# Court Vision

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American Thoroughbred racehorse

Court Vision Court Vision before the Manhattan Handicap Sire Gulch Grandsire Mr. Prospector Dam Weekend Storm Damsire Storm Bird Sex Stallion Foaled March 27, 2005 Country United States Colour Dark bay Breeder W. S. Farish & Kilroy Thoroughbred Partnership Owner WinStar Farm (2007) WinStar & IEAH Stables (2008–11) Spendthrift Farm Trainer William Mott (2007–2009) Richard Dutrow (2009–2011) Dale Romans (2011) Record 31: 9-4-4 Earnings $3,746,658[1] Major wins Iroquois Stakes (2007) Remsen Stakes (2007) Jamaica Handicap (2008) Hollywood Derby (2008) Shadwell Turf Mile (2009) Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (2010) Woodbine Mile (2010) Breeders' Cup wins: Breeders' Cup Mile (2011)

**Court Vision** (foaled March 27, 2005 in Kentucky) is a retired racehorse who was a five-time [Grade I](/source/Grade_I_horserace) winner including the [Breeders' Cup Mile](/source/Breeders'_Cup_Mile). Upon retirement to [stud](/source/Stud_(horse)) in 2012, he first stood in Ontario, then was moved to Kentucky for 2016 then Louisiana for 2017.

He started racing on the dirt and showed promise as a two-year-old by winning the [Iroquois](/source/Iroquois_Stakes_(Churchill_Downs)) and [Remsen Stakes](/source/Remsen_Stakes). As a three-year-old, he was entered in the [Kentucky Derby](/source/Kentucky_Derby) but finished thirteenth. He was subsequently switched to racing on the turf, on which he won at least one Grade I race each year from age three to six. His win in the Breeders' Cup Mile in 2011 was his third try in the event.

## Background

Court Vision is a dark bay racehorse bred by [William S. Farish](/source/William_Stamps_Farish_III) of [Lane's End Farm](/source/Lane's_End_Farm) and Kilroy Thoroughbred Partnership. He is by champion sprinter [Gulch](/source/Gulch_(horse)) out of the [Storm Bird](/source/Storm_Bird) mare Weekend Storm.[1] Weekend Storm was a full sister to 1990 Preakness Stakes winner [Summer Squall](/source/Summer_Squall) and a half-sister to 1992 [Horse of the Year](/source/American_Horse_of_the_Year) [A.P. Indy](/source/A.P._Indy). All three horses were produced by 1992 [Kentucky Broodmare of the Year](/source/Kentucky_Broodmare_of_the_Year) [Weekend Surprise](/source/Weekend_Surprise), a stakes winning daughter of [Secretariat](/source/Secretariat_(horse)).[2] Like A.P. Indy, Court Vision was a [ridgling](/source/Ridgling), meaning he had one undescended testicle.[3]

Court Vision was sold as a yearling in 2006 at the [Keeneland September sale](/source/Keeneland_Sales) for $180,000, then resold as a two-year-old in training at the [Fasig-Tipton](/source/Fasig-Tipton) February sale for $350,000.[1] He originally ran for [WinStar Farm](/source/WinStar_Farm) under trainer [William Mott](/source/William_I._Mott). In 2008, WinStar sold a portion to [IEAH Stables](/source/IEAH_Stables),[4] who later moved the colt to trainer [Richard Dutrow](/source/Richard_Dutrow). In August 2011, he was privately purchased by [Spendthrift Farm](/source/Spendthrift_Farm) and placed under the care of [Dale Romans](/source/Dale_Romans).[5]

The colt was named for one of the characteristics of a good basketball player. WinStar president Doug Cauthen explained, "The [point guard](/source/Point_guard) on a basketball team has to have court vision, to be athletic and intelligent, which we think he is."[6]

