Mineshaft (horse)
Encyclopedia
Mineshaft was a multi-millionaire American
thoroughbred
racehorse
and successful stallion
. He 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. Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew
. His dam, Prospectors Delite, is by the leading North American sire Mr. Prospector
. Bred and owned by the partnership of William S. Farish III, W. Temple Webber, Jr. and James Elkins, Mineshaft is a product of Lane's End Farm
. He finished racing with a record of 10-3-1 in 18 starts and career earnings of $2,283,402.
, Mineshaft began his career racing on turf in Great Britain. Unraced at two, Mineshaft won a mile maiden at Newmarket
on his second start as a three-year-old. He failed to win another race in Great Britain, but showed definite ability when placing third in the Group Three Prix Daphnis
in France. His record in Britain was 3-1-1 in seven starts, with annual earnings of $73,716.
in 1:38.97. He finished 2002 with another allowance score at a mile at Churchill Downs
in 1:36.2.
With his late success, Mineshaft remained in the U.S. at age four and really came into his own. He started the year off at Fair Grounds Race Course
in the winter and reeled off victories in the $75,000 Diplomat Way Handicap at eight and a half furlongs in 1:43.8. Mineshaft followed that up with a runner-up finish in the $125,000 Grade III Whirlaway Handicap, losing to Balto Star. He then won big in the $500,000 Grade II New Orleans Handicap
at nine furlongs in 1:48.9, by 3 1/2 lengths. He then shipped to Kentucky and crushed other stakes winners by nine lengths in the $100,000 Grade III Ben Ali Stakes
at Keeneland
in 1:48.52.
Then Mineshaft stepped up in class and ran in the $600,000 Grade I Pimlico Special
Handicap at "Old Hilltop" in Baltimore, Maryland. A field of nine faced 6-5 favorite Mineshaft and Triple Crown veteran Balto Star, who was sent off at 4-1. When the gate opened, Balto Star was sent to the front and led the field through the first half mile, setting fractions of 23.1 and 46.7 over the sloppy track. The 7-2 second choice Western Pride stalked him in second and inherited the lead when Balto Star dropped out of contention, going 3/4 miles in 1:11. Turning for home, Mineshaft, who had stalked the pace saving ground early, was eased out three wide on the far turn and charged down the stretch, passing Western Pride after a mile in 1:36 to win going away by 3 3/4 lengths in a final time of 1:56.16. It was a head back to 42–1 longshot Judge's Case in third.
Among his victories later that year, Mineshaft won three straight Grade I races at Belmont Park
in New York. He started by winning the $500,000 Grade I
Suburban Handicap
by 2 1/4 lengths, beating Volponi
, Dollar Bill, and Evening Attire
. His next victory came in the $500,000 Woodward Stakes
by 4 1/2 lengths over Hold That Tiger and Puzzlement. Then, to cap off his year, he won the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup
, again beating Evening Attire
, this time by 4 1/2 lengths and ensuring his United States Horse of the Year
honors. He finished the year with a record of 7-2-0 in nine starts and earnings of $2,209,686.
for a fee of $100,000 live foal as of 2007. He is the sire of Grade II winners Cool Coal Man, Casino Drive
, and Fly Down.
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...
and successful stallion
Stallion (horse)
A stallion is a male horse that has not been gelded .Stallions will follow the conformation and phenotype of their breed, but within that standard, the presence of hormones such as testosterone may give stallions a thicker, "cresty" neck, as well as a somewhat more muscular physique as compared to...
. He was sired by 1992 U.S. Horse of the Year
Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year
The American Award for Horse of the Year is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. It has been awarded since 1887 to the horse, irrespective of age, whose performance during the racing year is deemed the most outstanding....
and U.S. Racing Hall of Fame
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
inductee A.P. Indy
A.P. Indy
A.P. Indy is a champion stallion Thoroughbred racehorse bred in Kentucky, USA, by William Farish III and William Kilroy. He is known for his ancestry, his own record, and his successful progeny. He was sired by Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew through mare Weekend Surprise, who herself was sired...
