Fonso
| Fonso | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sire | King Alfonso |
| Grandsire | Phaeton |
| Dam | Weatherwitch |
| Damsire | Weatherbit |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1877 |
| Country | United States |
| Colour | Chestnut |
| Breeder | A. J. Alexander |
| Owner | J. S. Shawhan |
| Trainer | Tice Hutsell |
| Record | 12: 5-3-2 |
| Earnings | $8,175 |
| Major wins | |
|
Maiden Stakes (1879) Colt Stakes (1879) Phoenix Stakes (1880) American Classic Race wins: Kentucky Derby (1880) | |
Fonso (1877–1903) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse and was the winner of the 1880 Kentucky Derby. Fonso was bred in Kentucky[1] and was a chestnut colt sired by King Alfonso out of the mare Weatherwitch.
Fonso won the Phoenix Stakes as a three-year-old over Luke Blackburn who finished third, but is best remembered for going on to beat the favored Kimball in the 1880 Kentucky Derby.[2] The track was particularly dry and the dust, up to 5 inches thick, Fonso kicked up obscured the path for the other contenders.[3] Fonso finished the race with a one length lead at a time of 2:37.50 and won $3800. The owner of Kimball called a foul in the race against Fonso, but the placing was not altered. Fonso had a career record of 12 starts, 5 wins, 3 places and 2 shows.[1][3]
Fonso died at the age of 26 while standing as stud at the Oakwood Stud Farm in Lexington, Kentucky in 1903.[2] His most notable offspring was the mare Fondling (br. 1886, out of Kitty Heron by Chillicothe), who produced the champion filly Imp.
References
- 1 2 Fonso's Pedigree
- 1 2 "Fonso dead". The New York Times. 14 July 1903. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
- 1 2 1880 Derby notes