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{{Short description|American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse}}

{{Infobox racehorse
{{Infobox racehorse
| horsename = Saint Liam
| horsename = Saint Liam
Line 8: Line 10:
| damsire = Quiet American
| damsire = Quiet American
| sex = [[Stallion (horse)|Stallion]]
| sex = [[Stallion (horse)|Stallion]]
| foaled = 2000
| foaled = April 13, 2000
| country = [[United States]]
| country = [[United States]]
| colour = [[Bay (horse)|Bay]]
| colour = [[Bay (horse)|Bay]]
Line 15: Line 17:
| trainer = [[Richard E. Dutrow, Jr.]]
| trainer = [[Richard E. Dutrow, Jr.]]
| record = 20: 9-6-1
| record = 20: 9-6-1
| earnings = $4,456,995
| earnings = $4,456,995<ref name="EquibaseProfile" />
| race = [[Clark Handicap]] (2004)<br>[[Donn Handicap]] (2005)<br>[[Stephen Foster Handicap]] (2005)<br>[[Woodward Stakes]] (2005)<br>[[Breeders' Cup Classic]] (2005)
| race = [[Clark Handicap]] (2004)<br>[[Donn Handicap]] (2005)<br>[[Stephen Foster Handicap]] (2005)<br>[[Woodward Stakes]] (2005)<br>[[Breeders' Cup Classic]] ([[2005 Breeders' Cup Classic|2005]])
|awards= [[Eclipse Award for Outstanding Older Male Horse|U.S. Champion Older Male Horse]] (2005)<br>[[Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year|United States Horse of the Year]] (2005)
|awards= [[Eclipse Award for Outstanding Older Male Horse|U.S. Champion Older Male Horse]] (2005)<br>[[American Horse of the Year]] (2005)
|honours =
|honours =
|updated= October 2, 2006
|updated= July 7, 2019
}}
}}
'''Saint Liam''' (April 13, 2000 &ndash; August 22, 2006) was an [[United States|American]] [[thoroughbred]] [[racehorse]] who was voted 2005 [[Eclipse Award]] [[Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year|Horse of the Year]] honors.
'''Saint Liam''' (April 13, 2000 &ndash; August 22, 2006) was an American [[thoroughbred]] [[racehorse]] who was voted 2005 [[Eclipse Award]] [[Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year|Horse of the Year]] honors after winning the Donn Handicap, Stephen Foster, Woodward Stakes and Breeders' Cup Classic. He died in 2006 due to a freak accident, leaving behind a single crop of foals that included Horse of the Year [[Havre de Grace (horse)|Havre de Grace]].


==Background==
Sired by [[Saint Ballado]] out of the dam Quiet Dance, by Quiet American, Saint Liam was unraced as a two-year-old. At age three, he started in three races, earning his best result with a 2nd in the Iowa Derby. Owned by William Warren and trained by [[Richard E. Dutrow, Jr.]], in his four-year-old season, Saint Liam won the [[Graded stakes race|Grade II]] [[Clark Handicap]] and lost the Grade I [[Woodward Stakes]] by a neck to eventual 2004 Horse of the Year [[Ghostzapper]].
Saint Liam was a bay stallion bred in Kentucky by Edward Evans. He was sired by [[Saint Ballado]], a stakes-winning son of [[Halo (horse)|Halo]]. His dam was Quiet Dance, a graded-stakes placed daughter of Quiet American. Another foal of Quiet Dance, Quiet Giant, subsequently became the dam of 2017 Horse of the Year [[Gun Runner (horse)|Gun Runner]]. The family traces to the Hall of Fame racemare [[Gallorette]].<ref name="ACP">{{cite web |title=Saint Liam (horse) |url=http://www.americanclassicpedigrees.com/saint-liam.html |website=American Classic Pedigrees |accessdate=9 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref>


Saint Liam was sold at the 2001 [[Fasig-Tipton]] Yearling sale for $130,000 to William Warren Jr and his wife Suzanne. Warren named the colt after his father. The horse was originally trained by Anthony Reinstedler but was transferred in 2004 to the barn of [[Richard E. Dutrow, Jr.]]<ref name=ACP />
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Eclipse award3.jpg|250px|thumb|left]] -->
In 2005, Saint Liam captured four Grade I races, including the [[Donn Handicap]], the [[Stephen Foster Handicap]], and the Woodward Stakes. He was second in the [[Graded stakes race|Grade I]] [[Whitney Handicap]] to [[Commentator (horse)|Commentator]]. In his last race, jockey [[Jerry D. Bailey|Jerry Bailey]] rode him to victory in the [[Breeders' Cup Classic]], after which he was retired with a record of 9-6-1 in 20 races and career earnings of $4,456,995.


Despite generally good conformation, Saint Liam had small feet with thin soles and a thin hoof wall.<ref name=ACP /> Dutrow worked closely with veterinarian [[Steve Allday]] and farrier Alex Leaf to keep him sound.<ref name="Saints">{{cite web |last1=Haskin |first1=Steve |title=Saint Be Praised |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/167873/saint-be-praised |website=BloodHorse.com |accessdate=9 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
Saint Liam was standing at [[horse breeding|stud]] at [[Lane's End Farm]] in [[Versailles, Kentucky]] when, in a freak accident in August 2006 he slipped and fell, suffering an untreatable left tibial fracture. The 6-year-old stallion was humanely [[animal euthanasia|euthanized]] at [[Rood & Riddle|Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital]] in [[Lexington, Kentucky]]. Before his death he covered a number of mares, 115 of which were in foal and 96 that had foals that went on to race.


==Racing career==
On January 11, 2007, his first foal (named Billy's Punch) was born to the [[Seattle Slew]] [[mare (horse)|mare]] Slewzig. The 17-year-old mare's bay colt was born in Versailles at ClassicStar Farm. Slewzig has produced eight foals: six of them winners, three of those stakes winners. Billy's Punch never broke his maiden in 2009.
===2003: three-year-old season===
Saint Liam was unraced as a two-year-old. At age three, he earned three wins in nine starts, with three second-place finishes. He made his first start on February 22, 2003, finishing second in a [[Maiden race|maiden special weight race]] at [[Gulfstream Park]].<ref name="EquibaseProfile">{{cite web |title=Saint Liam Profile |url=http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=5617469&registry=T |website=Equibase |accessdate=4 July 2019}}</ref> On March 23, he was entered in another maiden race at Gulfstream, going off as the 3-2 favorite in a field of nine. He raced in midpack during the early running then made his move on the final turn, pulling away late to win by half a length.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chart for Race 7 at Gulfstream on March 28 |url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=GP&raceDate=03/28/2003&cy=USA&rn=7 |website=Equibase |accessdate=4 July 2019}}</ref>


