Arcangues (horse)

Arcangues (pronounced ar-KONG) (foaled March 12, 1988–October 2006) was a French Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He 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.

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] 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]

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]. He finished fifth 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 Heine Sport, 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]

References