McDynamo (KY)

Biography

A winner of 11 Grade 1 steeplechase events, McDynamo retired in 2007 as the all-time leader in jump earnings with $1,310,104.

Purchased by Michael J. Moran for $82,000 at the Keeneland yearling sales in September of 1998, McDynamo was a son of Dynaformer out of the Monteverdi mare Rondonia. Bred in Kentucky by Richard Fox, Nathan Fox, and Richard Kaster, McDynamo began his career as a flat racer and broke his maiden in his second career start in June of 2000 at Pimlico Race Course.

However, after only having two wins in his first nine career starts, McDynamo was made into a jumper. Moran, who initially served as his trainer, put the horse in the care of Sanna Hendrick for jump racing. McDynamo was an instant success as a steeplechaser, winning nine of his first 11 over jumps. He won the first of three Eclipse Awards in 2003 when he won the Grand National, Colonial Cup, and Royal Chase.

McDynamo came back and won the Grand National in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007. The first four of his record five wins in the race took place when it was a Breeders’ Cup event. He set course records in the Grand National in both 2003 and 2004, and his Grand National win in 2006 allowed him to become steeplechasing’s all-time earnings leader, surpassing Hall of Famer Lonesome Glory. McDynamo’s fifth and final victory in the Grand National, at the age of 10, also secured him a win at the famous Moorland Farm course in New Jersey for an incredible seventh consecutive year. He was dubbed the “King of Far Hills.”

After winning the 2003 Colonial Cup in record time, McDynamo added two more wins in the race in 2005 and 2006. McDynamo also won the Eclipse Award in both of those years.

McDynamo was retired in 2007 with a career record of 17-6-1 from 34 starts and overall earnings of $1,354,994. Fifteen of his wins came in steeplechase events.

Achievements

Eclipse Award Champion Steeplechase Horse — 2003
Eclipse Award Champion Steeplechase Horse — 2005
Eclipse Award Champion Steeplechase Horse — 2006

Breeders' Cup highlights

Won the Grand National Hurdle Stakes — 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
(NOTE: The Grand National was designated as a Breeders' Cup event in the steeplechase category the first four years McDynamo won the event)

Notable 

Won the Colonial Cup Hurdle Stakes — 2003, 2005, 2006
Won the Foxbrook Supreme Hurdle Stakes — 2002
Won the Hard Scuffle Hurdle Stakes — 2002
Won the U.S. Championship Supreme Hurdle Stakes — 2002
Won the Royal Chase for the Sport of Kings Hurdle Stakes — 2003
— Retired with record steeplechase earnings of $1,310,104
— Won 11 Grade 1 races
— Set course records in the Grand National in 2003 and 2004
— Set a course record in the 2003 Colonial Cup

Horse Profile for McDynamo | Equibase is Your Official Source for Thoroughbred Racing Information