Saint Liam was then stepped up in class by facing [[Graded stakes race|graded stakes]] company for the first time in the [[Arkansas Derby]] on April 12. He never threatened, finishing seventh.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chart of the Arkansas Derby |url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=OP&raceDate=04/12/2003&cy=USA&rn=9 |website=Equibase |accessdate=4 July 2019}}</ref> Returning to allowance company, he finished second at Churchill Downs on May 25 before winning his next start on June 8 by {{frac|9|1|4}} lengths.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chart for Churchill Downs on June 8 |url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=CD&raceDate=06/08/2003&cy=USA&rn=4 |website=Equibase |accessdate=4 July 2019}}</ref> Over the summer, he finished second in the [[Iowa Derby]], then tenth in the [[National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Handicap]] (in his first start on the turf) and sixth in an allowance race at Saratoga.<ref name=EquibaseProfile />
Saint Liam's most notable offspring is [[Havre de Grace (horse)|Havre de Grace]] (foaled May 12, 2007, out of Easter Brunette by Carson City) who won the 2011 HOTY Title while capturing the Azeri, Wooodward, Beldame, Apple Blossom H., and Obeah Stakes, and running against males in the Breeders' Cup Classic.<ref name=havre>{{cite web|title=Oaklawn Park- April 15, 2011- Race 10|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?BORP=P&STYLE=EQB&DAY=D&tid=OP&dt=04/15/2011&ctry=USA&race=10|publisher=Equivase.com|accessdate=19 June 2011}}</ref>

Saint Liam was then given some time off to recover from chronic problems with his feet. He was transferred to the barn of Rick Dutrow, who worked with farrier Alex Leaf and veterinarian Steve Allday. The colt returned to the races on December 3 at Aqueduct and responded with a four length win.<ref name="HaskinPraise">{{cite web |last1=Haskin |first1=Steve |title=Saint Be Praised |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/167873/saint-be-praised |website=BloodHorse.com |accessdate=4 July 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

===2004: four-year-old season===
In his four-year-old season, Saint Liam made five starts and won twice, including the [[Graded stakes race|Grade II]] [[Clark Handicap]]. He lost the Grade I [[Woodward Stakes]] by a neck to eventual 2004 Horse of the Year [[Ghostzapper]].

Saint Liam started his four-year-old campaign on January 18, 2004, in an allowance optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park. Going off as the 9-10 favorite, he rated behind the early pace and then mounted his drive while swinging wide around the final turn. He won by four lengths.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chart for Gulfstream Park, January 18 |url=http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=5617469&registry=T |website=Equibase |accessdate=4 July 2019}}</ref>

Saint Liam returned to stakes company in the [[New Orleans Handicap]] on February 29, facing Kentucky Derby winner [[Funny Cide]] and multiple stakes winner [[Peace Rules]]. Peace Rules set the early pace, with Saint Liam two lengths back in second and Funny Cide in third. Saint Liam gradually closed the gap to Peace Rules and the two horses dueled the length of the stretch. Saint Liam briefly took the lead but Peace Rules rallied in the final strides and won by a head.<ref>{{cite web |title=Peace Rules wins by head in New Orleans Handicap |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Peace-Rules-wins-by-head-in-New-Orleans-Handicap-1624596.php |website=Houston Chronicle |accessdate=4 July 2019 |date=1 March 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Chart for the New Orleans Handicap |url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=9&BorP=P&TID=FG&CTRY=USA&DT=02/29/2004&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |website=Equibase |accessdate=4 July 2019}}</ref> Peace Rules then won the [[Oaklawn Handicap]] on April 3, with Saint Liam finishing third after tiring in the stretch.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chart of the 2004 Oaklawn Handicap |url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=OP&raceDate=04/03/2004&cy=USA&rn=11 |website=Equibase |accessdate=4 July 2019}}</ref>

Saint Liam was then given some time off before returning in the Grade I [[Woodward Stakes]] at Belmont Park on September 11. There he faced rising star [[Ghostzapper]], who had won three races in a row. Saint Liam set a "wicked" pace, completing the first half-mile in :45.70 and the mile in 1:33.35. Ghostzapper moved alongside around the turn and was bumped when Saint Liam drifted out. The two battled down the stretch with Ghostzapper prevailing by a neck. The final time of 1:46.38 for {{frac|1|1|8}} miles was one of the fastest ever in the race, behind only [[Forego]] in 1976 and [[Mineshaft (horse)|Mineshaft]] in 2003.<ref>{{cite news |title=4 in a Row for Ghostzapper After Woodward Triumph |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/12/sports/othersports/4-in-a-row-for-ghostzapper-after-woodward-triumph.html |accessdate=4 July 2019 |work=The New York Times |agency=The Associated Press |date=12 September 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Chart for the 2004 Woodward |url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=BEL&raceDate=09/11/2004&cy=USA&rn=10 |website=Equibase |accessdate=4 July 2019}}</ref>

Despite being competitive at the highest level of racing, Saint Liam had still never won a stakes race. He finally did so in his final start of 2004, the Grade II [[Clark Handicap]] at Churchill Downs on November 27. Saint Liam was bumped hard at the start by Seek Gold but quickly regained his stride and settled in second place behind a moderate early pace set by Lundy's Liability. He started his drive around the final turn and drew off to win by {{frac|1|1|4}} lengths over a fast closing Seek Gold.<ref>{{cite web |title=Saint Liam Spirited Winner of Clark Handicap |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/172859/saint-liam-spirited-winner-of-clark-handicap |website=BloodHorse.com |accessdate=4 July 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Chart of the Clark Handicap |url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=CD&raceDate=11/26/2004&cy=USA&rn=11 |website=Equibase |accessdate=4 July 2019}}</ref>

===2005: five-year-old season===
In 2005, Saint Liam captured four Grade I races, including the [[Donn Handicap]], the [[Stephen Foster Handicap]], and the Woodward Stakes. He was second in the [[Graded stakes race|Grade I]] [[Whitney Handicap]] to [[Commentator (horse)|Commentator]]. In his last race, jockey [[Jerry D. Bailey|Jerry Bailey]] rode him to victory in the [[Breeders' Cup Classic]], after which he was retired with a record of 9-6-1 in 20 races and career earnings of $4,456,995.

