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Point Given
Point Given at the Kentucky Horse Park, 2018
SireThunder Gulch
GrandsireGulch
DamTurko's Turn
DamsireTurkoman
SexStallion
Foaled(1998-03-27)March 27, 1998
DiedSeptember 11, 2023(2023-09-11) (aged 25)
Kentucky Horse Park
Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.[1]
CountryUnited States
ColourChestnut
BreederThe Thoroughbred Corp.
OwnerThe Thoroughbred Corp.
TrainerBob Baffert
Record13: 9–3–0
Earnings$3,968,500[2]
Major wins
Triple Crown race wins:
Awards
Honours
United States Racing Hall of Fame inductee (2010)

Point Given (March 27, 1998 – September 11, 2023) was an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who was the 2001 American Horse of the Year. That year, he won the Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, Haskell Invitational, and Travers Stakes, becoming the first horse ever to win four $1 million races in a row. The only time he finished out of the money was in the 2001 Kentucky Derby, where he ran fifth. Point Given was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2010.

Background

[edit]

Point Given was bred in Kentucky by The Thoroughbred Corp, owned by Prince Ahmed bin Salman. He was sired by dual Classic winner Thunder Gulch and was produced by the stakes-winning mare Turko's Turn, by Turkoman.[3] Turko's Turn was named the 2001 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year.[4]

Point Given was a chestnut horse who stood 17.1 hands (69 inches, 175 cm) high. Although his conformation was generally excellent, he was known for his small, somewhat thin-soled feet. He was called "The Big Red Train" or "T-Rex" by his trainer Bob Baffert, the latter in recognition of his occasional bad behavior.[4]

Racing career

[edit]

2000: two-year-old season

[edit]

Point Given made his debut on August 12, 2000, in a maiden special weight race at Del Mar, finishing second. He then broke his maiden in his next start on August 26.[2] On September 16, he stepped up into graded stakes company in the Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes at Turfway Park. He reared up at the start and was far back during the early running but made a wide move turning into the stretch and drew off to win by 3+1⁄2 lengths.[5]

Point Given's next start was in the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park on October 14. He broke in fourth place and then moved to the lead after half a mile. He was soon joined by Trailthefox and the two completed six furlongs in 1:09.55. Turning for home, the rest of the field started to close and Yonaguska took the lead. Point Given battled back and started to pull clear of Yonaguska, only to be passed in the final strides by a fast-closing A P Valentine.[6]

On November 4, Point Given entered the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, held that year at Churchill Downs. He broke poorly from post position 1 and was in tenth place moving into the first turn, then fell even further back down the backstretch, trailing by over 10 lengths with less than a half mile remaining in the race. In the final turn, jockey Gary Stevens swung him extremely wide to get racing room. Point Given closed rapidly down the stretch but came up a nose short to Macho Uno in a photo finish. "There was a ton of traffic going on in front of me", said Stevens. "There was a lot of bumping and jostling and when I got him going, I just wanted to keep him out of trouble."[7][8]

Point Given finished his two-year-old campaign in the Hollywood Futurity at Hollywood Park on December 16. He trailed early but then moved to the lead down the backstretch and won easily. "He wasn't running at all", said Stevens. "He was gearing himself down and just absolutely playing with 'em."[9]

Point Given was a finalist at the 2000 Eclipse Awards but finished second in the voting to Macho Uno for Champion Two-Year-Old honors.[4]

2001: three-year-old season

[edit]

After a brief layoff, Point Given returned in the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita Park on March 17, 2001, a relatively late start for a horse on the Triple Crown trail. Baffert faced some criticism for leaving no margin for error, and Stevens admitted that they were feeling the tension. Point Given though behaved professionally throughout the race. He sat back off the early pace then made a strong move down the stretch and drew off to win by 2+1⁄4 lengths.[10] He made his next start on April 7 in the Santa Anita Derby as the heavy favorite. On a muddy track, he pressed the early pace then took command on the far turn for an easy win by 5+1⁄2 lengths.[11]

