Best Pal

Best Pal (February 12, 1988 – November 24, 1998) was an American Hall of Fame champion racehorse, who retired as the all time record for purses of any California-bred earning (since surpassed) for his owners, the Golden Eagle Farm, US$5.6 million over his lifetime.

Best Pal
SireHabitony
GrandsireHabitat
DamUbetshedid
DamsireKing Pellinore
SexGelding
FoaledFebruary 12, 1988[1]
CountryUnited States
ColourBrown
BreederJohn & Betty Mabee
OwnerGolden Eagle Farm
TrainerGary F. Jones
Record47: 18-11-4
Earnings$5,668,245
Major wins
Hollywood Futurity (1990)
Del Mar Futurity (1990)
Norfolk Stakes (1990)
Balboa Stakes (1990)
Pacific Classic Stakes (1991)
Swaps Stakes (1991)
Santa Anita Handicap (1992)
Charles H. Strub Stakes (1992)
Oaklawn Handicap (1992)
San Fernando Stakes (1992)
Hollywood Gold Cup (1993)
California Cup Classic (1993)
Native Diver Handicap (1994)
San Antonio Handicap (1995)
Awards
California Horse of the Year
(1990, 1991, 1992)
Honours
United States Racing Hall of Fame inductee (2010)
Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar Racetrack

Background

Best Pal was a brown gelding bred by John & Betty Mabee. Best Pal was a descendant of Princequillo on both his sire's and dam's line. He was gelded at an early age due to being "studdish and unmanageable".[2]

Racing career

Best Pal won the first running of the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, and finished second in the 1991 Kentucky Derby. He won the Hollywood Gold Cup and the Santa Anita Handicap, thus capturing all three of California's premier handicap races. In all, Best Pal won 18 races—17 of them stakes—nearly all in California.

Retirement

Retired in 1996, Best Pal had a massive heart attack while on his way to a training track at Golden Eagle Farm. He was buried at the farm, and a large boulder with a plaque covers his grave. Best Pal was voted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2010.[3]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Best Pal (USA), bay gelding, 1988[1]
Sire
Habitony (IRE)
1974
Habitat (USA)
1966
Sir Gaylord Turn-To
Somethingroyal
Little Hut Occupy
Savage Beauty
Courteous Lady (USA)
1960
Gallant Man Migoli
Majideh
Fleurlea Bull Lea
Blue Lily
Dam
Ubetshedid (USA)
1980
King Pellinore (USA)
1972
Round Table Princequillo
Knights Daughter
Thong Nantallah
Rough Shod
Ubetido (USA)
1975
Sir Wiggle Sadair
Wiggle
Udontmeanit Gray Phantom
Lady Bourbon (Family:2-h)

References

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