Country United States Species Equus caballus Parents Cormorant Earnings 1.381 million USD | ||
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Foaled (1991-04-18) April 18, 1991 (age 25) Breeder Pamela duPont Darmstadt Owner William J. Condren & Joseph M. Cornacchia |
Kentucky derby winner go for gin
Go for Gin (foaled April 18, 1991 in Kentucky) is an American thoroughbred racehorse best known as the winner of the 1994 Kentucky Derby. He was sired by Cormorant out of the dam Never Knock. He was ridden in the Derby by Chris McCarron, who had previously won the race on Alysheba.
Contents
- Kentucky derby winner go for gin
- Go for gin at bonita farm
- Racing history
- 1994 Kentucky Derby
- Race record at age 2
- Race Record at age 3
- Race record at age 4
- History at stud
- Post Retirement
- References

Born in Kentucky in 1991, Go for Gin was bred by Pamela duPont Darmstadt and trained by Nick Zito, who also trained 1991 Kentucky Derby winner Strike the Gold.

In 1995, Go for Gin suffered a small tear of a tendon sheath in his left foreleg while working out at Belmont Park. This precipitated his retirement to stud.

Go for Gin is the second oldest living Kentucky Derby winner next to Sea Hero.
Go for gin at bonita farm
Racing history

Go for Gin started 19 races, winning five and running in the money 14 times. Though he challenged for the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, he never won again, losing his last nine races.
1994 Kentucky Derby
The 120th Kentucky Derby was held on May 7, 1994, over a sloppy track. The race went off at 5:34 p.m. local time. Go for Gin entered the race at 9.10:1 odds, behind Holy Bull at 2.20, Brocco at 4.30, Tabasco Cat at 6.10, and Strodes Creek at 7.90. He started by ducking out, forcing Tabasco Cat into Brocco. By the 1/4 mile pole, Go for Gin moved up to second place behind Ulises. At the 1/2 mile pole, he led by half a length. As he entered the stretch, he increased the lead to four lengths. Strodes Creek and Blumin Affair both made late charges, closing the gap, but Go for Gin won by two lengths in a time of 2:03.72 and netted US$628,800 for the victory. Tabasco Cat finished sixth in this race but won that year's other two legs of the Triple Crown. Go for Gin placed second in both of those races.
Race record at age 2
Race Record at age 3
Race record at age 4
History at stud
Go for Gin was retired to stud in 1995 at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky. In 2004, he was sold to Bonita Farm in Darlington, Maryland. His stud feed as of 2007 is US$4000. He is the sire of Albert the Great, who retired with lifetime winnings in excess of US$3 million and has sired Nobiz Like Shobiz. His runners have earned an average US$71,742 per starter. He has sired seven stakes winners. In total, Go for Gin offspring have netted more than US$22 million in career winnings.
Post-Retirement
On August 11, 2011, Go for Gin moved to the Kentucky Horse Park, an equine industry showplace in Lexington, Kentucky. Along with stablemates including Funny Cide, he greets visitors daily.