Saint Liam started his five-year-old campaign in the [[Donn Handicap]] at Gulfstream Park on February 5. He pressed the early pace set by [[Roses in May]], then took a narrow lead down the backstretch. Around the far turn, he started to open up the lead but lost a considerable amount of ground turning into the stretch when he drifted extremely wide. Once straightened out, he resumed his drive and won by {{frac|3|3|4}} lengths. The win, his first in a Grade I event, brought his earnings over the $1 million mark.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Shinar |first1=Jack |title=Saint Liam Makes Believers in Donn Blowout |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/171910/saint-liam-makes-believers-in-donn-blowout |website=BloodHorse.com |accessdate=8 July 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

On March 5, Saint Liam made his next start in the [[Santa Anita Handicap]], going off as the even-money favorite in a field of eleven. He stalked the early pace but weakened in the stretch and finished sixth behind [[Rock Hard Ten]]. "I was done on the backside," said jockey [[Edgar Prado]]. "He was lugging in a little bit and it just wasn't him. He didn't handle the track very well. He's normally a better horse than that."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Shinar |first1=Jack |title='Rock' Flattens Foes in Santa Anita Handicap |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/171506/rock-flattens-foes-in-santa-anita-handicap |website=BloodHorse.com |accessdate=8 July 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

In June, Saint Liam's trainer Rick Dutrow was suspended for 60 days for medication violations. During the suspension, Saint Liam was temporarily transferred to the stable of Hall of Famer [[Bobby Frankel]]. On June 18, Saint Liam handily won the [[Stephen Foster Handicap]] by {{frac|2|3|4}} lengths. With the retirement of Ghostzapper (who Frankel had also trained), Saint Liam was now widely regarded as the best American horse in training. "This moves him to the head of the class now," said Frankel. "People are congratulating me. Give Dutrow credit. His crew got this horse ready."<ref>{{cite web |title=Saint Liam wins Foster for Frankel |url=https://tv5.espn.com/sports/horse/news/story?id=2089375 |website=ESPN.com |accessdate=8 July 2019 |language=en |date=18 June 2005}}</ref>

Returning to Dutrow's care, Saint Liam made his next start on August 6 in the [[Whitney Handicap]] at a distance of {{frac|1|1|8}} miles. Commentator, best known as a sprinter, set a brisk early pace and opened a {{frac|5|1|2}}-length lead down the backstretch. Around the final turn and down the stretch, Saint Liam gradually narrowed the gap but could not get by, losing by a neck.<ref>{{cite web |title=Commentator Holds Off Saint Liam in Whitney |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/169288/commentator-holds-off-saint-liam-in-whitney |website=BloodHorse.com |accessdate=8 July 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Saint Liam turned the tables though in the Woodward Stakes on September 10. Ridden for the first time by Jerry Bailey, he rated off the early pace before taking command in the stretch to win by two lengths over Sir Shackleton, with Commentator well back in third.<ref>{{cite web |title=Saint Liam Has an Easy Trip in Woodward Stakes |last1=Christine|first1=Bill|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-sep-11-sp-horse11-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |accessdate=8 July 2019 |date=11 September 2005}}</ref>

Saint Liam made his final start on October 29 in the [[2005 Breeders' Cup Classic|Breeders' Cup Classic]]. After breaking poorly, he settled into fifth place behind a moderate early pace set by Sun King and Suave. Flower Alley stalked the early leaders then took command rounding the turn. Racing four wide, Saint Liam moved alongside Flower Alley at the top of the stretch and gradually pulled away, winning by a length. Perfect Drift closed late to finish third.<ref name=Lucky13 />

Dutrow was highly emotional after the race. "I can't explain the feeling. He gives me a feeling I've never had before. I owe him everything. He is my boy. I see him every night before I go to bed. And I'm going to miss him so much. Words just can't describe this horse." His owner, William Warren Jr, was also emotional, remembering his father, a self-made millionaire. "Every time this horse races, it's a special remembrance to me."<ref name="HaskinPraise" />

It was jockey [[Jerry Bailey]]'s fifteenth win at the Breeders' Cup, then a record.<ref name="Lucky13">{{cite web |last1=Mitchell |first1=Ron |title=Lucky 13: Saint Liam Ends Career With Classic Victory |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/167924/lucky-13-saint-liam-ends-career-with-classic-victory |website=BloodHorse.com |accessdate=9 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref> Bailey felt that Saint Liam had cemented Horse of the Year honors with the win, pointing out how much ground Saint Liam had lost at the start due to his outside post position and a poor break that shifted his course even further outside. "He took the worse of it today, and still was very authoritative in winning."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Drape |first1=Joe |title=Saint Liam Stands Out in Victory at Classic |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/30/sports/othersports/saint-liam-stands-out-in-victory-at-classic.html?_r=0 |website=The New York Times |accessdate=8 July 2019 |date=30 October 2005}}</ref>

==Stud career==
Saint Liam was standing at [[horse breeding|stud]] at [[Lane's End Farm]] in [[Versailles, Kentucky]] when, in a freak accident in August 2006 he slipped and fell, suffering an untreatable left tibial fracture. The 6-year-old stallion was humanely [[animal euthanasia|euthanized]] at [[Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital]] in [[Lexington, Kentucky]]. Before his death he covered a number of mares, 115 of which were in foal and 96 that had foals that went on to race.

On January 11, 2007, his first foal (named Billy's Punch) was born to the [[Seattle Slew]] [[mare (horse)|mare]] Slewzig. Saint Liam's most notable offspring is [[Havre de Grace (horse)|Havre de Grace]] (foaled May 12, 2007, out of Easter Brunette by Carson City), who won the 2011 Horse of the Year award while capturing the Azeri, Woodward, Beldame, Apple Blossom H., and Obeah Stakes, and running against males in the Breeders' Cup Classic.<ref name=havre>{{cite web|title=Oaklawn Park- April 15, 2011- Race 10|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?BORP=P&STYLE=EQB&DAY=D&tid=OP&dt=04/15/2011&ctry=USA&race=10|publisher=Equivase.com|accessdate=19 June 2011}}</ref>


==Campus building named Saint Liam==
==Campus building named Saint Liam==
In 2007, the owners of the horse, Mr and Mrs William K. Warren, Jr., donated $8 million to the University of Notre Dame for the refurbishment of the health center, which was renamed Saint Liam Hall. The Warrens are prominent donors to the University of Notre Dame; the Notre Dame golf course is called the Warren Golf Course. The university stated the building was named in honor of Mr. Warren's father [[William K. Warren, Sr.]] (Liam is Irish for William) and his namesake [[William of York|Saint William of York]], and makes no mention of the racehorse.<ref>[http://news.nd.edu/news/8599-student-health-service-departments-move-into-newly-renovated-saint-liam-hall/]</ref> However, there seems to be no indication that the horse Liam was named after William Warren or Saint William, or whether anyone ever referred to Saint William or William Warren as Liam before this.
After winning the Breeders' Cup, the Warrens indicated that they planned to donate half of the horses breeding rights to the Saint Francis Health Centre in Oklahoma.<ref name="HaskinPraise" /> In 2007, the Warrens donated $8 million to the University of Notre Dame for the refurbishment of the health center, which was renamed Saint Liam Hall. The Warrens are prominent donors to the University of Notre Dame; the Notre Dame golf course is called the Warren Golf Course. The university stated the building was named in honor of Mr. Warren's father [[William K. Warren, Sr.]] (Liam is Irish for William) and his namesake [[William of York|Saint William of York]], and makes no mention of the racehorse.<ref>{{cite web |title=Student health service departments move into newly renovated Saint Liam Hall |url=http://news.nd.edu/news/8599-student-health-service-departments-move-into-newly-renovated-saint-liam-hall |website=Notre Dame News |accessdate=4 July 2019 |language=en}}</ref>


