Go for Gin (April 18, 1991 – March 8, 2022) was an American thoroughbred racehorse best known as the winner of the 1994 Kentucky Derby. He was sired by Cormorant out of the dam Never Knock. He was ridden in the Derby by Chris McCarron, who had previously won the race on Alysheba.

Foaled in Kentucky in 1991, Go for Gin was bred by Pamela duPont Darmstadt and trained by Nick Zito, who also trained 1991 Kentucky Derby winner Strike the Gold.

In 1995, Go for Gin suffered a small tear of a tendon sheath in his left foreleg while working out at Belmont Park.Injury Retires Go for Gin at 4 – New York Times This precipitated his retirement to stud.

After the death of Sea Hero in July 2019, Go for Gin became the oldest living Kentucky Derby winner. Upon the death of A.P. Indy on February 21, 2020, Go For Gin became the oldest living winner of any of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing races. This title now belongs to Silver Charm, the winner of the 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

Racing history Go for Gin started 19 races, winning five and running in the money 14 times. Though he challenged for the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, he never won again, losing his last nine races.

1994 Kentucky Derby The 120th Kentucky Derby was held on May 7, 1994, over a sloppy track. The race went off at 5:34 p.m. local time. Go for Gin entered the race at 9.10:1 odds, behind Holy Bull at 2.20, Brocco at 4.30, Tabasco Cat at 6.10, and Strodes Creek at 7.90. He started by ducking out, forcing Tabasco Cat into Brocco. By the 1/4 mile pole, Go for Gin moved up to second place behind Ulises. At the 1/2 mile pole, he led by half a length. As he entered the stretch, he increased the lead to four lengths. Strodes Creek and Blumin Affair both made late charges, closing the gap, but Go for Gin won by two lengths in a time of 2:03.72 and netted US$628,800 for the victory. Tabasco Cat finished sixth in this race but won that year's other two legs of the Triple Crown. Go for Gin placed second in both of those races.

Race record at age 2 Won Remsen Stakes Won Maiden Won Chief's Crown Stakes

Race record at age 3 Won Preview Stakes Won Kentucky Derby 2nd at Preakness Stakes 2nd at Belmont Stakes 2nd at Fountain of Youth Stakes 2nd at Wood Memorial Stakes 3rd at Forego Stakes

Race record at age 4 3rd at Churchill Downs Handicap

Statistics Date Age Distance Surface (Condition) Race Grade Track Odds Field Finish Winning Time Winning(Losing)Margin Jockey Ref 2 6 furlongs Dirt (Fast) Maiden Special Weight Maiden Belmont Park 22.90 11 5 1:11.14 ( lengths) 2 1 mile Dirt (Muddy) Maiden Special Weight Maiden Belmont Park 1.90 5 2 1:37.53 ( lengths) 2 1 mile Dirt (Sloppy) Maiden Special Weight Maiden Aqueduct Racetrack *0.90 7 1 1:35.52 lengths 2 1 mile Dirt (Sloppy) Chief's Crown Stakes listed Aqueduct Racetrack *0.40 4 1 1:37.09 lengths 2 miles Dirt (Fast) Remsen Stakes II Aqueduct Racetrack *0.40 7 1 1:52.79 lengths 3 miles Dirt (Fast) Preview Stakes listed Gulfstream Park *0.50 6 1 1:41.62 lengths 3 miles Dirt (Good) Fountain of Youth Stakes II Gulfstream Park 1.60 6 2 1:44.70 ( lengths) 3 miles Dirt (Fast) Florida Derby I Gulfstream Park *2.40 14 4 1:47.66 ( lengths) 3 miles Dirt (Good) Wood Memorial Stakes I Aqueduct Racetrack *0.90 9 2 1:49.07 ( lengths) 3 miles Dirt (Sloppy) Kentucky Derby I Churchill Downs 9.10 14 1 2:03.72 2 lengths 3 miles Dirt (Fast) Preakness Stakes I Pimlico Race Course *2.80 10 2 1:56.47 ( length) 3 miles Dirt (Fast) Belmont Stakes I Belmont Park 1.50 6 2 2.26.82 (2 lengths) 3 7 furlongs Dirt (Fast) Forego Stakes II Saratoga 1.80 7 3 1:22.74 ( lengths) 3 miles Dirt (Fast) Woodward Stakes I Belmont 7.00 8 4 1:46.89 (9 lengths) 3 miles Dirt (Fast) Jockey Club Gold Cup I Belmont Park 5.70 8 8 2:02.19 ( lengths) 3 miles Dirt (Fast) Breeders' Cup Classic I Churchill Downs 13.20 14 8 2.02.41 (12 lengths) 4 furlongs Dirt (Fast) Allowance Allowance Gulfstream Park *1.30 5 2 1:16.80 (neck) 4 7 furlongs Dirt (Fast) Allowance Allowance Keeneland Race Course *0.70 8 2 1:26.07 ( lengths) 4 7 furlongs Dirt (Fast) Churchill Downs Handicap III Churchill Downs 3.80 11 3 1:21.75 ( lengths)

History at stud Go for Gin was retired to stud in 1995 at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky. In 2004, he was sold to Bonita Farm in Darlington, Maryland.Hot News His stud feed as of 2007 was US$4000.Bonita Farm Stallions: Go For Gin He was the sire of Albert the Great, who retired with lifetime winnings in excess of US$3 million and has sired Nobiz Like Shobiz. His runners have earned an average US$71,742 per starter.Pedigree Research: Go For Gin (Alan Porter) He has sired seven stakes winners. In total, Go for Gin offspring have netted more than US$22 million in career winnings.

Post-retirement On August 11, 2011, Go for Gin moved to the Kentucky Horse Park, an equine-themed park and industry showplace in Lexington, Kentucky. Along with Thoroughbred champions Funny Cide, Da Hoss, and Point Given, he greeted visitors to the Hall of Champions Go for Gin was the oldest living Kentucky Derby winner. He died from heart failure on March 8, 2022, at the age of 30.

Sire line tree

Go For GinDarley Arabian Sire Line: St Simon BranchAmerican Classic Pedigree: Go For Gin1994 Kentucky Derby Winner Go For Gin Dies At The Kentucky Horse ParkGo For Gin Dies at 31Zito Reflects on 'Lifetime of Memories' With Go for Gin Albert the GreatALBERT THE GREAT (1997 - 2022)Grade 1 Winner Albert the Great Euthanized at 24Albert the Great's Pedigree Analysis Albertus MaximusALBERTUS MAXIMUS ( - 2022)Grade 1 Winner Albertus Maximus Dies at 18Albertus Maximus DiesAlbertus Maximus retired, to stand at Shadwell Farm Nobiz Like ShobizNOBIZ LIKE SHOBIZ Moonshine MullinG1 Winner Moonshine Mullin Retired From Racing El Autentico

Pedigree

References

External links Listing at Bonita Farms Go for Gin's Derby , including video of race. Pedigree at Pedigree Online Post-Retirement at KyHorsePark