Leaping Plum

Leaping Plum
Leaping Plum winning the 2001 Grasmick Handicap
BreedThoroughbred
SireLightning Leap
GrandsireNijinsky II
DamVelvet Plum
DamsireDr Blum
SexGelding
FoaledFebruary 16, 1991
Kentucky
DiedJuly 16, 2017(2017-07-16) (aged 26)
Grand Island, Nebraska
ColourChestnut
BreederMarty Takacs
OwnerClyde Woods
Paul Miskimins
TrainerJoseph A. Moss
JockeyNewil Wall
Record66: 29-9-12
Earnings$371,584
Major wins
Grasmick Handicap (1995–2001, 2003)
Coca-Cola Sprint Handicap (1995–1998)
Tondi Budweiser Handicap (1995, 1998)
Grand Island Eagles Handicap (1996)
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Handicap (1996)

Leaping Plum (February 16, 1991 – July 16, 2017) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. He was most notable for winning the Grasmick Handicap at Fonner Park 8 times out of 10 overall starts. He won the race from 1995 to 2001 and again in 2003, the most victories in a single race by a single racehorse. In addition, he won the Coca-Cola Sprint Handicap 4 consecutive times from 1995 to 1998.

Background

Leaping Plum was foaled on February 16, 1991, in Kentucky by Velvet Plum by Dr Blum, and was sired by Lightning Leap.

In September 1992, he was sold at the Keenland Yearling September sale (Hip: 3196) for $11,000 to Clyde Moss and Paul Miskimins.

Career

1993

On November 10, Leaping Plum made his debut at Thistledown Race Course.

1994

Leaping Plum made 12 Allowance starts at Fonner Park, Ak-Sar-Ben, and again at Thistledown, winning 3 of them.

1995

Leaping Plum won his first of eight Grasmick Handicaps on February 18. He would follow it up with victories in the Coca-Cola Sprint Handicap, and Tondi Budweiser Handicap in April.

1996

Leaping Plum won his second Grasmick Handicap. He then won the Grand Island Eagles Handicap, followed by a second win in the Coca-Cola Sprint Handicap.

In September, he won the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Handicap at The Woodlands. This was his only stakes victory outside of Nebraska.

1997

Leaping Plum won his third Grasmick Handicap, and Coca-Cola Sprint Handicap respectively.

1998

Leaping Plum won his fourth Grasmick Handicap, as well as his fourth and final Coca-Cola Sprint Handicap victory.

In May, he won his second Tondi Budweiser Handicap.

1999

Leaping Plum won his fifth Grasmick Handicap, and finished second in the Coca-Cola Sprint Handicap.

2000

Leaping Plum won his sixth Grasmick Handicap.

2001

Leaping Plum won his seventh consecutive Grasmick Handicap.

2002

Leaping Plum would finish third in the Grasmick Handicap, marking his first loss in the race in his career.

2003

Leaping Plum won his eighth and final Grasmick Handicap at 12 years old. He was the fourth horse to win a stakes race at 12 years old.

2004

Leaping Plum made his final career start in the Grasmick Handicap, where he would finish fourth before retiring.

Record

Date Track Race Finish
2 year old
11/10/1993 Thistledown Maiden Special Weight 1st
3 year old
2/18/1994 Fonner Park Allowance 7th
3/4/1994 Fonner Park Allowance 2nd
4/28/1994 Fonner Park Allowance 1st
5/6/1994 Ak-sar-ben Allowance 5th
5/21/1994 Ak-sar-ben Allowance 11th
6/4/1994 Ak-sar-ben Allowance 9th
7/9/1994 Ak-sar-ben Allowance 1st
8/19/1994 Thistledown Allowance 3rd
9/10/1994 Thistledown Allowance 2nd
9/24/1994 Thistledown Allowance 1st
10/3/1994 Thistledown Allowance 3rd
11/4/1994 Thistledown Allowance 3rd
4 year old
2/18/1995 Fonner Park Grasmick Handicap 1st
4/1/1995 Fonner Park Coca-Cola Sprint Handicap (Black Type) 1st
4/30/1995 Fonner Park Tondi Budweiser Handicap (Black Type) 1st
5/13/1995 Ak-sar-ben Beef State Stakes (Black Type) 6th
9/17/1995 Lincoln Race Course Speed Handicap 1st
10/7/1995 Hawthorne Allowance 3rd
10/21/1995 Hawthorne Allowance 4th
11/9/1995 Hawthorne Allowance 4th
5 year old
2/17/1996 Fonner Park Grasmick Handicap 1st
3/2/1996 Fonner Park Grand Island Eagles Handicap 1st
3/30/1996 Fonner Park Coca-Cola Sprint Handicap (Black Type) 1st
4/21/1996 Fonner Park Tondi Budweiser Handicap (Black Type) 6th
6/23/1996 Thistledown Handicap 1st
7/20/1996 Prairie Meadows Heartland Sprint Stakes (Listed) 6th
9/21/1996 The Woodlands Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Handicap (Black Type) 1st
6 year old
2/15/1997 Fonner Park Grasmick Handicap 1st
3/22/1997 Fonner Park Coca-Cola Sprint Handicap (Black Type) 1st
4/13/1997 Fonner Park Dreisbach's Dowd Mile Handicap (Black Type) 4th
5/3/1997 Prairie Meadows Prairie Express Stakes (Black Type) 5th
5/26/1997 Prairie Meadows Bob Feller Stakes (Black Type) 3rd
6/18/1997 Prairie Meadows Allowance 1st
7/5/1997 Prairie Meadows Heartland Sprint Handicap (Listed) 3rd
8/5/1997 Prairie Meadows Allowance 1st
7 year old
2/14/1998 Fonner Park Grasmick Handicap 1st
3/28/1998 Fonner Park Coca-Cola Sprint Handicap (Black Type) 1st
5/3/1998 Fonner Park Tondi Budweiser Handicap (Black Type) 1st
5/30/1998 Prairie Meadows Bob Feller Stakes (Listed) 3rd
6/23/1998 Prairie Meadows Allowance 3rd
7/19/1998 Thistledown Handicap 4th
8/10/1998 Thistledown Allowance 2nd
8 year old
2/13/1999 Fonner Park Grasmick Handicap 1st
2/21/1999 Fonner Park Allowance 1st
3/27/1999 Fonner Park Coca-Cola Sprint Handicap (Black Type) 2nd
9 year old
2/12/2000 Fonner Park Grasmick Handicap 1st
3/18/2000 Fonner Park Allowance 1st
4/1/2000 Fonner Park Coca-Cola Sprint Handicap (Black Type) 3rd
4/24/2000 Prairie Meadows Allowance 6th
5/7/2000 Fonner Park Tondi Budweiser Handicap (Black Type) 2nd
9/24/2000 Beulah Park Allowance 1st
11/7/2000 Mountaineer Allowance 3rd
10 year old
2/17/2001 Fonner Park Grasmick Handicap 1st
3/31/2001 Fonner Park Coca-Cola Sprint Handicap (Black Type) 2nd
5/6/2001 Fonner Park Tondi Budweiser Handicap (Black Type) 2nd
8/25/2001 Prairie Meadows Allowance 6th
10/13/2001 Beulah Park Allowance 1st
12/15/2001 Beulah Park Samuel Handicap (Black Type) 5th
11 year old
2/16/2002 Fonner Park Grasmick Handicap 3rd
3/10/2002 Fonner Park Allowance 1st
3/23/2002 Fonner Park Pepsi Sprint Handicap (Black Type) 2nd
12 year old
2/22/2003 Fonner Park Grasmick Handicap 1st
3/29/2003 Fonner Park Tondi Budweiser Handicap 3rd
5/17/2003 Lincoln Race Course Speed Handicap 2nd
13 year old
2/21/2004 Fonner Park Grasmick Handicap 4th

