Forli (1963–1988) was an Argentine Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was unbeaten in his native country, winning the Argentine Triple Crown and being named Horse of the Year in 1966. He was imported to the United States in 1967 and won two of his three races before he was retired from racing. He stood as a breeding stallion in Kentucky and had considerable success as a sire of winners: he had a long-term influence on racing through his daughter Special, an influential broodmare. Forli died in 1988.

Forli
SireAristophanes
GrandsireHyperion
DamTrevisa
DamsireAdvocate
SexStallion
Foaled1963[1]
CountryArgentina
ColourChestnut
BreederHaras Ojo de Agua
OwnerJorge Azevedo
Arthur B. Hancock, Jr.
TrainerJuan Lapistoy
Charles E. Whittingham
Record10: 9-1-0
Major wins
Gran Premio Polla De Potrillos (1966)
Gran Premio Jockey Club (1966)
Gran Premio Nacional (1966)
Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (1966)
Gran Premio Montevideo (1966)
Coronado Handicap (1967)
Awards
Argentine Horse of the Year (1966)

Background

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Forli was a chestnut horse bred in Argentina by Haras Ojo de Agua. He was sired by Aristophanes, a British stallion imported to Argentina after having shown good, but unexceptional form in his native country. He made a great impact as a breeding stallion and was the Leading sire in Argentina in 1960.[2] Forli's dam Trevisa was a successful broodmare and a half sister to La Dogana, whose descendants included Crow.[3] Forli was first raced in the ownership of Jorge Azevedo and was trained in Argentina by Juan Lapistoy.

Racing career

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Forli was unbeaten in three races as a juvenile. As a three-year-old Forli won the Argentine Triple Crown, winning the Gran Premio Polla De Potrillos, Gran Premio Jockey Club, and Gran Premio Nacional. When matched against older horse he won Argentina's premier weight-for-age, the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini. He ended his South American career unbeaten in seven starts.[4]

In 1967 Forli was bought by Arthur B. Hancock, Jr. of Claiborne Farm for $960,000,[5] and was transferred to the United States where he was trained by Charles E. Whittingham. He won on his North American debut setting a track record of 1:41.2 when winning the Coronado Handicap over 8+12 furlongs at Hollywood Park Racetrack in May. Forli then developed leg problems and was pinfired before returning to win an exhibition race at Hollywood in July.[6] He suffered his first and only defeat in the Citation Handicap at Arlington Park when he finished second to Dominar.

Stud record

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Forli was retired from racing to become a breeding stallion at Claiborne. He died in 1988 and was buried at Claiborne Farm.[7] His notable progeny included:

Pedigree

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Pedigree of Forli (ARG), chestnut stallion, 1963[1]
Sire
Aristophanes (GB)
1948
Hyperion (GB)
1930
Gainsborough Bayardo
Rosedrop
Selene Chaucer
Serenissima
Commotion (GB)
1938
Mieuxce Massine
L'Olivete
Riot Colorado
Lady Juror
Dam
Trevisa (ARG)
1951
Advocate (GB)
1940
Fair Trial Fairway
Lady Juror
Guiding Star Papyrus
Ocean Light
Veneta (ARG)
1940
Foxglove Foxhunter
Staylace
Dogaresa Your Majesty
Casiopea (Family 3-b)[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Forli pedigree". equineline.com. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  2. ^ "Leading Sires of Argentina". Thoroughbred Heritage.
  3. ^ a b "Cypher - Family 3-b". Thoroughbred Bloodlines. Retrieved 2013-05-19.
  4. ^ Whitney Tower (29 May 1967). "The fastest run in the West". Sports Illustrated.
  5. ^ Jim Murray (20 May 1967). "Forli: a horse that's too fast for the clock". Los Angeles Times.
  6. ^ Associated Press staf (13 July 1967). "Forli pulled out of Gold Cup contest". Daytona Beach Sunday News-Journal.
  7. ^ "*Forli". Claiborne Farm.