Horse Racing Forum - USA Thoroughbred Races

He is a freak. He is out of and by horses with little to offer as breeding stock; anything better is in the 2nd and 3rd generation.

I think that it will be very hard to reproduce even a pale facsimile of him.

Thoughts on people rushing to become syndicate members and/or breed to him before he has a chance to prove himself? Of course, I am excepting breed-to-sell types, since they are less concerned with the stallion's offspring ability to run, than in making a killing when the 1st crop foals hit the sales ring.

Honestly I think he'd be attractive IN California. I guess we'll have to see what he does next. I think he's better at 8.5-9 furlongs anyway. Lots of races to win yet.

Tiznow has done pretty well considering he was basically a freak with nothing much else to offer as a breeding animal other than his own accomplishments. Seattle Slew was the same. California Chrome at least has a nicely balanced pedigree, even though the highlights are a couple generations removed. He also has good conformation and flashy looks which don't hurt plus he matured early enough to be a stakes winner at two and had early success at three. He likely has a better shot than an off-bred horse who didn't excel until he was older.

I have been pondering this question too. His pedigree is not fashionable or commercial, so it will be interesting to see what kind of interest he draws as a stallion, especially if he were to win the Triple Crown. Would his success on the track, outweigh the non-commercial nature of his pedigree in order to draw interest and support from breeders? I hate to say this, but I am inclined to think he may end up in Japan like Sunday Silence.

I don't think anyone can ever predict a horse's success at stud. There are some royally bred animals who are utter and complete flops at stud while there others not nearly as regal (like the aforementioned Tiznow) who appear and succeed beyond imagination.

Since he's won the derby, he'll at least get a chance at stud somewhere in Kentucky. He's fast, good natured, has a nice top line and general conformation and is a G1 winner. At the moment he's no worst than breeding to New Years Day!

Honor Code wrote: Since he's won the derby, he'll at least get a chance at stud somewhere in Kentucky. He's fast, good natured, has a nice top line and general conformation and is a G1 winner. At the moment he's no worst than breeding to New Years Day!

Just got an email from I'll Have Another. He sends his regards from Hokkaido.

Although at the time he was mated with Chrome's dam he was an unknown quantity it's a little early to say Lucky Pulpit is a sire with little to offer. Lucky Pulpit has done quite well and if it keeps up it's possible he could move to Kentucky if the right price can be arranged with Harris Farms. Lucky has had only about 100 starters and he has a Kentucky Derby winner, California's champion two year old, Rousing Sermon, and is averaging $70,000 per starter and 75% winners. Add in Tapit's success and son's of Pulpit may become quite popular.

Looking into his pedigree, he's got some interesting family members. However, I think he's more a Smarty Jones qualifier... He will be fabulous in a regional market and probably underwhelming trying to swim with the big fish in KY.

Branching off a little into conformation - he toes out in front and video suggests he has a bit of an odd walk coming towards you. Is this a common trait (or important, for that matter)?

I think he resembles his broodmare sire much more than his sire in the confirmation department. Coloring is like mom and dad's but looks I think are coming from grandpa.

Interesting factoid from Ellen Parker (Pedlines)

"The fun thing about it is the colt not only is inbred to Swaps, he’s from the same tail-female line (Betty Derr)."

Katewerk wrote:Branching off a little into conformation - he toes out in front and video suggests he has a bit of an odd walk coming towards you. Is this a common trait (or important, for that matter)?

I thought I was the only one who thought he has a bit of an odd walk. Once he gets into gear running- it's game on, however. Funny how some horses are like that.

I would think that he would be a very nice addition to the Cali sire ranks, and would do well there.

serenassong wrote: I thought I was the only one who thought he has a bit of an odd walk. Once he gets into gear running- it's game on, however. Funny how some horses are like that.

I breed show dogs, where a sound "down and back" is integral to success. Funny, when I was at CD with my friends, a bit of video of CaC came up showing his walk, and they all turned with that look on their faces - "did you see that?". LOL

He toes out in front like his grandsire Seattle Slew.
Also, the owners were offered $6 million for 51 % fo California Chrome "before" he won the KY Derby.
Who would you guess would offer $6 million for 51 % ?
I'll Have Another was sold to the Japanese for $10 million.
The Kentuckians only offered 3-4 million for him as they don't have the big money like Darley, Red Barn, Coolmore, etc.
When I saw the videos of California Chrome in his morning outings at CD his way of striding reminded me of Northern Dancer.
He is one very special 3 year old that's for sure.

Hail To Reason wrote:He toes out in front like his grandsire Seattle Slew.

and I don't think it hurt his running. Nor did it stop him from becoming one of the greatest sires of all time.

Hail To Reason wrote:He toes out in front like his grandsire Seattle Slew.
Also, the owners were offered $6 million for 51 % fo California Chrome "before" he won the KY Derby.
Who would you guess would offer $6 million for 51 % ?
I'll Have Another was sold to the Japanese for $10 million.
The Kentuckians only offered 3-4 million for him as they don't have the big money like Darley, Red Barn, Coolmore, etc.
When I saw the videos of California Chrome in his morning outings at CD his way of striding reminded me of Northern Dancer.
He is one very special 3 year old that's for sure.

California Chrome is akin to a "genius" that "pops-up" in an ordinary family. Two generations back his pedigree is a "who's who" of champions. Got some depth with old time breeding
Numbered Account is Phipps and Pulpit was the coming star before his untimely death. It is that his immediate dam and sire didn't burn up the wires with their race records. Lucky Pulpit was trained by Pletcher, so he didn't start out as a "dud".


I was impressed with his KD race. He won easily at the distance.

California Chrome could be a very lucrative sire in a local market I do not see him being shipped to Japan, I think Tiznow's success may lead to CAL having a more open door to the bluegrass and blueblood ladies.. Cal is a very lovely horse to look at, lovely eyes nice head, neck, shoulders, etc. etc., he def. is the most uncomfortable walker I've seen in recent memory and he does toe out but his stride at full go is equal to that of many great champions. So many great racehorses go to the breeding shed with great expectations, Fusaichi Pegasus comes to mind while not a dud he sure is far from the expectations that some had, in most instances people were acting like he was the sure shot replacement for his sire.

I saw someone say how rare his pedigree is by a California Sire, out of a MD bred mare who's 2nd dam was New York bred, I think Animal Kingdoms pedigree still has that beat, German bred mom, who's 2nd dam is Irish bred mare.

We can never know what the future will hold regarding his stud career, to be honest right now, I want to ENJOY this ride, im 32 years old in my lifetime there has not been a Triple Crown Champion, I think its high time!

PS: I am glad The Jockey Club selected California Chrome the other selections were well horrible: Lucky At Love, Big Chapter and Seabisquik yes folks SEABISQUIK

Gak!!! That would have been horrible, Seabisquick.

Fate was kind in making sure he has a decent name.