Death

On July 16, 2017, Leaping Plum died in his sleep at a pasture in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Pedigree

Pedigree of Leaping Plum (1991–2017)
Sire
Lightning Leap
b.1982		 Nijinsky II
b.1967		 Northern Dancer Nearctic
Natalma
Flaming Rage Bull Page
Flaring Top
First Feather
b.1963		 First Landing Turn-To
Hildene
Quill Princequillo
Quick Touch
Dam
Velvet Plum
b.1984		 Dr. Blum
b.1977		 Dr. Fager Rough'n Tumble
Aspidistra
Due Dilly Sir Gaylord
Bold Matron
Velvet Flight
b.1972		 Stevward Nashua
Sherry Jen
Dark Duet Spy Song
Dark Vintage

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Horse Profile". Equibase.
  2. ↑ "Keeneland 1992 September Yearling Sale (Sunday, September 13 - Tuesday, September 22, 1992 | Kentucky, USA)". Bloodhorse.
  3. ↑ "Thistledown / November 10, 1993 / Race 2". Equibase.
  4. 1 2 "Fonner Park legend Leaping Plum Dies at 26". Daily Racing Form.
  5. ↑ "Fonner Park / February 18, 1995 / Race 9". Equibase.
  6. ↑ "Fonner Park / April 1, 1995 / Race 10". Equibase.
  7. ↑ "Fonner Park / April 30, 1995 / Race 11". Equibase.
  8. ↑ "Fonner Park / February 17, 1996 / Race 8". Equibase.
  9. ↑ "Fonner Park / March 2, 1996 / Race 9". Equibase.
  10. ↑ "Fonner Park / March 30, 1996 / Race 10". Equibase.
  11. ↑ "The Woodlands / September 21, 1996 / Race 10". Equibase.
  12. ↑ "Fonner Park / February 15, 1997 / Race 9". Equibase.
  13. ↑ "Fonner Park / March 22, 1997 / Race 9". Equibase.
  14. ↑ "Fonner Park / February 14, 1998 / Race 9". Equibase.
  15. ↑ "Fonner Park / March 28, 1998 / Race 10". Equibase.
  16. ↑ "Fonner Park / May 3, 1998 / Race 11". Equibase.
  17. ↑ "Fonner Park / February 13, 1999 / Race 9". Equibase.
  18. ↑ "Fonner Park / March 27, 1999 / Race 10". Equibase.
  19. ↑ "Fonner Park / February 12, 2000 / Race 9". Equibase.
  20. ↑ "Fonner Park / February 17, 2001 / Race 9". Equibase.
  21. ↑ "Fonner Park / February 16, 2002 / Race 8". Equibase.
  22. ↑ "Leaping Plum Attempts to Win Stakes for 8th Straight Year". Bloodhorse.
  23. ↑ "Fonner Park / February 22, 2003 / Race 9". Equibase.
  24. ↑ "12-Year-Old Proven Cure Wins Littlebitlively S." Bloodhorse.
  25. ↑ "Fonner Park / February 21, 2004 / Race 8". Equibase.
  26. ↑ "Leaping Plum Pedigree". Pedigree Query.
  27. ↑ "Five-generation Pedigree Table". JBIS-Search. Retrieved 2026-10-19.