Jockey Mike E. Smith won his 27th Breeders' Cup victory and third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile while trainer Bob Baffert won his 18th Breeders' Cup event and fifth Breeders' Cup Juvenile. [9] However, Corniche did not receive any qualification points for the Road to the Kentucky Derby since his trainer Bob Baffert is suspended by Churchill Downs Inc. through 2023. [7]

2022: three-year-old season

Corniche was given time off after his two-year-old campaign, he didn't prepare fore training until mid-April at the WinStar Farm in Kentucky and missed the Triple Crown. With his original trainer Bob Baffert facing a suspension at NYRA tracks, his owners opted to send the colt to trainer Todd Pletcher for a New York campaign at Saratoga. [4] Corniche made his first start in the Grade 2 Amsterdam Stakes on July 31. Corniche started as the 8/5 favorite stumbled at the start recovering inwards brushing Runninsonofagun. Then he chased four then three wide just off the top pair under coaxing from the half-mile pole, faded through the turn, went four wide into upper stretch, folded, and was eased home to the finish to finish last in the nine horse field. [10] Pletcher said, "He didn't get away cleanly and found himself in a position he's never been in before." Through his jockey Luis Saez, Pletcher said, "When he came to the three-eighths pole, he kind of came off the bridle. We'll scope him and see if anything is revealed, but it's disappointing." [11] It was found that Corniche shed the frog on his right front foot in the event, which likely was the cause of his last-place finish. Trainer Todd Pletcher informed that the injury will need time to heal on its own before a protective plate can be placed on it and training can resume. [12] After a month it was announced on 28 August that Corniche was retired and would stand at Ashland Stud in 2023. [13]

Statistics

DateDistanceRaceGradeTrackOddsFieldFinishWinning
Time		Winning
(Losing)
Margin		JockeyRef
2021 – two-year-old season
Sep 4, 2021 Maiden Del Mar 0.50*1011:03.01 Mike E. Smith [5]
Oct 1, 2021 American Pharoah Stakes Santa Anita 0.40*711:44.75 Mike E. Smith [6]
Nov 5, 2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Del Mar 1.40*1111:42.50 Mike E. Smith [8]
2022 – three-year-old season
Jul 31, 2022 Amsterdam Stakes Saratoga 1.65*991:15.75 Luis Saez [10]

Notes:
An (*) asterisk after the odds means Corniche was the post-time favourite.

Pedigree

Pedigree of Corniche, bay colt, 17 February 2019 [1]
Sire
Quality Road
2006		 Elusive Quality
1993		 Gone West
1984		 Mr. Prospector 1970
Secrettame 1978
Touch of Greatness
1986		Hero's Honor 1980
Ivory Wand 1973
Kobla
1995		 Strawberry Road (AUS)
1979		Whiskey Road 1972
Giftisa (NZ) 1974
Winglet
1988		 Alydar 1975
Highest Trump 1972
Dam
Wasted Tears
2005		Najran
1999		 Runaway Groom (Canada)
1979		 Blushing Groom (FR) 1974
Yonnie Girl 1966
Line Command
1995		 Capote 1984
Circle Command 1990
Wishes and Roses
1991		 Greinton (GB)
1981		 Green Dancer 1972
Crystal Queen (GB) 1976
Anniversary Wish
1985		Beau's Eagle 1976
Dinner Music 1976 (family 1-x) [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pioneerof the Nile</span> American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Pioneerof the Nile was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who came second in the 2009 Kentucky Derby and sired the 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, as well as 2016 Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Classic Empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Pharoah</span> American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

American Pharoah is a Thoroughbred racehorse who won the American Triple Crown and the Breeders' Cup Classic in 2015. He was the 12th Triple Crown winner in history, and in winning all four races, became the second horse to win the Grand Slam of Thoroughbred racing. The older "Grand Slam" was to win the Triple Crown and the Travers in one season, which began in 1875. Whirlaway with jockey Eddie Arcaro was the first horse to win the "Grand Slam" of Thoroughbred racing in 1941. The Grand Slam is also referred to as a Superfecta or Quadruple Crown. He won the 2015 Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year and 2015 Champion three-year-old. In 2021 he was inducted into the American Racing Hall of Fame. He was bred and owned throughout his racing career by Ahmed Zayat of Zayat Stables, trained by Bob Baffert, and ridden in most of his races by Victor Espinoza. He now stands at stud at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Coast (horse)</span> American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

West Coast is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse, foaled, raised and sold by historic Thoroughbred nursery, Hermitage Farm. Unraced at age two, he was named the Champion three-year-old colt of 2017 after wins in the Travers Stakes and Pennsylvania Derby, plus a third-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Classic. At age four, he finished second in the Pegasus World Cup, Dubai World Cup and Awesome Again Stakes. He finished his career with a record of six wins from 13 starts and earnings of $5,803,800.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game Winner</span> American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Game Winner is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who was the champion two-year-old colt of 2018. He was undefeated in four starts at age two, including wins in the Del Mar Futurity, American Pharoah Stakes and Breeders' Cup Juvenile. He started his three-year-old campaign with second-place finishes in both the Rebel Stakes and Santa Anita Derby before finishing fifth in the 2019 Kentucky Derby. After a brief layoff, he returned in July to win the Los Alamitos Derby.

