Pedigree Analysis: Wise Dan

America's favourite horse returned this evening with a battling victory over the progressive Optimizer in the Grade II Bernard Beruch stakes at Saratoga. This was Wise Dan's first racecourse appearance since his colic battle. The seven-year-old superstar showed he still retained his ability battling to a narrow win, and all roads lead to a third victory in the Grade I Breeders Cup Mile. 

Wise Dan has won the last two consecutive runnings of the Grade I Breeders Cup Mile & Woodbine Mile, when he won them in 2012 & 2013. He is the first horse ever to win Eclipse Awards in consecutive years with titles including American Horse Of The Year, Champion Older Male & Champion Male Turf Horse in 2012 & 2013. Wise Dan has won over ten Grade I races and amassed prize money of over $6,000,000. 

Wise Man never went through a sales ring as he is owned & bred by business man Morgan Frink. He is the best horse sired by Graded winner Wiseman's Ferry, a son of Hennessy. Wiseman's Ferry began his racing career in Ireland winning his maiden & being placed in the Group 1 Pheonix stakes behind his paternal 1/2 brother world champion 2yo Johannesburg. Wiseman's Ferry was transfered to the states where his biggest success came in the Grade II Virginia Drrby. He has had a reletive career at stud. 

Wise Dan is out of the winning Lisa Danielle, named after Morgan Frink's grand daughter. She is by South African champion Wolf Power & out of the unraced Askmysecretary, a daughter of Triple Crown winner Secretariat.

 Wise Dan is a half brother to multiple Graded winner Successful Dan, while his half sister is the stakes winning Our Royal Dancer, also dam of Argentinian stakes placed Bailando Boy. Lisa Danielle has a 2yo half sister by Afleet Alex named Afleeting Lisa. 

The second dam Askmysecretary is the dam of Grade I Hollywood Oaks placed Carsona, herself dam of dual Graded winner Siphon City. Another of Lisa Danielle's half sisters include Sunup, dam of Amistad, who was champion 3yo filly in Panama. 

The third dam is French stakes winner Liquoila, a full sister to Group 1 French Derby winner Roi Lear. 

It is quite unfortunate that Wise Dan is gelded as we will never get the pleasure of seeing this champions progeny on the track. But in a way his loyal fans can be guaranteed to see him racing for a few more seasons providing he is 100% sound. An exciting season lies ahead with this outstanding horse known affectionaly by some followers as "Dan The Man"