Point Given was made the favorite for the 2001 Kentucky Derby on May 5 but gave his supporters cause for concern when he reared several times after a routine gallop on the morning of the race. His exercise rider Pepe Aragon held on "like a gerbil hanging on to a piece of PVC pipe" and the horse was unharmed.[12] During the race however, Point Given came up flat and could only finish fifth behind Monarchos.[13] Stevens later attributed the loss to a combination of a foot infection the colt had suffered earlier that week and the extremely fast racing surface at Churchill Downs, which made the foot more sensitive.[14]

In the Preakness Stakes on May 19, Point Given made a three-wide move around the final turn and then battled with Congaree for first place. He failed to switch leads when they entered the stretch and lugged in towards the rail as he inched past Congaree. He finally switched leads in the final 70 yards and pulled away to win by 2+1⁄2 lengths.[15]

In the week leading up to the Belmont, Point Given started acting up again. He cut himself over the eye while "trying to kill himself" in his stall. After receiving stitches, the medication made him start acting colicky so Baffert withheld his hay to avoid making the stomach problems worse. Point Given became so hungry that he crawled under the webbing in his stall, gashing himself in the side in the process. He was briefly loose from his stall, but was then caught by the grooms.[16]

His performance in the Belmont Stakes was unaffected by these antics. Instead, he turned in a dominating performance to win by 12+1⁄4 lengths in a time of 2:26.56 for 1+1⁄2 miles, tied for the fourth fastest time in the history of the race. He pressed the early pace, went to the lead on the backstretch and continued to open up all the way around the track, under continued urging from Stevens. "He was actually idling with me a little bit the last eighth of a mile, that's why I kept up at him," said Stevens. "It was important for everybody to see how good he is."[17]

Point Given was given some time off to recover from cracked heels. He returned on August 5 in the Haskell Invitational, which had its purse increased to $1.5 million to attract the horse. Before a record crowd, Point Given went off at odds of 3–10[18] despite conceding up to nine pounds to his rivals. He raced near the back of the field for the first half mile and then started his move on the far turn. He was slower than normal to accelerate though and was still only third in mid stretch. Under strong urging from Stevens, he finally hit the lead in the final strides, winning by half a length. "He's never been in a battle like this before," said Stevens, "and he built some character today."[19]

Point Given made what would be his final start in the Travers Stakes on August 25 at the Saratoga Race Course . He raced with E Dubai on the outside of the early leader, Free of Love. When Free of Love tired on the far turn, E Dubai went to the lead with Point Given poised to his outside. In the stretch, Point Given drew away a 3+1⁄2 length win. "I still don't think you've seen the best of him", said Stevens. "He knows he's great", said Baffert. "He's cool."[20]

Point Given was the first horse since 1967 to win the Preakness Stakes, Belmont, and Travers Stakes, joining an elite club of racing greats who achieved that triple: Duke of Magenta (1878), Man o' War (1920), Whirlaway (1941), Native Dancer (1953), and Damascus (1967).[21] He was the first horse to ever win four $1 million races in a row.[22]

Point Given was the unanimous selection at the Eclipse Awards for American Champion-Three-Year Old Colt. He also prevailed over Tiznow for Horse of the Year honors.[22]