Medina Spirit was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who finished first in the 2021 Kentucky Derby before being disqualified. He came second in the 2021 Breeders' Cup Classic and third in the 2021 Preakness Stakes.

Hot Rod Charlie is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2021 Pennsylvania Derby and Louisiana Derby. He also came second in the 2020 Breeders' Cup Juvenile and 2021 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, and fourth in the 2021 Breeders' Cup Classic. He was voted the winner of the 2021 Secretariat Vox Populi Award.

Rombauer is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2021 Preakness Stakes.

The 2022 Road to the Kentucky Derby is a series of races through which horses qualified for the 2022 Kentucky Derby, which was held on May 7. The field for the Derby is limited to 20 horses, with up to four 'also eligibles' in case of a late withdrawal from the field. There are three separate paths for horses to take to qualify for the Derby: the main Road consisting of races in North America, the Japan Road consisting of four races in Japan, and the European road consisting of seven races in England, Ireland and France. The top four finishers in the specified races receive points, with higher points awarded in the major prep races in March and April. Earnings in non-restricted stakes races act as a tie breaker.

Echo Zulu is a retired champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and 2022 Fair Grounds Oaks, and was named the 2021 Champion Two-Year-Old Filly.

Life Is Good is a multiple Grade I winning American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2021 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and 2022 Pegasus World Cup.

Jackie's Warrior is a Champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who has won five Grade I events including the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga, the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park in 2020 and the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes at Saratoga (2021). Jackie's Warrior was awarded as Eclipse Award as American Champion Sprint Horse in 2021. In 2022 won the Grade I Churchill Downs Stakes and Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga.

Jack Christopher is a multiple Grade I-winning American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Grade I Champagne Stakes as a two-year-old and the Woody Stephens Stakes and H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes in 2022.

Mo Donegal is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse that won the 2022 Belmont Stakes horse race. The horse is owned by Donegal Racing and Repole Stable.

The 2023 Road to the Kentucky Derby is a series of races through which horses qualified for the 2023 Kentucky Derby, which was held on May 6. The field for the Derby was limited to 20 horses, with up to four 'also eligibles' in case of a late withdrawal from the field. There were three separate paths for horses to take to qualify for the Derby: the main Road consisting of races in North America, the Japan Road consisting of four races in Japan, and the European road consisting of seven races in England, Ireland and France. The top five finishers in the specified races received points, with higher points awarded in the major prep races in March and April. Earnings in non-restricted stakes races acted as a tie breaker.

Taiba is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse who has won multiple Grade I events as a three-year-old in 2022 including the Santa Anita Derby and Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita Park and Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing.

Cave Rock was an American multiple Grade I–winning Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Grade I American Pharoah Stakes and Del Mar Futurity as a two-year-old.

Forte is a retired champion American Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old, he won the Grade I Hopeful Stakes, Breeders' Futurity and Breeders' Cup Juvenile en route to being named champion juvenile of 2022. At the age of three, he won the Florida Derby and Jim Dandy Stakes.

Annapolis is a multiple Graded stakes turf winning Thoroughbred racehorse. His Grade I wins in 2022 include the Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes at Keeneland and the Grade II Pilgrim Stakes as a two-year-old in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Treasure (horse)</span> Thoroughbred race horse

National Treasure is an American thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2023 Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the American Triple Crown. In 2024 National Treasure won the Grade I Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Fierceness is a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse. In 2023 the two-year-old colt won the Grade 1 winning Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Park en route to being named champion juvenile of 2023.

References

  1. 1 2 "Pedigree of Corniche". Equineline. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Profile of Corniche". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 "Corniche Delivers as Heavy Favorite in American Pharoah; The race served as a "Win and You're In" prep for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1)". www.bloodhorse.com. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  4. 1 2 Ehalt, Bob (28 July 2022). "Champion Corniche Makes 3-Year-Old Debut in Amsterdam Field of nine 3-year-olds at Saratoga includes three grade 1 winners". Bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  5. 1 2 "Del Mar: Maiden Special Weight (race 10)". www.equibase.com. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  6. 1 2 "American Pharoah S. Grade 1 (race 8)". www.equibase.com. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  7. 1 2 King, Byron (1 October 2021). "Corniche Delivers as Heavy Favorite in American Pharoah; The race served as a "Win and You're In" prep for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1)" . Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  8. 1 2 "2021 TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Grade 1 (race 9)". www.equibase.com. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  9. ↑ King, Byron (5 November 2021). "Baffert-Trained Corniche Leads Throughout in Juvenile Under Churchill Downs rules, he earned no points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby". Bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Amsterdam Stakes (Grade 2 – race 9)". equibase.com. 31 July 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  11. ↑ Ehalt, Bob (31 July 2022). "Gunite Holds Off Accretive by a Neck in Amsterdam Son of Gun Runner posts second graded win at Saratoga". Bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  12. ↑ Grening, David (1 August 2022). "Report: Corniche exits Amsterdam with injured foot". Daily Racing Form . Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  13. ↑ Mitchell, Eric (28 August 2022). "Corniche Retired, Heading to Ashford for Stud Duty; Corniche, by Quality Road, was undefeated at 2 and named Eclipse champion colt". Bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  14. ↑ "Thoroughbred Bloodlines – La Troienne (FR) – Family 1-x". www.bloodlines.net. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.