Sgt. Pepper Feature
American Quarter Horse champion, Sgt. Pepper Feature, was foaled in 1978 and was bred by Tom S. Neff of Colorado City, Tx. His sire, Truckle Feature, still holds the record fastest time for the 440-yard distance — 21:02 recorded at Ruidoso Downs in 1973. His dam, Marketina (TB), by Corner The Market (TB), was at one time a co-world record holder at the same distance for Thoroughbreds.
Sgt. Pepper Feature claimed numerous stakes titles and championships in his racing career, including selections by the American Quarter Horse Association as the 1981 Champion Quarter Running Three-Year-Old and Champion Quarter Running Three-Year-Old Gelding. The next year, at the top of his career, Sgt. Pepper Feature claimed the title of 1982 World Champion Quarter Running Horse.
The American Quarter Horse Association awarded championship titles to Sgt. Pepper Feature three times, including World Champion Quarter Running Horse of 1982. He won 13 stakes races, including the remarkable accomplishment of winning five major stakes in succession, and earned nearly $1 million on the track.
Sgt. Pepper Feature earned more than $900,000 on the track, claiming 20 wins including 13 stakes victories. At one point in his career, Sgt. Pepper Feature won a remarkable series of five major stakes races in succession, culminating with the prestigious 1982 Champion of Champions at Los Alamitos Racecourse.
Sgt. Pepper Feature arrived at the Kentucky Horse Park in 1988 at the age of nine. On October 13, 2003 at the age of 25, he was humanely euthanized due to complications of colic. He is buried at the Hall of Champions alongside his former stablemates.
American Quarter Horse
Bay Gelding
Foaled February 1, 1978 in Colorado City, Texas
Died October 13, 2003 at the Kentucky Horse Park
By Truckle Feature, out of Marketina (TB)
Breeder: Tom S. Neff
Owner: Owner: Messrs, Baffert, Mitchell, Hubbard, Pegram, Earnhardt and Earnhardt
Trainer: Mike Robbins
Titles / Awards
AQHA Register of Merit (1980)
AQHA Superior (1981)
Champion Quarter Running Three-year-old (1981)
Champion Quarter Running Three-year-old Gelding (1981)
World Champion Quarter Running Horse (1982)
Champion Aged Quarter Running Horse (1982)
Champion Aged Quarter Running Gelding (1982)
Ranked 8th on all time money earners list (1982)
Won 11 consecutive races (one short of the record)
Lifetime earnings: $900,237
Notable Wins
Champion of Champions
Los Alamitos Derby
Golden State Futurity
Golden State Derby
Foster City Handicap
Dash for Cash Derby
Laddie Handicap
Skoal Dash for Cash Maturity
Chicado V Handicap
Director’s Handicap
Los Alamitos Championship
Big Profit Handicap
Ruidoso 550 Championship
Quarter Horse Racing
Quarter Horse racing is a form of horse racing open only to American Quarter Horses. These horses are generally short and stocky and are known for running short distances. Quarter Horse races are measured in yards and an average race is around 440 yards, or ¼ of a mile.
Hall of Champion Resident
1988 – October 2003
