| Best Pal | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Habitony |
| Grandsire | Habitat |
| Dam | King Pellinore |
| Damsire | Ubetshedid |
| Sex | Gelding |
| Foaled | 1988 |
| Country | United States |
| Colour | Brown |
| Breeder | John & Betty Mabee |
| Owner | Golden Eagle Farm |
| Trainer | Gary F. Jones |
| Record | 47: 18-11-4 |
| Earnings | $5,668,245 |
| Major wins | |
|
Hollywood Futurity (1990) Kentucky Derby 2nd (1991) |
|
| Awards | |
| California Horse of the Year (1990, 1991, 1992) |
|
| Honours | |
| National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame (2010) Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar Racetrack |
|
| Horse (Equus ferus caballus) | |
| Last updated on May 29, 2010 | |
Best Pal (February 12, 1988 in Ramona, California – November 24, 1998 in Ramona, California) was an American Hall of Fame champion racehorse, who to this day holds the record for purses of any California-bred racehorse, earning his owners, the Golden Eagle Farm, US$5.6 million over his lifetime.
A descendant of Princequillo on both his sire's and dam's line, Best Pal won the first running of the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, and finished second in the 1991 Kentucky Derby. He won the Hollywood Gold Cup at and the Santa Anita Handicap, thus capturing all three of California's premier handicap races. In all, Best Pal won 18 races -- 17 of them stakes -- nearly all in California.
Retired in 1996, Best Pal had a massive heart attack while on his way to a training track at Golden Eagle Farm. He was buried at the farm, and a large boulder with a plaque covers his grave. Best Pal was voted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2010. [1]