Ancient Title

Ancient Title
Sire Gummo
Grandsire Fleet Nasrullah
Dam Hi Little Gal
Damsire Bar Le Duc
Sex Gelding
Foaled 1970
Country United States
Colour Bay
Breeder William & Ethel Kirkland
Owner Kirkland Stable
Trainer Keith L. Stucki, Sr.
Record 57: 24-11-9
Earnings $1,252,791
Major wins
California Breeders' Champion Stakes (1972)
Inglewood Handicap (1973)
San Vicente Stakes (1973)
Malibu Stakes (1974)
Los Angeles Handicap (1974)
Palos Verdes Handicap (1974)
Charles H. Strub Stakes (1974)
San Fernando Stakes (1974)
Californian Stakes (1975, 1976)
Hollywood Gold Cup (1975)
San Carlos Handicap (1975)
Whitney Handicap (1975)
Caballero Handicap (1976)
Del Mar Handicap (1977)
Bel Air Handicap (1977)
San Antonio Handicap (1977)
San Pasqual Handicap (1978)
Awards
California Horse of the Year (1974, 1975)
Honours
United States Racing Hall of Fame (2008)
Ancient Title Handicap at Santa Anita Park
Last updated on October 2, 2007

Ancient Title (April 19, 1970 - September 1, 1981) was an American Thoroughbred Hall of Fame racehorse. Foaled in California, he was bred by William and Ethel Kirkland and raced under Ethel Kirkland's name following her husband's death in 1972. She too died in 1976 and the horse then competed under the Kirkland Stable banner.

Gelded before age three because of a very difficult disposition, Ancient Title raced for seven years. He won many of the top Graded stakes races in California and was twice voted California Horse of the Year. Trained by Keith Stucki, Ancient Title began winning at age two with his most important victory coming in the 1972 California Breeders' Champion Stakes. He continued winning at age three but began to develop into a top level horse in 1974. That year, he became only the third horse to ever win all three races in the Strub Series. In addition to the Los Angeles and Palos Verdes Handicaps, he ran second to Prince Dantan in the Santa Anita Handicap and second to Tree Of Knowledge in the Hollywood Gold Cup. His 1974 performances earned him the first of two consecutive California Horse of the Year honors.

In 1975, Ancient Title's wins included the Californian Stakes, the San Carlos Handicap and the Hollywood Gold Cup. That year his handlers also brought him to race on the East Coast where he won the Whitney Handicap at New York's Saratoga Race Course and ran third to winner Wajima and runner-up Forego in the Marlboro Cup Invitational Handicap at Belmont Park. Ancient Title won more California stakes races in 1977 and after competing and winning in 1978 an injury led to his retirement. With earnings of $1,252,791, he ended his racing career as the richest California-bred horse to that time.

For three years, Ancient Title lived in retirement at Rio Vista Farm near Atascadero, California operated by trainer Wallace Dollase. He reportedly died following surgery for colic problems on September 1, 1981.

In 1985, the Oak Tree Racing Association honored the horse with the creation of the Ancient Title Handicap at Santa Anita Park.

On August 4, 2008, Ancient Title was only the fifth California bred inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

Ancient Title was never defeated at the race distance of 7 furlongs

References