# Tapit

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American Thoroughbred racehorse

Tapit Sire Pulpit Grandsire A.P. Indy Dam Tap Your Heels Damsire Unbridled Sex Stallion Foaled (2001-02-27) February 27, 2001 (age 25) Country United States Colour Gray Breeder Oldenburg Farms, LLC Owner Winchell Thoroughbreds Trainer Michael Dickinson Record 6: 3–0–0 Earnings $557,300[1] Major wins Laurel Futurity Stakes (2003) Wood Memorial Stakes (2004) Awards Leading sire in North America (2014, 2015, 2016)

**Tapit** (foaled February 27, 2001, in [Kentucky](/source/Kentucky)) is an American [Thoroughbred](/source/Thoroughbred) [racehorse](/source/Racehorse) who won three of his six races, including the [Wood Memorial Stakes](/source/Wood_Memorial_Stakes), then a [Grade I event](/source/Graded_stakes_race). He was an immediate success after retiring to stud, becoming the leading freshman sire in North America of 2008 with Breeders' Cup winner [Stardom Bound](/source/Stardom_Bound) becoming his first Grade I winner. He was the [leading sire in North America](/source/Leading_sire_in_North_America) in 2014, setting an earnings record that he broke in 2015 and again in 2016. For the 2015 season, his stud fee was raised to $300,000, the highest in North America.[2] In 2021, [Essential Quality](/source/Essential_Quality) became his fourth [Belmont Stakes](/source/Belmont_Stakes) winner ([Tonalist](/source/Tonalist), [Creator](/source/Creator_(horse)) and [Tapwrit](/source/Tapwrit) being the others), tying him for the all-time record of winners sired in this race with the great [Lexington](/source/Lexington_(horse)).

## Background

Tapit is a [gray](/source/Gray_(horse)) horse. He is [heterozygous](/source/Heterozygous) for the [dominant](/source/Dominance_relationship) gray gene, which he inherited via his dam, Tap Your Heels. As such, there is a 50-50 chance that any given foal sired by him on a non-gray [mare](/source/Mare) will be gray. His base coat color before turning gray was [chestnut](/source/Chestnut_(coat)).[3]

Tapit was purchased as a yearling in 2002 for $625,000 by [Verne Winchell](/source/Verne_Winchell), a prominent California owner, under the recommendation of his bloodstock advisor Dr. David Lambert.[4] Winchell died soon afterwards and left the horse to his son, Ron. The manager of [Winchell Thoroughbreds](/source/Verne_Winchell), David Fiske, placed the horse in the hands of trainer [Michael Dickinson](/source/Michael_Dickinson_(horseman)).[5]

Tapit has been described as an attractive, well-balanced, elegant horse whose appearance reflects the Thoroughbred’s [Arabian](/source/Arabian_horse) ancestors.[6] He stands 16 [hands](/source/Hand_(unit)) (64 inches, 163 cm) high.[7]

## Racing career

Tapit raced twice at age two, winning both times. On October 19, he won a one-mile maiden special weight at Delaware Park by 7 3/4 [lengths](/source/Lengths). He then won the [Grade III](/source/Graded_stakes_race) [Laurel Futurity Stakes](/source/Laurel_Futurity_Stakes) on November 15 by five lengths, earning a [Beyer Speed Figure](/source/Beyer_Speed_Figure) of 98. Veteran sportswriter [Andrew Beyer](/source/Andrew_Beyer) wrote, "No 2-year-old in America had looked more impressive."[5]

His return to the racetrack was delayed due to lingering shin problems.[5] He made his 3-year-old debut in the [Florida Derby](/source/Florida_Derby) on March 13 and finished sixth in the Grade 1 race, but his poor finish was later explained by the discovery of a lung infection. He bounced back in April, coming from last to win the [Grade I](/source/Graded_stakes_race) [Wood Memorial Stakes](/source/Wood_Memorial_Stakes) by half a length over Master David. “I was dreading the race, because I knew he wasn’t fit,” trainer Michael Dickinson said. “He’s a very generous horse, and he has such a big heart. I felt I was putting him into battle unprepared. And if anything had happened I would have blamed myself. But the horse carried me through, and I’m indebted to him. He’s such a generous horse and we love him dearly.”[8]

