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Mr. Prospector

{{Short description|American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse}}

{{Infobox racehorse

| horsename = Mr. Prospector

| image = Mr. Prospector.jpg

| caption = Mr. Prospector at Claiborne Farm in 1981

| sire = Raise a Native

| grandsire = Native Dancer

| dam = Gold Digger

| damsire = Nashua

| sex = Stallion

| foaled = January 28, 1970{{cite web|url=http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=334449®istry=T&horse_name=Mr.%20Prospector&dam_name=Gold%20Digger&foaling_year=1970&nicking_stats_indicator=Y |title=Pedigree of Mr. Prospector |website=Equineline|date=2012-05-08 |access-date=2012-08-16}}

| death_date = {{death date and age|1999|6|1|1970|1|28}}

| country = United States

| colour = Bay

| breeder = Leslie Combs II

| owner = Aisco Stable

| trainer = Jimmy Croll

| record = 14: 7–4–2

| earnings = $112,171{{cite web|title=Mr. Prospector – Equibase Profile |url=http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=334449®istry=T&rbt=TB|website=Equibase|access-date=31 May 2017}}

| race = Gravesend Handicap (1974)
Whirlaway Handicap (1974)

| awards= Leading sire in North America (1987, 1988)
Leading broodmare sire in North America
(1997–2003, 2005–06)

| honours = Grade III Mr. Prospector Stakes at Gulfstream Park

| updated= April 27, 2020

}}

Mr. Prospector (January 28, 1970 – June 1, 1999) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who became an outstanding breeding stallion and notable sire of sires. A sprinter whose career was cut short by repeated injuries, he won seven of his 14 starts, including the Gravesend Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack and the Whirlaway Handicap at Garden State Park.

Mr. Prospector began his stallion career in Florida as a regional sire. He proved so successful that he was moved to Kentucky where he became a leading sire and later a leading broodmare sire. His descendants have dominated the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing for several decades and his impact on Thoroughbred bloodlines is felt worldwide.

Background

Mr. Prospector was a bay stallion who was bred in Kentucky by Leslie Combs II, the owner of Spendthrift Farm. His sire was Raise a Native, a son of Native Dancer. Raise a Native was brilliantly fast but unsound, going undefeated in four races at age two before injury. Raise a Native became a notable sire but tended to pass on his "heavy-topped" build and other conformation issues associated with unsoundness.{{cite web|last1=Avalyn Hunter|author-link=Avalyn Hunter|title=Raise a Native|url=http://www.americanclassicpedigrees.com/raise-a-native.html|website=American Classic Pedigrees|access-date=31 May 2017}} By contrast, Mr. Prospector's dam, Gold Digger, was a multiple stakes winning mare known for her toughness and durability. A daughter of Nashua, Gold Digger was from a highly distinguished female family tracing back to champion racemare and "blue hen" Myrtlewood.{{cite web|last1=Avalyn Hunter|author-link=Avalyn Hunter|title=Gold Digger (horse)|url=http://www.americanclassicpedigrees.com/gold-digger.html|website=American Classic Pedigrees|access-date=31 May 2017}}

Mr. Prospector was the highest-priced horse at the 1971 Keeneland July sale of selected yearlings, selling to A. I. "Butch" Savin for $220,000 (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|0.22|1971|r=2}} million in {{Inflation-year|US}}).{{cite news |title=Sparkman: Mr. Prospector line has no American equal |date=June 12, 2015 |work=Daily Racing Form |url=http://www.drf.com/news/sparkman-mr-prospector-line-has-no-american-equal }} "Mr. P", as he came to be known, raced for owner Savin under his nom de course, Aisco Stable. The colt was trained by Jimmy Croll, a future Hall of Fame member who went on to train Holy Bull.{{cite web|url=http://www.teamvalor.com/misc/Mr_Prospector_lives_on.pdf|title=Sire of Sires: Mr. Prospector|date=January 16, 2010|access-date=June 4, 2015|first=John F.|last=Sparkman|work=Thoroughbred Times}}

At maturity, he reached {{hands|16}} high.{{cite web |url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/90474/pedigree-analysis-is-bigger-always-better |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314134859/http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/90474/pedigree-analysis-is-bigger-always-better |archive-date=2015-03-14 |title=Pedigree Analysis: Is Bigger Always Better? {{!}} BloodHorse.com}} He had excellent hindquarters and strong hind legs, but his right forefront was turned-out and his knees were offset, making him vulnerable to injury.

