Cannonade (May 12, 1971 – August 3, 1993) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known as the winner of the 1974 Kentucky Derby.

Cannonade
SireBold Bidder
GrandsireBold Ruler
DamQueen Sucree
DamsireRibot
SexStallion
Foaled12 May 1971
DiedAugust 3, 1993(1993-08-03) (aged 22)
CountryUnited States
ColourBay
BreederJohn M. Olin
OwnerJohn M. Olin
TrainerWoody Stephens
Record25: 7-3-6
Earnings$501,164
Major wins
Great American Stakes (1973)
Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (1973)
Aqueduct Handicap (1973)
Stepping Stone Purse (1974) American Classic Race wins:
Kentucky Derby (1974)
Last updated on June 7, 2007

Background edit

Owned and bred by prominent businessman John M. Olin, Cannonade was foaled at Gainesway Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. Cannonade was sired by Bold Bidder, whose other progeny included Spectacular Bid. His dam Queen Sucree was a descendant of the broodmare Almahmoud, making her a member of the same branch of Thoroughbred Family 2-d which produced Northern Dancer, Halo and Danehill.[1]

Racing career edit

Racing at age two on the New York State circuit, Cannonade was trained by future Hall of Fame inductee Woody Stephens. He was beaten twice before earning his first win, then in June captured the now-defunct 5½ furlong Great American Stakes at Belmont Park. Cannonade's next significant win came on December 29 Aqueduct Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack, followed by a third-place finish in the important Champagne Stakes. His also won at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, where he won the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes.

Cannonade had a racemate named Judger who was owned by Seth Hancock's Cherry Valley Farm. In the spring of 1974, the two 3-year-old colts competed on the Florida racing circuit in the lead-up to the Kentucky Derby. In the Fountain of Youth Stakes, Judger finished second ahead of Cannonade, who was unplaced. In the Flamingo Stakes, Judger finished third, again ahead of an unplaced Cannonade. Judger then won the important Grade I Florida Derby, with an improving Cannonade taking second.

1974 Kentucky Derby edit

In front of a record Churchill Downs crowd of 163,628, Cannonade went to the post along with twenty-two other horses in the largest Derby field ever. Because they shared a trainer, Cannonade was coupled with Judger for the parimutuel wagering, and the duo went off as the betting favorite. Ridden by Ángel Cordero Jr., Cannonade worked his way through the unwieldy field and was in front by mile pole. He never relinquished the lead, winning by 2¼ lengths in a time of 2:04 on a track rated as fast. The win was the first in the Derby for both Cordero and Stephens. Stablemate Judger finished a disappointing eighth.

In the remaining two legs of the American Triple Crown series, Cannonade finished third in both the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course and in the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park to Darby Dan Farm's Little Current.

Stud record edit

Cannonade retired after his 1974 racing season to stand at stud at Gainesway Farm. The major winners he produced are:

c = colt, f = filly

Foaled Name Sex Major Wins
1975 Heavenly Ade c Delaware Handicap
1980 Caveat c Belmont Stakes
1980 Load the Cannons c San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap

Death edit

Cannonade lived until the age of twenty-two, when he was euthanized on August 3, 1993, reportedly due to infirmities of natural causes. He is buried in the Gainesway equine cemetery.

Pedigree edit

Pedigree of Cannonade (USA), bay stallion, 1971[2]
Sire
Bold Bidder (USA)
1962
Bold Ruler (USA)
1954
Nasrullah Nearco
Mumtaz Begum
Miss Disco Discovery
Outdone
High Bid (USA)
1956
To Market Market Wise
Pretty Does
Stepping Stone Princequillo
Step Across
Dam
Queen Sucree (USA)
1966
Ribot (GB)
1952
Tenerani Bellini
Tofanella
Romanella El Greco
Barbara Burrini
Cosmah (USA)
1953
Cosmic Bomb Pharamond
Banish Fear
Almahmoud Mahmoud
Arbitrator (Family 2-d)[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Emma – Family 2-d". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
  2. ^ "Cannonade pedigree". equineline.com. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2012-07-20.