Tapit was the 6–1 third betting choice in the [2004 Kentucky Derby](/source/2004_Kentucky_Derby) and finished ninth behind [Smarty Jones](/source/Smarty_Jones).[9] He was scheduled to race in the 2004 [Belmont Stakes](/source/Belmont_Stakes) but was scratched due to a return of the lung infection. In his last race, the Sept. 6, 2004, [Pennsylvania Derby](/source/Pennsylvania_Derby), he finished ninth.[6]

## Stud career

Tapit was retired to stud at [Gainesway Farm](/source/Gainesway_Farm) in Lexington, Kentucky in 2005 for a stud fee of $15,000. His first foals were of racing age in 2008 and he made an immediate impact, making him the leading freshman sire that year. His first crop was led by [champion 2-year-old filly](/source/Eclipse_Award_for_Outstanding_Two-Year-Old_Filly) [Stardom Bound](/source/Stardom_Bound), winner of the 2008 [Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies](/source/Breeders'_Cup_Juvenile_Fillies), and included 15 stakes winners overall.[6]

His next few crops were not as strong but he was still third on the 2009 second-crop sire list (including 2009 [Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf](/source/Breeders'_Cup_Juvenile_Fillies_Turf) winner [Tapitsfly](/source/Tapitsfly)), and third on the 2010 third-crop sire list. In 2011, he was third on the general sire list. His leading performer, [Hansen](/source/Hansen_(horse)), won the [Breeders' Cup Juvenile](/source/Breeders'_Cup_Juvenile) and was named [champion two-year-old](/source/Eclipse_Award_for_Outstanding_Two-Year-Old_Male_Horse). Tapit finished fourth on the general sire list in 2012, and seventh in 2013.[6]

In 2014 Tapit led the [sire list for North America](/source/Leading_sire_in_North_America), setting an earnings record in the process. His top performers of 2014 were [Untapable](/source/Untapable) and [Tonalist](/source/Tonalist_(horse)). Tonalist became Tapit's first American Classic winner when he won the [2014 Belmont Stakes](/source/2014_Belmont_Stakes); Untapable won the [Kentucky Oaks](/source/Kentucky_Oaks) and [Breeders' Cup Distaff](/source/Breeders'_Cup_Distaff), and was named [champion 3-year-old filly](/source/Eclipse_Award_for_Outstanding_3-Year-Old_Filly).[10]

In 2015, Tapit led the sire list for the second time, breaking his own earnings record. Top performers that year included Tonalist and [Frosted](/source/Frosted_(horse)). In 2015, he also led North America by number of winners with 174. He was the leading sire in every "black-type" category tracked by *Thoroughbred Daily News*, with 23 Black-Type Winners, 47 Black-Type Horses (meaning that 47 of his foals finished first, second or third in qualifying stakes company), 16 Graded/Group Stakes Winners, 29 Graded Stakes Horses, five Grade I/Group 1 winners and 10 Grade/Group 1-placed horses.[11]

In 2016, he once again headed the sire list, with top performers including Frosted and [2016 Belmont Stakes](/source/2016_Belmont_Stakes) winner [Creator](/source/Creator_(horse)).[12] Two fillies sired by him dead-heated in the Grade I Spinaway Stakes, the two being Pretty City Dancer and Sweet Loretta. He also sired two Grade I winners on the turf, Ring Weekend and Time and Motion. David Firsk, the stallion manager of Winchell Stable, said, "The versatility he has and everything else, I mean, you could subtract his turf earnings from his total ... and he'd still be the leading sire. Turf runners are like a hobby for him."[13]

In 2017, his son [Tapwrit](/source/Tapwrit) won the Belmont Stakes, marking the third time a son of Tapit had won the race in four years.[14] His other leading performers included [Cupid](/source/Cupid_(horse)) ([Gold Cup at Santa Anita](/source/Gold_Cup_at_Santa_Anita_Stakes)), Actress ([Black-Eyed Susan](/source/Black-Eyed_Susan_Stakes)), and Unique Bella ([American Champion Female Sprint Horse](/source/American_Champion_Female_Sprint_Horse), [Las Virgenes](/source/Las_Virgenes_Stakes), [Santa Ysabel Stakes](/source/Santa_Ysabel_Stakes), La Brea Stakes).[15]

