Welcome to Wise Dan Biography!
Wise Dan feeling frisky
Name: Wise Dan (USA)
Sire: Wiseman’s Ferry
Dam: Lisa Danielle
Sex: Gelding
Foaled: February 20, 2007
Color: Chestnut
Breeder: Morton Fink
Owner: Morton Fink
Trainer: Charles Lopresti
Record: 31 23-2-0
Earnings: $7,552,920
Wise Dan biography – He is bred and owned by Morton Fink, a Chicago based business man. Wise Dan’s performances have made him Horse of the Year twice, in 2012 and 2013, but when asked, Breeder/Owner Morton Fink cannot really say why he bred his only mare Lisa Danielle to the Pennsylvania-based stallion Wiseman’s Ferry. The only thought that comes to mind was that he owned a share in the stallion, and the stud fee was only $1,000. Wiseman’s Ferry himself was an ok racehorse, with his only notable big win coming in the 2002 West Vrginia Derby, but seemed to be failing at producing winning offspring.
The mare, Lisa Danielle, was a $29,000 yearling purchase who won one race in her lifetime, and was named after Fink’s granddaughter. Fink had been breeding and raising racehorses for over 40 years, and was waiting for that one special horse to come along. At the age of 83, after Wise Dan had amassed win after win and over $5 million in earnings, Fink said “I honestly think he’s helped me live longer.” (NyTimes.com)
Trainer Charles Lopresti was also looking for that one in a million horse, and up until he began training Wise Dan, he had not yet met him. Lopresti was the trainer of Wise Dan’s half brother, Successful Dan, who had given Lopresti his first stakes win in 2009. Up until that point, Lopresti had been a trainer for about 13 years.
In 2010, Wise Dan thrust Lopresti into the limelight as he had found that special horse. Wise Dan went on to win 23 races under the watchful eye of Lopresti and amass more than $7 million dollars in earnings.
As far as why Wise Dan was a gelding, we cannot be sure here at Bet Thoroughbreds. Wise Dan’s sire Wiseman’s Ferry, was not exactly a great sire in his own right. He had no notable offspring besides Wise Dan at the time. Breeder/Owner Morton Fink probably did not assume Wise Dan would be the sensation he was, so most likely opted to geld him so the horse would calm down a bit and focus. Often times stallions can be hard to handle. I am not sure on any of this, just speculation. If anyone has the answer we would love to know! But most likely Wise Dan was gelded due to not thinking he would be much of a racer and in return stud.
Wise Dan started racing in 2010 and had a few notable wins, but really took off in 2012 and 2013. You can check out his race record and race replays here at Bet Thoroughbreds. Wise Dan had a career that spanned 31 races, 5 years with 22 wins. It is an unbelievable span, and great for horse racing to be able to get behind a horse like him, year after year!
In Wise Dan’s last race, the Shadwell Turf Mile, he strained a tendon in his leg. It was unknown at the time, but turned out to be his last race and he was retired.
As far as our research goes, it seems Wise Dan is enjoying retirement at Charles Lopresti’s Forest Lane Farm in Kentucky. This is where Wise Dan spent his winters while still racing. Wise Dan has been spending his time in a paddock with his half-brother Successful Dan, and two cows! (Paulick Report) Charles Lopresti’s wife, Amy, has ridden the chestnut gelding a few times with some of the yearlings in training. I would say that is a wonderful life for such a decorated racehorse!
