First Samurai

First Samurai is a thoroughbred race horse born February 2, 2003. He was a contender for the Triple Crown in 2006, but after a starting gate incident contributed to his defeat in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes he was ruled unlikely to race in the Kentucky Derby. Two weeks after the race, First Samurai was diagnosed with two broken ribs following an ultrasound. He was not entered in the Kentucky Derby, with his injury cited as the reason. The Blue Grass ultimately proved to be his final race.

Connections

First Samurai is owned by Bruce Lunsford Tom Hansen, Tom Morris & Raymond Coudriet 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, showing in 1, with total earnings of $915,075

Standing 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 stood alongside Claiborne's other stallions, which included Pulpit, Seeking the Gold, During, Eddington, and Strong Hope.

References

• First Samurai's pedigree
• National Thoroughbred Racing Association bio