December 15, 2011 (Midway, KY) – Bred and raced by Hal and Patti Earnhardt and conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, Indian Charlie won his first four starts including the 1 1/8 mile Santa Anita Derby (G1) in a stakes-record time of 1:47. He posted a 111 Beyer over Real Quiet and Artax in the race, and cemented his position as the favorite for the 1998 Kentucky Derby.
Retired to stud in 1999 Indian Charlie has perennially been among the nation’s leading sires. He is best known as a sire of champions with 4 Eclipse winners to date, and has distinguished himself as a stallion of the absolute highest class. His son Uncle Mo brilliantly won the 2010 Breeder’s Cup Juvenile – G1 ($2,000,000). His top fillies include Champions Indian Blessing ($2,995,420) and Fleet Indian ($1,704,513), Canadian Champion Indian Apple Is, as well as G1 Stakes Winner Pampered Princess and G2 Stakes Winner Two Trail Sioux to name only a few. Indian Charlie’s recent progeny record includes 15 stakes winners of 2011 – 7 graded, as well as a 2011 yearling crop that has averaged over $200,000 in the sales ring. With at least 10 sons at stud, Indian Charlie’s legacy is sure to continue in the breeding shed.
Losing Indian Charlie after a challenging battle with Hemangiosarcoma and its complications has been a shock to us all. He was dearly loved by everyone that cared for him on a daily basis. “Charlie” has been a shining star at Airdrie for many years now. His personality, toughness, and utter determination remained with him throughout treatment. He won many hearts at Hagyard’s, and received an endless supply of much deserved carrots and peppermints while there. Our thanks go out to everyone involved with this fine stallion, and to our shareholders and breeders who faithfully supported Indian Charlie over the years. We would sincerely like to thank Dr. Nathan Slovis and his team at McGee Medical Center for their unrelenting efforts to try and save our stallion.
