Top Knight
Top Knight (April 2, 1966 – 199?) was an American Champion Thoroughbred racehorse.
| Top Knight | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Vertex |
| Grandsire | The Rhymer |
| Dam | Ran-Tan |
| Damsire | Summer Tan |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1966 |
| Country | United States |
| Colour | Chestnut |
| Breeder | Steve B. Wilson |
| Owner | Steve B. Wilson |
| Trainer | Ray Metcalf G. W. Taylor |
| Record | 46: 11-6-8 |
| Earnings | $545,684 |
| Major wins | |
| Hopeful Stakes (1968) Belmont Futurity Stakes (1968) Champagne Stakes (1968) Flamingo Stakes (1969) Florida Derby | |
| Awards | |
| U.S. Champion 2-Yr-Old Colt (1968) | |
Background
Top Knight was a chestnut horse owned and bred by Floridian sportsman Steven B. Wilson, and trained by Ray Metcalf.[1] Top Knight was in the first wave of Champions bred in the Sunshine State as 1968 marked the year that Dr. Fager won four American titles (Handicap Horse, Grass Horse, Sprinter and Horse of the Year).
Racing career
Top Knight began racing at age two. He won five of his nine starts in 1968, including a 15 length maiden score in track record time at Belmont Park. He went to Saratoga Race Course for two victories including the Hopeful Stakes. He took his win streak up to four in a row with scores in the Futurity and Champagne stakes at Belmont to wrap up the 2 year old championship and establish himself as a clear-cut Future Book favorite for the Kentucky Derby. He finished up the year with a third in the rich 312k Garden State Stakes which was probably one too many.[2]
Stud record
Top Knight proved to be infertile and was returned to racing at age six.
Honors
Top Knight was voted 2 Year Old Male Champion in 1968.[3]