# First Samurai (horse)

First Samurai is a thoroughbred race horse born February 2, 2003. He was a contender for the Triple Crown in 2006, but a starting gate incident contributed to his defeat in the Blue Grass Stakes. Two weeks after the race, First Samurai was diagnosed with two broken ribs following an ultrasound. He was not entered in the Kentucky Derby, with his injury cited as the reason. The Blue Grass ultimately proved to be his final race.

## Connections

First Samurai is owned by Bruce Lunsford Tom Hansen, Tom Morris & Raymond Coudriet and is trained by Frank Brothers. He has been ridden by Pat Day and Jerry Bailey, both jockeys now retired, and the still racing Edgar Prado. First Samurai was bred in Kentucky by John D. Gunther.

## Races

| Finish | Race | Distance | Track | Condition |
| 5th | Blue Grass Stakes | One and One-Eighth Miles | Keeneland Race Course | Fast |
| 1st (by disqualification) | Fountain of Youth Stakes | One and One-Eighth Miles | Gulfstream Park | Fast |
| 2nd | Hutcheson Stakes | Seven and One-Half Furlongs | Gulfstream Park | Sloppy |
| 3rd | Breeders' Cup Juvenile | One and One-Sixteenth Miles | Belmont Park | Fast |
| 1st | Champagne Stakes | One Mile | Belmont Park | Sloppy (Sealed) |
| 1st | Hopeful Stakes | Seven Furlongs | Saratoga Race Course | Fast |
| 1st | Allowance | Six Furlongs | Saratoga Race Course | Fast |
| 1st | Maiden | Six Furlongs | Churchill Downs | Fast |
In his career, cut short by injury, he started 8 times, winning 5, placing in 1, showing in 1, with total earnings of $915,075

## Stud career

First Samurai stands at stud at the Hancock Family's Claiborne Farm near Paris, Kentucky. His starting fee in 2007 was $40,000 and stood alongside Claiborne's other stallions, which included Pulpit, Seeking the Gold, During, Eddington, and Strong Hope.
First Samurai's descendants include:
c = colt, f = filly
| Foaled | Name | Sex | Major Wins |
| 2009 | Lea | c | Donn Handicap, Hal's Hope Stakes |
| 2008 | Justin Phillip | c | Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap, Count Fleet Sprint Handicap |
| 2009 | Last Gunfighter | c | Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap, Philip H. Iselin Stakes, Pimlico Special |
| 2009 | Northern Passion | c | Natalma Stakes |
| 2010 | Executiveprivilege | c | Chandelier Stakes, Del Mar Debutante Stakes |
| 2011 | Stacked Deck | c | Kennedy Road Stakes, Bold Venture Stakes |
| 2014 | Sharp Samurai | c | City of Hope Mile Stakes, Twilight Derby, Del Mar Derby |
| 2014 | Miss Sky Warrior | f | Gazelle Stakes, Davona Dale Stakes, Demoiselle Stakes |
| 2016 | Cutting Humor | c | Sunland Derby |

## Pedigree

Pedigree of First Samurai(USA),2003 :
| Sire Giant's Causeway(USA) 1997 | Storm Cat (USA) 1983 | Storm Bird | Northern Dancer |
| Sire Giant's Causeway(USA) 1997 | Storm Cat (USA) 1983 | Storm Bird | South Ocean |
| Sire Giant's Causeway(USA) 1997 | Storm Cat (USA) 1983 | Terlingua | Secretariat |
| Sire Giant's Causeway(USA) 1997 | Storm Cat (USA) 1983 | Terlingua | Crimson Saint |
| Sire Giant's Causeway(USA) 1997 | Mariah's Storm (USA) 1991 | Rahy | Blushing Groom |
| Sire Giant's Causeway(USA) 1997 | Mariah's Storm (USA) 1991 | Rahy | Glorious Song |
| Sire Giant's Causeway(USA) 1997 | Mariah's Storm (USA) 1991 | Immense | Roberto |
| Sire Giant's Causeway(USA) 1997 | Mariah's Storm (USA) 1991 | Immense | Imsodear |
| Dam Freddie Frisson (USA) 1993 | Dixieland Band (USA) 1980 | Northern Dancer | Nearctic |
| Dam Freddie Frisson (USA) 1993 | Dixieland Band (USA) 1980 | Northern Dancer | Natalma |
| Dam Freddie Frisson (USA) 1993 | Dixieland Band (USA) 1980 | Mississippi Mud | Delta Judge |
| Dam Freddie Frisson (USA) 1993 | Dixieland Band (USA) 1980 | Mississippi Mud | Sand Buggy |
| Dam Freddie Frisson (USA) 1993 | Frisson (USA) 1988 | Fappiano | Mr. Prospector |
| Dam Freddie Frisson (USA) 1993 | Frisson (USA) 1988 | Fappiano | Killaloe |
| Dam Freddie Frisson (USA) 1993 | Frisson (USA) 1988 | Mavera | Reviewer |
| Dam Freddie Frisson (USA) 1993 | Frisson (USA) 1988 | Mavera | Miz Spock |