## Career

### 2007: 2-year-old-season

Though subsequently known as a turf horse, Court Vision originally raced on dirt. He finished second in his first start on September 7, 2007, at [Turfway Park](/source/Turfway_Park), then won in his second start on October 7 at [Keeneland](/source/Keeneland) by 2+1⁄2 lengths. On October 28, he stepped up to [graded stakes](/source/Graded_stakes_race) company in the [Iroquois Stakes](/source/Iroquois_Stakes_(Churchill_Downs)) at [Churchill Downs](/source/Churchill_Downs). At odds of 8–1, he trailed the early leaders while saving ground, then swung wide in the stretch and powered his way to win by half a length. "I was behind", said jockey [Julien Leparoux](/source/Julien_Leparoux). "I was very frustrated at the start. But he came running. The trip was good because we saved ground the whole way. They came back to me, and he had a good kick."[7]

Court Vision's final start of the year was the Grade II [Remsen Stakes](/source/Remsen_Stakes) at [Aqueduct Racetrack](/source/Aqueduct_Racetrack) on November 24. He put in a "tremendous" run after being blocked at the head of the stretch and then bumping with several horses. "I was getting bounced all over from the five-sixteenths pole to the three-sixteenths pole", said jockey [Eibar Coa](/source/Eibar_Coa). "He fought back and pushed them out because they were trying to push him in. To overcome that, you saw the way he kicked. He was just much the best."[8]

The two stakes wins made Court Vision one of the early favorites in the future wagering for the Kentucky Derby, along with the [champion two-year-old colt](/source/American_Champion_Two-Year-Old_Colt) [War Pass](/source/War_Pass) and the [Breeders' Cup Juvenile](/source/Breeders'_Cup_Juvenile) runner-up Pyro.[9]

### 2008: 3-year-old-season

Court Vision made the first start of his three-year-old campaign in the [Fountain of Youth Stakes](/source/Fountain_of_Youth_Stakes) on February 24, closing from far back to finish third. He finished third in the [Wood Memorial](/source/Wood_Memorial_Stakes) on April 5 after having difficulty finding his footing on a drying, "greasy" track. Mott shipped the colt to Churchill Downs to train for the [Kentucky Derby](/source/Kentucky_Derby) and added blinkers – the colt responded with an outstanding workout that brought him back into consideration for the big race.[10] In the Derby however, Court Vision was bumped and carried wide into the first turn, then failed to mount his usual closing drive, finishing thirteenth.[11]

After a brief layoff, Court Vision returned in the [Colonial Turf Cup](/source/Colonial_Turf_Cup) on June 24 at [Colonial Downs](/source/Colonial_Downs), finishing fourth on a turf course softened by heavy rain. On July 19 when racing on a firm turf course, he improved to finish second in the Grade II [Virginia Derby](/source/Virginia_Derby), losing by a nose to [Gio Ponti](/source/Gio_Ponti_(horse)).[12] Mott decided to switch the colt back to dirt for the [Travers Stakes](/source/Travers_Stakes), but Court Vision finished sixth after a wide trip.[13]

On October 4, Mott switched Court Vision back to turf in the [Jamaica Handicap](/source/Belmont_Derby) at Aqueduct, where he beat Gio Ponti by 3⁄4 of a length after an eventful trip. "There was a lot of bouncing going on", said jockey [Ramon Domínguez](/source/Ramon_Dom%C3%ADnguez), "but between the five-eighths pole and the half-mile pole, he got pretty rank and pushed his way out and bumped into Gio Ponti. After that, Gio Ponti decided to (move to the rail) and save the ground. I positioned my horse on the outside, hoping to get a clear trip. Sure enough, Gio Ponti was second around the turn and had to check again... (Court Vision) drew off pretty nicely on the last part and we certainly had a great trip as well."[14]

Court Vision finished the year by winning his first Grade I race, the [Hollywood Derby](/source/Hollywood_Derby). Racing in last place behind a slow early pace, Court Vision rallied in the stretch to win by 3⁄4 of a length. His time on a firm turf course was 2:01.42 for 1+1⁄4 miles.[15]