With his record of siring winners, his stud fee steadily increased, from the original $15,000 to $80,000 in 2011, $125,000 in 2013,[16] and to $150,000 in 2014. For the 2015 breeding season, his fee was doubled to $300,000, and in 2017 was the highest in the United States.[2] In 2014, a single share in Tapit, providing a guaranteed breeding right for the rest of his career, was sold for $2.8 million. This made his total value an estimated $140 million.[17]

Tapit has produced the most successful [foals](/source/Foal) from mares that "nick" or complement the genetic strengths in his pedigree. Tapit is [inbred](/source/Inbreeding) to [Nijinsky](/source/Nijinsky_(horse)), a son of [Northern Dancer](/source/Northern_Dancer), and many of his best offspring are out of mares who also carry Northern Dancer breeding, but via different lines.[18] Frosted is an example of how Tapit crosses well on mares that carry the bloodlines of [Seattle Slew](/source/Seattle_Slew).[19]

### Statistics

By Racing Year[20] Year North American Rank Winners Black-Type Winners Graded Stakes Winners Chief Earner Earnings† 2008 #1 first-crop 24 3 2 Stardom Bound $2,811,337 2009 28 70 11 4 Careless Jewel $5,187,086 2010 12 111 12 5 Concord Point $6,521,662 2011 3 121 13 7 Hansen $9,229,483 2012 4 140 10 6 Tapizar $9,305,068 2013 7 139 11 6 Joyful Victory $9,184,624 2014 1 156 17 12 Untapable $16,813,536 2015 1 175 23 16 Frosted $18,397,691 2016 1 149 21 15 Frosted $19,245,888 2017 5 152 19 11 Tapwrit $12,909,191 2018 5 152 15 7 Unique Bella $12,864,700 2019 3 147 26 13 Tacitus $14,335,769 2020 2 113 14 11 Tacitus $11,825,591

† Prior to 2015, the Leading Sire Lists published by [The Blood-Horse](/source/The_Blood-Horse) excluded earnings from Hong Kong and Japan due to the disparity in purses. Starting in 2015, earnings from Hong Kong and Japan are included on an adjusted basis.[21]

### Notable progeny

His major stakes winners include:[22][23]

*c = [colt](/source/Colt_(horse)), f = [filly](/source/Filly), g = [gelding](/source/Gelding)*

Foaled Name Sex Major Wins 2006 Careless Jewel f Alabama Stakes, Cotillion Handicap 2006 Laragh f Hollywood Starlet Stakes 2006 Stardom Bound f Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, Santa Anita Oaks, champion 2yo filly 2006 Testa Matta c Japan Dirt Derby, February Stakes 2007 Tapitsfly f Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf 2008 Joyful Victory f Santa Margarita Stakes 2008 Tapizar c Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile 2008 Tell a Kelly f Del Mar Debutante Stakes 2008 Zazu f Lady's Secret Stakes, Las Virgenes Stakes 2009 Dance Card f Gazelle Stakes 2009 Hansen c Breeders' Cup Juvenile, champion 2yo colt 2011 Constitution c Florida Derby, Donn Handicap 2011 Ring Weekend g Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes 2011 Tonalist c Belmont Stakes, Jockey Club Gold Cup (twice), Cigar Mile Handicap 2011 Untapable f Breeders' Cup Distaff, Kentucky Oaks, Mother Goose Stakes, Apple Blossom, Cotillion stakes champion 3yo filly 2012 Frosted c Wood Memorial, Metropolitan Handicap, Whitney Stakes 2013 Creator c Arkansas Derby, Belmont Stakes 2013 Cupid c Gold Cup at Santa Anita 2013 Time and Motion f Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes 2014 Dream Dancing f Del Mar Oaks 2014 Pretty City Dancer f Spinaway Stakes 2014 Sweet Loretta f Spinaway Stakes 2014 Tapwrit c Belmont Stakes 2014 Unique Bella f La Brea Stakes, Beholder Mile, Clement L Hirsch Stakes, champion female sprinter in 2017, champion older female in 2018 2016 Chasing Yesterday f Starlet Stakes 2016 Valiance f Spinster Stakes 2018 Essential Quality c Breeders' Cup Juvenile, champion 2yo colt, Bluegrass Stakes, Belmont Stakes, Travers Stakes 2018 Flightline c Malibu Stakes, Metropolitan Handicap, Pacific Classic Stakes, Breeders' Cup Classic, 2022 Horse of the Year, 2022 Champion Older Male 2018 Pauline's Pearl f La Troienne Stakes 2018 Proxy c Clark Stakes 2020 Arthur's Ride c Whitney Stakes 2020 Scylla f Breeders' Cup Distaff 2020 Tapit Trice c Blue Grass Stakes 2022 Sandman c Arkansas Derby