Race record

[edit]
Date Age Distance Surface
(condition) 		Race Grade Track Odds Field Finish Winning time Winning
(losing)
margin 		Jockey Ref
Aug 12, 2000 2 5+1⁄2 furlongs Dirt (Fast) Maiden Special Weight Maiden Del Mar Fairgrounds 19.00 11 2 1:04.16 (5+1⁄2 lengths) Yutaka Take [23]
Aug 26, 2000 2 7 furlongs Dirt (Fast) Maiden Special Weight Maiden Del Mar Fairgrounds *1.20 7 1 1:23.43 2 lengths Victor Espinoza [24]
Sep 16, 2000 2 1+1⁄16 miles Dirt (Fast) Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes III Turfway Park 3.30 11 1 1:47.01 3+1⁄2 lengths Shane Sellers [25]
Oct 14, 2000 2 1+1⁄16 miles Dirt (Fast) Champagne Stakes I Belmont Park 4.60 10 2 1:41.45 (1+3⁄4 lengths) Kent Desormeaux [26]
Nov 4, 2000 2 1+1⁄16 miles Dirt (Fast) Breeders' Cup Juvenile Stakes I Churchill Downs 8.10 14 2 1:42.05 (nose) Gary Stevens [27]
Dec 16, 2000 2 1+1⁄16 miles Dirt (Fast) Hollywood Futurity I Hollywood Park *0.30 4 1 1:42.21 1 length Gary Stevens [28]
Mar 17, 2001 3 1+1⁄16 miles Dirt (Fast) San Felipe Stakes II Santa Anita Park *0.40 8 1 1:41.94 2+1⁄4 lengths Gary Stevens [29]
Apr 7, 2001 3 1+1⁄8 miles Dirt (Wet fast) Santa Anita Derby I Santa Anita Park *0.70 6 1 1:47.77 5+1⁄2 lengths Gary Stevens [30]
May 5, 2001 3 1+1⁄4 miles Dirt (Fast) Kentucky Derby I Churchill Downs *1.80 17 5 1:59.97 (11+3⁄4 lengths) Gary Stevens [31]
May 19, 2001 3 1+3⁄16 miles Dirt (Fast) Preakness Stakes I Pimlico Race Course *2.30 11 1 1:55.41 2+1⁄4 lengths Gary Stevens [32]
Jun 9, 2001 3 1+1⁄2 miles Dirt (Fast) Belmont Stakes I Belmont Park *1.35 9 1 2.26.56 12+1⁄4 lengths Gary Stevens [33]
Aug 5, 2001 3 1+1⁄8 miles Dirt (Fast) Haskell Invitational Handicap I Monmouth Park *0.30 6 1 1:49.77 1⁄2 length Gary Stevens [34]
Aug 25, 2001 3 1+1⁄4 miles Dirt (Fast) Travers Stakes I Saratoga Race Course *0.65 9 1 2:01.40 3+1⁄2 lengths Gary Stevens [35]

Retirement

[edit]

One week after his victory in the Travers Stakes, Point Given was found to have a strained tendon that ended his racing career. He was retired to stand at stud at Three Chimneys Farm in Midway, Kentucky, for an initial fee of $125,000. He was subsequently syndicated (offered for ownership by numerous owners) for $50 million, the third highest price in history (behind Fusaichi Pegasus at $60 million and Big Brown at something over $50 million).

In 2013, Point Given was relocated to Calumet Farm in Lexington, Kentucky.[36] His stud fee for 2017 was $5,000.[37] During his stud career, Point Given sired two champions (Canadian Horse of the Year Sealy Hill and Points of Grace) and 15 graded stakes winners, including Grade I winners Coil, Point Ashley and Go Between.[38]

In November 2017, Calumet announced that Point Given was being pensioned from stud duties and would be relocated to the Kentucky Horse Park. Starting in April 2018, he was to be available for viewing by the public in the Hall of Champions.[38]

Point Given was voted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2010.[39]

Point Given died on September 11, 2023, at age 25.[40]

Pedigree

[edit]
Pedigree of Point Given, chestnut horse, foaled March 27, 1998[41]
Sire
Thunder Gulch 		Gulch Mr. Prospector Raise a Native
Gold Digger
Jameela Rambunctious
Asbury Mary
Line of Thunder Storm Bird Northern Dancer
South Ocean
Shoot A Line High Line
Death Ray
Dam
Turko's Turn 		Turkoman Alydar Raise a Native
Sweet Tooth
Taba Table Play
Filipina
Turbo Launch Relaunch In Reality
Foggy Note
David's Tobin Tobin Bronze
Restless Love (family 2-n)[42]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Point Given

