El Rio Rey
Encyclopedia
El Rio Rey was an undefeated American Thoroughbred
racehorse
. He was voted the American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt.
Theodore Winters at his Rancho del Rio breeding farm near Sacramento, California
where he had both El Rio Rey's important sire, Norfolk and his dam, Marian
. The outstanding mare
of her era in the American West, Marian (1871–1893) was also the dam of Yo Tambien
as a result of Theodore Winters mating her to his stallion, Joe Hooker. El Rio Rey was a full brother to the good racehorse, Emperor of Norfolk
and Czar as well as six other horses. These colts were inbred to Glencoe in the third and fourth (3m x 4f) generation.
and St. Louis, Missouri
before heading to New York
where the publicity surrounding his racing abilities as a full brother to the great Emperor of Norfolk
drew a huge crowd to Morris Park Racecourse
to see him win the August 25 Great Eclipse Stakes. On the same track, he then won the inaugural running of the six furlong
(1,200 meters) White Plains Handicap on August 31 against a field of 14 horses in track record time while carrying 126 pounds (57 kilograms). The next day's issue of the New York Times declared him the best two-year-old in the country, stating that horsemen consider him "the greatest colt ever foaled." El Rio Rey followed up with another win in September's Prospect Stakes at the Gravesend Race Track
. The colt ended his two year-old campaign undefeated, having won all seven starts.
In 1890, El Rio Rey was scheduled to run but breathing problems led to the belief that he was a roarer
and his career eventually ended without making a start at age three. That year, Theodore Winters sold his California properties to return to Nevada after he had been selected the Democratic Party's
candidate for Governor of Nevada. He relocated his breeding operations to his Rancho del Sierra in Nevada's Washoe Valley
with El Rio Rey and Joe Hooker as his main stallions.
El Rio Rey sired some Californian race winners.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
. He was voted the American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt.
Breeding
He was bred by NevadanNevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
Theodore Winters at his Rancho del Rio breeding farm near Sacramento, California
Sacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
where he had both El Rio Rey's important sire, Norfolk and his dam, Marian
Marian
Marian may refer to:* Marian , people with the given name Marian* Maid Marian, companion of Robin Hood* Marian, an adjective for things relating to Gaius Marius...
. The outstanding mare
Mare
Female horses are called mares.Mare is the Latin word for "sea".The word may also refer to:-People:* Ahmed Marzooq, also known as Mare, a footballer and Secretary General of Maldives Olympic Committee* Mare Winningham, American actress and singer...
of her era in the American West, Marian (1871–1893) was also the dam of Yo Tambien
Yo Tambien
Yo Tambien was an American Thoroughbred racing filly bred in California by Theodore Winters, a breeder and major landholder from the Washoe Valley in Nevada sometimes called "Black T" due to his huge, black, T-shaped moustache....
as a result of Theodore Winters mating her to his stallion, Joe Hooker. El Rio Rey was a full brother to the good racehorse, Emperor of Norfolk
Emperor of Norfolk
Emperor of Norfolk was a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse. Because he was big with huge hindquarters and because of his stellar racing record, he was called the "California Wonder."-Going to California:...
and Czar as well as six other horses. These colts were inbred to Glencoe in the third and fourth (3m x 4f) generation.
Racing record
El Rio Rey's race conditioning was supervised by the head of the Theodore Winters racing stable, Alfred H. Estell, as well as trainer, William H. McCormick. As a two-year-old racing in 1889, El Rio Rey competed at racetracks in ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
before heading to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
where the publicity surrounding his racing abilities as a full brother to the great Emperor of Norfolk
Emperor of Norfolk
Emperor of Norfolk was a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse. Because he was big with huge hindquarters and because of his stellar racing record, he was called the "California Wonder."-Going to California:...
drew a huge crowd to Morris Park Racecourse
Morris Park Racecourse
Morris Park Racecourse was an American thoroughbred horse racing facility from 1889 until 1904. It was located in a part of Westchester County, New York that was annexed into the Bronx in 1895 and later became known as Morris Park...
to see him win the August 25 Great Eclipse Stakes. On the same track, he then won the inaugural running of the six furlong
Furlong
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and U.S. customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to 220 yards, 660 feet, 40 rods, or 10 chains. The exact value of the furlong varies slightly among English-speaking countries....
(1,200 meters) White Plains Handicap on August 31 against a field of 14 horses in track record time while carrying 126 pounds (57 kilograms). The next day's issue of the New York Times declared him the best two-year-old in the country, stating that horsemen consider him "the greatest colt ever foaled." El Rio Rey followed up with another win in September's Prospect Stakes at the Gravesend Race Track
Gravesend Race Track
Gravesend Race Track at Gravesend on Coney Island, New York was a Thoroughbred horse racing facility built by the Brooklyn Jockey Club as a result of the backing of the wealthy racing stable owners, the Dwyer Brothers. Philip J...
. The colt ended his two year-old campaign undefeated, having won all seven starts.
In 1890, El Rio Rey was scheduled to run but breathing problems led to the belief that he was a roarer
Laryngeal paralysis
Laryngeal paralysis in animals is a condition in which the nerves and muscles that control the movements of one or both arytenoid cartilages of the larynx cease to function, and instead of opening during inspiration and closing during swallowing, the arytenoids remain stationary in a somewhat...
and his career eventually ended without making a start at age three. That year, Theodore Winters sold his California properties to return to Nevada after he had been selected the Democratic Party's
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
candidate for Governor of Nevada. He relocated his breeding operations to his Rancho del Sierra in Nevada's Washoe Valley
Washoe Valley, Nevada
Washoe Valley, Nevada is a geographical region in the United States covering sixty-six square miles in southern Washoe County in the state of Nevada. Located between Reno and Carson City, it is named for the Washoe people, Native Americans who lived there before the arrival of Europeans...
with El Rio Rey and Joe Hooker as his main stallions.
El Rio Rey sired some Californian race winners.