Although Ghostzapper did not run as many races as other racehorses, he took first place in 9 out of 11 of the races he ran and received several awards for his incredible performances. He was undefeated during his third year in racing, winning four stakes races consecutively. Ghostzapper was initially viewed by many as a good sprinter, but one who may not be capable of handling longer distances. He astonished people when his stamina was finally tested during the 2004 Philip H. Iselin Breeders’ Cup Handicap, where he won by 10 ¾ lengths in 1:47.66. He earned a 128 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form, causing them to declare, “There can be no argument that Ghostzapper is the fastest horse in the country.”
Ghostzapper had tough competition in the 2004 Breeders’ Cup, including the defending Breeders’ Cup winner Pleasantly Perfet, but he led the entire way and finished the race in first by three lengths. In his last year of racing (2005), he was only able to run in one race due to health issues that year: the Metropolitan Handicap (Met Mile) at Belmont Park. He ran an amazing race and won by 6 ½ lengths, and his time was a mere 2/5 of a second short of the stakes record. His trainer, Robert Frankel, said that Ghostzapper “impressed people in the Met more than he did in the Breeders’ Cup, and he ended his career in style.”
Ghostzapper was retired one month later when it was discovered he had a hairline fracture of his left front sesamoid bone. He was awarded the American Horse of the Year award, the American Champion Older Male Horse award, and was named the world’s top-ranked racehorse by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) with a rating of 130. Ghostzapper may have only run 11 races, but his incredible speed and amazing performance in the Breeders’ Cup and Met Mile make him one of the all-time great horses in racing history.
Horse Profile
- Foaled: April 6, 2000 (22 Years Old)
- Bred: USA
- Sex: Colt/Stallion
- Debuted: 2002
- Retired: 2005
- Death: N/A (Still Alive)
- Color and Markings: Bay with a diamond-shaped star on his forehead
- Sire: Awesome Again
- Dam: Baby Zip
- Owner: Stronach Stables
- Breeder: Adena Springs Farms
- Trainer:Robert J. Frankel
- Jockeys: Javier Castellano
Characteristics
Ghostzapper is a fierce competitor on the racetrack but silent and well-mannered in the stable. He likes to sleep and spends most of his spare time sleeping in his stall. He is a well-made but plain bay horse standing 16.1 hands. He has good shoulders and straight, strong hind legs. He was not wedded to any racing style on the track and could win by galloping a field dizzy from the front end, stalking the pace, or coming from well behind.
Historical Achievements, Honors Received, Recognitions
- Monmouth Park Hall of Champions
- Eclipse Award, American Horse of the Year (2004)
- Eclipse Award, American champion older male (2004)
- New York Turf Writers' Association Secretariat Award as the best New York raced horse of 2004
- He was named the world's top-ranked racehorse by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), scoring 130.
- National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 2012)
Top 100 Rankings Since 2000
- Ranked 2nd by Earnings - 2004
- Ranked 92nd by Earnings – 2005
Stud Career
- Based on the statistics compiled by The Jockey Club, Ghostzapper sired 92 stakes winners and earners of over US$108.3 million as of August 28, 2022.
Racing Career
| Record | Earnings |
|---|---|
11:9-0-1 | $3,446,120 |
| WON RACES | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date | Distance | Race | Grade | Track | Finish | Winning Time | Winning Margin | Jockey |
2002 – Two-year-old season | ||||||||
November 16, 2002 | 6 ½ Furlongs | Maiden Special Weight | Hollywood Park | 1 | 1:15.57 | 9 lengths | Jose Valdivia, Jr. | |
2003 – Three-year-old season | ||||||||
June 20, 2003 | 6 Furlongs | Allowance | Belmont Park | 1 | 1:09.39 | 3 ¼ lengths | Javier Castellano | |
July 26, 2003 | 7 Furlongs | Allowance | Saratoga Race Course | 1 | 1:21.74 | ½ lengths | Javier Castellano | |
September 27, 2003 | 6 ½ Furlongs | Vosburgh Stakes | I | Belmont Park | 1 | 1:14.72 | 6 ½ lengths | Javier Castellano |
2004 – Four-year-old season | ||||||||
July 4, 2004 | 7 Furlongs | Tom Fool Handicap | II | Belmont Park | 1 | 1:20.42 | 4 ¼ lengths | Javier Castellano |
August 21, 2004 | 1 ⅛ Miles | Philip H Iselin Breeders Cup Handicap | III | Monmouth Park | 1 | 1:47.66 | 10 ¾ lengths | Javier Castellano |
September 11, 2004 | 1 ⅛ Miles | Woodward Stakes | I | Belmont Park | 1 | 1:46.38 | Neck | Javier Castellano |
October 30, 2004 | 1 ¼ Miles | Breeders’ Cup Classic | I | Lone Star Park | 1 | 1:59.02 | 3 lengths | Javier Castellano |
2005 – Five-year-old season | ||||||||
May 30, 2005 | 1 Mile | Metropolitan Handicap | I | Belmont Park | 1 | 1:33.29 | 6 ¼ lengths | Javier Castellano |
| LOST RACES | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date | Distance | Race | Grade | Track | Placement | Time | Losing Margin | Jockey |
2002 – Two-year-old season | ||||||||
December 26, 2002 | 6 Furlongs | Allowance | Santa Anita Park | 4 | 1:08.35 | 7 ½ lengths | Jose Valdivia, Jr. | |
2003 – Three-year-old season | ||||||||
August 23, 2003 | 7 Furlongs | King’s Bishop Stakes | I | Saratoga Race Course | 3 | 1:22.14 | ½ lengths | Javier Castellano |
Sire Rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees:
- 7th on the North American general sire list in 2017.
Per The Blood-Horse:
- 2nd on the American general sire list in 2021; 9th in 2017.
Fun Facts
- Ghostzapper earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 128 for his performance in the 2004 Philip H. Iselin Handicap (USA-G3), the highest Beyer figure ever awarded for a non-sprint distance up to that time.
- Ghostzapper’s initial stud fee of $200,000 was the highest ever asked for a first- year North American-based sire up to that time.