Southern Image
Encyclopedia
Southern Image is a millionaire American Thoroughbred
racehorse and successful sire. Bred in Florida
by Arthur I. Appleton and raced under the Blahut Stables banner as his owner. He finished racing with a record of 6-1-1 in 8 starts with career earnings of $
1,843,750. Southern Image was best known for his wins in the grade one Pimlico Special
and the grade one Santa Anita Handicap
. In 2004 he became only the third horse ever to have won both prestigious races on separate coasts of the United States. The others were Farma Way
and the great Seabiscuit
.
by three lengths. His annual earnings for that one race was $28,800 for the year.
prep race to Breeders' Cup Juvenile
runner-up Kafwain in the $150,000 grade two San Vicente Stakes
at Santa Anita. During that race he sustained a slight injury and had to be rested and nurse back to health over the next five months. He came back to the track in fine condition and won an allowance race in August 2003 at eight and a half furlongs at Del Mar Racetrack
. In December, Southern Image scored his biggest victory of the year in the $250,000 grade two Malibu Stakes
at seven furlongs at Santa Anita over Midas Eyes. He finished the year with a record of (3): 2-0-1 and annual earnings of $202,800.
at nine furlongs at Santa Anita. He won that race by three lengths over Excess Summer and The Judge Sez Who. In March he won the $1,000,000 grade one Santa Anita Handicap
at ten furlongs at Santa Anita Park. He won the race in 2:01.64 over Island Fashion, Saint Buddy.
At that time his connections felt that Southern Image was at the top of their game and they chose to do something a little out of the ordinary. In May, Southern Image was shipped 3,000 miles east to run in the $600,000 grade one Pimlico Special
at "Old Hilltop in Baltimore, Maryland. Southern Image, came into the Special off four straight victories at Santa Anita. The field was depleted earlier on race day by the scratch of dual classic winner Funny Cide
. The race also included the Preakness Stakes
runner-up in Midway Road
, grade one winner Evening Attire
, the improving graded stakes winner Bowman's Band, and Dynever, who finished third in the prior year's Breeders' Cup Classic
.
Southern Image went off as the favorite at 9-5 because of his "Big Cap" score. As the gates opened up Southern Image broke well and assumed the lead passing the stands for the first time. Going around the famous club house turn at Pimlico Race Course
jockey Victor Espinoza
took hold and asked Image to relax. Throughout the backstretch and around the far turn in a reasonable 1/2 mile of :47, Southern Image sat back in the perfect stalkers position in second just off the right rear flank of leader Midway Road. At the top of the lane Image fought back a challenge from Bowman's Band and then just wore down the leader. In that race he recorded an incredible Beyer speed figure of 119 and a #1 on the Ragozian sheets and finished the mile and 3/16 race on dirt in a very impressive 1:55.4 defeating runner-up Midway Road by 1-1/2 lengths and third place finisher Bowman's Band another 2-1/2 behind them.
One month later he had solid runner-up finish in the $800,000 grade one Stephen Foster Handicap
at Churchill Downs
. In that race he lost to Colonial Colony, by only a nose, but defeated multiple graded stakes winner Perfect Drift
. He concluded his four year-old season in 2004 with a record of (4): 3-1-0 with annual earnings of $1,612,150.
. He is also standing during the Southern Hemisphere
season at Widden Stud, Australia beginning in 2006.
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 and successful sire. Bred in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
by Arthur I. Appleton and raced under the Blahut Stables banner as his owner. He finished racing with a record of 6-1-1 in 8 starts with career earnings of $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
1,843,750. Southern Image was best known for his wins in the grade one 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...
and the grade one Santa Anita Handicap
Santa Anita Handicap
The Santa Anita Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in early March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. It is a Grade I race for horses four years old and up , and is considered the most important race for older horses in North America during the winter racing season...
. In 2004 he became only the third horse ever to have won both prestigious races on separate coasts of the United States. The others were Farma Way
Farma Way
Farma Way was an American thoroughbred Stallion racehorse foaled in Kentucky. He was sired by Santa Anita Derby winner Marfa out of the Diplomat Way mare, Fine Tribute, a descendant of the very important sire, Nearco....
and the great Seabiscuit
Seabiscuit
Seabiscuit was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse in the United States. From an inauspicious start, Seabiscuit became an unlikely champion and a symbol of hope to many Americans during the Great Depression...
.
Two year-old season
Southern Image was sold as a two year-old for $300,000, the second-highest-priced horse at the Ocala Breeders' Sale in March 2003 two year-old in training sale. Southern Image race only once late in his two year season and won at first asking. He won a maiden special weight race at six and a half furlongs at Santa Anita ParkSanta 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...
by three lengths. His annual earnings for that one race was $28,800 for the year.
