Cannonade (May 12, 1971 – August 3, 1993) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known as the winner of the 1974 Kentucky Derby.

Background

Owned and bred by prominent businessman John M. Olin, Cannonade was foaled at Gainesway Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. Cannonade was sired by Bold Bidder, whose other progeny included Spectacular Bid. His dam Queen Sucree was a descendant of the broodmare Almahmoud, making her a member of the same branch of Thoroughbred Family 2-d which produced Northern Dancer, Halo and Danehill.^[1]

Racing career

Racing at age two on the New York State circuit, Cannonade was trained by future Hall of Fame inductee Woody Stephens. He was beaten twice before earning his first win, then in June captured the now-defunct 5½ furlong Great American Stakes at Belmont Park. Cannonade's next significant win came on December 29 Aqueduct Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack, followed by a third-place finish in the important Champagne Stakes. His also won at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, where he won the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes.

Cannonade had a racemate named Judger who was owned by Seth Hancock's Cherry Valley Farm. In the spring of 1974, the two 3-year-old colts competed on the Florida racing circuit in the lead-up to the Kentucky Derby. In the Fountain of Youth Stakes, Judger finished second ahead of Cannonade, who was unplaced. In the Flamingo Stakes, Judger finished third, again ahead of an unplaced Cannonade. Judger then won the important Grade I Florida Derby, with an improving Cannonade taking second.

Stud record

Cannonade retired after his 1974 racing season to stand at stud at Gainesway Farm. The major winners he produced are:

c = colt, f = filly

Death

Cannonade lived until the age of twenty-two, when he was euthanized on August 3, 1993, reportedly due to infirmities of natural causes. He is buried in the Gainesway equine cemetery.

Pedigree

References

• Cannonade's Kentucky Derby details and video at the Churchill Downs official Derby website