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Point Given (March 27, 1998 – September 11, 2023) was an American racehorse renowned for his dominance in the 2001 Triple Crown series and subsequent major stakes races, earning him the titles of and Champion Three-Year-Old Male at the Eclipse Awards that year. Bred and owned by The Thoroughbred Corporation of Saudi Prince Ahmed bin Salman, he was sired by 1995 winner out of the Turkoman mare Turko's Turn, and trained by with jockey Gary Stevens aboard for his major victories. In his racing career spanning 2000–2001, Point Given competed in 13 races, securing nine wins—including six Grade 1 events—and three second-place finishes, amassing career earnings of $3,968,500. As a juvenile, he broke his maiden at Hollywood Park and captured the Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes and Hollywood Futurity (G1), while finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1). The following spring, despite entering the as the 9-5 favorite, he finished fifth after a troubled trip; he rebounded spectacularly to win the by 2¼ lengths, the by 12½ lengths, the Haskell Invitational Handicap (G1), and the , becoming the first horse in history to claim four consecutive races each worth at least $1 million. His 2001 campaign also included victories in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) and . Retired at age three due to a injury sustained after the Travers, Point Given was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2010 for his contributions to . At stud, primarily at Three Chimneys Farm and later , he sired over 30 stakes winners, including Canadian Filly Triple Crown champion Sealy Hill and multiple Grade 1 winners Go Between and Coil. He spent his final years as a resident stallion at the Kentucky Horse Park's Hall of Champions, where he was euthanized at age 25.

Background

Breeding and Early Development

Point Given was foaled on March 27, 1998, in by The Thoroughbred Corporation, the racing and breeding operation of Saudi Prince Ahmed bin Salman. He was sired by , the 1995 winner of the and , out of the mare Turko's Turn by Turkoman, a known for his explosive speed in stakes races. A , Point Given grew into a massive frame, standing 17 hands high and weighing around 1,280 pounds at maturity, which contributed to his nicknames "The Big Red Train" and "T-Rex" reflecting his powerful build, immense strength, and headstrong personality. Raised at The Corporation's farm in , Point Given demonstrated exceptional raw power during his early development and initial groundwork, though observers noted his willful and occasionally feisty temperament as a challenge to handle.

Ownership and Training Preparation

Point Given was bred and owned by Saudi Arabian Prince Ahmed bin Salman through his racing operation, The Corp., making him a homebred addition to a prestigious that also featured high-profile such as War Emblem and Anees. The Corp., established in the mid-1990s, focused on acquiring and breeding top talent, with Point Given representing one of its flagship investments in American racing. Following his early development in , Point Given was shipped to trainer Bob Baffert's base at in , where Baffert, a National Museum of Racing Hall of Famer known for his success with young prospects, took charge of his conditioning. Baffert's program emphasized building the colt's stamina and speed, drawing on his experience with previous Juvenile champions like Anees. Gary Stevens, a longtime collaborator with Baffert, handled most of Point Given's training rides and partnered him in the majority of his races, including the . Early workouts at Santa Anita showcased Point Given's raw power and inherited athleticism from his sire , a dual Classic winner, though Baffert addressed minor challenges such as the colt's initial reluctance in schooling to ensure a smooth debut. These sessions, beginning in late 1999, focused on controlled breezes over distances up to seven furlongs, highlighting his explosive acceleration while gradually introducing him to race-like conditions; Point Given made his debut on August 12, 2000, at Del Mar Racetrack.

