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Arrogate

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Arrogate
Arrogate with Mike Smith prior to the 2016 Breeders' Cup Classic
SireUnbridled's Song
GrandsireUnbridled
DamBubbler
DamsireDistorted Humor
SexStallion
FoaledApril 11, 2013[1]
DiedJune 2, 2020 (aged 7)
CountryUnited States
ColorGray
BreederClearsky Farms
OwnerJuddmonte Farms
TrainerBob Baffert
Record11: 7–1–1
Earnings$17,422,600 [2]
Major wins
Travers Stakes (2016)
Breeders' Cup Classic (2016)
Pegasus World Cup (2017)
Dubai World Cup (2017)
Awards
American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse (2016)
IFHA World's Best Racehorse (2016, 2017)
Timeform rating: 139[3]
Honors
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
(2023)
Last updated on July 23, 2017

Arrogate (April 11, 2013 – June 2, 2020) was a Thoroughbred racehorse, and was the richest horse in equine history (by earnings).

He won the 2016 Travers Stakes in a record time in his first stakes appearance. He won the Breeders' Cup Classic and was named the American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse and World's Best Racehorse of 2016. As a four-year old, Arrogate won the 2017 Pegasus World Cup and the Dubai World Cup.

Upon returning to the United States, however, Arrogate suffered three straight defeats. He retired with a record of seven wins from eleven starts. Despite having only four stakes race wins, the large purses made him the all-time leading money earner in North America.

Arrogate was euthanized at age seven.[4][5]

In 2023, Arrogate was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.[6]

Background

[edit]

Arrogate was a gray horse bred in Kentucky by Clearsky Farms. As a yearling, the colt was consigned to the Keeneland September sale and was bought for $560,000 by Juddmonte Farms,[7] the racing operation of Khalid ibn Abdullah. Arrogate was sent into training with Bob Baffert in California. Arrogate's front teeth were knocked back as a yearling, probably after being kicked by another horse. One tooth became infected and was removed, which slowed down his eating but otherwise had no impact.[8]

Arrogate was sired by the Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Unbridled's Song, whose other major winners have included Will Take Charge, the sprinter Zensational and Breeders' Cup winners Unrivaled Belle and Unbridled Elaine.[9] Arrogate's dam Bubbler was a successful racemare who won six of her nine races.[10][11]

Racing career

[edit]

2016: three-year-old season

[edit]

Arrogate made his track debut in a six-furlong maiden race at Los Alamitos Race Course on April 17, 2016. Ridden by Martin Garcia, he started the odds-on favorite and finished third behind Westbrook and Accelerate. On June 5, he was moved up in distance and recorded his first victory in a maiden race over 1+1⁄16 miles (1.7 km) at Santa Anita Park, leading from the start and winning by two and a half lengths from Giant Expectations. He was partnered in this race by Rafael Bejarano, who rode him in his next two races. Nineteen days later, at the same track, Arrogate contested an allowance race against older horses and won again, beating Fusaichi Samurai by five and a quarter lengths after leading from the start. On August 4, the colt appeared in an allowance race at Del Mar and started odd-on favorite against two older opponents. After racing in third place in the early running, he took the lead in the straight and won by one and three quarter lengths.[12]

On August 27, Arrogate was moved up sharply in class to contest the Grade I Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in which his rivals included Exaggerator and Creator, winners respectively of the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. Bejarano elected to ride another of Baffert's horses, American Freedom, so veteran jockey Mike Smith picked up the ride. Having drawn post position 1 in a large field, Arrogate was ridden hard from the starting gate and set fast opening fractions. As they turned into the stretch, he broke clear of his rivals, winning by thirteen and a half lengths over his stablemate American Freedom, with Creator finishing seventh and Exaggerator eleventh.[13][14]

Arrogate (#10) overtook California Chrome (#4) in the final yards of the race to win the Breeders' Cup Classic

His final time of 1:59.36 for the 1+1⁄4 miles (2.0 km) distance eclipsed General Assembly's Travers and track record of 2:00 that had stood for 37 years. Baffert said, "You're always hoping that they're that good. I knew he was good, but I didn't know he was really, really that kind of good."[15] The horse earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 122 for his effort and became a contender for the year end Eclipse award.[16]

