First Samurai

Thoroughbred racehorse infobox
horsename = First Samurai


caption =
sire = Giant's Causeway
grandsire = Storm Cat
dam = Freddie Frisson
damsire = Dixieland Band
sex = Stallion
foaled = 2003
country = United States flagicon|USA
colour = Chestnut
breeder = John D. Gunther
owner = Bruce Lunsford & Lansdon B. Robbins III
trainer = Frank L. Brothers
record = 8: 5-1-1
earnings = $915,075
race = Hopefyl Stakes (2005)
Champagne Stakes (2005)
Fountain of Youth Stakes (2006)
awards=
honours =
updated= September 3, 2007

First Samurai is a thoroughbred race horse born February 2, 2003. He was a contender for the Triple Crown in 2006, but after his defeat due to a starting gate incident in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes he was ruled unlikely to race in the Kentucky Derby.Fact|date=December 2007 Two weeks after the race, First Samurai was diagnosed with two broken ribs following an ultrasound. His entry was not submitted by the deadline for the Kentucky Derby, presumably due to his injury.

Connections

First Samurai is owned by Bruce Lunsford and Lansdon B. Robbins III and is trained by Frank Brothers. He has been ridden by Pat Day and Jerry Bailey, both jockeys now retired, and the still racing Edgar Prado. First Samurai was bred in Kentucky by John D. Gunther.

Breeding

First Samurai is the son of Giant's Causeway who is the son of Storm Cat. His breeding line includes such notable horses as Secretariat, Bold Ruler, Mr. Prospector, Northern Dancer, Native Dancer, Dr. Fager, and Graustark. First Samurai was one of the best juveniles of his year, winning the Champagne (gr. I) and Hopeful (gr. I) Stakes in New York. He is out of the stakes-winning Dixieland Band mare, Freddie Frisson.

Races

In his career, cut short by injury, he started 8 times, winning 5 , placing in 1, and showing in 1. He earned almost a million dollars, to be precise: $915,075

tanding at stud

First Samurai stands at stud at the Hancock Family's Claiborne Farm near Paris, Kentucky. His starting fee in 2007 was $40,000 and he is standing with Claiborne's other stallions, among whom are: Pulpit, Seeking the Gold, During, Eddington, and Strong Hope.

References

* [http://www.pedigreequery.com/first+samurai First Samurai's pedigree]
* [http://www.ntra.com/stats_bios.aspx?id=17305 National Thoroughbred Racing Association bio]