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Paddy O'Prado: 2007 gr./ro. c. by El Prado (Ire) - Fun House, by Prized
Trainer: Dale Romans. Owner: Donegal Racing. Breeder: Winchell Thoroughbreds, LLC (Ky). Race record: 14-5-3-3, $1,721,297. Stakes wins: Secretariat (G1), Dixie (G2), Virginia Derby (G2), Colonial Turf Cup (G2), Palm Beach (G3).
If ever a horse begged for retirement, it was Paddy O’Prado.
Don’t get me wrong. Paddy was in prime racing condition - a powerhouse Grade I winner, a fierce competitor, and so beautiful he could be cast in movies. I, like most fans, was very saddened by the colt's premature retirement. But…. dang! Not since Rubiano have I followed a horse who was so, um….ready for action.
In the barn area, the paddock or walking to and from the track, the dappled Arabian-like beauty would raise his head high, toss his salt-and-pepper mane, and cast a ‘come hither' look toward ponies or fellow racehorses. Paddy's eyes and ears would lock on his goal as he let out a heartfelt rumble or two…or more….
You could sometimes hear him before he came into view, throaty noises indicating his approach. And when racing's good-natured ‘bad boy’ strutted into view - his tail a flag, his eyes brilliant, his manhood occasionally prompting a photographic R-rating - well, he just made people laugh. He was fun!
Enjoy your retirement, my magnificent grey friend. Something tells me you'll be ready for your test breeding.
Above: Paddy O'Prado and Kent Desormeaux in a competitive moment - Dixie Handicap (G2) at Pimlico, 5-21-11.
Above: Paddy O'Prado as a maiden 2-year-old - before the With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga, 9-4-09.
Above and below: Paddy O'Prado and Robby Albarado, With Anticipation Stakes, Saratoga 9-4-09. Below: The first time past the wire. Paddy finished third, behind Interactif and Jung Man Scott.
Above and below: Paddy O'Prado with his attentive trainer Dale Romans, Pimlico 2011.
Above: With Kent Desormeaux up in the 2010 Kentucky Derby post parade. Paddy finished third.
Above: At his Churchill Downs home base, with regular exercise rider Fastino Aguilar in the irons.
Above: Cranky Paddy. Below: Happy Paddy.
Above: Paddy O'Prado and Tammy Fox laying 'em down at Churchill Downs during Derby week 2010.
Above: Supermodel Paddy O'Prado eyes something interesting at Gulfstream Park, February 2011.
Above: Tammy Fox takes the Romans' barn's beloved Paddy O'Prado for a spin on a frosty Churchill Downs morning.
Above and below: Paddy O'Prado's final victory, the Dixie (G2) at Pimlico on May 21, 2011 - with regular pilot Kent Desormeaux up.
Sláinte, Paddy O'Prado! Enjoy your second career!
Video: Paddy O'Prado winning the G2 Dixie on the Preakness undercard at Pimlico: www.youtube.com/watch
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I saw Paddy win the Virginia Derby and he came into the saddling paddock exactly as described, head high, squealing as if to say "Here I am, everyone!" I am saddened by his premature retirement, but I'm glad he will be okay.
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LOVE these photos of Paddy. He's a very fun horse -- I've been lucky enough to meet him and I can definitely say he's a feisty Irishman! :) I hope we'll see some great offspring from this incredible boy.
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Hi Barbara,
“tis a somewhat old post, but Paddy O 'Prado, I feel, will be well remembered.”
At some point someone will note: that in a sport looking for exciting, successful figures, Paddy O ' Prado fit the bill.
Being Grade–3 stakes placed, with a third in the With Anticipation at Saratoga at 2 yrs old, he blossomed at age 3.
PoP won the G-1 Secretariat at AP, as well as, the G-2 Colonial Turf Cup and Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs. Add in the G-3 Palm Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park (maiden win) with a 2nd in the G-1 Joe Hirsch Turf (Bel) and turf running figured to be this ones game (he still is an El Prado).
But he also ran a credible 2nd in the Blue Grass on synthetics and was 3rd in the Kentucky Derby.
He hit all the marks.
So it with sadness that we see his only effort at 4 yrs old to be a win, on turf, in the G-2 Dixie H where he incurred an injury that forced his retirement.
The final line of:14 starts, 5 wins, 3 2nd, 3 3rd for 1.7 million,
sounds good to me.
Thank you so much (as always).
Really like all the new sideshows that keep popping up.
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Barbara
Ahhhh, one of my favorite PGH. Your top selection is such a classic, regal pose and with the frame accent around Paddy O' Prado ...he is the definition of 'pretty as a picture.'
I always enjoy stopping by to look :)
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4th pic up,
the wide black eye with flared nostrils.
kinda points to distress (Houston we have a problem),
and still he went on.
We will miss you!
doo doo do doo(heart-breaker:(
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Such a beautiful boy. His presence on the track will be sorely missed. I expected him to be the champion American turf horse this year. Enjoy your "retirement," Paddy O!