## Pedigree

Tapit is by [Pulpit](/source/Pulpit_(horse)), who stood at [Claiborne Farm](/source/Claiborne_Farm). Pulpit is by [A.P. Indy](/source/A.P._Indy), the 1992 Horse of the Year and an outstanding sire. A.P. Indy is by Triple Crown winner [Seattle Slew](/source/Seattle_Slew), and out of Weekend Surprise by [Secretariat](/source/Secretariat_(horse)). Pulpit's female family traces back to one of Claiborne's foundation mares, Knight's Daughter, the dam of [Round Table](/source/Round_Table_(horse)).[18]

Tapit's dam is Tap Your Heels, a stakes-winning mare by [Unbridled](/source/Unbridled). Her dam, Ruby Slippers, also produced champion sprinter [Rubiano](/source/Rubiano), and is the third dam of champion [Summer Bird](/source/Summer_Bird). Tapit's third dam, Moon Glitter, was a stakes-winning full sister to important sire [Relaunch](/source/Relaunch_(horse)).[18] Tap Your Heels is inbred to [In Reality](/source/In_Reality), a descendant of [Man o' War](/source/Man_o'_War).

Pedigree of Tapit, gray or roan stallion, 2001[24] Sire Pulpit (USA) 1994 A.P. Indy (USA) 1989 Seattle Slew Bold Reasoning My Charmer Weekend Surprise Secretariat Lassie Dear Preach (USA) 1989 Mr Prospector* Raise a Native Gold Digger Narrate Honest Pleasure State Dam Tap Your Heels (USA) 1996 Unbridled (USA) 1987 Fappiano Mr Prospector* Killaloe Gana Facil Le Fabuleux Charedi Ruby Slippers (USA) 1982 Nijinsky II Northern Dancer Flaming Page Moon Glitter In Reality Foggy Note

- Tapit is [inbred](/source/Inbred) 3s × 4d to Mr Prospector, meaning he appears in the 3rd generation on the sire side and 4th generation on the dam side of his pedigree.

