Tom Rolfe (April 14, 1962 – June 12, 1989) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was the leading colt of his generation in the United States, winning the Preakness Stakes and being voted American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse in 1965.
Background Tom Rolfe was one of the best American sons of the undefeated Italian champion Ribot. His dam was Pocahontas, from whom he takes his name (the historical Pocahontas's only child was named Thomas). His half-siblings include the talented racehorse and sire Chieftain (a son of Bold Ruler).
A small horse, Tom Rolfe stood 15.2 hands and weighed less than 1,000 pounds.
Racing career Tom Rolfe won 16 of his 31 starts, with total earnings of $671,297. Ridden by future Hall of Fame jockey Ron Turcotte, he ran third to winner Lucky Debonair in the 1965 Kentucky Derby. In May he won the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course, beating Dapper Dan by a neck, despite losing a shoe in the race and sustaining a minor injury. In the Belmont Stakes in June he led in the straight but was caught close to the finish and beaten a neck by Hail To All. He went on to record a notable hat-trick at Arlington Park, winning the Citation Handicap in July, the Arlington Classic in August, and the American Derby in September (breaking the track record). His performances were enough to earn him American Champion 3-Year-Old Male Horse honors.
His sire, Ribot, won back-to-back runnings of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and Tom Rolfe was shipped to Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France to contest the 1965 Arc. He disputed the lead until the closing stages and finished sixth on the grass course to Sea-Bird, but that result remains one of the best by an American-trained entry in that championship race.
Tom Rolfe stayed in training as a four-year-old in 1966. His wins included carrying 127 pounds to victory in the Aqueduct Handicap in September.
Stud record Retired to stud at Claiborne Farm near Paris, Kentucky, Tom Rolfe proved a successful sire. He is largely known today as a sire of outstanding broodmares, but his best offspring on the track was 1970 American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt and 1987 leading broodmare sire Hoist The Flag. Tom Rolfe died in 1989 and was buried at Claiborne Farm's Marchmont cemetery.
Sire line tree
Tom RolfeDarley Arabian Sire Line: St Simon BranchJumpers: Darley Arabian Sire LineAmerican Classic Pedigree: Tom Rolfe Hoist The FlagAmerican Classic Pedigree: Hoist the Flag Alleged Montelimar Monty's Pass‘He proved fairy tales do come true for ordinary people’: Grand National hero dies aged 29 Hedgehunter Law SocietyIrish Derby Winner Law Society Dies Approach the Bench Fortune's Wheel Homme de Loi Right Win Court of Honour Anzillero Catch Me Leading Counsel Rodock Dun DoireDavid Jennings recalls remarkable day for the village of DunderryNothing left in reserve by Dun Doire Justified Knockara BeauA farewell to Knockara Beau - one of my favourite ever horsesKnockara Beau still in with a shout after all these years Hours After Legal Case Evil Knievel Strategic Choice Bog Warrior Grey Gold FlemensfirthChampion NH Sire Flemensfirth Dies At 31Dual Champion Flemensfirth has passed away, aged 31. Joe Lively Imperial CommanderImperial Commander – Fact File Tidal BayPopular National Hunt star bows out PandoramaPandorama takes Lexus prize Flemenstar'Horse of a lifetime' - prolific Grade 1 winner Flemenstar retired Lostintranslation Tornado Flyer Flat Top ShantouSt. Leger Winner Shantou Dies at 28 Ballynagour Morning Assembly Briar Hill Beware The Bear Death Duty The Storyteller Something Soon Run Wild Fred Jim Key Delta Flag Salutely Make Me A Champ Hoist The King Linkage StalwartSuccessful Stallion Stalwart Dies KingpostAS PRETTY AS A PICTURE Stalwars Stalwart ChargerStalwart Charger Lights Silver Screen : Horse racing: Gelding wins by 4 1/2 lengths, prompts trainer to call him best 3-year-old in the United States. Sacred Honour Run the GantletAmerican Classic Pedigree: Run the Gantlet Panamint ArdrossArdross – “The Last Stayer Ever To Be Named Horse Of The Year” MiocamenImage: Miocamen Karinga BayDeath of popular British jumps sire Karinga Bay. Grave Doubts Copsale Lad Karanja Shining Strand Coneygree Alderbrook Baron Windrush Ollie MagernOllie Magern storms to victory Sh Boom AnzumRacing: Rare case of Anzum is as Anzum does Young Kenny Ackzo Providential Prorutori Commanche RunEnglish Classic Winner Commanche Run Dead Bonny Scot Wavy Run Commanche Court Timbera Salt Marsh Bowl GameAmerican Classic Pedigree: Bowl Game French Colonial Tantalizing Rough Pearl Allez Milord
Pedigree
Tom Rolfe is inbred 4S x 5D to the stallion Papyrus, meaning that he appears fourth generation on the sire side of his pedigree and fifth generation (via Conquilla) on the dam side of his pedigree.
Tom Rolfe is inbred 5S x 4D to the stallion Buchan, meaning that he appears fifth generation (via Bucolic) on the sire side of his pedigree and fourth generation on the dam side of his pedigree.
References
Tom Rolfe's pedigree and stats