Gunite (foaled February 3, 2019) is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse who won multiple Grade I events including the Hopeful Stakes as a two-year-old in 2021 and the Forego Stakes at Saratoga Racetrack in 2023.[2]

Gunite
SireGun Runner
GrandsireCandy Ride (ARG)
DamSimple Surprise
DamsireCowboy Cal
SexColt
FoaledFebruary 3, 2019[1]
CountryUnited States
ColorDark Bay or Brown
BreederWinchell Thoroughbreds
OwnerWinchell Thoroughbreds
TrainerSteven M. Asmussen
Record21: 9 - 8 - 2
EarningsUS$2,493,009[2]
Major wins
Hopeful Stakes (2021)
Amsterdam Stakes (2022)
Forego Stakes (2023)
Last updated on November 6, 2023

Background

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Gunite is a dark bay or brown colt that was bred in Kentucky by his owner Winchell Thoroughbreds. Gunite is the progeny of Three Chimneys Farm's freshman sire Gun Runner, the 2017 American Horse of the Year and six-time Grade 1 winner, who was trained by Steven M. Asmussen for Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys. Gunite is the first foal to race out of the Cowboy Cal stakes winner Simple Surprise, who is out of the Grade 3-placed, stakes-winning sprinter Simplify, a daughter of Pulpit. Simple Surprise has a yearling full sister to Gunite and produced a filly by Copper Bullet in 2021. She was bred back to Tapiture also in 2021.[3]

Simplify is half sister to the five-time stakes winner Classify, and three-quarter sister to the Tapit mare Omnitap, dam of Air Strike, successful in the G3 Triple Bend Stakes, and Pegasus Stakes winner Home Brew. Gunite's third dam, Classic Olympio, was a fast and precocious performer on the West Coast, winning four black-type events, including the Moccasin Stakes and Anoakia Stakes, and she also took second in the G2 Santa Ynez Stakes and third in the G2 Railbird Stakes. The fifth dam, Lilac Hill, took the Cotillion Handicap when it was run at Liberty Bell (now Parx), and was half sister to G1 Gran Premio di Milano scorer Rouge Sang, three-quarter sister to Del Mar Derby winner and sire Speak John, and closely related to Stage Door Johnny, the champion 3-year-old colt of 1968 (both by Prince John, out of granddaughters of the mare Folle Nuit).[4]

Career highlights

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As a two-year-old Gunite broke his maiden on his third attempt at Churchill Downs in a Maiden Special Weight event over six furlongs.[5] He followed up with a second in the Grade II Saratoga Special to High Oak.[6] Remaining at Saratoga on Labor Day Gunite captured the Grade I Hopeful Stakes with a commanding 5+34 lengths victory over Wit with High Oak finishing fourth.[3]

Retirement and stud

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After his final start on November 4, 2023 in the Breeders' Cup Sprint connections of Gunite announced his retirement from racing. In 2024 Gunite will stand at Coolmore America's Ashford Stud for a fee of US$35,000.[7]


Statistics

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Date Distance Race Grade /
Group
Track Odds Field Finish Winning
Time
Winning
(Losing)
Margin
Jockey Ref
2021 – two-year-old season
Apr 29, 2021 5 furlongs Maiden Special Weight Churchill Downs 1.80* 9 3 0:59.49 (3+34 lengths) Florent Geroux [8]
May 22, 2021 5 furlongs Maiden Special Weight Churchill Downs 1.50 9 2 0:58.13 (1+12 lengths) Ricardo Santana Jr. [9]
Jun 26, 2021 6 furlongs Maiden Special Weight Churchill Downs 1.00* 12 1 1:10.10 1+12 lengths Ricardo Santana Jr. [5]
Aug 14, 2021 6+12 furlongs Saratoga Special II Saratoga 4.70 10 2 1:16.53 (4+14 lengths) Ricardo Santana Jr. [6]
Sep 6, 2021 7 furlongs Hopeful Stakes I Saratoga 11.60 11 1 1:23.08 5+34 lengths Ricardo Santana Jr. [10]
Oct 2, 2021 1 mile Champagne Stakes I Belmont Park 3.40 6 5 1:36.72 (14+12 lengths) Ricardo Santana Jr. [11]
2022 – three-year-old season
Jun 3, 2022 7 furlongs Allowance Churchill Downs 1.60* 5 2 1:20.62 (5+14 lengths) Florent Geroux [12]
Jul 3, 2022 7 furlongs Maxfield Overnight Stakes Churchill Downs 0.90* 6 1 1:23.08 (12 length) Tyler Gaffalione [13]
Jul 31, 2022 6+12 furlongs Amsterdam Stakes II Saratoga 7.40 9 1 1:15.75 neck Tyler Gaffalione [14]
Aug 27, 2022 7 furlongs H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes I Saratoga 7.00 8 2 1:21.35 (1+14 lengths) Tyler Gaffalione [15]
Sep 24, 2022 7 furlongs Harrods Creek Stakes Churchill Downs 0.63* 7 1 1:21.95 3 lengths Tyler Gaffalione [16]
Oct 22, 2022 7 furlongs Perryville Stakes Listed Keeneland 0.62* 7 1 1:23.22 3+34 lengths Tyler Gaffalione [17]
Nov 5, 2022 1 mile Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile I Keeneland 3.69 9 4 1:35.33 (4 lengths) Tyler Gaffalione [18]
2023 – four-year-old season
Jan 28, 2023 6 furlongs King Cotton Stakes Listed Oaklawn Park 0.70* 6 1 1:08.89 4 lengths Ricardo Santana Jr. [19]
Feb 25, 2023 1200 metres Riyadh Dirt Sprint III King Abdulaziz Racetrack (KSA) N/A[a] 9 2 1:11.01 (3+14 lengths) Tyler Gaffalione [20]
Mar 25, 2023 1200 metres Dubai Golden Shaheen I Meydan (UAE) N/A[b] 14 3 1:10.69 (12 length) Tyler Gaffalione [21]
Jun 3, 2023 6 furlongs Aristides Stakes Listed Churchill Downs 0.90* 5 1 1:08.46 1+34 lengths Tyler Gaffalione [22]
Jul 29, 2023 6 furlongs Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap I Saratoga 1.20 7 2 1:09.22 head Tyler Gaffalione [23]
Aug 26, 2023 7 furlongs Forego Stakes I Saratoga 1.30 5 1 1:21.53 1+34 lengths Tyler Gaffalione [24]
Sep 23, 2023 1 mile Parx Dirt Mile Stakes Listed Parx 0.30* 6 2 1:38.34 (1+34 lengths) Tyler Gaffalione [25]
Nov 4, 2023 6 furlongs Breeders' Cup Sprint I Santa Anita 3.10 8 2 1:08.34 (1+12 lengths) Tyler Gaffalione [26]

