Pulpit, just 18, dies unexpectedly. RIP
 

per hrtv

STALLION PAGE at CLAIBORNE

Leading sire Pulpit dies unexpectedly at Claiborne
By Joe Nevills

Pulpit, a multiple Grade 2 winner and prominent sire, died in his paddock at Claiborne Farm on Thursday at age 18. The stallion had shown no signs of ill health in the weeks prior to his death. “We are all shocked and very sad,” said Bradley Purcell, farm manager for Claiborne. “Pulpit has meant so much to Claiborne Farm, first as a racehorse and later as a stallion. Thankfully, we know his legacy will continue on through his sons and daughters.”

The homebred son of A.P. Indy carried the standard for Claiborne Farm his entire life. He was bred by the Paris, Ky., farm and raced under its colors while trained by Frank Brothers, winning 4 of 6 starts and earning $728,200.

Pulpit was unraced as a juvenile, but quickly established himself during his 3-year-old season in 1997, winning his first three starts, including the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes. After a runner-up effort in the Florida Derby, Pulpit rebounded with a 3 1/2-length win in the Blue Grass Stakes, making him one of the favorites heading into the Kentucky Derby. Pulpit finished fourth to Silver Charm in the Derby and was retired after the race due to injury. He returned to his birthplace to begin his stallion career, where he has sired 415 winners in his first 12 crops of racing age for progeny earnings of $56,057,254.

Pulpit’s 38 graded stakes winners include Grade 1 winners Pyro, Rutherienne, Ice Box, Purge, Stroll, Tapit, Sky Mesa, and Corinthian, who also won the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile prior to the race achieving graded status. His progeny have been successful internationally as well, winning stakes races in Canada, England, Germany, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates. Like his sire A.P. Indy, Pulpit has been effective as a sire of sires. He has at least 30 sons standing at stud around the world, including popular commercial sires Tapit, Sky Mesa, Parading, Corinthian, Stroll, Sightseeing, Purge, plus new sires Ice Box and Pyro.

R.I.P. Pulpit. Very sad news.:(

oh no.
still fondly remember visiting him at claiborne. that's too bad.

Photos South Beach Luv and I got of Pulpit in October of this year.

beautiful pics, looked good as ever. thanks.

Religious Overtones
 

Life of decadency and debauchery ARRRRG

He was an East coast Indian Charlie with a more fashionable pedigree.

I was struck by how fond the groom was of him...the groom clearly liked all the stallions, but reserved a particular warmth for Pulpit, so I had to include him in some shots.

Indian Charlie: 5 lifetime starts, 4 wins, 1 third. Beaten 5/2 favorite when 3rd in the KY Derby

Pulpit: 6 lifetime starts, 4 wins, 1 second, Was fourth as the morning line favorite in the Kentucky Derby. Drifted up to 5/1 odds.

Both of them had big speed figures throughout and good stallion careers. Both never raced again after the Derby.

Only real contrast ... one of them was by A. P. Indy out of good Claiborne mare. The other was by In Excess out of an overachieving multiple Graded Stakes winning Leo Castelli mare.

That, and the quality of mares they each received.

Both passed in December at a young age.

1997 Gulfstream Park Allowance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jqo2MJYqq2I

1997 Fountain Of Youth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoC8JZdnS3M

1997 Blue Grass Stakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIjuknXJw14

Huge fan !!! RIP

thx :tro:

Can't believe it's been 15 years already since he burst on the scene that winter at Gulfstream.

Tough loss for the breeding industry. One of the few success stories.

Lives On Thru Tapit
 

Tapit is an amazing sire, and ensures that Pulpit's line will endure. Zen is carrying a Tapit :D

Loved Flashback, grandson of Pulpit, today!

Remember visiting Claiborne farm in Oct. of 2010. They brought out Pulpit for the guests to take pictures and stand next to Pulpit. We were surprized on how well behaved and how Pulpit stood still for about five to ten minutes. Pulpit was one of my favorite stallions, and I wagered on many of his offspring. R.I.P.