Papa Clem
Encyclopedia
Papa Clem is an American Thoroughbred
racehorse
who was a contender for the 2009 U.S. Triple Crown
. Papa Clem was bred and raced by Bo Hirsch who named the Southern California
-based colt for his late father, Clement Hirsch
, a respected Thoroughbred owner/breeder and a co-founder of the Oak Tree Racing Association
. Clement Hirsch's grandchildren all called him "Papa Clem."
Papa Clem was sired by Smart Strike
, the Leading sire in North America
in 2007 and 2008. His dam was Miss Houdini who was bred by Clement Hirsch and raced by Bo Hirsch. Miss Houdini was the 2002 winner of the Grade I
Del Mar Debutante Stakes
. Damsire, Belong To Me, was a stakes-winning son of three-time Leading sire in North America
, Danzig
. Papa Clem is conditioned for racing by trainer Gary Stute, son of long-time California trainer Melvin Stute
and nephew of the late Warren Stute who trained horses for Clement Hirsch for more than 40 years.
At age two, Papa Clem debuted in November of 2008 at Hollywood Park Racetrack and won for the first time in his third and final start at Santa Anita Park
. He made his three-year-old debut on February 9th at Santa Anita where he ran second by a head to Pioneerof the Nile
in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes
. His next race was the March 14th Louisiana Derby
where, on a sloppy track at the Fair Grounds Race Course
, he finished second by 7¼ lengths behind Friesan Fire
. In the April 11th $1 million Arkansas Derby
on a fast track, Papa Clem came from behind to catch race favorite Old Fashioned
and then battle with him down the homestretch to a win by a half-length.
Papa Clem finished fourth in the May 2, 2009 Kentucky Derby
, the first leg of the U.S. Triple Crown series.
At age 4, after dropping six races in a row, Papa Clem battled for, and won, the 2010 San Fernando Stakes.
Papa Clem was retired to stud in 2010 and currently stands at Legacy Ranch in Clements, California
for $6,500.
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...
who was a contender for the 2009 U.S. Triple Crown
United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
In the United States, the "Triple Crown" is usually the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, a series of three Thoroughbred horse races for three-year-old horses run in May and early June of each year consisting of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.While Daily Racing Form...
. Papa Clem was bred and raced by Bo Hirsch who named the Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
-based colt for his late father, Clement Hirsch
Clement L. Hirsch
Clement Lang Hirsch was an American businessman and a prominent Thoroughbred racehorse owner who co-founded Oak Tree Racing Association....
, a respected Thoroughbred owner/breeder and a co-founder of the Oak Tree Racing Association
Oak Tree Racing Association
The Oak Tree Racing Association is an American not-for-profit corporation that exists to conduct live thoroughbred horse racing in Southern California.-History:...
. Clement Hirsch's grandchildren all called him "Papa Clem."
Papa Clem was sired by Smart Strike
Smart Strike
Smart Strike is a Canadian Thoroughbred racehorse. The son of the Champion sire, Mr. Prospector, and out of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame mare Classy 'n Smart, Smart Strike is a half-brother to 1991 Canadian Triple Crown champion Dance Smartly.Owned and bred by Sam-Son Farm, on the...
, the Leading sire in North America
Leading sire in North America
The list below shows the leading sire of Thoroughbred racehorses in North America for each year since 1830. This is determined by the amount of prizemoney won by the sire's progeny during the year...
in 2007 and 2008. His dam was Miss Houdini who was bred by Clement Hirsch and raced by Bo Hirsch. Miss Houdini was the 2002 winner of the Grade I
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
Del Mar Debutante Stakes
Del Mar Debutante Stakes
The Del Mar Debutante Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race restricted to two-year-old fillies run each year in early September at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California...
. Damsire, Belong To Me, was a stakes-winning son of three-time Leading sire in North America
Leading sire in North America
The list below shows the leading sire of Thoroughbred racehorses in North America for each year since 1830. This is determined by the amount of prizemoney won by the sire's progeny during the year...
, Danzig
Danzig (horse)
Danzig was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who is best known as a leading sire. He was purchased for $310,000 by Henryk de Kwiatkowski at the 1978 Saratoga Yearling Sale...
. Papa Clem is conditioned for racing by trainer Gary Stute, son of long-time California trainer Melvin Stute
Melvin F. Stute
Melvin Frederick "Mel" Stute is an American trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses. On December 11, 2010 at Hollywood Park Racetrack he won the 2000th race of a career that includes a win in the second leg of the U.S...
and nephew of the late Warren Stute who trained horses for Clement Hirsch for more than 40 years.
At age two, Papa Clem debuted in November of 2008 at Hollywood Park Racetrack and won for the first time in his third and final start at Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent racing events in the United States during the winter and in spring. With its backdrop of the purple San Gabriel Mountains, it is considered by many as the world's most beautiful race...
. He made his three-year-old debut on February 9th at Santa Anita where he ran second by a head to Pioneerof the Nile
Pioneerof the Nile
Pioneerof the Nile is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who was one of the favorites going into the May 2, 2009 Kentucky Derby. Bred and raced by Zayat Stables, he was sired by 2003 Belmont Stakes winner, Empire Maker, a son of the 1990 Breeders' Cup Classic winner, Unbridled...
in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes
Robert B. Lewis Stakes
The Robert B. Lewis Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in early March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Raced over a distance of 11/16 miles on dirt, the Grade II race is open to three-year-old horses...
. His next race was the March 14th Louisiana Derby
Louisiana Derby
The Louisiana Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana. Usually run in early March, the race is open to horses, age three, willing to race 11/8 miles on the dirt. A Grade II event, it currently offers a purse of...
where, on a sloppy track at the Fair Grounds Race Course
Fair Grounds Race Course
Fair Grounds Race Course, often known as New Orleans Fair Grounds, is a thoroughbred racetrack and racino in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is operated by Churchill Downs Louisiana Horseracing Company, LLC....
, he finished second by 7¼ lengths behind Friesan Fire
Friesan Fire
Friesan Fire is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. He was sired by 1992 American Horse of the Year, A.P. Indy, a son of the 1977 U.S. Triple Crown winner, Seattle Slew. His dam, Bollinger, is an Australian Group One winner and a daughter of the 1993 American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt, Dehere...
. In the April 11th $1 million Arkansas Derby
Arkansas Derby
The Arkansas Derby is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is currently a Grade I race run over a distance of 9 furlongs on dirt....
on a fast track, Papa Clem came from behind to catch race favorite Old Fashioned
Old Fashioned (horse)
Old Fashioned is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who was one of the top winterbook favorites for the 2009 Kentucky Derby until an injury in April's Arkansas Derby forced him to retire....
and then battle with him down the homestretch to a win by a half-length.
Papa Clem finished fourth in the May 2, 2009 Kentucky Derby
2009 Kentucky Derby
The 2009 Kentucky Derby was the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby. The value of the race was $2,177,000 in stakes. The race was sponsored by Yum! Brands and hence officially was called Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands. The race took place on May 2, 2009, and was televised in the United...
, the first leg of the U.S. Triple Crown series.
At age 4, after dropping six races in a row, Papa Clem battled for, and won, the 2010 San Fernando Stakes.
Papa Clem was retired to stud in 2010 and currently stands at Legacy Ranch in Clements, California
Clements, California
Clements is an unincorporated community in San Joaquin County, California, United States. Clements is located on California State Route 12 and California State Route 88 east-northeast of Lodi. Clements has a post office with ZIP code 95227, which was established in 1882. The community is named...
for $6,500.