Three year-old season
At age three, Southern Image started the season with a third place finish in a Triple CrownUnited 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...
prep race to 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....
runner-up Kafwain in the $150,000 grade two San Vicente Stakes
San Vicente Stakes
The San Vicente Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race run annually at Santa Anita Park. A Grade III event, the race is open to three-year-old horses willing to race seven furlongs on the dirt and carries a purse of $150,000....
at Santa Anita. During that race he sustained a slight injury and had to be rested and nurse back to health over the next five months. He came back to the track in fine condition and won an allowance race in August 2003 at eight and a half furlongs 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 December, Southern Image scored his biggest victory of the year in the $250,000 grade two 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...
at seven furlongs at Santa Anita over Midas Eyes. He finished the year with a record of (3): 2-0-1 and annual earnings of $202,800.
Four year-old season
In 2004, Southern Image had the most impressive campaign of his career. He began that year in January by winning the $1,000,000 stakes called the Sunshine Millions ClassicSunshine Millions Classic
The Sunshine Millions Classic is an American race for thoroughbred horses held annually in January at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California and at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida...
at nine furlongs at Santa Anita. He won that race by three lengths over Excess Summer and The Judge Sez Who. In March he won the $1,000,000 grade one Santa Anita Handicap
Santa Anita Handicap
The Santa Anita Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in early March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. It is a Grade I race for horses four years old and up , and is considered the most important race for older horses in North America during the winter racing season...
at ten furlongs at Santa Anita Park. He won the race in 2:01.64 over Island Fashion, Saint Buddy.
At that time his connections felt that Southern Image was at the top of their game and they chose to do something a little out of the ordinary. In May, Southern Image was shipped 3,000 miles east to run in the $600,000 grade one 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...
at "Old Hilltop in Baltimore, Maryland. Southern Image, came into the Special off four straight victories at Santa Anita. The field was depleted earlier on race day by the scratch of dual classic winner Funny Cide
Funny Cide
Funny Cide is a Thoroughbred race horse who won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes in 2003. He is the first New York-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby and the first gelding to win since Clyde Van Dusen in 1929.-Bloodlines:...
. The race also included the 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...
runner-up in Midway Road
Midway Road
Midway Road was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. A descendant of Mr. Prospector, he was sired by Jade Hunter by breeder Will Farish. Midway Road was a multiple graded stakes winner but will be remembered most for his two grade one runner-up finishes in important stake races during his career...
, grade one winner 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...
, the improving graded stakes winner Bowman's Band, and Dynever, who finished third in the prior year's 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...
.
Southern Image went off as the favorite at 9-5 because of his "Big Cap" score. As the gates opened up Southern Image broke well and assumed the lead passing the stands for the first time. Going around the famous club house turn 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...
jockey Victor Espinoza
Victor Espinoza
Victor Espinoza is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing. He began riding in his native Mexico and earned his first win there in 1992 before moving the following year to compete at racetracks in California....
took hold and asked Image to relax. Throughout the backstretch and around the far turn in a reasonable 1/2 mile of :47, Southern Image sat back in the perfect stalkers position in second just off the right rear flank of leader Midway Road. At the top of the lane Image fought back a challenge from Bowman's Band and then just wore down the leader. In that race he recorded an incredible Beyer speed figure of 119 and a #1 on the Ragozian sheets and finished the mile and 3/16 race on dirt in a very impressive 1:55.4 defeating runner-up Midway Road by 1-1/2 lengths and third place finisher Bowman's Band another 2-1/2 behind them.
One month later he had solid runner-up finish in the $800,000 grade one Stephen Foster Handicap
Stephen Foster Handicap
The Stephen Foster Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run in mid-June near the end of the Churchill Downs Spring Meet in Louisville, Kentucky...
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 that race he lost to Colonial Colony, by only a nose, but defeated multiple graded stakes winner Perfect Drift
Perfect Drift
Perfect Drift, is an American thoroughbred gelding racehorse. He is sired by the leading stud, Dynaformer, out of the Naskra mare, Nice Gal....
. He concluded his four year-old season in 2004 with a record of (4): 3-1-0 with annual earnings of $1,612,150.
Retirement
Southern Image stands at Taylor Made Farm in Nicholasville, KentuckyNicholasville, Kentucky
Nicholasville is the 11th largest city in state of Kentucky and the county seat of Jessamine County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 19,680 at the 2000 census...
. He is also standing during the Southern Hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
The Southern Hemisphere is the part of Earth that lies south of the equator. The word hemisphere literally means 'half ball' or "half sphere"...
season at Widden Stud, Australia beginning in 2006.