== Race Record ==
== Race Record ==
===Statistics===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class = "wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center; width:90%"
!Date
!Track
!Race
!Distance
!Finish
|-
|-
! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4;" | Date
|2/22/2003
! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4" | Age
|[[Gulfstream Park]]
! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4;" | Distance
|Maiden
! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4;" | Race
|7 Furlongs
! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4;" | Grade
|2
! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4;" | Track
! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4;" | Odds
! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4;" | Field
! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4;" | Finish
! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4;" | Winning Time
! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4;" | Winning<br>(Losing)<br>Margin
! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4;" | Jockey
! scope="col" class="unsortable" style="background:#dacaa4;"| Ref
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2003|Feb|22}}
|3/28/2003
| 3
|[[Gulfstream Park]]
| {{ntsh|7}} 7 [[furlong]]s
|Maiden
| Maiden Special Weight
|1 1/16 Miles
| {{ntsh|5}}Maiden
|1
| [[Gulfstream Park]]
| 24.80
| 11
| 2
| 1:23.53
| {{ntsh|-7.5}}({{frac|7|1|2}} [[Horse length|lengths]])
| {{sortname|Pat|Day|Pat Day}}
| <ref name="Maiden1">{{cite web|title=Chart for Gulfstream Park on February 22 2003|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=GP&raceDate=02/22/2003&cy=USA&rn=6|website=Equibase|accessdate=16 June 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2003|Mar|28}}
|4/12/2003
| 3
|[[Oaklawn Park Race Track|Oaklawn Park]]
| {{ntsh|8.5}} {{frac|1|1|16}} miles
|[[Arkansas Derby]]
| Maiden Special Weight
|1 1/8 Miles
| {{ntsh|5}}Maiden
|7
| Gulfstream Park
| *1.60
| 9
| 1
| 1:45.68
| {{ntsh|.5}} {{frac|1|2}} length
| {{sortname|Jose|Santos|Jose Santos}}
| <ref name="Maiden2">{{cite web|title=Chart for Gulfstream Park on March 28 2003|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=GP&raceDate=03/28/2003&cy=USA&rn=7|website=Equibase|accessdate=16 June 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2003|Apr|12}}
|5/23/2003
| 3
|[[Churchill Downs]]
| {{ntsh|9}} {{frac|1|1|8}} miles
|Allowance
| [[Arkansas Derby]]
|1 1/16 Miles
| {{ntsh|2}}II
|2
| Oaklawn Park
| 73.00
| 12
| 7
| 1:48.39
| {{ntsh|-14.75}}({{frac|14|3|4}} lengths)
| {{sortname|Jon|Court|Jon Court}}
| <ref name="SHSChart">{{cite web|title=Chart for the Arkansas Derby|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=OP&raceDate=04/12/2003&cy=USA&rn=9|website=Equibase|accessdate=16 June 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2003|May|25}}
|6/8/2003
| 3
|[[Churchill Downs]]
| {{ntsh|8.5}} {{frac|1|1|16}} miles
|Allowance
| Allowance
|1 1/16 Miles
| {{ntsh|4}}Allowance
|1
| Churchill Downs
| 5.00
| 6
| 2
| 1:44.31
| {{ntsh|-2.75}}({{frac|2|3|4}} lengths)
| {{sortname|Shane|Sellers|Shane Sellers}}
| <ref name="Allowance1">{{cite web|title=Chart for Churchill Downs on May 25 2003|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=CD&raceDate=05/25/2003&cy=USA&rn=2|website=Equibase|accessdate=16 June 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2003|Jun|8}}
|7/5/2003
| 3
|[[Prairie Meadows]]
| {{ntsh|8.5}} {{frac|1|1|16}} miles
|[[Iowa Derby]]
| Allowance
|1 1/16 Miles
| {{ntsh|4}}Allowance
|2
| Churchill Downs
| *0.60
| 6
| 1
| 1:42.8
| {{ntsh|9.25}}{{frac|9|1|4}} lengths
| {{sortname|Pat|Day|Pat Day}}
| <ref name="Allowance2">{{cite web|title=Chart for Churchill Downs on June 8 2003|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=CD&raceDate=06/08/2003&cy=USA&rn=4|website=Equibase|accessdate=16 June 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2003|Jul|5}}
|8/4/2003
| 3
|[[Saratoga Race Course]]
| {{ntsh|8.5}} {{frac|1|1|16}} miles
|Hall of Fame Handicap
| [[Iowa Derby]]
|1 1/16 Miles Turf
| {{ntsh|3.5}}Listed
|10
| Prairie Meadows
| 3.30
| 6
| 2
| 1:40.82
| {{ntsh|-2.75}}({{frac|2|3|4}} lengths)
| {{sortname|Craig|Perret|Craig Perret}}
| <ref name="IowaDerby">{{cite web|title=Chart for the Iowa Derby|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=PRM&raceDate=07/05/2003&cy=USA&rn=6|website=Equibase|accessdate=16 June 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2003|Aug|4}}
|8/24/2003
| 3
|[[Saratoga Race Course]]
| {{ntsh|9}} {{frac|1|1|8}} miles
|Allowance
| [[National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Handicap]]
|1 1/8 Miles
| {{ntsh|2}}II
|6
| Saratoga
| 11.90
| 11
| 10
| 1:49.34
| {{ntsh|-12.25}}({{frac|12|1|4}} lengths)
| {{sortname|Pat|Day|Pat Day}}
| <ref name="HOFhandicap">{{cite web|title=Chart for the Hall of Fame Handicap|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=SAR&raceDate=08/04/2003&cy=USA&rn=8|website=Equibase|accessdate=16 June 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2003|Aug|24}}
|12/12/203
| 3
|[[Aqueduct Racetrack]]
| {{ntsh|9}} {{frac|1|1|8}} miles
|Allowance
| Allowance
|1 1/16 Inner dirt
| {{ntsh|4}}Allowance
|1
| Saratoga
| 5.20
| 9
| 16
| 1:48.59
| {{ntsh|-7.75}}({{frac|7|3|4}} lengths)
| {{sortname|Pat|Day|Pat Day}}
| <ref name="Allowance3">{{cite web|title=Chart for Saratoga on August 24 2003|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=SAR&raceDate=08/24/2003&cy=USA&rn=8|website=Equibase|accessdate=16 June 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2003|Dec|12}}
|1/18/2004
| 3
|[[Gulfstream Park]]
| {{ntsh|8.5}} {{frac|1|1|16}} miles
|Allowance
| Allowance
|1 1/16 Miles
| {{ntsh|4}}Allowance
|1
| Aqueduct
| *1.45
| 9
| 1
| 1:43.66
| {{ntsh|4}}4 lengths
| {{sortname|Michael|Luzzi|Michael Luzzi}}
| <ref name="Allowance4">{{cite web|title=Chart for Aqueduct on December 12 2003|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=AQU&raceDate=12/12/2003&cy=USA&rn=7|website=Equibase|accessdate=16 June 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2004|Jan|18}}
