Volponi

Volponi (April 13, 1998 – February 14, 2025) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred by trainer Philip G. Johnson's family operation, Amherst Stable, he was sired by Florida Derby winner Cryptoclearance. His dam, Prom Knight, was a daughter of the 1987 Irish Derby winner Sir Harry Lewis, who was a son of the great French runner Alleged, who won back-to-back editions of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

In 2002, Volponi earned the most important win of his career when he won the Breeders' Cup Classic by 6½ lengths, the largest margin in the race's history at the time. In winning the Classic, Volponi overcame odds of 44-to-1 to beat an outstanding field that included runner-up Medaglia d'Oro, Milwaukee Brew, Evening Attire, Macho Uno, Hawk Wing, War Emblem, and Harlan's Holiday, among others. His longshot victory inadvertently exposed the largest betting scandal in the United States in a century.

At age five, Volponi made eight starts in 2003 without a win but had five seconds and two third-place finishes. Retired to stud duty, his offspring have met with limited success in racing. At the end of 2005, he was sent to Jeju Stud Farm in South Korea. His best runner in terms of career earnings is daughter Clearly Foxy, who won the 2007 Grade III Natalma Stakes.

Volponi died in South Korea on February 14, 2025, at the age of 27.

Pedigree

Pedigree of Volponi, bay stallion, 1998

Sire Cryptoclearance 1984	Fappiano	Mr. Prospector	Raise a Native
			Gold Digger
		Killaloe	Dr. Fager
			Grand Splendor
	Naval Orange	Hoist The Flag	Tom Rolfe
			Wavy Navy
		Mock Orange	Dedicate
			Alablue
Dam Prom Knight 1992	Sir Harry Lewis	Alleged	Hoist The Flag
			Prince Pout
		Sue Babe	Mr. Prospector
			Sleek Dancer
	Dancing Party	Danzig	Northern Dancer
			Pas de Nom
		Irish Party	Irish Lancer
			Party Favor (family: 16-f)

Sources

• Volponi's pedigree and partial racing stats
• Volponi's complete race record
• Volponi at the Thoroughbred Times Interactive Stallion Directory