### 2009: 4-year-old-season

In 2009, Court Vision ran nine times at the Grade I level, winning once and finishing third twice before a fourth-place finish in the [Breeders cup Mile](/source/Breeders'_Cup_Mile). On March 7, he tried racing on the dirt one last time but could only finish seventh in the [Santa Anita Handicap](/source/Santa_Anita_Handicap).[1] After a bad loss in the [United Nations Stakes](/source/United_Nations_Stakes), he underwent surgery in July to remove his undescended testicle. He returned to the track in October, now trained by Richard Dutrow, and won the [Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes](/source/Shadwell_Turf_Mile_Stakes) by a nose over Karelian. "He was very close (to the pace) for him, doing it easy", said jockey Robby Albarado. "I figured the fractions were slow and I knew this horse would finish up big, and he did. He faced some quality horses in the past, including Gio Ponti. He's got quite a bit of back class."[3]

### 2010: 5-year-old-season

In 2010, Court Vision raced seven times and earned two Grade I wins in the [Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap](/source/Gulfstream_Park_Turf_Handicap) and the [Woodbine Mile](/source/Woodbine_Mile). He also finished second in both the [Maker's Mark Mile](/source/Maker's_Mark_Mile_Stakes) and the Woodford Reserve [Turf Classic Stakes](/source/Turf_Classic_Stakes), but later finished fifth in the [Breeders' Cup Mile](/source/Breeders'_Cup_Mile).

The highlight of the year was his win in the [Woodbine Mile](/source/Woodbine_Mile) on September 19, where he rallied from far back to win by 1+1⁄4 lengths. "He ran an awful nice race today", said Albarado. "Court Vision is such a cool horse to ride. We were both coming off a long layoff but it worked out well for us. I just wanted him to settle in early. I know he's been off awhile but he was training forwardly at Saratoga this summer. You give him a good trip, he's going to come home and he did."[16]

### 2011: 6-year-old-season

Leading up to the [Breeders' Cup Mile](/source/Breeders'_Cup_Mile), Court Vision had finished out of the money in each of his four starts in 2011. In the Mile, he was dismissed as a longshot in a field that included [Goldikova](/source/Goldikova) (looking for an unprecedented fourth win in the Mile), [Gio Ponti](/source/Gio_Ponti) (champion male turf horse of 2009 and 2010), Turallure (winner of the 2011 Woodbine Mile), Courageous Cat (runner-up in the Woodbine Mile) and several other group or graded stakes winners.[17]

The track at Churchill Downs was rated as good, softened by earlier rain. By post time, Court Vision's odds had drifted from 30–1 on the morning line to 64–1. He settled at the back of the pack with Turallure behind a slow early pace. Goldikova got a poor start but advanced to fifth behind the early leaders, then started her kick with a quarter of a mile remaining, reaching the lead by mid-stretch. Court Vision and Turallure were in tenth and thirteenth position at the quarter-pole but accelerated rapidly while racing wide, catching Goldikova in deep stretch. Court Vision and Turallure then battled to the wire with Court Vision prevailing by a nose. Goldikova was a length back in third with Gio Ponti in fourth.[18]

Court Vision paid $131.60 for a $2 win bet – the second highest payout (to [Arcangues](/source/Arcangues) in 1990) in the history of the Breeders' Cup.[18]

"I’ve loved Court Vision since he was a 2-year-old", said Romans, who had taken over training the colt for only a few months before the Mile. "We saw him at the sales and have been following him. I’ve been saying all week how good this horse was doing. When I saw how easy he was running down the backside, I thought if they just back up a little we’ve got a hell of a shot."[18]

## Retirement

After the Breeders' Cup Mile, Court Vision was retired to stud. He first stood at Michael Byrne's Park Stud in Ontario, Canada under lease from Spendthrift Farm. He was moved to Spendthrift's main farm in central Kentucky for 2016.[19]