|2/29/2004
| 4
|[[Fair Grounds Race Course]]
| {{ntsh|8.5}} {{frac|1|1|16}} miles
|[[New Orleans Handicap]]
| Allowance Optional Claiming
|1 1/8 Miles
| {{ntsh|4.5}}Allowance Optional Claiming
|2
| Gulfstream Park
| *0.90
| 8
| 1
| 1:43.18
| {{ntsh|4}}4 lengths
| {{sortname|Edgar|Prado|Edgar Prado}}
| <ref name="AOC">{{cite web|title=Chart for Gulfstream Park on January 18 2004|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=GP&raceDate=01/18/2004&cy=USA&rn=6|website=Equibase|accessdate=16 June 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2004|Feb|29}}
|4/3/2004
| 4
|[[Oaklawn Park Race Track|Oaklawn Park]]
| {{ntsh|9}} {{frac|1|1|8}} miles
|[[Oaklawn Handicap]]
| [[New Orleans Handicap]]
|1 1/8 Miles
| {{ntsh|2}}II
|3
| Fair Grounds
| 5.60
| 8
| 2
| 1:48.61
| {{ntsh|-.3}}(head)
| {{sortname|Edgar|Prado|Edgar Prado}}
| <ref name="NewOrleansHandicap">{{cite web|title=Chart for the New Orleans Handicap|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=FG&raceDate=02/29/2004&cy=USA&rn=9|website=Equibase|accessdate=9 March 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2004|Apr|3}}
|9/11/2004
| 4
|[[Belmont Park]]
| {{ntsh|9}} {{frac|1|1|8}} miles
|[[Woodward Stakes]]
| [[Oaklawn Handicap]]
|1 1/8 Miles
| {{ntsh|2}}II
|2
| Oaklawn Park
| 1.90
| 6
| 3
| 1:48.26
| {{ntsh|-2.25}}({{frac|2|1|4}} lengths)
| {{sortname|Edgar|Prado|Edgar Prado}}
| <ref name="OaklawnHandicap">{{cite web|title=Chart for the Oaklawn Handicap|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=OP&raceDate=04/03/2004&cy=USA&rn=11|website=Equibase|accessdate=16 June 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2004|Sep|11}}
|11/26/2004
| 4
|[[Churchill Downs]]
| {{ntsh|9}} {{frac|1|1|8}} miles
|[[Clark Handicap]]
| [[Woodward Stakes]]
|1 1/8 Miles
| {{ntsh|1}}I
|1
| Belmont Park
| 11.70
| 7
| 2
| 1:47.38
| {{ntsh|-.2}}(neck)
| {{sortname|Edgar|Prado|Edgar Prado}}
| <ref name="Woodward">{{cite web|title=Chart for the Woodward Stakes|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=BEL&raceDate=09/11/2004&cy=USA&rn=10|website=Equibase|accessdate=16 June 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2004|Nov|26}}
|2/5/2005
| 4
|[[Gulfstream Park]]
| {{ntsh|9}} {{frac|1|1|8}} miles
|[[Donn Handicap]]
| [[Clark Handicap]]
|1 1/8 Miles
| {{ntsh|2}}II
|1
| Churchill Downs
| *1.20
| 9
| 1
| 1:50.81
| {{ntsh|1.25}}{{frac|1|1|4}} lengths
| {{sortname|Edgar|Prado|Edgar Prado}}
| <ref name="ClarkHandicap">{{cite web|title=Chart for the Clark Handicap|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=CD&raceDate=11/26/2004&cy=USA&rn=11|website=Equibase|accessdate=16 June 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2005|Feb|5}}
|3/4/2005
| 5
|[[Santa Anita Park]]
| {{ntsh|9}} {{frac|1|1|8}} miles
|[[Santa Anita Handicap]]
| [[Donn Handicap]]
|1 1/4 Miles
| {{ntsh|1}}I
|6
| Gulfstream Park
| 1.80
| 6
| 1
| 1:48.43*
| {{ntsh|3.75}}{{frac|3|3|4}} lengths
| {{sortname|Edgar|Prado|Edgar Prado}}
| <ref name="EBCHandicapChart">{{cite web|title=Chart for the Donn Handicap|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=GP&raceDate=02/05/2005&cy=USA&rn=9|website=Equibase|accessdate=16 June 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2005|Mar|5}}
|6/18/2005
| 5
|[[Churchill Downs]]
| {{ntsh|10}} {{frac|1|1|4}} miles
|[[Stephen Foster Handicap]]
| [[Santa Anita Handicap]]
|1 1/8 Miles
| {{ntsh|1}}I
|1
| Santa Anita Park
| *1.10
| 11
| 6
| 2:01.20
| {{ntsh|-4}}(4 lengths)
| {{sortname|Edgar|Prado|Edgar Prado}}
| <ref name="SantaAnitaHandicap">{{cite web|title=Chart for the Santa Anita Handicap|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=SA&raceDate=03/05/2005&cy=USA&rn=10|website=Equibase|accessdate=16 June 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2005|Jun|18}}
|8/6/2005
| 5
|[[Saratoga Race Course]]
| {{ntsh|9}} {{frac|1|1|8}} miles
|[[Whitney Handicap]]
| [[Stephen Foster Handicap]]
|1 1/8 Miles
| {{ntsh|1}}I
|2
| Churchill Downs
| *0.90
| 8
| 1
| 1:47.52
| {{ntsh|2.75}}{{frac|1|1|8}} lengths
| {{sortname|Edgar|Prado|Edgar Prado}}
| <ref name="StephenFosterHandicap">{{cite web|title=Chart for the Stephen Foster Handicap|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=CD&raceDate=06/18/2005&cy=USA&rn=10|website=Equibase|accessdate=16 June 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2005|Aug|6}}
|9/10/2005
| 5
|[[Belmont Park]]
| {{ntsh|9}} {{frac|1|1|8}} miles
|[[Woodward Stakes]]
| [[Whitney Handicap]]
|1 1/8 Miles
| {{ntsh|1}}I
|1
| Saratoga
| *0.70
| 8
| 2
| 1:48.33
| {{ntsh|-0.3}}(neck)
| {{sortname|Edgar|Prado|Edgar Prado}}
| <ref name="WhitneyChart">{{cite web|title=Chart for the Whitney Handicap|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=SAR&raceDate=08/06/2005&cy=USA&rn=9|website=Equibase|accessdate=16 June 2021}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2005|Sep|10}}
| 5
| {{ntsh|9}} {{frac|1|1|8}} miles
| [[Woodward Stakes]]
| {{ntsh|1}}I
| Belmont Park
| *0.40
| 5
| 1
| 1:49.07
| {{ntsh|2}}2 lengths
| {{sortname|Jerry|Bailey|Jerry Bailey}}
| <ref name="Woodward2">{{cite web|title=Chart for the Woodward Stakes|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=BEL&raceDate=09/10/2005&cy=USA&rn=10|website=Equibase|accessdate=16 June 2021}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2005|Oct|29}}
| 5
| {{ntsh|10}} {{frac|1|1|4}} miles
| [[Breeders' Cup Classic]]
| {{ntsh|1}}I
| Belmont Park
| *2.40
| 13
| 1
| 2:01.49
| {{ntsh|1}}1 length
| {{sortname|Jerry|Bailey|Jerry Bailey}}
| <ref name="BreedersCupClassic">{{cite web|title=Chart for the Breeders Cup Classic|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=BEL&raceDate=10/29/2005&cy=USA&rn=10|website=Equibase|accessdate=16 June 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
|10/29/2005
|[[Belmont Park]]
|[[Breeders' Cup Classic]]
|1 1/4 Miles
|1
|}
|}


