Spectacular Bid (February 17, 1976 – June 9, 2003) was an American Thoroughbred race horse. In a racing career which lasted from 1978 through 1980, Spectacular Bid won 26 of 30 races, set several track records and earned US$2,781,607, a then-record sum. He won Eclipse Awards in each of his three seasons.
Spectacular Bid was the leading American two-year-old of 1978, when his wins included Champagne Stakes and the Laurel Futurity. In early 1979 his wins included the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes as he built up a run of twelve consecutive victories. Spectacular Bid's attempt at winning the Triple Crown failed as he sustained a controversial defeat in the Belmont Stakes. He recovered from injury to win the Marlboro Cup and confirm his status as the best American colt of his generation. In 1980, racing as a four-year-old, Spectacular Bid was undefeated in nine races and was named American Horse of the Year.
At the end of the 1980 season, Spectacular Bid was retired to stud, where his record as a sire of winners was mixed.
Read more about Spectacular Bid: Background, Stud Record, Honors, Pedigree
Famous quotes containing the words spectacular and/or bid:
“After my spectacular failures, I could not be satisfied with an ordinary success.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)
“Often he bid me come and have a look
Up the brass barrel, velvet black inside,
At a star quaking in the other end.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)