In 1986, the third Breeders’ Cup was held for the first time under the majestic San Gabriel Mountains at Santa Anita. A record Breeders’ Cup crowd of 69,155 were on hand to witness the racing action. “Capote” was the favorite in a deep and talented field assembled for the Juvenile race at Santa Anita with jockey Laffit Pincay, Jr. He broke on top and never was seriously threatened, coasting to the wire 1 ½ lengths at the finish for trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Capote was a regally-bred son of Seattle Slew purchased for $800,000 at the Keeneland yearling sales by a partnership of longtime Lukas clients,
winning the Norfolk Stakes at Santa Anita three weeks before the Juvenile. He was voted Eclipse champion. This lot features the elegantly crafted trophy that Capote’s owners walked away with that day at the Breeders’ Cup.
Standing 8.5” wide by 13.5” tall, the trophy includes a large red-and-white marble base that stretches 4.25 inches high and 8.5 inches wide. A sculptured, nine-inch tall prancing horse made of solid bronze is featured on top and is called an ecorche, which illustrates the muscles of the horse in great detail. The trophy
includes a wraparound gold band that has been engraved on both sides with important information from the event and about the winning horse. The front side reads: “L.R. FRENCH JR., EUGENE V. KLEIN AND BARRY BEAL’S CAPOTE, Seattle Slew – Too Bald by Bald Eagle – WINNER – THIRD RUNNING, BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE, Santa Anita Park, November 1, 1986.” The second engraving, which appears on the opposite side, reads: “CAPOTE, Dark Bay or Brown Colt – 1984, Bred by North Ridge Farm, Trainer – D. Wayne Lukas, Jockey – Laffit Pincay Jr.” The trophy weighs just over 17 pounds.
Includes Letter of Provenance from the San Diego Hall of Champions.