Racing career

Mr. Prospector raced at the same time as Hall of Fame members Secretariat and Forego. Though not of their class, he was the top-ranked sprinter of 1974 on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap.{{cite web|last1=Avalyn Hunter|author-link=Avalyn Hunter|title=Mr. Prospector|url=http://www.americanclassicpedigrees.com/mr-prospector.html|website=American Classic Pedigrees|access-date=31 May 2017}}

Mr. Prospector did not race at age two,{{cite news|last1=Strauss|first1=Michael|title=Forego Is Favorite in Carter Handicap at Belmont Park Today|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/05/18/archives/forego-is-favorite-in-carter-handicap-at-belmont-park-today-mr.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=31 May 2017|date=18 May 1974}} but won his first two starts at age three with "ridiculous ease" before being sidelined by illness. He returned on April 1, 1973, in a six-furlong allowance race at Gulfstream Park, which he won by nine lengths. The time of 1:07{{frac|4|5}} was a new track record and was only two-fifths of a second off the American record.{{cite news|title=Royal and Regal Scores by Three Lengths in. Florida Derby, Returns $15.20|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/04/01/archives/royal-and-regal-scores-by-three-lengths-in-florida-derby-returns.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=31 May 2017|date=1 April 1973}}

He next entered the Calumet Purse on April 17, 1973. In his first start at a distance of more than seven furlongs, he took the early lead but faded in the final quarter-mile to finish third.{{cite news|title=OUR NATIVE RULED KEENELAND VICTOR|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/04/18/archives/our-native-ruled-keeneland-victor-starkers-is-disqualified-for.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=31 May 2017|date=18 April 1973}} He next entered the Derby Trial on May 2 as the heavy favorite but finished second after a troubled start.{{cite news|last1=Nichols|first1=Joe|title=MR PROSPECTOR RUNS 2D IN TRIAL TO SETTECENTO|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/05/02/archives/mr-prospector-runs-2d-in-trial-to-settecento-35-favorite-is-beaten.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=31 May 2017|date=2 May 1973}} This was his last start at age three.

On February 25, 1974, Mr. Prospector finished third in the Paumonok Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack as the 1-2 favorite. The crowd reportedly responded to the loss by booing jockey Walter Blum "like rutting moose".{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Red|title=So Foul and Fair a Day at the Big A|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/02/26/archives/so-foul-and-fair-a-day-at-the-big-a-sports-of-the-times.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=31 May 2017|date=26 February 1974}} He then ran second in the Royal Poinciana on March 6 at Hialeah to Lonetree, who set a track record for seven furlongs.{{cite news|title=Lonetree Scores Upset On Hialeah's First Day|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/03/06/archives/lonetree-scores-upset-on-hialeahs-first-day-at-yonkers-at-bowie-at-.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=31 May 2017|date=6 March 1974}}

On April 20, Mr. Prospector won the Whirlaway Handicap at Garden State Racetrack, setting a track record of 1:08{{frac|3|5}} for six furlongs.{{cite news|last1=Nichols|first1=Joe|title=Flip Sal and Rube the Great Take Wood Divisions|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/04/21/archives/flip-sal-and-rube-the-great-take-wood-divisions-flip-sal-rube-win.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=31 May 2017|date=21 April 1974}} He then entered the Carter Handicap at Belmont Park on May 18, where he finished second to eventual Horse of the Year Forego.{{cite news|last1=Strauss|first1=Michael|title=Carter Won By Forego At Belmont|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/05/19/archives/carter-won-by-forego-at-belmont.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=31 May 2017|date=19 May 1974}} He then finished fourth at the favorite in a turf race, a surface with which the colt was unfamiliar.{{cite news|last1=Nichols|first1=Joe|title=Mr. Prospector Triumphs by 5 Lengths|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/06/20/archives/mr-prospector-triumphs-by-5-lengths-of-victory-and-death.html?_r=0|work=The New York Times|access-date=31 May 2017|date=20 June 1974}}