On November 5, Arrogate entered the Breeders' Cup Classic as the second favorite behind 5-year-old California Chrome. California Chrome led from the outset, while Arrogate tracked in third. The horses engaged in the homestretch and in the final yards, Arrogate surged ahead to defeat California Chrome by half a length. The two dominated the remainder of the field by over 10 lengths.[17] Art Sherman said of Arrogate, "That winner is the real McCoy, I knew he was the one we had to beat, but I didn't know how good he was."[18] Post-race analysis gave California Chrome a Beyer Speed Figure of 119, the highest of his career, but Arrogate topped it with a 120.[19]

The race earned Arrogate the top position in the World's Best Racehorse Rankings published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities on November 10 with a rating of 134, one point ahead of California Chrome.[20] Arrogate was voted the Eclipse Award as American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse.[21]

2017: four-year-old season

[edit]

Arrogate was originally scheduled to begin his four-year-old campaign in the San Pasqual Stakes but heavy rains at Santa Anita caused Baffert to scratch from the race.[22] Instead, he trained Arrogate up to the $12 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park on January 28, 2017. The race was promoted as a final match-up with California Chrome, who was retiring to stud after the race. Both horses were compromised by the post position draw. Arrogate drew post position one and risked getting trapped along the rail in traffic. California Chrome drew the outside post, which caused him to be carried wide in the first turn. He eventually settled behind the early leaders alongside Arrogate but did not respond when the latter made his move, possibly having wrenched his leg early in the race. He was eased to prevent the possibility of further injury and finished ninth. Meanwhile, Arrogate swept to the lead and drew off to win by nearly five lengths over longshot Shaman Ghost.[23][24] The timing of the race proved controversial.[25] The original time, measured by Trakus based on transmitters in the horses' saddle cloths, was 1:47.61. However, clocking experts hand-timed the race faster, at around 1:46.9. The timing controversy caused the Beyer Speed Figure for Arrogate to be increased from 116 to 119.[26] Gulfstream did a frame-by-frame video analysis and determined that the correct time was 1:46.83, a track record.[27]

Arrogate made his next start on March 25 in the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. He broke poorly and was then squeezed between other horses, causing him to drop to the back of the fourteen horse field. Baffert feared that the colt had lost all chance but Mike Smith reacted calmly, saying later that he rode him like Zenyatta, who was famous for her closing kick. Once Arrogate recovered his stride, Smith took him to the outside of the field and started to steadily make up ground. When they entered the stretch, Arrogate started to close rapidly and moved by Gun Runner to win by 2+1⁄4 lengths. On a track labeled as muddy, he completed the 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) (roughly 10 furlongs) in 2:02.23. His share of the $10 million purse took his career prize-winning to $17,084,600, a North American record. "Everybody who was here tonight is going to say, 'I'm glad I was here to see that,'" said Baffert. "If anybody wasn't super impressed with that, they just don't like horse racing. I still can't believe he won the race."[28]

After returning to the United States, Arrogate was given some time off, then was entered in the San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on July 22, where he carried the top weight of 126 pounds. He was heavily favored at odds of 1–20, with his main rival in a field of five being Accelerate, whose main claim to fame at the time was finishing second ahead of Arrogate in their April 2016 maiden race.[29] However, Arrogate unexpectedly finished fourth, over fifteen lengths behind Accelerate. Mike Watchmaker, a handicapper writing for the Daily Racing Form commented, "He lacked any interest in getting involved in the run to or around the first turn, and the little move he made on the far turn was actually an optical illusion."[30] Another writer called it the biggest upset in the history of Del Mar. "He gallops and works faster than that," said Smith. "I'm dumbfounded."[31]

Arrogate was next entered in the Pacific Classic on August 19, also at Del Mar. Facing off against six other horses, he stalked the pace set by his stablemate Collected for much of the race, then began to close in on him in the stretch. However, it was not enough to catch Collected, who won by half a length.[32] Following the race, Baffert said it felt "weird" that Collected had won and not Arrogate. "I feel like my older son was beaten by my younger son," he told the Daily Racing Form.[33]