Notes:
An (*) asterisk after the odds means Gunite was the post-time favorite.

  1. ^ Wagering is not allowed in Saudi Arabia. In British wagering, Gunite started at 3/1 second favorite.
  2. ^ Wagering is not allowed in the United Arab Emirates. In British wagering, Gunite odds were 8/1

Pedigree

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Pedigree of Gunite, Dark Bay or Brown colt, February 3, 2019[1]
Sire
Gun Runner
(2013)
Candy Ride (ARG)
(1999)
Ride the Rails
(1991)
Cryptoclearance (1984)
Herbalesian (1969)
Candy Girl (ARG)
(1990)
Candy Stripes (1982)
City Girl (ARG) (1982)
Quiet Giant
(2007)
Giant's Causeway
(1997)
Storm Cat (1983)
Mariah's Storm (1991)
Quiet Dance
(1993)
Quiet American (1986)
Misty Dancer (1988)
Dam
Simple Surprise
(2013)
Cowboy Cal
(2005)
Giant's Causeway
(1997)
Storm Cat (1983)
Mariah's Storm (1991)
Texas Tammy
(1998)
Seeking the Gold (1985)
Hot Novel (1986)
Simplify
(2006)
Pulpit
(1994)
A.P. Indy (1989)
Preach (1989)
Classic Olympio
(1997)
Olimpio (1988)
Parm Beach Dewey (1990)(family 1-l)[27]

Inbreeding:

  • Giant's Causeway: 3S x 3D ; Storm Cat: 4S x 4D ; Mariah's Storm: 4S x 4D

References

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  1. ^ a b "Pedigree of Gunite". Equineline. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Profile of Gunite". Equibase. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Mitchell, Eric (September 6, 2021). "Gunite Powers Home in Hopeful Stakes; Freshman sire Gun Runner gets his second grade 1 winner in two days at Saratoga". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  4. ^ Porter, Alan (August 29, 2023). "Echo Zulu, Gunite Refuting Notion Gun Runners Need Time Porter on Pedigrees". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Chart for Maiden Special Weight June 26, 2021 at Churchill Downs – Race 2". equibase.com. June 26, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  6. ^ a b "2021 Saratoga Special Stakes Presented by Miller Lite (Grade 2 - race 9)". www.equibase.com. August 14, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  7. ^ "Dual Grade 1 Winner Gunite Retired to Ashford His 2024 introductory fee has been set at $35,000". Bloodhorse.com. Ashford Stud. November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  8. ^ "Chart for Maiden Special Weight April 29, 2021 at Churchill Downs – Race 3". equibase.com. April 29, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  9. ^ "Chart for Maiden Special Weight May 22, 2021 at Churchill Downs – Race 1". equibase.com. May 22, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  10. ^ "2021 Hopeful Stakes (Grade 1 - race 7)". www.equibase.com. September 6, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  11. ^ "2021 Champagne Stakes (Grade 1 - race 8)". www.equibase.com. October 2, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  12. ^ "Chart for Allowance Optional Claiming June 3, 2022 at Churchill Downs – Race 7". equibase.com. June 3, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  13. ^ "Maxfield Overnight Stakes (Black Type - race 8)". equibase.com. July 3, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  14. ^ "Amsterdam Stakes (Grade 2 – race 9)". equibase.com. July 31, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  15. ^ "H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (Grade 1 - race 8)". equibase.com. August 27, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  16. ^ "Harrods Creek Stakes (Black Type - race 8)". equibase.com. September 24, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  17. ^ "Perryville Stakes (Listed - race 6)". equibase.com. October 22, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  18. ^ "Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile Grade 1 - (race 5)". Equibase. November 5, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  19. ^ "King Cotton Stakes Listed (race 8)". equibase.com. January 28, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  20. ^ "Riyadh Dirt Sprint presented by Sports Boulevard (Group 3) (race 7)". Racing Post. February 25, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  21. ^ "Dubai Golden Shaheen sponsored by Nakheel (Group 1)". racingpost.com. March 25, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  22. ^ "Aristides Stakes Listed (race 6)". equibase.com. June 3, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  23. ^ "2023 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (Grade 1 - race 8)". www.equibase.com. July 29, 2023. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  24. ^ "2023 Forego Stakes (Grade 1 - race 7)". www.equibase.com. August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  25. ^ "2023 Parx Dirt Mile Stakes (Listed - race 10)". www.equibase.com. September 23, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  26. ^ "Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (Grade 1 - race 11)". equibase.com. November 4, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  27. ^ "Thoroughbred Bloodlines – Paraffin – Family 1-l". www.bloodlines.net. Retrieved August 28, 2023.