, who in turn was a son of 1977 U.S. Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew
Seattle Slew
Seattle Slew was an American Thoroughbred race horse who won the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in 1977, the tenth of eleven horses to accomplish the feat. He remains the only horse to win the Triple Crown while undefeated. In the Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 U.S...
. His dam, Prospectors Delite, is by the leading North American sire Mr. Prospector
Mr. Prospector
Mr. Prospector was a thoroughbred racehorse foaled in Kentucky, whose descendants have been dominant in the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. He won half of his 14 career races.-Background:...
. Bred and owned by the partnership of William S. Farish III, W. Temple Webber, Jr. and James Elkins, Mineshaft is a product of Lane's End Farm
Lane's End Farm
Lane's End Farm is a thoroughbred race horse breeding farm in Versailles, Kentucky established in 1979. The original land was part of Bosque Bonita Farm which means beautiful woods and was originally owned by Abraham Buford, a Confederate Army General. The land was later bought by leading...
. He finished racing with a record of 10-3-1 in 18 starts and career earnings of $2,283,402.
Early career
Trained by Classic-winning trainer John GosdenJohn Gosden
John Gosden is a racehorse trainer. Having trained over 2,000 winners since his return to England in 1989, including winners of the Breeders' Cup Classic, the Derby, the King George, the 1,000 Guineas and the St. Leger, he is generally considered one of the most successful racehorse trainers of...
, Mineshaft began his career racing on turf in Great Britain. Unraced at two, Mineshaft won a mile maiden at Newmarket
Newmarket Racecourse
The town of Newmarket, in Suffolk, England, is the headquarters of British horseracing, home to the largest cluster of training yards in the country and many key horse racing organisations. Newmarket Racecourse has two courses - the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course. Both are wide, galloping...
on his second start as a three-year-old. He failed to win another race in Great Britain, but showed definite ability when placing third in the Group Three Prix Daphnis
Prix Daphnis
The Prix Daphnis is a Group 3 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,850 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late June or early July.-History:The Prix Daphnis was established in 1921 alongside...
in France. His record in Britain was 3-1-1 in seven starts, with annual earnings of $73,716.
American career
Following his seven runs in Great Britain, Mineshaft was transferred to the United States as a three-year-old and moved to the barn of Neil J. Howard. He started out in America with a win in an allowance race by 3 1/2 lengths at a mile and 70 yards at Fair Grounds Race CourseFair 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....
in 1:38.97. He finished 2002 with another allowance score at a mile 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...
in 1:36.2.
With his late success, Mineshaft remained in the U.S. at age four and really came into his own. He started the year off 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....
in the winter and reeled off victories in the $75,000 Diplomat Way Handicap at eight and a half furlongs in 1:43.8. Mineshaft followed that up with a runner-up finish in the $125,000 Grade III Whirlaway Handicap, losing to Balto Star. He then won big in the $500,000 Grade II New Orleans Handicap
New 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...
at nine furlongs in 1:48.9, by 3 1/2 lengths. He then shipped to Kentucky and crushed other stakes winners by nine lengths in the $100,000 Grade III Ben Ali Stakes
Ben Ali Stakes
The Ben Ali Stakes is an American race for thoroughbred horses run in the Spring of each year at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. For 4-year-olds and up, it is a Grade III event set at a distance of one mile and one eighth mile on the dirt...
at Keeneland
Keeneland
Keeneland is a Thoroughbred horse racing facility and sales complex in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. Operated by the Keeneland Association, Inc., it is also known for its reference library on the sport, which contains more than 10,000 volumes, an extensive videocassette collection, and a substantial...
in 1:48.52.
Then Mineshaft stepped up in class and ran in the $600,000 Grade I Pimlico Special
Pimlico Special
The Pimlico Special is an American thoroughbred horse race held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland in mid May. It is raced on dirt over a distance of 1³/16 miles . The race is currently open to horses age three and older and offers a purse of $250,000.The Pimlico Special was first run in...
