Gentlemen (horse)
Gentlemen was an Argentine Thoroughbred racehorse. He was the Champion Three-Year-Old Colt in Argentina and then raced successfully in the United States.
Background
Gentlemen was a chestnut horse bred at the Haras de la Pomme in Argentina. He was sired by Robin des Bois, an American-bred, French-trained son of Nureyev.Racing career
Racing at age three in 1995, Gentlemen won the Gran Premio Dos Mil Guineas, Gran Premio Nacional, and Gran Premio Polla de Potrillos. He also finished 4th in the Gran Premio Jockey Club.Gentlemen was brought to race in the United States in 1996, under California trainer Richard Mandella. Although he was ineligible for the Breeders' Cup, Gentlemen met with considerable success.
Gentlemen's first start in United States was a dirt allowance race at Hollywood Park in which he finished last after leading down the backstretch. He won his next start, a turf allowance at Del Mar. Later that year, he won the Grade 3 Native Diver Handicap by nine lengths in track record time.
In 1997, he was arguably the best racehorse in North America. On May 10, he captured the Grade 1 Pimlico Special at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland conceding three pounds to Skip Away. In June he won the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup by four lengths from the Brazilian champion Siphon with the future Arlington Million winner Marlin a further five and a quarter lengths back in fourth. In August he won the Grade 1 Pacific Classic Stakes at Del Mar, beating Siphon by two and three quarter lengths. He was less successful as a six-year-old in 1998, producing his best performance when winning the San Antonio Handicap and finishing second to Wagon Limit in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup.
In 1998 he was entered into the Classic at the Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs with Richard Mandella as trainer, though Gentlemen eased and finished last. He was retired to stand at stud.