Cannonade

For the cannon see Carronade

Cannonade (May 12, 1971 – August 3, 1993) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known as the winner of the 1974 Kentucky Derby.

Background

Owned and bred by prominent businessman John M. Olin, Cannonade was foaled at Gainesway Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. He was out of the mare Queen Sucree, a daughter of Ribot, the undefeated European champion and Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland. Cannonade was sired by American Champion Bold Bidder, who also sired the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame great Spectacular Bid. Bold Bidder's sire was Bold Ruler, himself a Hall of Fame inductee and an eight-time Leading sire in North America.

Racing career

Racing at age two on the New York State circuit, Cannonade was trained by future Hall of Fame inductee Woody Stephens. He was beaten twice before earning his first win, then in June captured the now-defunct 5½ furlong Great American Stakes at Belmont Park. Cannonade's next significant win came in September's Aqueduct Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack, followed by a third-place finish in the important Champagne Stakes. His final win of the 1973 season came at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, where he won the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes.