Arcangues (horse)

Arcangues
SireSagace
GrandsireLuthier
DamAlbertine
DamsireIrish River
SexStallion
Foaled1988
CountryFrance
ColourChestnut
BreederAllez France Stables
OwnerDaniel Wildenstein
Trainer1) André Fabre
2) Richard E. Mandella (1994)
Record19: 6-2-2
Earnings$1,981,423
Major wins
Prix Eugène Adam (1991)
Prix du Prince d'Orange (1992)
Prix d'Ispahan (1993)
Breeders' Cup Classic (1993)
John Henry Handicap (1994)
Last updated on September 23, 2006

Arcangues (pronounced ar-KONG) (foaled March 12, 1988–October 2006) was a French Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He won the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan, Prix du Prince d'Orange, Prix Eugène Adam and John Henry Handicap, but is most famous for winning the 1993 Breeders' Cup Classic as a tremendous longshot, a victory that has been called one of the biggest upsets in horse racing history.

Background

The son of owner Daniel Wildenstein's 1984 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Sagace, he was given the name of the village of Arcangues in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques departement of the Aquitaine region.[1]

Racing career

Arcangues had raced only on grass in Europe before being sent to California to compete on the dirt track at Santa Anita Park in the 1993 Breeders' Cup Classic.[1] Despite big wins in the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan (over champion Hatoof), Prix du Prince d'Orange (over champion Arazi) and Prix Eugène Adam, Bettors sent the horse off at odds of 133–1 in the richest of the Breeders' Cup races. Under last-minute jockey Jerry Bailey, the horse caught Bertrando in the home stretch to score the biggest upset in Breeders' Cup history. His $269.20 payoff for a $2 wager remains a Breeders' Cup record.[2] Wildenstein, Arcangues' owner, earned $1.56 million.

After his win, Arcangues remained in the United States and raced during the 1994 season under trainer Richard Mandella. In three starts, he won the John Henry Handicap [G2] on grass, but finished fifth back on dirt in the Hollywood Gold Cup, his last race.

Stud record

Arcangues was retired and sent to Japan to stand at stud at Nakamura Chikusan in 1995.[3]

He sired (among others) Lucky Step (b. 1999, three wins in Japan) and Chacott (b. 2000, one win in Japan) out of Petite Furu (b. 1991, four wins in Japan), Aiai Lucky (b. 2002, one win in Japan and in training as of 2002) out of Dancing Queen, and Moere Leading (b. 1999, two wins in Japan and in training as of 2002) and Chanel Lady (b. 1997, three wins in Japan as of 2002), both out of Leading Queen (b. 1989, placed in Japan, dam of three winners). Of Arcangues' 264 foals, 94 started and 23 won.

In March 2009, it was reported that Arcangues was euthanized in Japan in October 2006. He had been pensioned from stud that spring as a result of founder.[4]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Arcangues, chestnut stallion, 1988
Sire
Sagace 		Luthier Klairon Clarion
Kalmia
Flute Enchantee Cranach
Montagnana
Seneca Chaparral Val de Loir
Niccolina
Schonbrunn Pantheon
Scheherezade
Dam
Albertine 		Irish River Riverman Never Bend
River Lady
Irish Star Klario
Botany Bay
Almyre Wild Risk Rialto
Wild Violet
Ad Gloriam Alizier
Ad Altiora (family: 1-h)

References

  1. ^ a b David Schmitz, "Arcangues, BC Classic Winner, Dead" The Blood-Horse, March 19, 2009. Retrieved 2011-06-29.
  2. ^ Bill Christine, Horserace Insider Retrieved 2011-06-29.
  3. ^ Database of Overseas Stallions Retrieved 2011-06-29.
  4. ^ Jeff Lowe and Ed DeRosa, "Classic winner Arcangues dead". Thoroughbred Times, March 19, 2009. Retrieved 2011-06-29.