Donerail

Donerail (1910–1917) was an American thoroughbred racehorse that was the upset winner of the 1913 Kentucky Derby. His win stands to this day as the biggest long-shot victory in the history of the Derby. Going off at 91-1, Donerail provided a $184.90 payoff for a $2 bet. He was drawing away at the finish and set a track record with a time of 2:04 4/5.

In that race, various horses had the lead, and for a time it was Ten Point, Foundation in second, and Yankee Notions third. Roscoe Goose kept Donerail away from the pacesetters but within striking distance.

As the horses turned into the stretch, Ten Point was still leading, but Donerail closed to gain the lead. He crossed the wire half a length ahead of Ten Point.

A bay colt by McGee out of Algie M. by Hanover, he was trained by T.P. Hayes, as well as bred in Kentucky by him. His jockey was Roscoe Goose.

Of 62 starts, Donerail won 10, placed in 11, and showed in 10. His other major victories came in the Canadian Sportsmen's Handicap and the Hamilton Cup. His career earnings amounted to $15,156.

Donerail was retired in 1917 and was briefly used as breeding stallion in Lexington, where he commanded a stud fee of $50.^[1] In December 1917, Hayes donated Donerail to the Remount Service for use as a sire of cavalry horses.^[2] On May 27, 1918, Donerail reappeared on the turf in New York, where he was eased and dropped out of competition in a mile-long race.^[3] The horse is now deceased.

References

• Donerail's pedigree with photo
• Donerail's Kentucky Derby
• Article about Donerail's jockey, Roscoe Goose

Donerail could not have raced in 1918 if he died in 1917.