He has seven strains tracing to the influential broodmare [La Troienne](/source/La_Troienne).[25]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-EquibaseProfile_1-0)** ["Tapit Profile"](http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=6106474&registry=T&rbt=TB). *www.equibase.com*. Retrieved March 5, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-auto_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-auto_2-1) ["Tapit's Stud Fee Doubles for 2015 Season"](http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/110783/tapits-stud-fee-doubles-for-2015-season). *BloodHorse.com*. Retrieved June 13, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["What Are The Odds? Tapit Produces Four Gray Sons En Route To Kentucky Derby"](http://www.paulickreport.com/horse-care-category/whats-odds-tapit-produces-four-grey-sons-en-route-kentucky-derby/). *Paulick Report*. April 17, 2016. Retrieved June 11, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Milton C. Toby (November 22, 2017). ["Tapit's World"](https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/features/tapits-world-224760). *Blood Horse*. Retrieved December 2, 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Beyer_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Beyer_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Beyer_5-2) Beyer, Andrew. ["Tapit may be moving too fast, too soon"](http://www.drf.com/news/tapit-may-be-moving-too-fast-too-soon). *Daily Racing Form*. Retrieved March 5, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ClassicWinner_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ClassicWinner_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ClassicWinner_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-ClassicWinner_6-3) [Avalyn Hunter](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Avalyn_Hunter&action=edit&redlink=1). ["Classic Winner Emerges From the Mist"](http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/113572/classic-winner-emerges-from-the-mist). *BloodHorse.com*. Retrieved June 13, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Pedigree Analysis: Is Bigger Always Better?"](http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/90474/pedigree-analysis-is-bigger-always-better). *Blood Horse*. March 13, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Haskin, Steve. ["Looking Back at Afleet Alex and Tapit"](http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2014/05/31/looking-back-at-afleet-alex-and-tapit.aspx). *cs.bloodhorse.com*. Retrieved June 30, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Chart of the Kentucky Derby"](https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=CD&raceDate=05/01/2004&cy=USA&rn=10). *Equibase*. Retrieved April 23, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Tapit: 2014 Leading Sire - Slideshow"](https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/slideshows/slideshow/tapit-2014-leading-sire/tapit-2014-leading-sire?id=20546). *www.bloodhorse.com*. Retrieved January 6, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-TapitLeads_11-0)** Oppenheim, Bill (January 2016). ["Tapit Leads All North American Sires"](http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/tapit-leads-all-north-american-sires/). *Thoroughbred Daily News*. Retrieved June 13, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Tapit Keeps Proving Elite Status"](http://www.paulickreport.com/features/bloodlines/tapit-keeps-proving-elite-status/). *Paulick Report*. June 14, 2016. Retrieved June 22, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Wincze-Hughes, Alicia. ["Tapit Breaks Single-Season Earnings Mark"](http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/217986/tapit-breaks-single-season-earnings-mark). *BloodHorse.com*. Retrieved November 27, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Zucker, Joseph. ["Tapwrit Edges Favorite Irish War Cry, Wins 2017 Belmont Stakes"](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2714252-tapwrit-edges-favorite-irish-war-cry-wins-2017-belmont-stakes). *Bleacher Report*. Retrieved June 11, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Tapit - Stallion Record"](http://www.bloodhorse.com/stallion-register/stallions/127186/tapit). *Stallion Register Online*. Retrieved May 29, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Tapit: Horseracing's top bachelor"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160806203032/http://www.gainesway.com/articles/tapit-horseracings-top-bachelor.html). *Gainesway Farm*. Archived from [the original](http://www.gainesway.com/articles/tapit-horseracings-top-bachelor.html) on August 6, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Sale of Tapit Share Values Stallion at $140 Million"](http://www.paulickreport.com/news/bloodstock/sale-of-tapit-share-values-stallion-at-140-million/). *www.paulickreport.com*. September 11, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-TheSecret_18-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-TheSecret_18-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-TheSecret_18-2) Peters, Anne. ["The Secret to Tapit's Success"](http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/122501/the-secret-to-tapits-success). *BloodHorse.com*. Retrieved June 13, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Porter, Alan. ["Pedigree Analysis: Frosted"](http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/197701/pedigree-analysis-frosted). *BloodHorse.com*. Retrieved June 17, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Leading Sire Lists"](http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred-breeding/sire-lists/general). *www.bloodhorse.com*. Retrieved January 6, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Mitchell, Eric. ["Sire List Evolution"](http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/wgoh/archive/2015/02/03/sire-list-evolution-by-eric-mitchell.aspx). *cs.bloodhorse.com*. Retrieved June 17, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Into Mischief on Stallion Register Online"](https://www.bloodhorse.com/stallion-register/stallions/127186/tapit). *Stallion Register Online*. Retrieved April 18, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Tapit stakes winners"](https://www.pedigreequery.com/index.php?query_type=stakes&search_bar=stakes&field=sire&h=Tapit). *www.pedigreequery.com*. Retrieved April 18, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-EquinelineTapit_24-0)** ["Tapit Pedigree"](http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=6106474&registry=T&horse_name=Tapit&dam_name=Tap%20Your%20Heels&foaling_year=2001&nicking_stats_indicator=Y). *Equineline*. Retrieved June 3, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Super Saver Profile"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151209232757/http://www.winstarfarm.com/domains/www.winstarfarm.com/brochure/131276SuperSaver/files/assets/basic-html/page7.html). *www.winstarfarm.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.winstarfarm.com/domains/www.winstarfarm.com/brochure/131276SuperSaver/files/assets/basic-html/page7.html) on December 9, 2015. Retrieved June 13, 2016.

## External links

- [TT Tapit](http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/stallion-directory/stallion.aspx?stallion_no=6106474) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090506072944/http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/stallion-directory/stallion.aspx?stallion_no=6106474) May 6, 2009, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

- [Gainesway Farms web site](http://www.gainesway.com)

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