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For more uses of the term "Charismatic", see Charisma (disambiguation).

Charismatic
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Sire:	Summer Squall
Grandsire:	Storm Bird
Dam:	Bali Babe
Damsire:	Drone
Sex:	Stallion
Foaled:	1996
Country:	United States
Colour:	Chestnut
Breeder:	Parrish Hill Farm & William S. Farish
Owner:	Bob and Beverly Lewis
Trainer:	D. Wayne Lukas
Record:	17: 5-2-4
Earnings:	$2,038,064
Major Racing Wins & Honours & Awards
Major Racing Wins
Lexington Stakes (1999) Kentucky Derby (1999) Preakness Stakes (1999)
Racing Awards
U.S. Champion 3-Yr-Old Colt (1999) United States Horse of the Year (1999)
Infobox last updated on: October 3, 2006.

Charismatic (カリズマティック karizumatikku; b. 1996) is a stallion Thoroughbred horse, and is known as one of the closest challengers to the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing since the last winner, Affirmed, accomplished the feat in 1978. He was trained by D. Wayne Lukas, and famously ridden in the Triple Crown races by Chris Antley.

His sire was Summer Squall, making him a third-generation descendant of Secretariat via Weekend Surprise, and his broodmare was Bali Babe. His descendance from Weekend Surprise gives him blood relation to A.P. Indy.

Charismatic began his career on a downhill stretch. He was placed in claiming races by his owner, Bob Lewis, twice, for the last time on February 11, 1999.

He was a 31-1 longshot in the 125th Kentucky Derby on May 1, 1999, but won the race with a time of 2:01.20 around the 1 1/4 mile track. Charismatic finished by a head in front of Menifee, giving Menifee's trainer Elliott Walden his second Kentucky Derby place showing in only his second entry. Cat Thief, also trained by Lukas, was third. The win denied Lukas' rival trainer Bob Baffert of his third straight Derby victory. His three entered horses, two of which were co-favorites at 9-2 odds, failed to make the top three. [1]

The following is the stretch call of the 1999 Kentucky Derby from ABC Sports race caller Dave Johnson.

Charismatic is coming on strongly... DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME! Cat Thief digging in at the rail. Worldly Manner with Jerry Bailey. Charismatic, trained by Lukas, on the outside, now Lukas running 1-2. Charismatic on the outside takes command! Cat Thief... in the middle of the track, Menifee is flying, BUT IT'S CHARISMATIC HOLDING ON TO WIN IT BY A HEAD!

Charismatic also won the 124th Preakness Stakes on May 15 with a time of 1:55.20 around the 1 3/16 mile track. He was 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Menifee, again second, with Badge finishing third. Despite the Kentucky Derby win, Charismatic was still not the favorite to win, posting 8-1 odds. Menifee was actually the favorite at 5-2. [2]

At the 131st Belmont Stakes on June 5, however, Charismatic was a 2-1 favorite, with Menifee second in odds at 7-2. The rivalry between Charismatic and Menifee was compared to Affirmed and Alydar in 1978. Charismatic looked like he would become the first horse in 21 years to win the Triple Crown, taking the lead in the final furlong. However, the horse faded, and lost the lead to eventual winner Lemon Drop Kid with 1/8 mile to go, ultimately finishing third behind second-place Vision and Verse. Sensing something wrong, Chris Antley dramatically jumped off Charismatic and held up the colt's left front leg. Indeed it was broken in two places. Many say Antley's actions saved Charismatic's life, and the horse underwent career-ending surgery the following morning. [3][4]

Charismatic finished his career with 5 wins, 2 places and 4 shows in 17 career starts, for total earnings of $2,038,064. He won the Eclipse Awards for 3-year-old Colt of the Year and Overall Horse of the Year for 1999.

Today, he stands at stud at Iburi Stallion Station in Japan, operated by the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders Association. [5]

• Charismatic at the JBBA website (in Japanese)
• Charismatic's Kentucky Derby
• Preakness winners
• Watch Charismatic's dramatic 1999 Kentucky Derby win at the Kentucky Derby website (incompatible with Mozilla Firefox)
• Charismatic's pedigree
• Charismatic: Three-year-old Male of the Year