Two-time Breeders ‘Cup Mile (G1T) Winner Da Hoss died of senile illness on January 2 at Kentucky Horse Park, where he retired after a successful five-year racing career. He’s 30 years old.
A earner of over $1.9 million, Da Hoss has lived at Kentucky Horse Park since January 2000, 14 months after his last race, winning the 1998 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Churchill Downs.
“We’ll miss Da Hoss very much,” said Nicole Rivera, interim vice president of operations for Kentucky Horse Park. He was a fan favorite because he proved that spirit can triumph over adversity. scene”. “I want to give a special thanks to Rob Willis and the staff at the Hall of Champions for the great care and affection they have shown Da Hoss during his time here at the park.”
With Gone West out of the Welsh Saint mare Jolly Saint, Da Hoss was purchased for just $6,000 at auction, acquired by trainer Kevin Eikleberry from the September 1993 Keeneland Sale from a shepherd’s consignment. his foster, Fares Farm.
After a 3 for 3 campaign in Arizona at the age of 2 for Eikleberry and Wall Street Racing, control in Da Hoss was sold to Prestonwood Ranch. He was then sent east to coach Michael Dickinson and won the Best Stake (G3) at Aqueduct race track in 1995.
While his early races went pretty smoothly, that’s where his greatest achievements eventually come, especially in the Breeders’ Cup. He is one of only five horses to win the Breeders’ Cup Mile twice, and the only horse to win twice in non-consecutive years.
Da Hoss Wins Breeders’ Cup Mile 1996 at Woodbine
Between 1996 and 1998 Breeders’ Cup Miles, Da Hoss was injured three times and was unable to race for nearly two years and he had only one start from there to victory. His inspirational finish at Breeder’s Cup Mile in 1998 produced one of Tom Durkin’s most memorable races, as he exclaimed: “Greatest comeback since Lazarus!”
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“He was the horse of our life,” said Dickinson. “We all loved him. He brought us so many highs, even with his problems we knew he would never let us down. He was. He gave his all and his love to win. He was spoiled but he deserved it. He loved hanging out in the one on his turf with his best friend Boomer for two or three hours a day. . He knows he’s special. It’s comforting to know he’s always been well looked after at Kentucky Horse Park, where he enjoyed a wonderful retirement.”
Da Hoss shared the Kentucky Horse Park Champion with other Champion horses including Crossbreds Go for gin , Funny Cide , and Points given , Standardbred speedrs Western Dreamer and Won the West, and Standardbred trotter Mr. Muscleman.
Like the other Grand Champion’s Hall horses who died in retirement at the park, Da Hoss will be interred on Champions Memorial Avenue.