Racing Career

2000: Two-Year-Old Season

Point Given began his racing career under trainer with a second-place finish in his debut on August 12, 2000, in a maiden special weight race over 6½ furlongs at Del Mar Racetrack. Two weeks later, on August 26, he broke his maiden in similar company at the same track but at 7 furlongs, winning by 9 lengths in a time of 1:23.43 on a fast dirt surface. Stepping up in class, Point Given shipped to Turfway Park for the Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes (G3) on September 16, over 1⅛ miles on a fast synthetic surface, where he secured his first stakes victory by 6½ lengths, demonstrating emerging stamina under jockey Gary Stevens. Baffert's training approach emphasized gradual distance increases to prepare the colt for classic races, a strategy evident in this dominant performance. Sent east for the Champagne Stakes (G1) at on October 14, covering 1 mile on a fast dirt track, Point Given finished second, three-quarters of a length behind winner A.P. Valentine, in a field that solidified his status among top juveniles. In his next outing, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at on November 4, over 1⅛ miles on a fast dirt surface, Point Given rallied from tenth at the stretch call but fell a nose short of victory to Macho Uno in a , earning $240,000 for the runner-up effort. Point Given rebounded strongly in the Hollywood Futurity (G1) on December 16 at Hollywood Park, 1⅛ miles on a fast dirt track, edging Millennium Wind by a neck in 1:42.20 to claim the $345,000 first prize and cap his juvenile campaign on a high note, showcasing the stamina Baffert had targeted. Overall, Point Given made six starts as a two-year-old, recording three wins and three seconds while earning $621,614, which ranked him among the leading juvenile earners and positioned him as a prime contender for the 2001 trail.

2001: Three-Year-Old Season

Point Given entered his three-year-old campaign with strong momentum from his strong two-year-old season, in which he recorded three wins and three seconds. He opened the year with a victory in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) on March 17 at , winning by 2¼ lengths over I Love Silver in 1:41.94 over 1⅛ miles. Point Given followed up with a dominant performance in the (G1) on April 7, pulling clear to win by 4¾ lengths over Crafty C. T. in 1:47.77 over 1¼ miles, solidifying his status as the early favorite. Despite high expectations, Point Given struggled in the on May 5, 2001, at , finishing fifth behind winner after breaking from the unfavorable post 17 and encountering traffic issues on a sloppy track. The favorite's performance was later attributed to a poor start and positioning challenges rather than a lack of ability. Two weeks later, Point Given rebounded decisively in the , a Grade 1 race over 1 3/16 miles at on May 19, 2001, where he rallied three wide on the final turn to win by 2¼ lengths over A P Valentine in a time of 1:55.41. This victory, under jockey Gary Stevens and trainer , marked his first Triple Crown leg and restored confidence in his classic potential. In the on June 9, 2001, at , Point Given dominated the 1½-mile Grade 1 event wire-to-wire, pulling away to a 12½-length over A P Valentine in 2:26.36, the fourth-fastest time in the race's history at that point. His powerful stretch run showcased peak form, though the Triple Crown remained elusive without a win. After a brief rest, Point Given extended his dominance in the Haskell Invitational Handicap, a Grade 1 stakes over 1⅛ miles at Monmouth Park on August 5, 2001, overcoming a reluctant start to win by 4¾ lengths over E Dubai. He completed the 2001 mid-summer sweep in the Travers Stakes, a Grade 1 race at 1¼ miles on Saratoga's dirt on August 25, 2001, drawing off to a 3½-length triumph over E Dubai and becoming the first horse to win four consecutive $1 million races (Preakness, Belmont, Haskell, and Travers). However, a in his left foreleg surfaced shortly after the Travers, forcing his from after six starts in 2001, in which he recorded four wins and one fifth-place finish. This ended a campaign that solidified his status as one of the division's elite performers.