Mr. Prospector returned to the winner's circle in the Gravesend Handicap, held on June 19 at Belmont Park. As the second choice in a field of eight, he settled in second place behind Lonetree, then pulled away to win by five lengths. Mr. Prospector made what would prove his final start on July 4 in the Firecracker Handicap, finishing second. Shortly afterwards, he fractured a sesamoid bone and was retired.{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Red|title=Pure of Heart and $625,000 poorer|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/07/31/archives/pure-of-heart-and-625000-lighter-red-smith-its-only-money-raise-a.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=31 May 2017|date=31 July 1974}}

Stud career

Mr. Prospector retired to stud in 1975 at Aisco Farm near Ocala, Florida. As a regional sire with limited support, he exceeded expectations when he became North America's leading freshman sire of 1978. In 1980, he was relocated to historic Claiborne Farm in Kentucky. He became an outstanding sire, leading the North American general sire list in 1978 and 1979. From 1,195 named foals, he sired 182 stakes winners (15.1%). Although primarily known for the success of his offspring on the dirt in North America, he also was a top-ten sire for several years in Europe.

Mr. Prospector sired one winner of each of the Triple Crown races, a feat his grandson, Unbridled, also accomplished. His Triple Crown race winners were 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus; 1985 Preakness Stakes winner Tank's Prospect; and 1982 Belmont Stakes winner and American Horse of the Year Conquistador Cielo. Mr. Prospector's bloodline has been highly influential in the top echelons of Thoroughbred racing. All eight horses entered into the 2015 Belmont Stakes were descendants, through their sires, of Mr. Prospector.{{cite web|title=Mubtaahij Pedigree|work=Equineline|url=http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=9355122®istry=T&horse_name=Mubtaahij%20(IRE)&dam_name==Pennegale%20(IRE)&foaling_year=2012&nicking_stats_indicator=Y|access-date=June 3, 2015}}{{cite web|title=Tale of Verve Pedigree|work=Equineline|url=http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=9369979®istry=T&horse_name=Tale%20of%20Verve&dam_name=Verve&foaling_year=2012&nicking_stats_indicator=Y|access-date=June 3, 2015}}{{cite web|title=Madefromlucky Pedigree|work=Equineline|url=http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=9343920®istry=T&horse_name=Madefromlucky&dam_name=Home%20From%20Oz&foaling_year=2012&nicking_stats_indicator=Y|access-date=June 3, 2015}}{{cite web|title=Frammento Pedigree|work=Equineline|url=http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=9345209®istry=T&horse_name=Frammento&dam_name=Ginger%20Bay&foaling_year=2012&nicking_stats_indicator=Y|access-date=June 3, 2015}}{{cite web|title=American Pharoah Pedigree|work=Equineline|url=http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=9314281®istry=T&horse_name=American%20Pharoah&dam_name=Littleprincessemma&foaling_year=2012&nicking_stats_indicator=Y#%23|access-date=June 3, 2015}}{{cite web|title=Frosted Pedigree|work=Equineline|url=http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=9330751®istry=T&horse_name=Frosted&dam_name=Fast%20Cookie&foaling_year=2012&nicking_stats_indicator=Y|access-date=June 2, 2015}}{{cite web|title=Keen Ice Pedigree|work=Equineline|url=http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=9317888®istry=T&horse_name=Keen%20Ice&dam_name=Medomak&foaling_year=2012&nicking_stats_indicator=Y|access-date=June 3, 2015}}{{cite web|title=Materiality Pedigree|work=Equineline|url=http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=9326629®istry=T&horse_name=Materiality&dam_name=Wildwood%20Flower&foaling_year=2012&nicking_stats_indicator=Y|access-date=June 3, 2015}} Similarly, all of the horses in the 2018 Kentucky Derby were descendants of Mr. Prospector.{{cite web|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/nearly-half-the-kentucky-derby-field-is-racing-against-a-half-brother/|title=Nearly Half The Kentucky Derby Field Is Racing Against A Half-Brother|last1=Catton|first1=Pia|last2=Wezerek|first2=Gus|publisher=Fivethirtyeight|date=May 4, 2018|access-date=May 7, 2018}}

