Grade I Winner Thorn Song Dies at Age 11
Elite turf runner and young California-based stallion Thorn Song, the winner of two grade I races and earnings of more than $1.1 million, has died due to complications of severe laminitis.
Thorn Song after winning the 2009 Shoemaker Mile.
Photo: BenoitPhoto.com
Thorn Song wins the 2009 Shoemaker Mile.
Photo: Benoit
Thorn Song wins the 2009 Shoemaker Mile.
Photo: Benoit
Thorn Song scored his first graded win in the River City (gr. III-T) at Churchill Downs in November.
Photo: Four Footed Fotos
Thorn Song holds scores a front-running victory in the Firecracker Handicap.
Photo: Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer- News
- Profile
Thorn Song's First Foal Delivered at Harris
Dual grade I winner Thorn Song was represented by his first foal at John Harris' farm near Coalinga, Calif., on March 5.
Nehro Could Give Zayat His First Classic Win
Ahmed Zayat, who seems on the cusp of winning a classic race any time now, as been in the headlines for all the right and wrong reasons in his six years of Thoroughbred ownership.
Thorn Song Gets First Mare in Foal
The first mare bred to dual grade I winner Thorn Song is believed to be in foal.
Thorn Song to Stand at Harris Farms
Thorn Song, who underwent stem cell therapy after developing laminitis, will enter stud at John C. Harris' Harris Farms near Coalinga, Calif.
Thorn Song Gets a Second Chance at Life
Thorn Song, who was severely injured in his final start at Del Mar last summer and had "an almost zero chance" at survival after developing laminitis, has made a remarkable recovery thanks to breakthrough stem cell therapy.
Zayat: Insurance Check Went to Stable
Horse owner Ahmed Zayat and trainer Mike Mitchell said Feb. 9 that the horse Thorn Song, for whom Zayat Stable received an insurance payment, is still alive in California.
Bank Pushes for Oversight of Zayat Stables
Even though Zayat Stables has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Fifth Third Bank will continue its push to have a trustee named to oversee the operation.
Global Hunter Hits Target in Eventful 'Read
- By Jack Shinar
- News, Racing, West Region
Little-known Argentina bred Global Hunter surged past even-money choice Monterey Jazz in upper stretch and held sway for jockey Corey Nakatani to register a 14-1 upset in an eventful $350,000 Eddie Read Stakes (gr. IT) at Del Mar July 25.
That Handicapping Show: Eddie Read (Video)
Jason and Les Instone from Brisnet preview the Eddie Read Handicap (gr. IT) at Del Mar on July 25. Plus, quick picks for the Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I). Watch Video
Whatsthescript Needs Some Luck in Eddie Read
- By Jack Shinar
- News, Racing, West Region
A little more speed in the lineup and a turf course that's not quite so conducive to front-runners would help trainer John Sadler feel better about the chances of Whatsthescript in the $350,000 Eddie Read Stakes (gr. IT) at July 25, the highlight on the opening weekend of action at Del Mar.
Zayat, Romans Part Ways
Zayat Stables' graded stakes winners Eaton's Gift and Thorn Song have been removed from the barn of Dale Romans, the trainer said July 18.
Mr. Sidney Pulls Away to Win Firecracker
Circle E Racing's Mr. Sidney pulled away from Inca King in the final sixteenth of a mile to win the $167,700 Firecracker Handicap (gr. II) by 1 1/2 lengths on the July 4 card at Churchill Downs.
Thorn Song Seeks Firecracker Repeat
Zayat Stables' Thorn Song will attempt to become the first repeat winner of the Firecracker Handicap (gr. IIT) when he takes on seven rivals July 4 at Churchill Downs.
Thorn Song Prickly Winner of Shoemaker Mile
- By Jack Shinar
- News, Racing, West Region
Zayat Stables' Kentucky shipper Thorn Song nipped Hyperbaric by a head in an exhilarating stretch battle to win the $314,500 Shoemaker Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) at Hollywood Park by a head.
Ho-Hum: Ventura Faces Boys Again in Shoemaker
When Rachel Alexandra faced the boys in the Preakness (gr. I), it had not only the racing world but the national media abuzz with excitement. For exceptional mare Ventura, taking on the opposite gender has become just another day at the park, and the daughter of Chester House will do it again on May 25 when she tackles seven males in the $250,000-added Shoemaker Mile (gr. IT) at Hollywood Park.
Einstein Shoots For Woodford Reserve Repeat
- By Jason Shandler
- News, Racing, Kentucky
Remarkable 7-year-old horse Einstein, a graded stakes winner on dirt, turf and synthetics, will attempt to make history by becoming the first repeat winner of the $500,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. I) on May 2 at Churchill Downs.
Mr. Sidney Takes Maker's Mark Mile
- By Jason Shandler
- News, Racing, Kentucky
Circle E Racing's Mr. Sidney took command at the top of the lane, then outdueled Passager in a long stretch drive to win the $300,000 Maker's Mark Mile (gr. IT) on Keeneland's yielding turf course April 11.
Thorn Song Back For Maker's Mark Mile
- By Jason Shandler
- News, Racing, Kentucky
Though he won the $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. IT) last fall over the same course, Zayat Stables' Thorn Song may have a tough time when making his first start of the season in the $300,000 Maker's Mark Mile (gr. IT) April 10 on the Keeneland turf.
That Handicapping Show: Nov. 20 (Video)
This week, Jason and Tom analyze the River City Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Churchill Downs on November 22. Also Brisnet's handicapping expert "The Wizard" gives his "Spotlight Play" for Fair Grounds Race 3 on November 22.
