Nationalore (1995–2000) was a black thoroughbred gelding who contended the 1998 Kentucky Derby, despite having won none of his previous fifteen races, a record number at the time.[1] He broke down during a race in 2000 and was euthanized. In his career, he finished in second or third place fourteen times.[2] Nationalore was racing's richest maiden (non-winning horse), with earnings of $318,227.[3]

Nationalore
BreedThoroughbred
SireVideo Ranger
GrandsireCox's Ridge
DamRomantic Jet
DamsireTri Jet
SexGelding
Foaled1995
Died(2000-07-12)July 12, 2000
CountryUnited States
BreederMyung Kwon Cho
OwnerMyung Kwon Cho
TrainerMyung Kwon Cho
Earnings$318,227

Nationalore was by Video Ranger (fourth in the 1990 Kentucky Derby[1]) out of Romantic Jet.[4] He was trained and bred by his owner, Myung Kwon Cho.[5]

As a two-year-old, he ran ten races, finishing second twice.[5] That year, his fourth race in 34 days,[6] and his most lucrative result, was third place in the Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile, which earned him $120,000.[7]

As a three-year-old, he was entered into the Kentucky Derby with career earnings of $283,767 from 15 races.[7] Although Nationalore had won no races when he entered the Derby, he had earned more money than seven other starters in the race.[1] Before the race, his assistant trainer, Rafael Martinez, said that Nationalore was better suited to distances longer than those in the races he had been running,[7] and the Derby, being a quarter-mile longer, would suit him better.[1] Nationalore went on to finish ninth from a field of 15 runners.[5]

Nationalore was five years old when he was euthanized on 12 July 2000 after falling in a race at Hollywood Park and fracturing his shoulder.[3] His final race was his 26th start.[8]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Eisenberg, John (1 May 1998). "Can Derby be cure for 0-for-15 Nationalore?". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2018-01-27.
  2. ^ Hoveday, Jan (2 May 2016). "Colt looks to win first career race in the Kentucky Derby". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2018-01-27.
  3. ^ a b Andersen, Steve (13 July 2000). "Renown maiden Nationalore euthanized". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2018-01-25.
  4. ^ "Nationalore Horse Pedigree". Pedigree Online. Retrieved 2018-01-25.
  5. ^ a b c "0-24 Nationalore Seeks to End Futility". BloodHorse.com. 20 June 2000. Retrieved 2018-01-25.
  6. ^ Mieszerski, Bob (4 April 1998). "Like His Dad, Nationalore Works Hard for the Money". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2018-01-25.
  7. ^ a b c Finley, Bill (1 May 1998). "Nationalore: Lots of money for nothing". NY Daily News. Retrieved 2018-01-25.
  8. ^ Bossert, Jerry (4 June 2006). "The day at the races". NY Daily News. Retrieved 2018-01-25.