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Hall of Fame: Kalri
Original article written by Douglas Marley posted 4 years 2 weeks agoKalri
Greatness in a racehorse is not always easily discerned. Horses with similar race records may have faced far different foes. In the late 1940’s thoroughbred champion Citation established, what is, the modern record for consecutive victories. In establishing Citation’s record, the superior race record of another champion, Camarero, was overlooked because the Puerto Rican phenom won his 56 consecutive victories in Puerto Rico where the competition and record keeping was considered questionable. In the mid 90’s Cigar matched Citation’s record. His record was quickly accepted because it was in achieved against top-flight competition. In the late 90’s another horse, this time a filly, Hallowed Dreams, tied Citation and Cigar’s records, albeit many of them in races restricted to Louisiana bred horses. When we look at mere figures, we can not necessarily see the level of competition or the heart that was needed to achieve the victories represented by figures.
In Y33 a grey colt, named Kalri, after two towns in Pakistan, swept onto the Arabian SimHorseRacing stage and quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. He was the product of the crossing of stakes winner Samri with the Say I Love You, a daughter of champion Sayitsyurbirthday. His owner/breeder Talia Ichinari was no stranger to SimHorseRacing or the Arabian racing community. Her overall SimHorseRacing record of 6,047: 1,531-1.023-845 is impressive. Her Arabian record is equally as impressive with 1,075 victories out of 3,916 starts with 242 of them in stakes races. As of this writing Talia Ichinari is ranked 8th overall by Arabian victories and 4th overall by Arabian Stakes wins. Her steady hand would lead her champion from victory to victory.
Kalri’s first race was a maiden special weight contest a 1 ¼ miles. When the gates opened Kalri’s jockey, David Yamagata, took him back mid-pack eight back from the leaders. By the top of the stretch Kalri had moved up two places to sixth. Once in stride Kalri surged to the front passing under the wire 1 ¾ lengths better than second place finisher, and future stakes winner, Sayitsmidnihte. With his maiden win behind him, Kalri started his next three races in stakes, all at 1 ¼ miles. In each the result was the same, easy victories in the Hold My Breath, Blackfoot Falls, and Brave the Wilderness stakes.
After proving himself at 1 ¼ miles, Kalri was stretched out to 2 miles in the Endurance Marathon. The distance was longer, but the result the same, victory. With that set aside as a concern, it was time to face tougher competition in Graded stakes.
Kalri’s first test against graded stakes company was in the Grade 3 $100,000 Godolphin Cup at 1 ¼ miles. The Godolphin field of four include two stakes winners Nuke and Dahwar. When the gates opened Kalri was taken back third. He held his place to the top of the stretch where he opened a ¾ length lead on eventual second place finisher Nuke.
Kalri’s final 3 year old start was in the Grade 1 – Steward’s Cup Classic at 2 miles. The grading of stakes is based on importance and competitive level of the field entered. In Y33 there were a mere six grade 1 stakes for Arabian horses, compared to 310 for thoroughbred horses. Grade 1 Arabian races bring the toughest competition and weigh heavily on the minds of voters for the end-of-year Simmy Awards. The Y33 field was no different. Kalri faced nine rivals, eight of them were stakes winners. When the gates opened Kalri was taken back to ninth place. Kalri was rated for a mile and a half at the back of the pack. At the head of the stretch Kalri was urged to the front by regular rider, David Yamagata. At the wire Kalri was ahead of second place finisher Badawi.
Kalri’s undefeated three-year-old season made him the obvious choice for two Simmys as Y33 Arabian Horse of the Year and Y33 Arabian three-year-old of the Year.
After a preseason rest at Bitter Root Farm, Kalri returned to the track in the Climbing Steps Stake at 1 ¼ miles. Most thought Kalri would continue his winning streak. It was not to be Kalri was kept toward the front of the pack while rabbit, Tobu, loped on the lead by as much as twelve lengths. When Tobu weakened Kalri was unable to catch the leaders. After this setback Kalri returned to form for his next four stakes races, the Black Foot Falls, Burst of Speed, Atlantic City Stakes, and Grade 1 Endurance Championship respectively. It was now again time for Kalri to face the best Arabian routers for the Grade 1 $200,000 Steward’s Cup Arabian Classic at 2 miles.
The field for the Y34 edition of the Steward’s Cup Classic proved as competitive as the previous year. Kalri entered the starting gate with eight other horses, all stakes winners, save one. When the gates opened Kalri fell to his knees. David Yamagata was able to gather Kalri and move him fifth mid-pack where the champion tracked the leaders for a mile and a half. At the head of the stretch Yamagata urged Kalri on with hand, boot and whip and Kalri responded opening a length and quarter length lead. Kalri again proved himself a champion for the ages.
In end-of-the-year Simmy voting, Kalri was again voted two Simmys as Y34 Arabian Horse of the Year and Y34 Arabian Older Male. After the Y35 preseason, Kalri, as in Y34 returned to the track in the Climbing Steps Stakes. As in Y34 Kalri again tasted defeat, a second place finish a half-length behind Dhakwan. As in Y34 Kalri’s second start of the year was in the Black Foot Falls Stake. Unlike Y34, Kalri did not return to form in the Black Foot Falls Stakes and finished fourth. It was clear to Kalri’s connections that Kalri was not bouncing back to his usual form. It was decided that Kalri had nothing else to prove and he was retired to the breeding shed.
In the breeding shed, Kalri sired 608 foals. Of these foals 462 made it to the racetrack and 354 were winners with 39 stakes winners. Kalri’s best foal was Kahthan who retired with a record of 56: 18-13-8 with $1,687,650. Kahthan was named Y43 Arabian Horse of the Year and Y43 Champion Arabian Older Male. Kahdijah was Kalri’s best daughter and was voted Y42 Champion Arabian Older Female. Amerkalri was Kalri’s third champion who was named Y43 Arabian Champion Three-Year-Old Male.
After nine years as a stallion Kalri was pensioned and he died of natural causes in Y50. Kalri was given his greatest honor when he was voted to the Hall of Fame. It is hoped that he is joined by his foal and their offspring as they prove themselves worthy of the Kalri bloodline.