Baffert trained Arrogate up to the 2017 Breeders' Cup Classic on November 4, a layoff of over two months. The horse put in several good workouts at his training base in Santa Anita,[34] but handicappers were still concerned about his ability to handle the Del Mar track at which the Classic would be held.[35] Arrogate drew post position one for the race, and Smith announced his intention to be aggressive out of the starting gate in order to avoid being trapped on the rail. Arrogate was made the 2–1 second choice on the morning line behind Gun Runner, who had won three straight Grade I races since returning from Dubai.[36] However, Arrogate ducked in at the start and lost ground to the rest of the field. He was never a factor and finished in a dead heat for fifth, 7 1/2 lengths behind Gun Runner.[37]

Smith blamed the loss on Arrogate's dislike for the Del Mar surface. "He just won't run over here. I've tried to talk myself into thinking he would. He has just showed me time and time again that he wouldn't." Baffert said that Arrogate was "like a pitcher who can't find the plate. ... He's just not the horse he was."[37]

Race record

[edit]
Date Race Grade Track Distance Odds Finish Time Margin Jockey Ref
2016 – Three-year-old season
April 17, 2016 Maiden Special Weight Los Alamitos 6 furlongs 0.50 3 1:09.14 (3⁄4 length) Martin Garcia [38]
June 5, 2016 Maiden Special Weight Santa Anita Park 1+1⁄16 miles 0.90* 1 1:41.80 4+1⁄2 lengths Rafael Bejarano [39]
June 24, 2016 Allowance Optional Claiming Santa Anita Park 1+1⁄16 miles 0.60* 1 1:41.14 5+1⁄4 lengths Rafael Bejarano [40]
August 4, 2016 Allowance Optional Claiming Del Mar 1+1⁄16 miles 0.10* 1 1:41.76 1+3⁄4 lengths Rafael Bejarano [41]
August 27, 2016 Travers Stakes I Saratoga 1+1⁄4 miles 11.70 1 1:59.36[a] 13+1⁄2 lengths Mike Smith [42]
November 5, 2016 Breeders' Cup Classic I Santa Anita Park 1+1⁄4 miles 1.70* 1 2:00.11 1⁄2 length Mike Smith [43]
2017 – Four-year-old season
January 28, 2017 Pegasus World Cup I Gulfstream Park 1+1⁄8 miles 0.90* 1 1:46.83[b] 4+3⁄4 lengths Mike Smith [44]
March 25, 2017 Dubai World Cup I Meydan (UAE) 2000 metres[c] N/A[d] 1 2:02.15 2+1⁄4 lengths Mike Smith [45]
July 22, 2017 San Diego Handicap II Del Mar 1+1⁄16 miles 0.05* 4 1:42.15 (15+3⁄4 lengths) Mike Smith [46]
August 19, 2017 Pacific Classic I Del Mar 1+1⁄4 miles 0.70* 2 2:00.70 (1⁄2 length) Mike Smith [32]
November 4, 2017 Breeders' Cup Classic I Del Mar 1+1⁄4 miles 2.10* 5[e] 2:01.29 (6+1⁄4 lengths) Mike Smith [47]

Notes:
An (*) asterisk after the odds means Arrogate was the post-time favorite.

  1. ^ New track record at Saratoga for the 1+1⁄4 miles distance
  2. ^ New track record at Gulfstream Park for the 1+1⁄8 miles distance
  3. ^ Distance for the event was approximately 1+1⁄4 miles
  4. ^ Arrogate's final odds with British Bookmakers were 1/3 odds-on since gambling is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates
  5. ^ Dead heat for fifth place with Gunnevera

Retirement, death, legacy

[edit]

Arrogate was retired following the 2017 Breeder's Cup Classic. Juddmonte Farm announced his fee for 2018 would be $75,000.[48]

