Grandsire West Australian Country United States Breeder A. J. Alexander Parents Australian Earnings 27,250 USD Children Hastings, Kingston | Foaled 1876 Colour Chestnut Species Equus caballus Sex Stallion Damsire Lexington | |
 | ||
Owner 1) Daniel Swigert
2) James R. Keene | ||
Spendthrift (foaled 1876 in Kentucky – 21 October 1900) was a successful American Thoroughbred racehorse and an outstanding sire.
Contents
Breeding
Bred by A. J. Alexander and foaled at his Woodburn Stud, he was sired by the English-bred stallion, Australian, who was in turn the son of West Australian, England's first Triple Crown winner, out of Aerolite by Lexington. He was a brother to Fellowcraft and half brother to Addie C. (the dam of the Kentucky Derby winner Chant (by Falsetto). They were from the old American family number, A3.
Spendthrift was bought by Daniel Swigert for $1,000 (equal to about $22,000 today) at the Woodburn yearling sale and named for Swigert's wife's extravagant spending habits in New York.
Racing record
He was undefeated for Swigert as a two-year-old and sold to James R. Keene for $15,000 (equal to about $370,000 today).
At three, trained by Col. Thomas Puryear, Spendthrift was sent east; finishing second to a stablemate in the Withers Stakes before going on to easily win the Belmont Stakes. He then won the Lorillard Stakes, after being kicked at the start. Then he won the Jersey Derby.
In 1880, Spendthrift was one of a group of horses, which included Lord Murphy and Foxhall, that were sent by Keene to be trained in England.
Spendthrift was retired as a five-year-old to the farm of William Kenney near Lexington, Kentucky. In all, his record stands as 16 starts, with 9 wins and 5 places.
Stud record
He was sold by Keene in 1884 and spent some time first at Dr. E. M. Norwood's farm near Lexington, then Hartland Stud, then Spendthrift Stud, before ending up at Overton Chenault's farm.
Some of his outstanding progeny were
Spendthrift-died of old age at 24, on October 21, 1900.