Orientate, a champion who left a profound mark in Argentina, dies

The winner of the 2002 Breeders’ Cup Sprint and Champion Sprinter was 28 years old; Lady Sprinter, a double G1winner for Stud Rubio B., and Greenspring, a notable stallion for Haras Vikeda, extended his influence in our country

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).— Orientate, one of the outstanding American sprinters of the early part of the century and a sire whose influence carried considerable weight in Argentina, was euthanized on August 17 at Gainesway Farm due to infirmities of old age. He was 28 years old and had been enjoying his retirement there since 2018, at the very farm where he was foaled.

A son of Mt. Livermore and Dream Team, by Cox’s Ridge, Orientate was bred by Gainesway and purchased by Bob and Beverly Lewis for $250,000 at the 1999 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He was placed under the care of legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas, with whom he built a racing career as brief as it was brilliant.

A winner on both dirt and turf at age 3, it was in 2002, as a 4-year-old, when he reached his peak form and transformed into the dominant sprinter in the United States. That season gained momentum with his victory in the Commonwealth Breeders’ Cup Stakes (G2), before stringing together a magnificent series of wins in the Aristides Handicap (G3), the Smile Sprint Handicap (L), the A.G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G2), and the Forego Handicap (G1).

His crowning achievement came at Arlington Park, where he captured the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) with authority under Jerry Bailey. That performance secured him the Eclipse Award as Champion Sprinter of 2002 and marked the conclusion of a career featuring 10 wins from 19 starts, with career earnings totaling $1,716,950.

Orientate began his stud career at Gainesway during the 2003 season and later spent five years at Northview Stallion Station in Maryland. Across 15 crops of racing age, he sired 562 winners of 2,214 races, boasting progeny earnings of over $51,600,000.

Among his finest offspring were Intangaroo, a triple G1 winner; Lady Joanne, winner of the Alabama Stakes (G1); Declassify; and Lady Sprinter, who became one of her sire's premier representatives abroad.

Also bred by Gainesway, Lady Sprinter was a top-class sprinter for Stud Rubio B.. In 2007, she established herself as a division leader by sweeping the Gran Premio Ciudad de Buenos Aires (G1) and the Gran Premio Maipú (G1), both at Palermo with Jorge Ricardo aboard.

Her class led to a trip to the United States to contest the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Monmouth Park, taking on the males in an edition ultimately won by the formidable Midnight Lute (Real Quiet).

However, Orientate's deepest and most lasting connection with Argentine breeding arrived through Greenspring. Imported as a stallion by Haras Vikeda, he emerged as one of the great revelations of his generation, transmitting precocity, speed, durability, and striking versatility.

His death in July 2020 due to colic at just 15 years old left the feeling that his best was yet to come. Time validated that impression, as his final crops continued to rack up major results.

Greenspring produced, among others, Malibu Spring, Horse of the Year, Champion Miler, and Champion Older Horse of 2022; Tío Boy, winner of the Gran Premio Dardo Rocha (G1); and multiple stakes winners such as Che Evasora, Che Marginal, Che Bandida, Che Atorranta, and London Boy. This production made Greenspring one of the most generous stallions to pass through Vikeda in recent times, extending his sire's footprint in the country.

Orientate also achieved significance as a broodmare sire. His daughters produced champions like Shanghai Bobby(Harlan's Holiday)—a highly successful sire in South America—and Jaywalk (Cross Traffic), winners of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), respectively, alongside other standout performers in various international markets.

“Orientate was a special horse for everyone at Gainesway. Breeding a champion of his caliber, watching him achieve greatness on the track, standing him as a stallion at the farm, and later welcoming him back to enjoy his retirement years here was a true privilege. He was a class act in every sense, and we will miss him tremendously,” said Antony Beck.

Orientate will be buried at Gainesway, bringing his life full circle. One of the great sprinters of his era has passed, but he leaves behind a stud legacy that found two unforgettable avenues in Argentina to extend his prestige: the speed and class of Lady Sprinter, and the remarkable prepotency of Greenspring.