Complete Race Record

Point Given competed in 13 races over two seasons, compiling a record of 9 wins, 3 seconds, and no thirds. His career earnings totaled $3,968,500, with a win percentage of 69% and an average winning margin exceeding 5 lengths. He remained undefeated in non-Triple Crown stakes following his Kentucky Derby performance and achieved four consecutive Grade 1 victories in 2001. His commanding performances in the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes underscored his prowess on the Triple Crown trail.
DateTrackRace NameDistanceFinishJockeyEarnings
Aug 12, 2000Del MarMaiden Special Weight6½ f2ndDavid R. Flores$0
Aug 26, 2000Del MarMaiden Special Weight7 f1stDavid R. Flores$30,000
Sep 16, 2000Turfway ParkKentucky Cup Juvenile S. (G3)1⅛ m1stGary Stevens$90,000
Oct 14, 2000Belmont ParkChampagne S. (G1)1 m2ndGary Stevens$150,000
Nov 4, 2000Churchill DownsBreeders' Cup Juvenile (G1)1⅛ m2ndGary Stevens$240,000
Dec 16, 2000Hollywood ParkHollywood Futurity (G1)1⅛ m1stGary Stevens$207,000
Mar 17, 2001Santa AnitaSan Felipe S. (G2)1⅛ m1stGary Stevens$90,000
Apr 7, 2001Santa AnitaSanta Anita Derby (G1)1¼ m1stGary Stevens$450,000
May 5, 2001Churchill DownsKentucky Derby (G1)1¼ m5thGary Stevens$110,000
May 19, 2001PimlicoPreakness S. (G1)1³⁄₁₆ m1stGary Stevens$650,000
Jun 9, 2001Belmont ParkBelmont S. (G1)1½ m1stGary Stevens$400,000
Aug 5, 2001Monmouth ParkHaskell Invitational H. (G1)1⅛ m1stGary Stevens$600,000
Aug 25, 2001SaratogaTravers S. (G1)1¼ m1stGary Stevens$450,000
Note: Earnings reflect the horse's share from each race purse; distances are in miles and furlongs where applicable; all races on dirt unless otherwise noted. Data compiled from official race charts.

Achievements and Honors

Eclipse Awards and Year-End Recognitions

Point Given received widespread acclaim for his 2001 performances, culminating in two Eclipse Awards that highlighted his dominance among American Thoroughbreds. He was voted the unanimous Champion Three-Year-Old Male, receiving every first-place vote from the Daily Racing Form, National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, and National Thoroughbred Racing Association panels, as he was the sole finalist in the category. For Horse of the Year, Point Given outpolled the 2000 champion Tiznow, securing victories of 35-13 in Daily Racing Form balloting, 86-35 from the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, and 35-17 from the NTRA, marking a decisive endorsement of his season-long excellence. These honors were presented at the 31st annual Eclipse Awards ceremony on February 18, 2002, at the Fontainebleau Hilton Resort in Miami Beach, Florida. In addition to the Eclipse Awards, Point Given's 2001 campaign earned him several statistical and historical distinctions. He led all North American three-year-olds in earnings with $3,350,000, a figure amassed through victories in five Grade 1 stakes races, including four worth at least $1 million each. Notably, his sequential wins in the , , Haskell Invitational Handicap, and made him the first in history to sweep four consecutive million-dollar races in a single year, a feat that underscored his versatility and stamina across distances from 1 3/16 miles to 1 1/4 miles. As a two-year-old in 2000, Point Given did not secure any major Eclipse Awards, though he was named a finalist for Champion Two-Year-Old Male after finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and winning the Hollywood Futurity; he ultimately placed second in the voting to Macho Uno. His 2001 recognitions thus represented a dramatic elevation, reflecting a career progression from promising juvenile to consensus standout.

Hall of Fame Induction and Legacy

Point Given was elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2010 as part of the contemporary horse category, receiving the necessary votes from the Hall of Fame's selection committee on his first ballot of eligibility. The induction ceremony took place on August 13, 2010, at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in , alongside fellow equine inductees Azeri, Best Pal, and Harry Bassett, as well as jockeys Don Pierce and Randy Romero, and trainer Buster Millerick. His enshrinement recognized not only his 2001 Eclipse Awards as a precursor to this honor but also his extraordinary athletic achievements in a career marked by dominance in high-stakes races. Point Given's legacy endures as a symbol of resilience in , exemplified by his stunning comeback after a fifth-place finish in the 2001 , where illness and a poor performance dashed early Triple Crown hopes. He rebounded decisively to win the by 2¼ lengths and the by 12¼ lengths, becoming the first to capture four consecutive million-dollar races with subsequent victories in the Haskell Invitational and . This sequence inspired ongoing discussions among racing enthusiasts and analysts about alternative paths to Triple Crown contention, including the merits of skipping or recovering from a Derby setback, and positioned Point Given as a perennial "what if" figure—had he won the , he might have completed the elusive Triple Crown. His cultural impact extends to broader narratives in media, where Point Given is often compared to other near-miss Triple Crown contenders like Silver Charm for embodying unfulfilled potential amid extraordinary talent. The dramatic arc of the 2001 season, highlighted by his redemption story, has been chronicled in documentaries such as the production Thoroughbred: Born to Run and various books and articles exploring the era's rivalries and high drama. These portrayals underscore Point Given's role in captivating audiences and elevating the sport's storytelling tradition.

