Breeding


Grade 1 Performer and Grade 1 Stakes Sire Captain Courage Euthanized
Grade 1 sire Captain Courage was euthanized today (January 31) due to severe osteoarthritis in his stifles.

© Don Shugart
Grade 1 Performer and Grade 1 Stakes Sire Captain Courage Euthanized

GUTHRIE, TEXAS–JANUARY 31, 2023–Four Sixes Ranch announced Captain Courage was euthanized today (January 31) due to severe osteoarthritis in his stifles. The grade 1 performing son of Champion Mr Jess Perry won or placed in eight of his 11 career starts while earning $213,251. He was third in the All American Futurity [G1], and a finalist in both the All American Derby [G1] and Texas Classic Futurity [G1].

The 18-year-old was bred by Julianna Hawn Holt, raced for Burnett Ranches, LLC, Chad Hart and Bobby Mosley, Jr. and was conditioned by Heath Taylor.

From 12 crops of racing age, he is represented by 183 winners (68%) and 30 stakes horses (10%) and progeny earnings in excess of $6,150,000 with average earnings per starter of more than $20,000. His top performer was Wicked Courage SI 105 (9 wins in 18 starts to 4, $1,132,848, Rainbow Derby [G1], Ruidoso Derby [G1], Bob Moore Memorial Stakes [G2], Black Gold Futurity Championship [G3], Black Gold 350 Futurity).

A resident stallion with the Four Sixes Ranch for many years, horse division manager Dr. Nathan Canaday worked with Captain Courage before he entered stud, “While I was an intern under Dr. Tommy Hayes at the Elgin Veterinary Hospital, we would fly to Ruidoso Downs to treat horses and he was one of them.”

“This is never an easy decision and, like in this case, when I have worked with him in some capacity for 15 years it makes it even tougher. The whole staff will miss him.” Canaday added.

Captain Courage’s dam Corona Chick was one of the greatest broodmare’s in AQHA history. Named the AQHA Racing Champion Two-Year-Old/Two-Year-Old Filly of 1991 and Champion Three-Year-Old Filly of 1992, Corona Chick won 15 of 18 career starts earning $591,326. Among her stakes wins were the Ed Burke Memorial Futurity (G1), Dash For Cash Futurity (G1), Kindergarten Futurity (G1), Governor's Cup Derby (RG1) and Governor's Cup Futurity (RG2).

While Corona Chick accomplished great success on the track, her greatest achievement was being a mother. A former AQHA Racing Broodmare of the Year, her foals have earned a record $3,624,177. Among her offspring is leading money earner and All American Futurity winner Corona Cash ($1,542,880); Grade 1 winner and a leading third crop sire Valiant Hero ($668,633); #2 all-time leading sire of money earners Corona Cartel ($557,142), etc.

Captain Courage entered stud in 2009 at the Four Sixes Ranch in Guthrie, Texas where he resided until his death on January 31, 2023.