Mr. Prospector's stud fee, even without the guarantee of a live foal, peaked at $460,000 in the early and mid-1980s. By March 1994 he was still commanding fees of $170,000-$180,000 even though the market had suffered a downturn. During breeding season, he was often able to "cover" two mares in one day.{{cite news|url=http://articles.philly.com/1994-04-13/sports/25865100_1_stallions-prospector-sire|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604222710/http://articles.philly.com/1994-04-13/sports/25865100_1_stallions-prospector-sire|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 4, 2015|title=Mr. Prospector: You Can Call Him The King Of Stallions Eighteen Horses Share Stud Duty At Claiborne Farm. This One Has 902 Offspring, And He Isn't Through Yet.|first=Jay|last=Searcy|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=April 13, 1994|access-date=June 4, 2015}} Mr. Prospector was jointly owned by a 40-member syndicate.

On June 1, 1999, Mr. Prospector died in his stall of complications from colic at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky. He was buried between Nijinsky and Secretariat.

=Major winners=

Mr. Prospector's Grade/Group One winners are shown in the table below.{{cite web|title=Mr. Prospector's Stakes Winners (Grade/Group One winners in bold)|url=http://www.pedigreequery.com/index.php?query_type=stakes&search_bar=stakes&field=sire&h=mr+prospector|website=www.pedigreequery.com|access-date=3 June 2017}} The majority raced in North America on the dirt. However, he also had several significant winners in Europe who established more turf-oriented branches of the sire line.

c = colt, f = filly, g = gelding

border="1" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size:90%"
style="background:#eee;"

| style="width:35px;"| Foaled

| style="width:120px;"| Name

| style="width:35px;"| Sex

| style="width:570px;"| Major Wins

1976

| It's In The Air

| f

| Alabama Stakes, Ruffian Handicap, Vanity Handicap

1977

| Fappiano

| c

| Metropolitan Handicap, Forego Handicap

1977

| Hello Gorgeous

| c

| William Hill Futurity

1978

| Miswaki

| c

| Prix de la Salamandre

1979

| Conquistador Cielo

| c

| Belmont Stakes, Metropolitan Handicap

1979

| Gold Beauty

| f

| Test Stakes

1980

| Eillo

| c

| Breeders' Cup Sprint

1981

| Procida

| c

| Prix de la Forêt, Hollywood Derby

1982

| Tank's Prospect

| c

| Preakness Stakes

1983

| Mogambo

| c

| Champagne Stakes

1984

| Afleet

| c

| Jerome Handicap, Canadian Horse of the Year

1984

| Chic Shirine

| f

| Ashland Stakes

1984

| Gone West

| c

| Dwyer Stakes

1984

| Gulch

| c

| Hopeful Stakes, Belmont Futurity, Wood Memorial, Metropolitan Handicap, Breeders' Cup Sprint

1984

| Jade Hunter

| c

| Gulfstream Park Handicap, Donn Handicap

1984

| Mining

| c

| Vosburgh Stakes

1985

| Classic Crown

| f

| Frizette Stakes, Gazelle Handicap

1985

| Forty Niner

| c

| Champagne Stakes

1985

| Over All

| f

| Spinaway Stakes, Matron Stakes

1985

| Ravinella

| f

| 1000 Guineas, Cheveley Park Stakes

1985

| Seeking The Gold

| c

| Super Derby, Dwyer Stakes

1986

| Fantastic Find

| f

| Hempstead Handicap

1986

| Quena

| f

| Ballerina Stakes, Maskette Stakes, Ruffian Handicap

1986

| Tersa

| f

| Prix Morny

1987

| Jade Robbery

| c

| Grand Critérium

1987

| Machiavellian

| c

| Prix de la Salamandre, Prix Djebel

1988

| Lycius

| c

| Middle Park Stakes

1988

| Rhythm

| c

| Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Travers Stakes

1988

| Scan

| c

| Jerome Handicap

1989

| Preach

| f

| Frizette Stakes

1989

| Prospectors Delite

| f

| Acorn Stakes, Ashland Stakes

1990

| Educated Risk

| f

| Frizette Stakes, Top Flight Handicap

1990

| Kingmambo

| c

| Poule d'Essai des Poulains, St. James's Palace Stakes, Prix du Moulin de Longchamp

