Invasor
August 3 – INVASOR
This is a special horse for so many reasons and he may be the only horse that I've painted that was born in the Southern Hemisphere, thus the birthday in the second half of the year. He was ridden by an 18-19-year-old Fernando Jara who retained the mount no matter how famous the horse became. Invasor was a personal discovery by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed AL Mouktoum for his Shadwell Farms. The story I was told by the Shadwell Farm manager Rick Nichols is that the "Boss" was traveling in South America viewing many horses and out of all the ones he saw, this horse really caught his attention. So, when he raced successfully in South America, it was with great pride that he was brought to the United States to see if he could reproduce those same results up here. He started his Northern campaign too late for the Classics, but he hit the track running as soon as he landed and did so, right up the racing ladder until he won the Breeders' Cup Classic and captured the Horse of the Year honors. But his career had one more major destination and that was to go to the Sheikh's home track, Meydan in Dubai for the World Cup, where he solidified his claim as the best horse in the world.
I painted this painting live at Gulfstream Park. Invasor had won the Donn Handicap there and he was going to be my subject for a Donn painting, but in talking with Kairan McLaughlin his trainer, the decision was made that the Dubai World Cup win was the way to go. When I searched through a mountain of potential source photos, I noticed that his horse always ran with both ears perked up, he just looked like the picture of class on the track. While I painted Invasor at Gulfstream, Rick Nichols came up and bought the painting for "the Boss".
A few months later, I was in Kentucky and Rick asked me to come out to the farm. I was able to see Invasor, and I must admit he was the little train that could. It was hard to believe the horse I was standing next to be this relentless freight train on the track that ran with the heart of a champion. But Rick had called me to the farm for a reason. After viewing Invasor, he took me to the workshop on the farm. His crew was building a 'shipping container' to send the painting to Dubai on one of their airplanes. He wanted to make sure I approved. Well, the "container" was a polished wooded box (maybe mahogany) cut to the exact size of the painting with a deep blue (Shadwell Blue) crush velvet padded lining inside. It had brass hinges and a brass lock latch. "You're kidding right? This box needs more padding!" (We laughed.) It's safe to say that box flew first class and was probably even served champagne on the flight, but what else would you expect for a horse the Sheikh felt an extra strong bond with, as the one he personally picked out and went on to be the Breeders' Cup Champion, Dubai World Cup Champion, and the Horse of the Year. Maybe the extra special part for Sheikh Hamdan was that he beat his brother's horse, Bernardini in Breeders' Cup. That win sealed his Horse of the Year title. Did I fail to mention he also ran into the Hall of Fame?
Born in the Southern Hemisphere, Invasor may be the only horse I've painted who was born in the 'second half' of the year.
While he was one of many wonderful horses to race for Sheikh Hamdan's Shadwell Farm, he was also one of the most special horses to the Sheikh because he found him in South America on his own when he was supposed to be looking at other horses. You win the Breeders' Cup and the Dubai World Cup, and your work is done on the track. (Credit must be given to Kiaran McLaughlin for the sensational job of training Invasor.) After standing stud for a decade in Kentucky at Shadwell, he relocated back to South America where he still casts a big shadow.
For me, the most surprising thing was when Ed Bowen and I were getting a quote for the book, A Brush With Greatness; I asked farm manager Rick Nichols to say a few words of his own about Invasor. A couple of days later a nice, detailed letter arrived from "The Boss", Sheikh Hamdan, that had to be cut up to fit the space on the page! He did say that over his 40 years with horses, that Invasor was one of four of Shadwell's great ones and proceeded to give me a nice write-up on each of the four.
The world lost Sheikh Hamdan a few months ago, creating several voids, one of which is in the horse world. Recently, it's been announced that his daughter will take over the global horse operations, a role that she's been groomed for all her life. Wishing them all the best to continue their success.
Yes, I have a few funnier stories about painting Invasor and getting the painting to Dubai, but I'll just be quiet for once. Enjoy the painting, The Boss did.
Invasor was a brilliant champion with an international story unlike almost any other horse, going from a Triple Crown winner in South America to Horse of the Year in the United States. He was foaled in 2002 in Argentina and began his racing career in Uruguay. Owned originally by Uruguayan owner Pablo Tunon, he won the Uruguayan Triple Crown by sweeping the Polla de Potrillos, the Jockey Club, and the Gran Premio Nacional. His sire was Candy Stripes, and his dam was Quendom, a daughter of Interprete.
After his Uruguayan triumphs, Invasor was purchased by Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum and shipped to the United States to be trained by Kiaran McLaughlin for Shadwell Stable. His American debut in early 2006 was a disappointment, finishing fourth in the UAE Derby, but he quickly found his footing. Ridden by jockey Fernando Jara, he reeled off a string of huge wins. He won the Pimlico Special, the Suburban Handicap, and the Whitney Stakes at Saratoga, where he beat the heavy favorite Bernardini in a race remembered as the best on the eastern circuit that year.
The biggest moment came in November. Invasor met undefeated favorite Bernardini again in the 2006 Breeders Cup Classic at Churchill Downs, and this time Invasor drew off to win by a length in dominating style. He was named the 2006 Horse of the Year and Eclipse Award Champion Older Male, capping one of the great single seasons in modern racing.
His five year old season opened with one more masterpiece. Invasor shipped to the Middle East and won the 2007 Dubai World Cup, beating top runners from across the globe to add the world's richest race to his record. Injuries forced him into retirement soon after. He finished his career with 11 wins from 12 starts and earnings of over 7.8 million dollars. He stood at stud at Shadwell Farm in Kentucky and later in Argentina. Invasor is remembered as one of the toughest, most international champions of his era, a true world class racehorse whose career carried him from South America to the very top of the sport.
Sources: