Precisionist
Encyclopedia
Precisionist was an American
Hall of Fame
Thoroughbred
racehorse
. In 1985, Precisionist won the Strub Series at Santa Anita Park
becoming only the fifth horse to win the Malibu Stakes
, the San Fernando Stakes
and the Charles H. Strub Stakes
. Although he earned an Eclipse Award
as a champion sprinter and Breeders' Cup
sprint winner, Precisionist was also a winner of races beyond a mile including Grade I
races at 1¼ miles.
In 1986, Precisionist and Turkoman
were the heavy favorites for the Breeders' Cup Classic
but ran second and third respectively to upset winner, Skywalker
.
Retired at age 6, Precisionist proved nearly sterile, siring only four foals in his lifetime. As a result, his owners returned him to racing in 1988 under trainer John Russell. Overcoming both the 20-month layoff and a fracture to his left foreleg that was repaired with a pin, Precisionist set the current one-mile track record at Del Mar Racetrack
in 1:33 1/5. William Donovan handled the training duties for Precisionist's final start when he finished twelfth in the 1988 Sunny Isle Handicap at Calder Race Course
. Retired permanently, he was sent to live at a farm in Ocala, Florida
where he remained until June 2006 when he was sent to the Old Friends, Inc. equine retirement center near Georgetown, Kentucky
.
As a result of inoperable sinus tumor
s, Precisionist was euthanized
on September 27, 2006. He was buried in his entirety at the Old Friends cemetery.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
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...
. In 1985, Precisionist won the Strub Series 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...
becoming only the fifth horse to win the Malibu Stakes
Malibu Stakes
The Malibu Stakes is a race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses of either gender held each December at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California...
, the San Fernando Stakes
San Fernando Breeders' Cup Stakes
The San Fernando Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in mid January at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Open to four-year-old horses, it is contested on at a distance of 11/16 miles on Pro-Ride synthetic dirt...
and the Charles H. 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...
. Although he earned an 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 a champion sprinter and Breeders' Cup
Breeders' Cup
The Breeders' Cup World Championships is an annual series of Thoroughbred horse races, most but not all Grade I, operated by Breeders' Cup Limited, a company formed in 1982. From its inception in 1984 through 2006, it was a single-day event; starting in 2007, it expanded to two days. The location...
sprint winner, Precisionist was also a winner of races beyond a mile including 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...
races at 1¼ miles.
In 1986, Precisionist and Turkoman
Turkoman (horse)
Turkoman is an American thoroughbred stallion racehorse. Owned and bred by Corbin J. Robertson, he was sired by 1989 United States Racing Hall of Fame inductee Alydar out of the Table Play mare, Taba, who was the Champion 2 year old Filly in Argentina.Raced under Corbin J. Robertson's Saron Stable...
were the heavy favorites for 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...
but ran second and third respectively to upset winner, Skywalker
Skywalker (horse)
Skywalker was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred in Kentucky by Thomas T. Tatham's Oak Cliff Thoroughbreds Ltd., who also bred Sunday Silence, he was foaled and raised at Arthur B. Hancock III's Stone Farm...
.
Retired at age 6, Precisionist proved nearly sterile, siring only four foals in his lifetime. As a result, his owners returned him to racing in 1988 under trainer John Russell. Overcoming both the 20-month layoff and a fracture to his left foreleg that was repaired with a pin, Precisionist set the current one-mile track record 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...
in 1:33 1/5. William Donovan handled the training duties for Precisionist's final start when he finished twelfth in the 1988 Sunny Isle Handicap at Calder Race Course
Calder Race Course
Calder Casino & Race Course is a casino and horse racetrack in Miami Gardens, Florida in the United States.-History:In the mid-1960s, real estate developer Stephen A. Calder envisioned summertime racing in Florida; in 1965, on the advice of Mr. Calder, the Florida Legislature approved a bill...
. Retired permanently, he was sent to live at a farm in Ocala, Florida
Ocala, Florida
Ocala is a city in Marion County, Florida. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 53,491. It is the county seat of Marion County, and the principal city of the Ocala, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated 2007 population of 324,857.-History:Ocala...
where he remained until June 2006 when he was sent to the Old Friends, Inc. equine retirement center near Georgetown, Kentucky
Georgetown, Kentucky
Georgetown is a city in Scott County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 29,098 at the 2010 census. The original settlement of Lebanon, founded by Rev. Elijah Craig, was renamed in 1790 in honor of President George Washington. It is the home of Georgetown College, a private liberal arts...
.
As a result of inoperable sinus tumor
Tumor
A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
s, Precisionist was euthanized
Animal euthanasia
Animal euthanasia is the act of putting to death painlessly or allowing to die, as by withholding extreme medical measures, an animal suffering from an incurable, especially a painful, disease or condition. Euthanasia methods are designed to cause minimal pain and distress...
on September 27, 2006. He was buried in his entirety at the Old Friends cemetery.