Handicap at "Old Hilltop" in Baltimore, Maryland. A field of nine faced 6-5 favorite Mineshaft and Triple Crown veteran Balto Star, who was sent off at 4-1. When the gate opened, Balto Star was sent to the front and led the field through the first half mile, setting fractions of 23.1 and 46.7 over the sloppy track. The 7-2 second choice Western Pride stalked him in second and inherited the lead when Balto Star dropped out of contention, going 3/4 miles in 1:11. Turning for home, Mineshaft, who had stalked the pace saving ground early, was eased out three wide on the far turn and charged down the stretch, passing Western Pride after a mile in 1:36 to win going away by 3 3/4 lengths in a final time of 1:56.16. It was a head back to 42–1 longshot Judge's Case in third.
Among his victories later that year, Mineshaft won three straight Grade I races 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...
in New York. He started by winning the $500,000 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...
Suburban Handicap
Suburban Handicap
The Suburban Handicap is an American Grade II Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Open to horses age three and older, it is run at the classic one-and-one-quarter mile distance on dirt for a $400,000 purse....
by 2 1/4 lengths, beating Volponi
Volponi
Volponi is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred by trainer Philip G. Johnson's family operation, Amherst Stable, he was sired by Florida Derby winner Cryptoclearance...
, Dollar Bill, and Evening Attire
Evening Attire (horse)
Evening Attire is a Kentucky bred Thoroughbred racehorse, foaled on February 14, 1998, though most of his racing career has taken place in New York.-A little history, early and late:Bred by Joseph M. Grant and Hall of Famer Thomas J...
. His next victory came in the $500,000 Woodward Stakes
Woodward Stakes
The Woodward Stakes is an American Grade I stakes race and is one of the premier races for older thoroughbred horses in the United States. Named for prominent racehorse owner, George Nicholas Woodward, it is run at 1⅛ miles on the dirt for a purse of $750,000.The Woodward was run as a handicap in...
by 4 1/2 lengths over Hold That Tiger and Puzzlement. Then, to cap off his year, he won the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup
Jockey Club Gold Cup
The Jockey Club Gold Cup, established in 1919, is a prestigious thoroughbred flat race open to horses of either gender three-years-old and up. It is typically the main event of the fall meeting at Belmont Park, just as the Belmont Stakes is of the spring meeting and the Travers Stakes is of the...
, again beating Evening Attire
Evening Attire (horse)
Evening Attire is a Kentucky bred Thoroughbred racehorse, foaled on February 14, 1998, though most of his racing career has taken place in New York.-A little history, early and late:Bred by Joseph M. Grant and Hall of Famer Thomas J...
, this time by 4 1/2 lengths and ensuring his United States Horse of the Year
Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year
The American Award for Horse of the Year is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. It has been awarded since 1887 to the horse, irrespective of age, whose performance during the racing year is deemed the most outstanding....
honors. He finished the year with a record of 7-2-0 in nine starts and earnings of $2,209,686.
Retirement
Retired on October 3, 2003, due to an injury in his right front ankle, Mineshaft stands at stud at Lane's End FarmLane's End Farm
Lane's End Farm is a thoroughbred race horse breeding farm in Versailles, Kentucky established in 1979. The original land was part of Bosque Bonita Farm which means beautiful woods and was originally owned by Abraham Buford, a Confederate Army General. The land was later bought by leading...
for a fee of $100,000 live foal as of 2007. He is the sire of Grade II winners Cool Coal Man, Casino Drive
Casino Drive
Casino Drive is an American thoroughbred racehorse. He was sired by 2003 United States Horse of the Year Mineshaft, out of the great broodmare Better Than Honour, making him a half-brother to 2006 Belmont Stakes winner Jazil, and a three-quarter brother to 2007 Belmont Stakes winner, Rags to...
, and Fly Down.