1990

| Miner's Mark

| c

| Jockey Club Gold Cup

1991

| Coup de Genie

| f

| Prix Morny, Prix de la Salamandre

1991

| Distant View

| c

| Sussex Stakes

1992

| Macoumba

| c

| Prix Marcel Boussac

1992

| Smart Strike

| c

| Philip H. Iselin Handicap

1993

| Golden Attraction

| c

| Spinaway Stakes, Frizette Stakes, Matron Stakes

1993

| Ta Rib

| f

| Poule d'Essai des Pouliches

1995

| Chester House

| c

| Arlington Million

1997

| Fusaichi Pegasus

| c

| Kentucky Derby

1997

| Scatter the Gold

| c

| Queen's Plate, Prince of Wales Stakes

1997

| Traditionally

| c

| Oaklawn Handicap

1998

| Aldeberan

| c

| Metropolitan Handicap, Forego Handicap

1998

| Dancethruthedawn

| f

| Woodbine Oaks, Queen's Plate, Go For Wand Handicap

=Influence on the American Triple Crown=

Mr. Prospector's male-line descendants have had great success in the American Triple Crown races, primarily through his sons Fappiano, Forty Niner and Smart Strike who themselves became sires of sires.

Mr. Prospector’s lineage can be found in every American Triple Crown race winner from 2012 onward, with the last horse not to contain lineage through Mr. Prospector was 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom. His lineage extends even further back for the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, as he appears in every pedigree from 2009 onward for those two legs of the triple crown races.

The family tree below lists only the winners descended in the male line.

{{tree list}}

{{tree list/end}}

Pedigree

{{Pedigree

|name = Mr. Prospector (USA), bay stallion, 1970

|f = Raise a Native (USA)
1961

|m = Gold Digger (USA)
1962

|ff = Native Dancer (USA)
1950

|fm = Raise You (USA)
1946

|mf = Nashua (USA)
1952

|mm = Sequence (USA)
1946

|fff = Polynesian

|ffm = Geisha

|fmf = Case Ace

|fmm = Lady Glory

|mff = Nasrullah

|mfm = Segula

|mmf = Count Fleet

|mmm = Miss Dogwood

|ffff = Unbreakable

|fffm = Black Polly

|ffmf = Discovery

|ffmm = Miyako

|fmff = Teddy

|fmfm = Sweetheart

|fmmf = American Flag

|fmmm = Beloved

|mfff = Nearco

|mffm = Mumtaz Begum

|mfmf = Johnstown

|mfmm = Sekhmet

|mmff = Reigh Count

|mmfm = Quickly

|mmmf = Bull Dog

|mmmm = Myrtlewood (Family 13-c){{cite web|url=http://www.bloodlines.net/TB/Families/Family13c.htm|title=Stray Shot – Family 13-c|publisher=Thoroughbred Bloodlines|access-date=3 January 2015}}

|}}

See also

Notes

{{Notelist}}

References

{{Reflist}}

  • {{cite book|author=Avalyn Hunter|author-link=Avalyn Hunter|title=Gold Rush : How Mr. Prospector Became Racing's Billion-Dollar Sire |date=2007-10-01|publisher=Eclipse Press|isbn=978-1-58150-173-5}}

External links

  • [http://horseracing.about.com/library/weekly/aa060199.htm About Mr. Prospector]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20080508210805/http://www.forbes.com/services/2005/05/05/cx_da_0505studmoney1.html Forbes America's Most Valuable Studs]

{{Authority control}}

Category:1970 racehorse births

Category:1999 racehorse deaths

Category:Racehorses bred in Kentucky

Category:Racehorses trained in the United States

Category:Horse racing track record setters

Category:United States Champion Thoroughbred Sires

Category:American Champion Thoroughbred broodmare sires

Category:Thoroughbred family 13-c

Category:Chefs-de-Race

Category:Deaths from digestive disease