Best Pal
# Best Pal

Best Pal (February 12, 1988 – November 24, 1998) was an American Hall of Fame champion racehorse, who retired as the all time record for purses of any California-bred earning (since surpassed) for his owners, the Golden Eagle Farm, US$5.6 million over his lifetime.

## Background

Best Pal was a brown gelding bred by John & Betty Mabee. Best Pal was a descendant of Princequillo on both his sire's and dam's line. He was gelded at an early age due to being "studdish and unmanageable".

## Racing career

Best Pal won the first running of the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, and finished second in the 1991 Kentucky Derby. He won the Hollywood Gold Cup and the Santa Anita Handicap, thus capturing all three of California's premier handicap races. In all, Best Pal won 18 races—17 of them stakes—nearly all in California.

## Retirement

Retired in 1996, Best Pal had a massive heart attack while on his way to a training track at Golden Eagle Farm. He was buried at the farm, and a large boulder with a plaque covers his grave. Best Pal was voted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2010.

## Pedigree

Pedigree of Best Pal (USA), bay gelding, 1988 :

| Sire Habitony (IRE) 1974 | Habitat (USA) 1966 | Sir Gaylord | Turn-To |
| - | - | - | - |
| Sire Habitony (IRE) 1974 | Habitat (USA) 1966 | Sir Gaylord | Somethingroyal |
| Sire Habitony (IRE) 1974 | Habitat (USA) 1966 | Little Hut | Occupy |
| Sire Habitony (IRE) 1974 | Habitat (USA) 1966 | Little Hut | Savage Beauty |
| Sire Habitony (IRE) 1974 | Courteous Lady (USA) 1960 | Gallant Man | Migoli |
| Sire Habitony (IRE) 1974 | Courteous Lady (USA) 1960 | Gallant Man | Majideh |
| Sire Habitony (IRE) 1974 | Courteous Lady (USA) 1960 | Fleurlea | Bull Lea |
| Sire Habitony (IRE) 1974 | Courteous Lady (USA) 1960 | Fleurlea | Blue Lily |
| Dam Ubetshedid (USA) 1980 | King Pellinore (USA) 1972 | Round Table | Princequillo |
| Dam Ubetshedid (USA) 1980 | King Pellinore (USA) 1972 | Round Table | Knights Daughter |
| Dam Ubetshedid (USA) 1980 | King Pellinore (USA) 1972 | Thong | Nantallah |
| Dam Ubetshedid (USA) 1980 | King Pellinore (USA) 1972 | Thong | Rough Shod |
| Dam Ubetshedid (USA) 1980 | Ubetido (USA) 1975 | Sir Wiggle | Sadair |
| Dam Ubetshedid (USA) 1980 | Ubetido (USA) 1975 | Sir Wiggle | Wiggle |
| Dam Ubetshedid (USA) 1980 | Ubetido (USA) 1975 | Udontmeanit | Gray Phantom |
| Dam Ubetshedid (USA) 1980 | Ubetido (USA) 1975 | Udontmeanit | Lady Bourbon (Family:2-h) |