In November 2016, Court Vision was sold to a Louisiana-based investment group. For 2017, he stood at Acadiana Equine at Copper Crowne near [Opelousas, Louisiana](/source/Opelousas%2C_Louisiana). "He has arguably as a good a pedigree as anyone considering his dam is a sister to A.P. Indy", said David Tillson, a representative of the new ownership group. Tillson said Court Vision should fit well with the speed-oriented mares that dominate the breeding programs in Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. "To bring in a stallion that that has started 31 times is a big deal", he said "We have speed, we have precocity, and you definitely getting soundness from this family."[20]

Court Vision's first crop reached racing age in 2015 and made him the leading freshman sire in Canada.[19] In November 2016, his son King and His Court won the prestigious [Coronation Futurity](/source/Coronation_Futurity_Stakes) for Canadian-bred two-year-olds to become his leading earner.[21] In 2020, Court Vision's son [Art Collector](/source/Art_Collector_(horse)) won the [Ellis Park Derby](/source/Ellis_Park_Derby) and [Blue Grass Stakes](/source/Blue_Grass_Stakes).[22][23]

Court Vision first [Grade 1](/source/Graded_stakes_race) winner was [Storm the Court](/source/Storm_the_Court), who won the 2019 [Breeders' Cup Juvenile](/source/Breeders'_Cup_Juvenile).[24]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-EquibaseProfile_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-EquibaseProfile_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-EquibaseProfile_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-EquibaseProfile_1-3) ["Court Vision Profile"](http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=7444721&registry=T). *www.equibase.com*. Retrieved 20 November 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Hunter, Avalyn. ["Weekend Surprise (horse)"](http://www.americanclassicpedigrees.com/weekend-surprise.html). *American Classic Pedigrees*. Retrieved 20 November 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ShadwellTurf_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ShadwellTurf_3-1) ["Court Vision Edges Karelian in Turf Mile"](http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/146389/court-vision-edges-karelian-in-turf-mile). *BloodHorse.com*. Retrieved 21 November 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["IEAh Buys Court Vision"](http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/155860/ieah-buys-court-vision). *BloodHorse.com*. Retrieved 21 November 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Court Vision Purchased by Spendthrift Farm"](http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/134580/court-vision-purchased-by-spendthrift-farm). *BloodHorse.com*. Retrieved 20 November 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Name Games: Origins of Derby Monikers"](http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/154344/name-games-origins-of-derby-monikers). *BloodHorse.com*. Retrieved 21 November 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Court Vision Sees Clearly in Iroquois Score"](http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/157240/court-vision-sees-clearly-in-iroquois-score). *BloodHorse.com*. Retrieved 21 November 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Shandler, Jason. ["Court Vision Phenomenal in Remsen"](http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/156784/court-vision-phenomenal-in-remsen). *BloodHorse.com*. Retrieved 21 November 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Derby Future Pool Set to Go"](http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/155752/derby-future-pool-set-to-go). *BloodHorse.com*. Retrieved 21 November 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Haskin, Steve. ["Ky. Derby Trail: A Vision at the Downs"](http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/154611/ky-derby-trail-a-vision-at-the-downs). *BloodHorse.com*. Retrieved 21 November 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Chart for the 2008 Kentucky Derby"](http://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=CD&raceDate=05/03/2008&cy=USA&rn=10). *www.equibase.com*. Retrieved 21 November 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Grening, David. ["Travers could soothe Mott's misery"](http://www.drf.com/news/travers-could-soothe-motts-misery). *Daily Racing Form*. Retrieved 21 November 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Chart of the 2008 Travers Stakes"](http://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=SAR&raceDate=08/23/2008&cy=USA&rn=11). *www.equibase.com*. Retrieved 21 November 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Shandler, Jason. ["Court Vision Gets Revenge on Gio Ponti"](http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/151878/court-vision-gets-revenge-on-gio-ponti). *BloodHorse.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["VA DERBY RUNNER-UP WINS HOLLYWOOD DERBY"](https://www.vabred.org/va-derby-runner-up-wins-hollywood-derby/). *www.vabred.org*. Retrieved 21 November 2016.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Shinar, Jack. ["Court Vision Shows His Style in Woodbine Mile"](http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/140356/court-vision-shows-his-style-in-woodbine-mile). *BloodHorse.com*. Retrieved 21 November 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Hersh, Marcus. ["Breeders' Cup: Goldikova seeks grand finale in Mile"](http://www.drf.com/news/breeders-cup-goldikova-seeks-grand-finale-mile). *Daily Racing Form*. Retrieved 21 November 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-BHMile_18-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-BHMile_18-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-BHMile_18-2) Mitchell, Eric. ["Court Vision Upsets Goldikova in BC Mile"](http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/133261/court-vision-upsets-goldikova-in-bc-mile). *BloodHorse.com*. Retrieved 21 November 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-SpendthriftMoving_19-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-SpendthriftMoving_19-1) ["Spendthrift Moving Court Vision, Victor's Cry"](http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/197272/spendthrift-moving-court-vision-victors-cry). *BloodHorse.com*. Retrieved 21 November 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Court Vision Relocated to Louisiana"](http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/217768/court-vision-relocated-to-louisiana). *BloodHorse.com*. Retrieved 21 November 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Casse Runs 1-2 in Coronation Futurity"](http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/217685/casse-runs-1-2-in-coronation-futurity). *BloodHorse.com*. Retrieved 21 November 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Art Collector wins Ellis Park Derby, earns Ky Derby points"](https://sports.nbcsports.com/2020/08/09/art-collector-wins-ellis-park-derby/). [NBC Sports](/source/NBC_Sports). 2020-08-09. Retrieved 2020-08-12.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Blue Grass: Art Collector wins, gives Drury shot at Kentucky Derby"](https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/horses/horse-racing/2020/07/11/blue-grass-art-collector-wins-gives-drury-shot-kentucky-derby/5384802002/). [The Courier-Journal](/source/The_Courier-Journal). 2020-07-11. Retrieved 2020-09-12.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Storm the Court Upsets Breeders' Cup Juvenile"](https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/236806/storm-the-court-upsets-breeders-cup-juvenile). bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 17 November 2019.

