Concern (horse)
Encyclopedia
Concern is a multi-millionaire American
Thoroughbred
racehorse
. He was sired by top stallion Broad Brush
, who in turn was a son of Ack Ack
. His dam was Fara's Team. Concern was best known for his wins in the 1994 Breeders' Cup Classic
and the grade two Arkansas Derby
. Born at owner Robert Meyerhoff's Fitzhugh Farm in Phoenix, Maryland
. To date, Concern is one of only three Maryland-bred horses ever to surpass the three million dollar mark in earnings. The other two were the incomparable Cigar
and Awad. He finished racing with a record of 7-7-11 in 30 starts and career earnings of $3,079,350.
in Arkansas
. In each successive stakes he improved beginning with a third place finish in the Great West Stakes. He followed that up with a runner-up finish in the grade three Rebel Stakes
to Judge T. C. In April, Concern scored the second biggest win of his career under jockey Garrett Gomez in the $500,000 grade two Arkansas Derby
. He ran the 1-1/8 mile derby in 1:48.1 in a field of nine defeating Blumin Affair and Silver Goblin.
His connections then made the decision to bypass the Kentucky Derby in favor of being fresh for the hometown $750,000 grade one Preakness Stakes
at Pimlico Race Course
.
In the second leg of the Triple Crown, Concern was taken way back early trailing 15 lengths down the backstretch. Then he unleashed his patented close from the clouds rush. Unfortunately dual classic winner Tabasco Cat
and Derby winner Go for Gin
were just too far out in front of him. He made up about a dozen lengths but had to settle for a fast closing third in the "Run for the Black-Eyed Susans."
After his Preakness placing, Concern wheeled back in only three weeks to place third in the grade three Round Table Stakes
at Arlington Park
. Only two weeks later Concern raced in the $300,000 grade two Ohio Derby
and finished second in the field of nine to Exclusive Praline. With very little rest, Concern fought a tough race but could finish no better than third in the $500,000 Haskell Invitational to Holy Bull
. Later that summer he attempted to run down Holy Bull
again in a thrilling stretch run duel in the $750,000 grade one Travers Stakes
at Saratoga Race Course
. He was close but finished a second by a neck but defeated Dual Classic winner Tabasco Cat
.
In the Autumn of 1994, Concern raced in the Old Rosebud Stakes and finished third. Three weeks later he came back and lost narrowly to Soul of the Matter in the $750,000 grade one Super Derby
. Then he shipped up to Canada to race in the grade two Molson Export Million Stakes
against older horses on Turf. Like many of the races that year he ran a good race but placed third to Dramatic Gold.
Concern is perhaps remembered by many for his dramatic come-from-behind running style as he did in coming from last to first in the 1994 Breeders' Cup Classic.
in March at Fair Grounds Race Course
. Mike Smith piloted him to the win over Fly Cry and Tossofthecoin. In the summer of 1995, he won the $275,000 grade one Californian Stakes
at Hollywood Park. In that race he beat Tossofthecoin again and Tinners Way under jockey Smith. He also placed third in three different grade one races in his four year-old season. Those races included the Pimlico Special Handicap to Cigar
, the Oaklawn Handicap
to Cigar
and the Meadowlands Cup to Peaks and Valleys.
, Concern was retired to stud
in 1996 at Northview Stallion Station in Chesapeake City, Maryland
until 2003. He now stands at Oklahoma Equine in Washington, Oklahoma. While Concern has sired a number of winners, his offspring have had some success in graded stakes race
s but never to the level that their sire accomplished. The best of his progeny has actually been Good Night Shirt, a steeplechase
runner who was voted the 2007 and 2008 Eclipse Award
as American Champion Steeplechase Horse
.
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...
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...
. He was sired by top stallion Broad Brush
Broad Brush
Broad Brush was an American thoroughbred racehorse foaled in Maryland. He was out of the Hoist The Flag mare, Hay Patcher, by the Hall of Fame stallion, Ack Ack.Bred and owned by Robert E. Meyerhoff, and trained by Richard W...
, who in turn was a son of Ack Ack
Ack Ack (horse)
Ack Ack was an American Thoroughbred Hall of Fame racehorse. He raced with success at age two to four, scoring wins in the important 1969 Withers Stakes and Arlington Classic. In 1971 at age five, Ack Ack blossomed into the year's most dominant horse...
. His dam was Fara's Team. Concern was best known for his wins in the 1994 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...
and the grade two Arkansas Derby
Arkansas Derby
The Arkansas Derby is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is currently a Grade I race run over a distance of 9 furlongs on dirt....