In the last week of May 2020, Arrogate's stud schedule was suspended when he appeared to be suffering from soreness in his neck. In early June 2020, Juddmonte Farm reported that Arrogate had been euthanized .[4][49][50] A statement from the farm said Arrogate "was transported to the Hagyard Clinic under the care of Dr. Bob Hunt and Dr. Nathan Slovis with Dr. Steve Reed representing the insurance company."[51] The exact nature of the ailment was not diagnosed despite diagnostic testing including MRI, Ct, bloodwork and X-rays. Arrogate's death increased news focus on trainer Bob Baffert.[52]

Arrogate's first wins as a sire came on 7 September 2021 when Adversity broke her maiden at Saratoga.[53] Less than an hour later, Affable Monarch won a maiden race.[54] In 2023, Arcangelo, from Arrogate's penultimate crop, won the Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes.[55] Arcangelo was withdrawn from the 2023 Breeder's Cup Classic and was retired to stand at stud at Lane's End Farm.[56] Posthumous son Seize the Grey won the 2024 Preakness Stakes.

Notable progeny

[edit]

c = colt, f = filly, g = gelding

Foaled Name Sex Major Wins
2019 Fun To Dream f La Brea Stakes
2019 Secret Oath f Kentucky Oaks
2020 And Tell Me Nolies f Del Mar Debutante Stakes
2020 Arcangelo c Belmont Stakes, Travers Stakes
2020 Cave Rock c Del Mar Futurity, American Pharoah Stakes
2021 Seize the Grey c Preakness Stakes, Pennsylvania Derby

