Da Hoss
Thoroughbred Gelding
Quick Facts
Earnings
$1.9 million
Record
20 starts, 12-5-2
Retired
1999
A plain bay gelding with two white socks, Da Hoss may not stand out in a crowd, but his accomplishments made him a giant among equine athletes.
The story of Da Hoss includes an eccentric British trainer, patient owners and a courageous equine athlete who overcame numerous physical issues to stage an unlikely and emotional comeback.
Purchased as a weanling for only $6,000, itโs apparent that Da Hoss did not โlookโ like a champion.
His speed was apparent early in his career. In the ATBA Stakes, he blazed six furlongs in 1:07 โ , a new world record for two-year-olds. Da Hoss proved that he could stretch that speed out as a three-year-old, winning graded stakes on dirt and turf at distances from 6 furlongs to 1ยผ miles.
The world took notice in the 1996 Breeders’ Cup Mile, when Da Hoss defeated European turf specialists Spinning World and Mark of Esteem.
Da Hossโ absence from racing redefined the meaning of a โlongโ layoff.
Back in training following the victory, his return to racing took a series of wrong turns. He missed all of 1997 and most of 1998 due to a variety of physical problems.
Da Hossโ competitive spirit actually complicated his recovery. Even while training, he always wanted to give 100%.
He returned to the starting gate in the fall of 1998, just three weeks prior to that yearโs Breeders’ Cup races, and won an allowance race at Colonial Downs.
Racing fans and experts alike were shocked at the announcement that Da Hoss was entered in the 1998 BC Mile, where he would once again face the best in the world. . . after only one race in two years.
In an earth-shaking upset, Da Hoss showed grit, class and courage. In deep stretch, he was passed by British runner Hawksley Hill, and it looked like a second-place finish would be the best Da Hoss could accomplish.
But, Da Hoss battled back, dug in for the final strides, and staged โthe greatest comeback since Lazarusโ with the win.
โRarely has there been a winning race that showed off such a tremendous training feat and such courage from a horse.โ
Lexington Herald Leader
Michael Dickinson, Da Hossโs trainer for his big wins, earned two nicknames: โMad Geniusโ and โPicky Dicky.โ
Da Hoss had to deal with physical problems from early on. His trainer explains some of the hurdles they had to overcome here.
Da Hoss was the first gelding to win two Breederโs Cup races.
Notable Wins
1994
ATBA Stakes
1995
Del Mar Invitational Derby (G2)
Jersey Derby (G2)
Best Turn Stakes (G3)
1996 & 1998
Breederโs Cup Mile (G1)
โIn any sport, human or equine, it’s tough to get to the top and win the crown, lose it, and win it back again. We’ll need a minor miracle.โ
Michael Dickinson, before 1998 BC Mile
Facts
Earnings
$1.9 million
Record
20 starts, 12-5-2
Retired
1999
Pedigree
Gone West,
Jolly Saint
Nickname
The Comeback King
Attributes
Bay Gelding
Foaled
1992
Died
January 2022
Height
16 hands
Trainer
Michael Dickinson, Kevin Eikleberry
Breeders
Fares Farms
Owner
John Velasquez, Fares Farm, Prestonwood Farm, Inc. & Wall Street Racing, Inc.
Jockey
Gary Stevens
Hall of Champion Resident