==Pedigree==
{{Pedigree
{{Pedigree
|name = Saint Liam
|name = Saint Liam
Line 186: Line 397:
|ffmf = [[Cosmic Bomb (horse)|Cosmic Bomb]]
|ffmf = [[Cosmic Bomb (horse)|Cosmic Bomb]]
|ffmm = [[Almahmoud]]
|ffmm = [[Almahmoud]]
|fmff = [[Vandale]]
|fmff = [[Vandale (horse)|Vandale]]
|fmfm = Flagette
|fmfm = Flagette
|fmmf = Cohoes
|fmmf = Cohoes
Line 205: Line 416:
* [http://newsinfo.nd.edu/content.cfm?topicid=20903 Notre Dame Announcement of the Saint Liam student health center.]
* [http://newsinfo.nd.edu/content.cfm?topicid=20903 Notre Dame Announcement of the Saint Liam student health center.]


{{Breeders' Cup Classic Winners}}
[[Category:Thoroughbred racehorses]]
{{American Horse of the Year winners}}
[[Category:Northern Dancer bloodline]]
[[Category:2000 racehorse births]]
[[Category:2006 racehorse deaths]]
[[Category:Racehorses bred in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Racehorses bred in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Racehorses trained in the United States]]
[[Category:Racehorses trained in the United States]]
[[Category:American racehorses]]
[[Category:Breeders' Cup Classic winners]]
[[Category:Breeders' Cup Classic winners]]
[[Category:Eclipse Award winners]]
[[Category:Eclipse Award winners]]
[[Category:American Thoroughbred Horse of the Year]]
[[Category:American Thoroughbred Horse of the Year]]
[[Category:2000 racehorse births]]
[[Category:2006 racehorse deaths]]
[[Category:Thoroughbred family 17-b]]
[[Category:Thoroughbred family 17-b]]

Latest revision as of 22:08, 31 August 2024

Saint Liam
SireSaint Ballado
GrandsireHalo
DamQuiet Dance
DamsireQuiet American
SexStallion
FoaledApril 13, 2000
CountryUnited States
ColourBay
BreederEdward P. Evans
OwnerMr. & Mrs. William K. Warren, Jr.
TrainerRichard E. Dutrow, Jr.
Record20: 9-6-1
Earnings$4,456,995[1]
Major wins
Clark Handicap (2004)
Donn Handicap (2005)
Stephen Foster Handicap (2005)
Woodward Stakes (2005)
Breeders' Cup Classic (2005)
Awards
U.S. Champion Older Male Horse (2005)
American Horse of the Year (2005)
Last updated on July 7, 2019

Saint Liam (April 13, 2000 – August 22, 2006) was an American thoroughbred racehorse who was voted 2005 Eclipse Award Horse of the Year honors after winning the Donn Handicap, Stephen Foster, Woodward Stakes and Breeders' Cup Classic. He died in 2006 due to a freak accident, leaving behind a single crop of foals that included Horse of the Year Havre de Grace.

Background

[edit]

Saint Liam was a bay stallion bred in Kentucky by Edward Evans. He was sired by Saint Ballado, a stakes-winning son of Halo. His dam was Quiet Dance, a graded-stakes placed daughter of Quiet American. Another foal of Quiet Dance, Quiet Giant, subsequently became the dam of 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner. The family traces to the Hall of Fame racemare Gallorette.[2]

Saint Liam was sold at the 2001 Fasig-Tipton Yearling sale for $130,000 to William Warren Jr and his wife Suzanne. Warren named the colt after his father. The horse was originally trained by Anthony Reinstedler but was transferred in 2004 to the barn of Richard E. Dutrow, Jr.[2]

Despite generally good conformation, Saint Liam had small feet with thin soles and a thin hoof wall.[2] Dutrow worked closely with veterinarian Steve Allday and farrier Alex Leaf to keep him sound.[3]

Racing career

[edit]

2003: three-year-old season

[edit]

Saint Liam was unraced as a two-year-old. At age three, he earned three wins in nine starts, with three second-place finishes. He made his first start on February 22, 2003, finishing second in a maiden special weight race at Gulfstream Park.[1] On March 23, he was entered in another maiden race at Gulfstream, going off as the 3-2 favorite in a field of nine. He raced in midpack during the early running then made his move on the final turn, pulling away late to win by half a length.[4]

Saint Liam was then stepped up in class by facing graded stakes company for the first time in the Arkansas Derby on April 12. He never threatened, finishing seventh.[5] Returning to allowance company, he finished second at Churchill Downs on May 25 before winning his next start on June 8 by 9+1⁄4 lengths.[6] Over the summer, he finished second in the Iowa Derby, then tenth in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Handicap (in his first start on the turf) and sixth in an allowance race at Saratoga.[1]

Saint Liam was then given some time off to recover from chronic problems with his feet. He was transferred to the barn of Rick Dutrow, who worked with farrier Alex Leaf and veterinarian Steve Allday. The colt returned to the races on December 3 at Aqueduct and responded with a four length win.[7]

2004: four-year-old season

[edit]

In his four-year-old season, Saint Liam made five starts and won twice, including the Grade II Clark Handicap. He lost the Grade I Woodward Stakes by a neck to eventual 2004 Horse of the Year Ghostzapper.