. Born at owner Robert Meyerhoff's Fitzhugh Farm in Phoenix, Maryland
Phoenix, Maryland
Phoenix is an affluent unincorporated community located in Baltimore County in the State of Maryland in the United States of America. It is located at latitude 39°30'59" North, longitude 76°36'59" West...
. To date, Concern is one of only three Maryland-bred horses ever to surpass the three million dollar mark in earnings. The other two were the incomparable Cigar
Cigar (horse)
Cigar , is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse, who in 1995 and 1996 became the first American racehorse racing against top-class competition to win 16 consecutive races since the Triple Crown winner, Citation did so in 1948 and 1950...
and Awad. He finished racing with a record of 7-7-11 in 30 starts and career earnings of $3,079,350.
Two year old season
At age two, Concern developed late in the year. He raced a total of four times winning both a maiden special weight race in his second attempt and an allowance race. He placed third in the $60,000 Rollicking Stakes for 2-year-old Maryland-breds at Laurel Park Racecourse.Three year-old season
Concern established himself as one his crop's top three year olds by winning two big races but also placed in-the-money in every one of his twelve starts as a sophomore. He started the season off with three stakes placings in the spring at Oaklawn ParkOaklawn Park
Oaklawn Park is an American thoroughbred racetrack in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is the home to The Racing Festival of the South.In 2009, the Horseplayers Association of North America introduced a rating system for 65 Thoroughbred racetracks in North America. Of the top Ten, Oaklawn was ranked...
in Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
. In each successive stakes he improved beginning with a third place finish in the Great West Stakes. He followed that up with a runner-up finish in the grade three Rebel Stakes
Rebel Stakes
The Rebel Stakes is an American Grade II Thoroughbred horse race held annually in March at Oaklawn Park racetrack in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Open to three-year-old horses, it is raced on dirt over a distance of 11/16 miles...
to Judge T. C. In April, Concern scored the second biggest win of his career under jockey Garrett Gomez in the $500,000 grade two Arkansas Derby
Arkansas Derby
The Arkansas Derby is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is currently a Grade I race run over a distance of 9 furlongs on dirt....
. He ran the 1-1/8 mile derby in 1:48.1 in a field of nine defeating Blumin Affair and Silver Goblin.
His connections then made the decision to bypass the Kentucky Derby in favor of being fresh for the hometown $750,000 grade one 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...
at Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course is a horse racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland, most famous for hosting the Preakness Stakes. Its name is derived from the 1660s when English settlers named the area where the facility currently stands in honor of Olde Ben Pimlico's Tavern in London...
.
In the second leg of the Triple Crown, Concern was taken way back early trailing 15 lengths down the backstretch. Then he unleashed his patented close from the clouds rush. Unfortunately dual classic winner Tabasco Cat
Tabasco Cat
Tabasco Cat was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. He was best known for his performances in 1994 when he won the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, the second and third legs of the Triple Crown Series.-Background:...
and Derby winner Go for Gin
Go for Gin
Go for Gin is an American thoroughbred racehorse best known as the winner of the 1994 Kentucky Derby. He was sired by Cormorant out of the dam Never Knock...
were just too far out in front of him. He made up about a dozen lengths but had to settle for a fast closing third in the "Run for the Black-Eyed Susans."
After his Preakness placing, Concern wheeled back in only three weeks to place third in the grade three Round Table Stakes
Round Table Stakes
The Round Table Stakes was an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Arlington Park racetrack in Arlington Heights, Illinois. A non-graded stakes race open to three-year-old horses, it was last contested on Polytrack synthetic dirt over a distance of one and one-eighth miles.Inaugurated...
at Arlington Park
Arlington Park
Arlington Park is a horse race track in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, Illinois. Horse racing in the Chicago region has been a popular sport since the early days of the city in the 1830s, and at one time Chicago had more horse racing tracks than any other major metropolitan area...
. Only two weeks later Concern raced in the $300,000 grade two Ohio Derby
Ohio Derby
The Ohio Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in early June at Thistledown in North Randall, Ohio.The Grade III Stakes race for three-year-olds is run on dirt over a distance of 1 and 1/16 miles....
and finished second in the field of nine to Exclusive Praline. With very little rest, Concern fought a tough race but could finish no better than third in the $500,000 Haskell Invitational to Holy Bull
Holy Bull
Holy Bull is an American Hall of Fame Champion Thoroughbred racehorse. He was sired by Great Above, whose dam was the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame filly Ta Wee.-Race History:...
