Prominent Sire Cryptoclearance Dies at Age 25

Cryptoclearance, one of the top runners of his generation and a top sire of more than 40 stakes winners, died at Rood and Riddle Equine Clinic Sept. 24. The 25-year-old horse died from a heart attack stemming from complications following colic surgery.

A son of Fappiano out of the Hoist the Flag mare Naval Orange, Cryptoclearnace was owned by Phil Teinowitz and was trained by Hall of Famer Scotty Schulhofer. Revered as being a strong closer, he won 12 of 44 starts and placed 17 times (16 in stakes) in a four-season racing career and earned more than $3.3 million.

He was a four-time grade I winner, taking the Florida Derby at 3 and the Pegasus, Widener, and Donn Handicaps as an older horse. A member of the vintage crop of colts from 1984, he ran in all three Triple Crown events, finishing fourth behind Alysheba, Bet Twice, and Avie’s Copy as the fourth choice in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I); third behind Alysheba and Bet Twice as the second choice in the Preakness (gr. I); and second behind Bet Twice as the second choice in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). Later that year he ran second to Java Gold in the Travers (gr. I).

“On behalf of Dr. Ira Mersack, Dr. Joseph and Lynn Fowler, myself, and all of the staff at Margaux, we want to send our condolences to Phil Teinowitz and to all of the fans who have appreciated and supported Cryptoclearance during his lifetime,” said Steve Johnson, managing partner of Margaux Farm, in a statement.

“He was a ‘breed-shaping’ horse, and his influence will be passed down over the years through not only his sons, but very significantly, through his daughters. His contribution to the breed is that of soundness, stamina, and above all else heart—traits that he and his offspring have displayed in the races that define class in our breed."

Cryptoclearance began his stud career in 1990 at Vinery near Lexington for a fee of $15,000. He stood there for six seasons before being moved to Margaux Farm. Perhaps his best-known son is Victory Gallop, winner of the 1998 Belmont Stakes and champion older male of 1999. Victory Gallop is the sire of 33 stakes winners.

Cryptoclearance is also the sire of Cryptocloser, champion 3-year-old male in Canada; Millennium Wind, winner of the 2001 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I); and Strategic Maneuver, a two-time grade I winning filly and dam of sire Ishiguru, who had to be euthanized Sept. 18.

The progeny earnings for Cryptoclearance is just shy of $50 million.

“Scotty Schulhofer and Mr. Teinowitz found Cryptoclearance in the 1985 Saratoga yearling sale and he remained wholly owned by Mr. Teinowitz throughout his racing and breeding career,” Johnson said in the release. “Named after the Naval Security department during World War II, Phil had a very special relationship with ‘Crypto’ during the 24 years he owned him, and he followed the success of all of ‘Crypto’s’ offspring as if they were his.

“All of his handlers over the years recall how smart and easy he was to work with, but when his mare came into the breeding shed, they also knew they had to be on their game because it was an Olympic event when it was time for him to breed. That’s how he lived his life.

“He ended his racing and breeding career with the respect and admiration of all horsemen.”

Cryptoclearance will be buried at Margaux.