Post-Racing Life

Retirement and Stud Career

Point Given's racing career concluded in September 2001 after he developed a injury following his victory in the . He was immediately syndicated for $50 million, divided into 50 shares priced at $1 million each, marking one of the highest syndication values for a at the time. Following retirement, Point Given transitioned to a stud career at Three Chimneys Farm in , beginning with the 2002 breeding season at an advertised fee of $125,000 per live . His ownership remained with The Thoroughbred Corp. until the death of principal owner Prince Ahmed bin Salman in July 2002. The stallion's first crop, conceived in 2002 and racing as two-year-olds in 2006, yielded notable success, including Grade 1 winner Point Ashley in the Del Mar Debutante Stakes. In 2013, Point Given relocated to in , where he continued standing at stud until his pensioning later that decade. Over the course of his breeding career, his advertised fee progressively declined, reaching $5,000 by 2017, reflecting market adjustments amid varying progeny performance. Point Given sired 15 graded stakes winners from his crops, including two champions: Sealy Hill, the 2007 Canadian Horse of the Year and Filly Triple Crown winner, and Points of Grace, the 2009 Canadian Champion Female Turf Horse. Other prominent graded winners among his progeny included Go Between, victor of the 2008 Pacific Classic Stakes (G1), and Coil, winner of the 2011 Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1).

Later Years and Death

In November 2017, Point Given was pensioned from stallion duty at due to declining fertility and relocated to the 's Hall of Champions, where he began residing in the spring of 2018 as a resident for public viewing. At the , Point Given enjoyed a comfortable , featuring daily turnout in spacious pastures, routine veterinary monitoring to ensure his , and frequent interactions with visitors who admired the champion as a key ambassador for . He occasionally appeared at park events, delighting fans with his gentle demeanor and imposing presence, and remained in robust health throughout his five years there. Point Given passed away peacefully on , 2023, at the age of 25 while at the . He was buried at the park's Memorial Walk of Champions, joining other equine legends such as and John Henry. Tributes followed from his connections, with trainer stating, "He was the greatest of his generation," and jockey Gary Stevens noting, "Rest in peace, PG... the greatest horse to not win the Triple Crown." Kentucky Horse Park president Lee Carter described him as a "wonderful ambassador" whose presence would be deeply missed.

Pedigree and Progeny

Family Lineage

Point Given was sired by , a prominent who won the 1995 and , and out of Turko's Turn, a stakes-winning noted for her speed at distances up to 5½ furlongs.

Sire Line

(chestnut, 1992), himself by the precocious sprinter-miler out of the Storm Bird Line of Thunder, carried the influential male line, known for imparting versatility and classic potential. (bay, 1984) was by (bay, 1970), a leading sire whose descendants have dominated American racing, including multiple winners such as and Point Given himself. Line of Thunder (bay, 1987), a half-sister to Japanese stakes winner Battle Line, brought stamina through her sire Storm Bird (bay, 1978), enhancing 's ability to excel at 1½ miles in the .

Dam Line

Turko's Turn (chestnut, 1992) was by the rugged Turkoman (bay, 1982), a son of the classic-winning Alydar renowned for soundness and distance aptitude, out of Turbo Launch (chestnut, 1985), a two-turn stakes winner who produced additional stakes performers like U R Unforgetable. Turko's Turn herself produced 15 named foals, of which 13 started and eight won races, including three stakes-placed runners alongside Point Given, earning her the 2001 Broodmare of the Year title. Further back in the dam line, Relaunch (gray, 1976)—sire of Turbo Launch—traces to Turn-To (bay, 1951) via In Reality (bay, 1964), introducing speed-oriented genetics, while broader Nasrullah (bay, 1940) influences appear through Nashua (bay, 1952) in the branch, blending sprint precocity with stamina for versatile performance.