- [http://www.breederscup.com/history/hall-of-champions/horse/3451](http://www.breederscup.com/history/hall-of-champions/horse/3451)

- [http://www.bloodhorse.com/stallion-register/stallions/127357/court-vision](http://www.bloodhorse.com/stallion-register/stallions/127357/court-vision)

v t e Breeders' Cup Mile winners 1980s 1984 Royal Heroine ♥ 1985 Cozzene 1986 Last Tycoon 1987 Miesque ♥ 1988 Miesque ♥ 1989 Steinlen 1990s 1990 Royal Academy 1991 Opening Verse 1992 Lure 1993 Lure 1994 Barathea ♥ 1995 Ridgewood Pearl ♥ 1996 Da Hoss 1997 Spinning World 1998 Da Hoss 1999 Silic 2000s 2000 War Chant 2001 Val Royal 2002 Domedriver 2003 Six Perfections ♥ 2004 Singletary 2005 Artie Schiller 2006 Miesque's Approval 2007 Kip Deville 2008 Goldikova ♥ 2009 Goldikova ♥ 2010s 2010 Goldikova ♥ 2011 Court Vision 2012 Wise Dan 2013 Wise Dan 2014 Karakontie 2015 Tepin ♥ 2016 Tourist 2017 World Approval 2018 Expert Eye 2019 Uni ♥ 2020s 2020 Order of Australia 2021 Space Blues 2022 Modern Games 2023 Master of The Seas 2024 More Than Looks 2025 Notable Speech Note: All horses were bred in the United States unless noted Legend - ♥ = Filly or Mare

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Court Vision](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_Vision) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_Vision?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.