Saint Liam started his four-year-old campaign on January 18, 2004, in an allowance optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park. Going off as the 9-10 favorite, he rated behind the early pace and then mounted his drive while swinging wide around the final turn. He won by four lengths.[8]

Saint Liam returned to stakes company in the New Orleans Handicap on February 29, facing Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide and multiple stakes winner Peace Rules. Peace Rules set the early pace, with Saint Liam two lengths back in second and Funny Cide in third. Saint Liam gradually closed the gap to Peace Rules and the two horses dueled the length of the stretch. Saint Liam briefly took the lead but Peace Rules rallied in the final strides and won by a head.[9][10] Peace Rules then won the Oaklawn Handicap on April 3, with Saint Liam finishing third after tiring in the stretch.[11]

Saint Liam was then given some time off before returning in the Grade I Woodward Stakes at Belmont Park on September 11. There he faced rising star Ghostzapper, who had won three races in a row. Saint Liam set a "wicked" pace, completing the first half-mile in :45.70 and the mile in 1:33.35. Ghostzapper moved alongside around the turn and was bumped when Saint Liam drifted out. The two battled down the stretch with Ghostzapper prevailing by a neck. The final time of 1:46.38 for 1+1⁄8 miles was one of the fastest ever in the race, behind only Forego in 1976 and Mineshaft in 2003.[12][13]

Despite being competitive at the highest level of racing, Saint Liam had still never won a stakes race. He finally did so in his final start of 2004, the Grade II Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs on November 27. Saint Liam was bumped hard at the start by Seek Gold but quickly regained his stride and settled in second place behind a moderate early pace set by Lundy's Liability. He started his drive around the final turn and drew off to win by 1+1⁄4 lengths over a fast closing Seek Gold.[14][15]

2005: five-year-old season

[edit]

In 2005, Saint Liam captured four Grade I races, including the Donn Handicap, the Stephen Foster Handicap, and the Woodward Stakes. He was second in the Grade I Whitney Handicap to Commentator. In his last race, jockey Jerry Bailey rode him to victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic, after which he was retired with a record of 9-6-1 in 20 races and career earnings of $4,456,995.

Saint Liam started his five-year-old campaign in the Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park on February 5. He pressed the early pace set by Roses in May, then took a narrow lead down the backstretch. Around the far turn, he started to open up the lead but lost a considerable amount of ground turning into the stretch when he drifted extremely wide. Once straightened out, he resumed his drive and won by 3+3⁄4 lengths. The win, his first in a Grade I event, brought his earnings over the $1 million mark.[16]

On March 5, Saint Liam made his next start in the Santa Anita Handicap, going off as the even-money favorite in a field of eleven. He stalked the early pace but weakened in the stretch and finished sixth behind Rock Hard Ten. "I was done on the backside," said jockey Edgar Prado. "He was lugging in a little bit and it just wasn't him. He didn't handle the track very well. He's normally a better horse than that."[17]

In June, Saint Liam's trainer Rick Dutrow was suspended for 60 days for medication violations. During the suspension, Saint Liam was temporarily transferred to the stable of Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel. On June 18, Saint Liam handily won the Stephen Foster Handicap by 2+3⁄4 lengths. With the retirement of Ghostzapper (who Frankel had also trained), Saint Liam was now widely regarded as the best American horse in training. "This moves him to the head of the class now," said Frankel. "People are congratulating me. Give Dutrow credit. His crew got this horse ready."[18]

Returning to Dutrow's care, Saint Liam made his next start on August 6 in the Whitney Handicap at a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles. Commentator, best known as a sprinter, set a brisk early pace and opened a 5+1⁄2-length lead down the backstretch. Around the final turn and down the stretch, Saint Liam gradually narrowed the gap but could not get by, losing by a neck.[19] Saint Liam turned the tables though in the Woodward Stakes on September 10. Ridden for the first time by Jerry Bailey, he rated off the early pace before taking command in the stretch to win by two lengths over Sir Shackleton, with Commentator well back in third.[20]

Saint Liam made his final start on October 29 in the Breeders' Cup Classic. After breaking poorly, he settled into fifth place behind a moderate early pace set by Sun King and Suave. Flower Alley stalked the early leaders then took command rounding the turn. Racing four wide, Saint Liam moved alongside Flower Alley at the top of the stretch and gradually pulled away, winning by a length. Perfect Drift closed late to finish third.[21]

Dutrow was highly emotional after the race. "I can't explain the feeling. He gives me a feeling I've never had before. I owe him everything. He is my boy. I see him every night before I go to bed. And I'm going to miss him so much. Words just can't describe this horse." His owner, William Warren Jr, was also emotional, remembering his father, a self-made millionaire. "Every time this horse races, it's a special remembrance to me."[7]

It was jockey Jerry Bailey's fifteenth win at the Breeders' Cup, then a record.[21] Bailey felt that Saint Liam had cemented Horse of the Year honors with the win, pointing out how much ground Saint Liam had lost at the start due to his outside post position and a poor break that shifted his course even further outside. "He took the worse of it today, and still was very authoritative in winning."[22]

Stud career

[edit]

Saint Liam was standing at stud at Lane's End Farm in Versailles, Kentucky when, in a freak accident in August 2006 he slipped and fell, suffering an untreatable left tibial fracture. The 6-year-old stallion was humanely euthanized at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. Before his death he covered a number of mares, 115 of which were in foal and 96 that had foals that went on to race.

On January 11, 2007, his first foal (named Billy's Punch) was born to the Seattle Slew mare Slewzig. Saint Liam's most notable offspring is Havre de Grace (foaled May 12, 2007, out of Easter Brunette by Carson City), who won the 2011 Horse of the Year award while capturing the Azeri, Woodward, Beldame, Apple Blossom H., and Obeah Stakes, and running against males in the Breeders' Cup Classic.[23]

Campus building named Saint Liam

[edit]

After winning the Breeders' Cup, the Warrens indicated that they planned to donate half of the horses breeding rights to the Saint Francis Health Centre in Oklahoma.[7] In 2007, the Warrens donated $8 million to the University of Notre Dame for the refurbishment of the health center, which was renamed Saint Liam Hall. The Warrens are prominent donors to the University of Notre Dame; the Notre Dame golf course is called the Warren Golf Course. The university stated the building was named in honor of Mr. Warren's father William K. Warren, Sr. (Liam is Irish for William) and his namesake Saint William of York, and makes no mention of the racehorse.[24]

Race Record

[edit]

