Decidedly (March 3, 1959 – November 12, 1984) was an American

Thoroughbred The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are c ...

racehorse Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic pr ...

who is best known for winning the 1962 Kentucky Derby.

Background

Decidedly was a gray horse bred in California by George Pope. His sire Determine from whom he inherited his gray coat, won the Kentucky Derby in 1954. Decidedly's dam Gloire Fille was descended from the broodmare La France (foaled 1928) who was the female line ancestor of numerous other major winners including

Phalanx The phalanx ( grc, φάλαγξ; plural phalanxes or phalanges, , ) was a rectangular mass military formation, usually composed entirely of heavy infantry armed with spears, pikes, sarissas, or similar pole weapons. The term is particularly use ...

, Danzig Connection and Johnstown.

Racing career

Ridden by

Bill Hartack William John Hartack Jr. (December 9, 1932 – November 26, 2007), born in Colver, Pennsylvania, was a Hall of Fame jockey. Colver is in the northwestern part of Cambria Township, 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Ebensburg, the county seat. ...

, Decidedly set a new

Churchill Downs Churchill Downs is a horse racing complex located on Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, famed for hosting the annual Kentucky Derby. It officially opened in 1875 and was named for Samuel Churchill, whose family was ...

track record for 1¼ miles in winning the 1962 Derby. In the second leg and third legs of the U.S. Triple Crown series, the

Preakness Preakness may refer to: * The Preakness or Preakness Stakes, an American flat thoroughbred horse race held in Baltimore, Maryland * Preakness (horse), an American thoroughbred racehorse from Preakness Stables * Preakness, New Jersey, a section of W ...

and

Belmont Stakes The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds run at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is run over 1.5 miles (2,400 m). Colts and geldings carry a weight of ; fillies carry . The race, nicknamed Th ...

, he was unplaced. In 1963 Decidedly won five of thirteen starts and set a new

Keeneland Race Course Keeneland Association, Inc. is an equine business based in Lexington, Kentucky. It includes two distinct divisions: the Keeneland Race Course, a Thoroughbred racing facility, and Keeneland Sales, a horse auction complex. It is also known for i ...

record for 1¹/16 miles in winning the Ben Ali Handicap. He was retired from racing at age five after the 1964 season in which he won two races from ten starts.

Stud record

stud Stud may refer to the following terms: Animals * Stud (animal), an animal retained for breeding ** Stud farm, a property where livestock are bred Arts and entertainment * Stud (band), a British progressive rock group * The Stud (bar), a gay ba ...

, Decidedly was the sire of nineteen stakes race winners.

Pedigree

References

1962 Kentucky Derby charts
{{Kentucky Derby Winners 1959 racehorse births Racehorses bred in California Racehorses trained in the United States Kentucky Derby winners Thoroughbred family 17-b