Donerail

Donerail (1910 – after 1918) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse that was the upset winner of the 1913 Kentucky Derby. His win stands as the biggest longshot victory in the history of the Kentucky Derby. Going off at 91–1, Donerail provided a $184.90 payoff for a $2 bet.

Donerail
Donerail after winning the 1913 Kentucky Derby
SireMcGee
GrandsireWhite Knight
DamAlgie M
DamsireHanover
SexStallion
Foaled1910
CountryUnited States
ColourBay
BreederThomas P. Hayes
OwnerThomas P. Hayes
TrainerThomas P. Hayes
Record62: 10-11-10
Earnings$15,156
Major wins
Kentucky Derby (1913)
Canadian Sportsmen's Handicap (1913)
Hamilton Cup (1914)
Last updated on 4/15/2016

Background

Donerail was a bay colt sired by McGee and foaled by Algie M.[1] He was owned, bred, and trained by Thomas P. Hayes near Lexington, Kentucky. His jockey was Roscoe Goose.

Before the Derby

Due to growing popularity, Churchill Downs underwent major renovations in preparation for the derby, the record 30,000 expected attendees and the $6,600 purse. A new era of betting also opened in 1913 as the minimum bet was reduced to $2, making betting more affordable. As a Louisville native, Thomas Hayes was unsure about Donerail's ability to win, regardless of its promise, so decided that the expense and potential loss would not be worth it. But jockey Roscoe Goose convinced Hayes to race Donerail.[2]

Because of the overcrowding at the 1913 Kentucky Derby, there were not enough stables, so Donerail was housed at Douglass Park, about three miles away from Churchill Downs, and would have to walk that distance before the start. This circumstance only added to Hayes’ hesitation about the race. His direction to Goose was not to win, but rather to “get a piece of the purse” by crossing the finish line.[2]

Career

In the 1913 Kentucky Derby, various horses had the lead, and for a time it was Ten Point first, Foundation in second, and Yankee Notions third. Roscoe Goose kept Donerail away from the pacesetters but within striking distance. As the horses turned into the stretch, Ten Point was still leading, but Donerail closed to gain the lead. He crossed the wire half a length ahead of Ten Point. Donerail was drawing away at the finish and set a track record with a time of 2:04 4/5. Donerail's victory was the largest upset of Kentucky Derby history, a record still held to this day, with odds of 91–1 against him.

After the 1913 Kentucky Derby, Donerail continued racing but did not find major success. Of 62 starts, Donerail won 10, placed in 11, and showed in 10. His other major victories came in the Canadian Sportsmen's Handicap and the Hamilton Cup. His career earnings amounted to $15,156.

Later life

It is not known when Donerail died, and much of what became of him after his racing career ended remains a mystery; however, he was retired in 1917 and briefly used as breeding stallion in Lexington, where he commanded a stud fee of $50.[3] In December 1917, Hayes donated Donerail to the Remount Service for use as a sire of cavalry horses.[4] Gelded and sold to John E. Madden, Donerail reappeared on the turf on May 27, 1918, in New York, where he was eased and dropped out of competition in a mile-long race.[5][6]

Pedigree
Pedigree of Donerail
Sire
McGee

1900

 White Knight

1895

 Sir Hugo Wisdom
Manoeuvre
Whitelock Wenlock
White Heather
Remorse

1876

 Hermit Newminster
Seclusion
Vex Vedette
Flying Duchess
Dam
Algie M

1898

 Hanover

1884

 Hindoo Virgil
Florence
Bourbon Belle Bonnie Scotland
Ella D
Johnetta

1890

 Bramble Bonnie Scotland
Ivy Leaf
Guildean Ballinkeel
Orphan Girl

References
  1. "Donerail Horse Pedigree". www.pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  2. Bartholomew, Kaeli (2021-03-09). "Donerail: The 91-1 Longshot Kentucky Derby Winner". Champs of the Track. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  3. Staff (February 21, 1917). "Present day American stud fees". Daily Racing Form. Triangle Publications. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  4. Staff (December 11, 1917). "Central Kentucky benefitted". Daily Racing Form. Triangle Publications. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  5. Staff (May 28, 1918). "Brentwood first in steeplechase". Daily Racing Form. Triangle Publications. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  6. Staff (29 May 1918). "Results at Louisville". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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