Pedigree

[edit]
Pedigree of Arrogate (USA), gray, 2013[1]
Sire
Unbridled's Song (USA)
1993 		Unbridled (USA)
1987 		Fappiano Mr Prospector
Killaloe
Gana Facil Le Fabuleux
Charedi
Trolley Song (USA)
1983 		Caro Fortino
Chambord
Lucky Spell Lucky Mel
Incantation
Dam
Bubbler (USA)
2006 		Distorted Humor (USA)
1993 		Forty Niner Mr Prospector
File
Danzig's Beauty Danzig
Sweetest Chant
Grechelle (USA)
1995 		Deputy Minister Vice Regent
Mint Copy
Meadow Star Meadowlake
Inreality Star (Family: 16-g)[11]
  • Arrogate is linebred 4 × 4 to Mr Prospector, meaning that this stallion appears twice in the fourth generation of his pedigree.[57]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Arrogate pedigree". Equineline. May 8, 2012. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
  2. ^ "Arrogate Profile". www.equibase.com. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  3. ^ "Timeform Top Horses of All Time | Greatest Racehorses". Timeform. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Arrogate, North America's richest racehorse, dies at 7". AP News. June 2, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  5. ^ TDN, The (June 2, 2020). "Arrogate Euthanized After Suffering From Undetermined Illness". TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  6. ^ Grening, David (April 25, 2023). "Nakatani, Arrogate, California Chrome, Songbird top 2023 Hall of Fame class". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  7. ^ "Keeneland 2014 September Yearling Sale". Racing Post. Archived from the original on September 10, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  8. ^ Privman, Jay. "Hard to bad-mouth Arrogate". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  9. ^ "Unbridled's Song Stud Record". Racing Post. February 15, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  10. ^ "Bubbler – Statistics". Equibase.
  11. ^ a b "Polly Agnes – Family 16-g". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  12. ^ "Allowance Optional Claiming result". Racing Post. August 4, 2016.
  13. ^ Claire Novak (August 27, 2016). "Arrogate Blazes to Travers Record". The Blood-Horse.
  14. ^ Drape, Joe (August 27, 2016). "Against Distinguished Travers Field, a 'Freak' Wins by a Chasm". The New York Times. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  15. ^ "Baffert Reflects on Arrogate's Travers Romp". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  16. ^ Privman, Jay (September 2, 2016). "Arrogate just getting started". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  17. ^ Staff (November 5, 2016). "Santa Anita, November 5, 2016 – Race 12" (PDF). Equibase. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 7, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  18. ^ Novak, Claire (November 5, 2016). "Arrogate Upsets 'Chrome' in BC Classic". Blood Horse. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  19. ^ Privman, Jay (November 6, 2016). "Arrogate rallies past California Chrome in epic Breeders' Cup Classic". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  20. ^ "Arrogate New World Rankings Leader". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  21. ^ Balan, Jeremy. "California Chrome Again Horse of the Year". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  22. ^ Cherwa, John (January 2017). "Arrogate to scratch from San Pasqual Stakes, points to Pegasus World Cup". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  23. ^ Wincze Hughes, Alicia. "Arrogate Turns Pegasus World Cup Into One-Horse Show". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  24. ^ Hoppert, Melissa (January 28, 2017). "Arrogate Shows Off Against California Chrome in Pegasus World Cup". The New York Times. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  25. ^ Staff, Paulick Report (January 31, 2017). "Timing Controversy: Did Arrogate Actually Set A Track Record In The Pegasus?". Paulick Report | Shining Light on the Horse Industry. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  26. ^ Hegarty, Matt. "Figures for Pegasus changed due to possible timing glitch". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  27. ^ "Pegasus Final Time Lowered to a Track Record". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  28. ^ "Arrogate Last to First in Dubai World Cup". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
  29. ^ "Litfin: No Going Against Arrogate in San Diego". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  30. ^ Watchmaker, Mike. "Arrogate's lack of positional speed concerning". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  31. ^ Privman, Jay. "Arrogate fourth as Accelerate romps in stunning upset of San Diego Handicap | Daily Racing Form". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  32. ^ a b "2017 Pacific Classic chart". Equibase. August 19, 2017.
  33. ^ "Collected holds off Arrogate to give Baffert 1–2 finish in Pacific Classic | Daily Racing Form". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  34. ^ "Arrogate Looks Like Old Self in Bullet Work". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  35. ^ "Gun Runner, Arrogate post final works for Classic". www.drf.com. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  36. ^ Posner, Jay (October 30, 2017). "Breeders' Cup draw puts defending champion Arrogate in the No. 1 spot". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  37. ^ a b "Gun Runner Untouchable in Breeders' Cup Classic". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  38. ^ "Chart for April 17, 2016". www.equibase.com. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  39. ^ "Chart for June 5, 2016". www.equibase.com. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  40. ^ "Chart for June 24, 2016". www.equibase.com. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  41. ^ "Chart for August 4, 2016". www.equibase.com. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  42. ^ "Chart for the Travers Stakes". www.equibase.com. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  43. ^ "Chart for the Breeders' Cup Classic". www.equibase.com. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  44. ^ "Chart for the Pegasus World Cup". www.equibase.com. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  45. ^ "2022 Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline Grade 1 (race 8)". Racing Post. March 25, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  46. ^ "Chart of the San Diego Handicap" (PDF). Equibase. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  47. ^ "2017 Breeders' Cup Classic chart". Equibase. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  48. ^ "Arrogate's Fee Set at $75,000 for 2018". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  49. ^ "Here's hoping poor Arrogate leaves his mark on the breed | Topics: Arrogate, Juddmonte, Dubai World Cup". Thoroughbred Racing Commentary. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  50. ^ TDN, The (June 2, 2020). "Arrogate Euthanized After Suffering From Undetermined Illness". TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  51. ^ "Arrogate". Racing. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  52. ^ Forde, Pat (June 18, 2020). "Bob Baffert Grins and Bears Another Horse Racing Scandal". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  53. ^ Staff, Paulick Report (September 6, 2021). "First Two Winners For Deceased Arrogate". Paulick Report | Shining Light on the Horse Industry. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  54. ^ LeRue, Mary (September 13, 2021). "Affable Monarch, Adversity New Winners for Arrogate". www.bloodhorse.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  55. ^ Jackson, Wilton (June 10, 2023). "Arcangelo Wins 2023 Belmont Stakes". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  56. ^ Sherack, Steve (October 31, 2023). "Arcangelo Scratched from Classic; Retired to Lane's End". TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  57. ^ "Arrogate Horse Pedigree". www.pedigreequery.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
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