Thorn Song Goes For River City Repeat
- By Jason Shandler
- News, Racing, Kentucky
Zayat Stables' Thorn Song has a big class edge, but will have to break from post 11 and concede three-to-nine pounds to his rivals, as the multiple graded stakes winner headlines the $100,000-added River City Handicap (gr. IIIT) on the Churchill Downs grass Nov. 22.
Kip Deville Seeks Repeat in BC Mile
It won't be easy given the competition, but the connections of Kip Deville believe the 5-year-old horse has an excellent chance to become the fourth repeat winner of the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT).
Thorn Song Wire-to-Wire in Turf Mile
Zayat Stables' Thorn Song broke to an early lead and never relinquished it, wiring a full field in the $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. IT) Oct. 4 on the Keeneland turf. The victory earned the 5-year-old son of Unbridled's Song an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Mile later this month at Santa Anita.
That Handicapping Show: Oct. 2 (Video)
Jason and guest co-host Evan are at Keeneland to talk about the Shadwell Turf Mile and the Lane's End Breeders' Futurity, two grade I's on Saturday's card. Keeping with the Keeneland theme, John Pricci of Equiform has selections for the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes and Race 10 on October 4.
New Territory For Rahy's Attorney
Woodbine Mile (gr. IT) winner Rahy's Attorney will make his first start outside of Canada Oct. 4, as the 4-year-old gelding headlines a star-studded field of 12 older horses in the $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. IT) at Keeneland.
Shakis Wins Bernard Baruch Again
- By Jason Shandler
- News, Racing
Shadwell Stable's homebred Shakis, well-beaten in three starts this season, roared from the back of the pack and nailed War Monger in the final strides to take the $200,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap (gr. IIT) for the second consecutive year on the Saratoga grass Aug. 23.
Thorn Song Headlines Bernard Baruch
- By Jason Shandler
- News, Racing
Zayat Stables' Thorn Song has competed well against some of the nation's best turf horses this season -- Einstein and Kip Deville to name a pair. That good company is the main reason the 5-year-old son of Unbridled's Song was installed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite and should be a tough customer Saturday in the $200,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap (gr. IIT) at Saratoga.
Red Giant Wins Fourstardave at the Wire
- By Jason Shandler
- News, Racing
A nearly 10-month layoff did not seem to bother Peachtree Stable's Red Giant, as the 4-year-old colt powered down the stretch under John Velazquez and caught Stalingrad just before the wire to win the $150,000 Fourstardave (gr. IIT) by a neck Aug. 2 on the Saratoga turf.
Eleven Entered in Deep Fourstardave H.
- By Jason Shandler
- News, Racing
Zayat Stables' Thorn Song, who defeated Einstein July 4 in the Firecracker Handicap (gr. IIT) and has won twice in the past two months, tops a deep and talented field of 11 in the $150,000 Fourstardave Handicap (gr. IIT) Aug. 3 on the Saratoga turf.
Thorn Song Lights Up Firecracker
- By Jack Shinar
- News, Racing, Kentucky
Front-running Thorn Song slammed the door on prohibitive choice Einstein in the stretch and held on for a one-length victory in the $213,250 Firecracker Handicap (gr. IIT) over a yielding Churchill Downs turf course July 4.
Einstein the Smart Choice in Firecracker
- By Evan Hammonds
- News, Racing, Kentucky
Einstein, with a pair of grade I wins on the turf and a gallant second to reigning Horse of the Year Curlin under his belt so far this year, will be a short price Friday in the one-mile Firecracker Handicap (gr. IIT) at Churchill Downs.
Einstein Well Spotted in Turf Classic
- By Jack Shinar
- News, Racing, Kentucky
Grade I winners Artiste Royal and Einstein are among the favorites for the $500,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT), the race that precedes the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) as part of Churchill Downs' packed stakes schedule May 3.
Kip Deville Repeats in Maker's Mark
- By Jason Shandler
- News, Racing, Kentucky
Kip Deville had not raced since winning the NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) last October. The question coming into the $300,000 Maker's Mark Mile (gr. IT) April 11 was obvious: How would the 5-year-old respond to the long layoff?
Thorn Song a Major Threat on Turf
- By Jason Shandler
- News, Racing
The 5-year-old turf specialist goes for another graded stakes victory in the Canadian Turf at Gulfstream Jan. 4.
Thorn Song Nabs River City
Zayat Stables' Thorn Song continued his excellent record on the turf when he got up in the final strides to take the $200,000 River City Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Churchill Downs Nov. 23.
Cosmonaut Looks Big in River City
- By Esther Marr
- News, Racing
Millionaire Cosmonaut figures to be the clear favorite in the Nov. 23 River City Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Churchill Downs. The field of seasoned, older runners features horses bred in Kentucky, California, Canada, England, and Ireland.
Fishy Advice Sinks Rivals in Knickerbocker Handicap
- By Jack Shinar
- News, Racing
Adept at running on soft turf, Fishy Advice proved a handy winner of the $112,900 Knickerbocker Handicap (gr. IIIT) when he collared Thorn Song near the wire for a one-length victory at Aqueduct Oct. 28.
Connections
| Trainer | Mike R. Mitchell |
|---|---|
| Jockey | Mike E. Smith |
| Owner | Zayat Stables, LLC |
| Breeder | Pinnacle Racing LLC & Taylor Made Farm Inc. |
Pedigree
| Thorn Song View Five-Cross Pedigree | Unbridled's Song | Unbridled |
| Trolley Song | ||
| Festal | Storm Bird | |
| Fiesta Lady |
Auction History
| Sale / Hip | Type | Buyer | Consignor | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KEESEP2004 Hip 23 |
Yearling | Mike Ryan, agent | Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent | $160,000 |
| FTMMAY2005 Hip 239 |
Two-year-old | Ahmed Zayat | Niall Brennan Stables, agent | $200,000 |
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