Candy Spots

Candy Spots (1960–1976) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse that is best known for winning the 1963 Preakness Stakes and for coming in a close second and third, respectively, in the Belmont Stakes and Kentucky Derby to his rival Chateaugay.

Background

Candy Spots was foaled in California and was named for the unusual white and black markings, similar to Bend Or spots, that speckled his chestnut hair on his hind legs and rump.^[1] Candy Spots was sired by the Argentine bred stallion, Nigromante, who was brought to California by Rex C. Ellsworth in 1957.

Retirement

Candy Spots was retired to stud in 1965, but he produced few stakes winners. His only offspring of note were 1973 Santa Susana Stakes winner, Belle Marie, who was also the dam of 1982 American Champion Older Male Horse, Lemhi Gold. Through his daughter Candy's Best, Candy Spots was also grandsire to Candy Éclair.

Candy Spots died in Lexington, Kentucky in March 1976 at the breeding shed of Warren B. Terry's Domino Stud of a ruptured renal artery.^[2][3] Candy Spots was the last direct male line descendant of Rock Sand to win an American Classic Race.^[1]

Breeding

References