. Later that summer he attempted to run down Holy Bull
Holy Bull
Holy Bull is an American Hall of Fame Champion Thoroughbred racehorse. He was sired by Great Above, whose dam was the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame filly Ta Wee.-Race History:...
again in a thrilling stretch run duel in the $750,000 grade one Travers Stakes
Travers Stakes
The Travers Stakes is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York.First held in 1864, it was named for William R. Travers, the president of the old Saratoga Racing Association. His horse, Kentucky, won the first running of the Travers...
at Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
. He was close but finished a second by a neck but defeated Dual Classic winner Tabasco Cat
Tabasco Cat
Tabasco Cat was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. He was best known for his performances in 1994 when he won the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, the second and third legs of the Triple Crown Series.-Background:...
.
In the Autumn of 1994, Concern raced in the Old Rosebud Stakes and finished third. Three weeks later he came back and lost narrowly to Soul of the Matter in the $750,000 grade one Super Derby
Super Derby
The Super Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in September at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, Louisiana.Inaugurated in 1980, the Super Derby is open to 3-year-olds and the distance is 1 1/8 miles on the dirt. A Grade II event, it's the richest race held at Louisiana Downs...
. Then he shipped up to Canada to race in the grade two Molson Export Million Stakes
Woodbine Mile
The Woodbine Mile is a Grade I stakes race on turf for Thoroughbred racehorses three years old and up held annually in mid September at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Canada...
against older horses on Turf. Like many of the races that year he ran a good race but placed third to Dramatic Gold.
Concern is perhaps remembered by many for his dramatic come-from-behind running style as he did in coming from last to first in the 1994 Breeders' Cup Classic.
Four year-old season
At age four, Concern won the $200,000 grade two New Orleans HandicapNew Orleans Handicap
The New Orleans Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana. Open to horses four years old and up, the race is run at a distance of one and one-eighth miles on the dirt...
in March at Fair Grounds Race Course
Fair Grounds Race Course
Fair Grounds Race Course, often known as New Orleans Fair Grounds, is a thoroughbred racetrack and racino in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is operated by Churchill Downs Louisiana Horseracing Company, LLC....
. Mike Smith piloted him to the win over Fly Cry and Tossofthecoin. In the summer of 1995, he won the $275,000 grade one 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...
at Hollywood Park. In that race he beat Tossofthecoin again and Tinners Way under jockey Smith. He also placed third in three different grade one races in his four year-old season. Those races included the Pimlico Special Handicap to Cigar
Cigar (horse)
Cigar , is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse, who in 1995 and 1996 became the first American racehorse racing against top-class competition to win 16 consecutive races since the Triple Crown winner, Citation did so in 1948 and 1950...
, 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....
to Cigar
Cigar (horse)
Cigar , is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse, who in 1995 and 1996 became the first American racehorse racing against top-class competition to win 16 consecutive races since the Triple Crown winner, Citation did so in 1948 and 1950...
and the Meadowlands Cup to Peaks and Valleys.
Retirement
A descendant of the great sire NearcoNearco
Nearco was an Italian bred Thoroughbred racehorse described by Thoroughbred Heritage as "one of the greatest racehorses of the Twentieth Century" and "one of the most important sires of the century." He was not only unbeaten, winning 14 races at distances from 5 furlongs to 1 mile 7 furlongs ,...
, Concern was 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...
in 1996 at Northview Stallion Station in Chesapeake City, Maryland
Chesapeake City, Maryland
Chesapeake City is a town in Cecil County, Maryland, United States. The population was 787 at the 2000 census.The town was originally named by Bohemian colonist Augustine Herman the Village of Bohemia , but the name was changed in 1839 when the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal was built...
until 2003. He now stands at Oklahoma Equine in Washington, Oklahoma. While Concern has sired a number of winners, his offspring have had some success in graded stakes race
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...
s but never to the level that their sire accomplished. The best of his progeny has actually been Good Night Shirt, a steeplechase
Steeplechase
Steeplechase may refer to:* Steeplechase, an event in horse racing* SteepleChase, a Danish jazz label* Steeplechase , a 1975 arcade game released by Atari...
runner who was voted the 2007 and 2008 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 American Champion Steeplechase Horse
Eclipse Award for Outstanding Steeplechase horse
The American Champion Steeplechase Horse is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor awarded as part of the Eclipse Award program since its inception in 1971. It is awarded annually to the top horse in steeplechase racing....
.