It was hard not to like Charismatic, the reformed claimer nobody claimed, who went on to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness for D. Wayne Lukas. Charismatic lost the Belmont and was injured during the running when kept closer to the pace than he was used to.
The picture of Chris Antley, his jockey, who also departed way too soon, cradling the injured Charismatic’s leg will be forever etched in our minds. Chris was credited with saving Charismatic that day, although he also took his share of heat at the time for the ride he gave the colt.
We now have lost both early. Chris passed several years ago while still a young man, and Charismatic passed at Old Friends just the other day at 20 years old.
The horse was named champion 3-year-old and Horse of the Year in 1999, the year he took the Derby and Preakness. He won five races in total and earned $2,038,064 in his career.
Charismatic began his stud career at Lane’s End in 2000 and stood there for three seasons before relocating to Japan in 2002. He is the sire of 2005 Grade 2 Pennsylvania Derby winner Sun King and multiple graded stakes winner Gouldings Green, as well as Japanese group winner Wonder Acute.
Too bad he did not enjoy a longer retirement at the farm.