These pictures of Paddy perfectly illustrate the designation gray/roan, as opposed to the colorations listed separately. In some, he looks perfectly gray; while in others, classic roan. It must be a function of the way his coat reflects variations of light...?
I didn't have a chance to comment on your last 2 blogs, Barbara, but I enjoyed them immensely - several times ;-) I'm very much looking forward to your presentation of TC pictures, of which I'm sure you have a zillion.
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Beautiful photos of a beautiful boy! Thank you for sharing! He will be missed, but we all know how happy he's going to be in his new "career"....lol!!
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Paddy yes Muffy awaits you
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Thank you so much for your tribute to Paddy O'Prado. I loved his sire and I loved Paddy, and was looking forward to his races this year. I'll miss him, but it does sound like he'll have no trouble adjusting to his new life. I hope it's a long and happy one.
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Will miss rooting for Paddy at the races. Thank you for the beautiful G-rated photos!
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Movie Star handsome for sure! Thanks for sharing Barbara's wonderful images of him during his racing career. Looking forward to seeing baby Paddy O's soon!
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Movie Star handsome for sure! Thanks for sharing Barbara's wonderful images of him and I am looking forward to seeing lil Paddy O's running soon!
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Thank you for sharing your gorgeous photos and memories so generously with us! It is a disappointment for him to be retired, but while we had him racing, it was so much fun to enjoy him! With his beautiful looks and talent, I hope he passes both to his offspring. Again...thank you!
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You know,
when I first went to the track,
I found a gray much to my liking.
The horse was old, but had a certain kind of grace.
My companion said, in shock, "how can you like a gray"?
Later, I found out that beauty is found from within.
And I still like grays.
tyb
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Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos of Paddy. While I am sad I won't get to see his gorgeous self on the track anymore, I am grateful he retired whole and sound.
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Happy Retirement Paddy, thank you for the memories and for making Dale proud.
Hay Jude is waiting for you.
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Ms Barb .. does it again ..!
I looked at that first photo for along time .. and was taken far away .. to places beyond the here and now and recent.. Oh ..! Paddy O .. The grays .. with the darker mains and tails .. is there anything that says "RACEHORSE" .. like a gray ..? It then dawned on me .. what it was about that first photo .. Paddy standing clear against a muted background .. It's how all the great races horse where rendered before cameras & photographs (or at least early on) .. images of runners regal .. beyond reality ..!
I sure hope the "Cheese" at DRF .. is figuring out what fans like about you blog ..? That it's quality photos and text .. about all the good things we fans love about "the sport" .. even us old degenerate gamblers.. if you could only ad the sounds and smells of at the track as background .. I'd stop watching TV .. say .. ever thought about doing "Blogs on Tape/DVD" .. : )
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Hi Barbara,
I always enjoy the grays and Paddy was no exception.
The Virginia Derby is proving to be a good indicator of quality recently.
As is the With Anticipation at the Spa.
Sad to see him hurt, but he went out a winner (gritty).
And you say it all," Enjoy your second career", indeed!
Thanks;)- as always.
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Go Paddy Go! Pass on your beauty and race genes.
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Thanks for the beautiful photos of Mr. Paddy O'Prado. I was lucky to see him at the Breeder's Cup.
Will surely miss him on the track. Have a good and healthy retirement big guy. :):)
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Great article and fabulous pictures as always Barbara!!! Thanks for sharing!
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I've really enjoyed seeing your photos of Paddy O'Prado. WHat a stud! It was interesting learning more about his attitude as well. Horses are such gorgeous creatures and Paddy certainly could steal the show. I too am sad he is leaving racing but I'm sure we'll see little Paddys running around one of these days. I hope to see him one day in person. I'm sure he is even more stunning close up. Thank you.
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that you Barbara for these gorgeous pictures of Paddy -- I, too, am so saddened at his early retirement. had seen him for the first time at Colonial Downs in VA and was bowled over with his striking beauty and grace.
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One of my absolute, all-time favorites. You'll be missed Paddy!
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Thanks as always for your beautiful pictures. I wanted Paddy to win last years Derby and 3rd wasn't too shabby !! He truly is a magnificent dappled grey/roan and will be missed.
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Thank you for the lovely pictures. I liked this horse but never got to see him in person, so didn't know about his individual personality! Hopefully plenty of mares will be sent his way.
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Paddy O'Prado is a great grandson of one of Our Mims Retirement Haven's first mares: My Turbulent Miss. We've followed his career eagerly and wish him the best in retirement!
As always, a fantastic photo essay, Barbara!
Rock on, girlfriend!
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I got choked up looking at all the beautiful photos of Paddy! He was my favorite horse in training, and I'm still so sad about his retirement. I had been anxiously awaiting his 2011 debut for months, and it was sad to only get a taste of what might have been for him this year. Thank you so much for sharing these. I feel blessed to have seen him race twice in person, at the Blue Grass, and the Breeders' Cup last year. He was stunning for sure. I hope he goes to a fan-friendly farm, where I can pay him MANY visits, and maybe give him a pet or two. Thanks again, Barbara!
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