Statistics

[edit]
Date Age Distance Race Grade Track Odds Field Finish Winning Time Winning
(Losing)
Margin 		Jockey Ref
Feb 22, 2003 3 7 furlongs Maiden Special Weight Maiden Gulfstream Park 24.80 11 2 1:23.53 (7+1⁄2 lengths) Pat Day [25]
Mar 28, 2003 3 1+1⁄16 miles Maiden Special Weight Maiden Gulfstream Park *1.60 9 1 1:45.68 1⁄2 length Jose Santos [26]
Apr 12, 2003 3 1+1⁄8 miles Arkansas Derby II Oaklawn Park 73.00 12 7 1:48.39 (14+3⁄4 lengths) Jon Court [27]
May 25, 2003 3 1+1⁄16 miles Allowance Allowance Churchill Downs 5.00 6 2 1:44.31 (2+3⁄4 lengths) Shane Sellers [28]
Jun 8, 2003 3 1+1⁄16 miles Allowance Allowance Churchill Downs *0.60 6 1 1:42.8 9+1⁄4 lengths Pat Day [29]
Jul 5, 2003 3 1+1⁄16 miles Iowa Derby Listed Prairie Meadows 3.30 6 2 1:40.82 (2+3⁄4 lengths) Craig Perret [30]
Aug 4, 2003 3 1+1⁄8 miles National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Handicap II Saratoga 11.90 11 10 1:49.34 (12+1⁄4 lengths) Pat Day [31]
Aug 24, 2003 3 1+1⁄8 miles Allowance Allowance Saratoga 5.20 9 16 1:48.59 (7+3⁄4 lengths) Pat Day [32]
Dec 12, 2003 3 1+1⁄16 miles Allowance Allowance Aqueduct *1.45 9 1 1:43.66 4 lengths Michael Luzzi [33]
Jan 18, 2004 4 1+1⁄16 miles Allowance Optional Claiming Allowance Optional Claiming Gulfstream Park *0.90 8 1 1:43.18 4 lengths Edgar Prado [34]
Feb 29, 2004 4 1+1⁄8 miles New Orleans Handicap II Fair Grounds 5.60 8 2 1:48.61 (head) Edgar Prado [35]
Apr 3, 2004 4 1+1⁄8 miles Oaklawn Handicap II Oaklawn Park 1.90 6 3 1:48.26 (2+1⁄4 lengths) Edgar Prado [36]
Sep 11, 2004 4 1+1⁄8 miles Woodward Stakes I Belmont Park 11.70 7 2 1:47.38 (neck) Edgar Prado [37]
Nov 26, 2004 4 1+1⁄8 miles Clark Handicap II Churchill Downs *1.20 9 1 1:50.81 1+1⁄4 lengths Edgar Prado [38]
Feb 5, 2005 5 1+1⁄8 miles Donn Handicap I Gulfstream Park 1.80 6 1 1:48.43* 3+3⁄4 lengths Edgar Prado [39]
Mar 5, 2005 5 1+1⁄4 miles Santa Anita Handicap I Santa Anita Park *1.10 11 6 2:01.20 (4 lengths) Edgar Prado [40]
Jun 18, 2005 5 1+1⁄8 miles Stephen Foster Handicap I Churchill Downs *0.90 8 1 1:47.52 1+1⁄8 lengths Edgar Prado [41]
Aug 6, 2005 5 1+1⁄8 miles Whitney Handicap I Saratoga *0.70 8 2 1:48.33 (neck) Edgar Prado [42]
Sep 10, 2005 5 1+1⁄8 miles Woodward Stakes I Belmont Park *0.40 5 1 1:49.07 2 lengths Jerry Bailey [43]
Oct 29, 2005 5 1+1⁄4 miles Breeders' Cup Classic I Belmont Park *2.40 13 1 2:01.49 1 length Jerry Bailey [44]

Pedigree

[edit]
Pedigree of Saint Liam
Sire
Saint Ballado 		Halo Hail To Reason Turn-to
Nothirdchance
Cosmah Cosmic Bomb
Almahmoud
Ballade Herbager Vandale
Flagette
Miss Swapsco Cohoes
Soaring
Dam
Quiet Dance 		Quiet American Fappiano Mr. Prospector
Killaloe
Demure Dr. Fager
Quiet Charm
Misty Dancer Lyphard Northern Dancer
Goofed
Flight Dancer Misty Flight
Courbette

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Saint Liam Profile". Equibase. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Saint Liam (horse)". American Classic Pedigrees. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  3. ^ Haskin, Steve. "Saint Be Praised". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  4. ^ "Chart for Race 7 at Gulfstream on March 28". Equibase. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  5. ^ "Chart of the Arkansas Derby". Equibase. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  6. ^ "Chart for Churchill Downs on June 8". Equibase. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  7. ^ a b c Haskin, Steve. "Saint Be Praised". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  8. ^ "Chart for Gulfstream Park, January 18". Equibase. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  9. ^ "Peace Rules wins by head in New Orleans Handicap". Houston Chronicle. 1 March 2004. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  10. ^ "Chart for the New Orleans Handicap". Equibase. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  11. ^ "Chart of the 2004 Oaklawn Handicap". Equibase. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  12. ^ "4 in a Row for Ghostzapper After Woodward Triumph". The New York Times. The Associated Press. 12 September 2004. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  13. ^ "Chart for the 2004 Woodward". Equibase. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  14. ^ "Saint Liam Spirited Winner of Clark Handicap". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  15. ^ "Chart of the Clark Handicap". Equibase. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  16. ^ Shinar, Jack. "Saint Liam Makes Believers in Donn Blowout". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  17. ^ Shinar, Jack. "'Rock' Flattens Foes in Santa Anita Handicap". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  18. ^ "Saint Liam wins Foster for Frankel". ESPN.com. 18 June 2005. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  19. ^ "Commentator Holds Off Saint Liam in Whitney". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  20. ^ Christine, Bill (11 September 2005). "Saint Liam Has an Easy Trip in Woodward Stakes". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  21. ^ a b Mitchell, Ron. "Lucky 13: Saint Liam Ends Career With Classic Victory". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  22. ^ Drape, Joe (30 October 2005). "Saint Liam Stands Out in Victory at Classic". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  23. ^ "Oaklawn Park- April 15, 2011- Race 10". Equivase.com. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  24. ^ "Student health service departments move into newly renovated Saint Liam Hall". Notre Dame News. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  25. ^ "Chart for Gulfstream Park on February 22 2003". Equibase. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  26. ^ "Chart for Gulfstream Park on March 28 2003". Equibase. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  27. ^ "Chart for the Arkansas Derby". Equibase. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  28. ^ "Chart for Churchill Downs on May 25 2003". Equibase. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  29. ^ "Chart for Churchill Downs on June 8 2003". Equibase. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  30. ^ "Chart for the Iowa Derby". Equibase. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  31. ^ "Chart for the Hall of Fame Handicap". Equibase. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  32. ^ "Chart for Saratoga on August 24 2003". Equibase. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  33. ^ "Chart for Aqueduct on December 12 2003". Equibase. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  34. ^ "Chart for Gulfstream Park on January 18 2004". Equibase. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  35. ^ "Chart for the New Orleans Handicap". Equibase. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  36. ^ "Chart for the Oaklawn Handicap". Equibase. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  37. ^ "Chart for the Woodward Stakes". Equibase. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  38. ^ "Chart for the Clark Handicap". Equibase. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  39. ^ "Chart for the Donn Handicap". Equibase. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  40. ^ "Chart for the Santa Anita Handicap". Equibase. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  41. ^ "Chart for the Stephen Foster Handicap". Equibase. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  42. ^ "Chart for the Whitney Handicap". Equibase. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  43. ^ "Chart for the Woodward Stakes". Equibase. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  44. ^ "Chart for the Breeders Cup Classic". Equibase. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
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