Tiznow : The Only Thoroughbred To Win Breeder’s Classic Twice

By Author: Lee Lane-Edgar
Total Articles: 365
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Breeder’s Cup Classic is a gruelling 1 ¼ miles of dirt race that handpicks only the best of the lot from the three-year-olds and up thoroughbreds who’ve made a distinctive career and can withstand the Breeder’s Cup Challenge series that act as the qualification criteria prerequisite to contention. And only one horse amongst the handful has accomplished it twice. Tiznow may not have been a pro at winning the Triple Crown, but he sure conquered the next big thing in thoroughbred racing not once but twice in his prime.
Drawing his pedigree from the great Triple Crown champion Seattle Slew, Tiznow was out of Cee’s Song, the dam by Seattle Slew’s son Seattle Song. His grandsire was Relaunch who sired quite a few multiple grade stakes winners in his lifetime including Breeder’s Cup Classic winner, Skywalker (1986) and Breeder’s Cup Distaff winner, One Dreamer (1994). Tiznow was foaled in 1997 in California, trained by Jay Robbins who is mostly recognized for his work with this colt rather than any other, so great was the accomplishment.
Having remained unraced as a two year old, Tiznow started only as ...
... a three year old in 2000. When he raced his maiden, he finished 6th in a field of 10 starters not making much of a point. The Santa Anita maiden special weight failed miserably as a good starter and in less than a month’s time, Tiznow once again started in a special weight race at Hollywood Park finishing second. Another start towards the end of the month and he had developed his skills at a real race event dashing for the wire in a decent 1:42.93 for 1 mile and one sixteenth with a lead of 8 ½ lengths.
The journey to the Breeder’s Classic was led by a series of graded stakes. He first won the Grade 3 Affirmed Handicap followed by two second place finishes in the Swaps Stakes and the Pacific Classic Stakes. He then went on to win the Super Derby and the Goodwood Breeder’s Cup Handicap in October right before winning the Breeder’s Classic. He won the Breeder’s Cup Classic within two weeks of his last start ahead by Giant Causeway following a long distance speed duel, winning it by a neck.
As a four-years-old, Tiznow started six times, winning three with one runner up and 2 second place finishes. He went on to win the San Fernando Breeder’s Cup Stakes along with the Santa Anita Handicap. His second Breeder’s Cup Classic continued to be a duel with Sakhee, winner of Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe beating him by a nose.
Hall of Fame inducted him in by 2009. The American Horse of the Year twice for 2000 and 2001 was equally unparalleled at stud. He sired Dubai World Cup 2009 winner Well Armed along with Eclipse Award Champion Juvenile Filly, Folklore. As a sire, he was ranked amongst the top seven stallions in 2009.
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