Extended Pedigree

Point Given's four-generation pedigree reflects concentrated influences from foundational sires, with inbreeding to (chestnut, 1961) at 4x4, promoting consistency in traits like early maturity and acceleration. The cross nicks favorably with lines, as Storm Bird—sire of —directly appears in Thunder Gulch's pedigree, a pattern associated with enhanced speed and closing ability in descendants. Textual Pedigree Tree (Four Generations):
  • Point Given (ch. c., 1998)
    • Sire: (ch. c., 1992)
      • Sire of Sire: (b. c., 1984)
      • Dam of Sire: Line of Thunder (b. m., 1987)
        • Sire of Dam of Sire: Storm Bird (b. c., 1978)
        • Dam of Dam of Sire: Shoot A Line (b. m., 1977)
    • Dam: Turko's Turn (ch. m., 1992)
      • Sire of Dam: Turkoman (br. h., 1982)
        • Sire of Sire of Dam: Alydar (dk ch./br. c., 1975)
        • Dam of Sire of Dam: Taba (b. m., 1973)
      • Dam of Dam: Turbo Launch (ch. m., 1985)
        • Sire of Dam of Dam: Relaunch (gr. h., 1976)
        • Dam of Dam of Dam: David's Tobin (ch. m., 1972)
This structure highlights the balance of Raise A Native's speed (4x4 ) and Northern Dancer's endurance. Point Given inherited a powerful closing kick from his sire , who demonstrated strong late surges in his victories, and substantial size from his dam's side, where Turkoman contributed to robust frames suited for distance racing. His pedigree underpinned a physical build that measured 17 hands as a juvenile, enabling elite performance at up to 1½ miles.

Notable Offspring

Point Given proved a solid, if inconsistent, , producing 397 winners (55.8% winners-to-foals) and 33 stakes winners (4.6%) from 712 named foals of racing age. His progeny often required time to mature and excelled at distances around two turns, contributing to his reputation for breeding durable routers. Among his most notable offspring were two champions: Sealy Hill, the 2007 Canadian Horse of the Year who swept the Canadian Triple Tiara (Woodbine Oaks, Bison City Stakes, and Wonder Where Stakes), and Points of Grace, the 2009 Canadian Champion Female Turf Horse. Sealy Hill later distinguished herself as a broodmare, producing four graded stakes winners including the dual Grade 1 winner Cambier Parc. Point Given sired several high-class performers in the United States, including Grade I winners Coil (CashCall Futurity, Haskell Invitational Stakes), Go Between (Manhattan Handicap, Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes), and Point Ashley (Test Stakes). Other black-type winners from his crops included (Ontario Colleen Stakes) and Points of Grace (Nearctic Stakes). His daughters extended his influence, with progeny of his female lines yielding additional stakes winners and enhancing his legacy in breeding circles. Point Given's stud career peaked with strong North American results, particularly in , before his pensioning in November 2017 limited success from later crops; he ranked among the leading sires by progeny earnings in several early seasons.

References

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  47. https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/10/sports/sports-of-the-times-point-given-reigns-without-a-crown.html
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  55. https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/224942/point-given-pensioned-to-kentucky-horse-park
  56. https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/536976/point-given/fee-history
  57. https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article186746793.html
  58. https://www.horseracingnation.com/horse/Coil
  59. https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/point-given-retired-from-stud-duty-joins-kentucky-horse-park/
  60. https://kyhorsepark.com/point-given-2001-preakness-belmont-staes-winner-dies-at-25/
  61. https://www.allbreedpedigree.com/point+given
  62. https://www.americanclassicpedigrees.com/thunder-gulch.html
  63. https://www.americanclassicpedigrees.com/turkos-turn.html
  64. https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/230006/hes-had-enough-filly-sports-top-pedigree-at-obs
  65. https://www.drf.com/news/point-given-dual-classic-winner-and-hall-famer-dead-25
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  68. https://kyhorsepark.com/memorial-walk-of-champions/point-given/
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