2003 Breeders' Cup Turf - *Dead-Heat* High Chaparral & Johar + Post Race

Through its first 19 runnings, the Breeders' Cup Turf consistently has produced close finishes.
In the first 10 years, the largest margin of victory was half a length. The most decisive winner was Daylami, the 8-5 favorite who won by two lengths four years ago at Gulfstream Park.
The 20th Breeders' Cup Turf on Saturday gave tight a whole new meaning.
For the first time in the history of any Breeders' Cup race, there was a dead heat for the win when defending champion High Chaparral and 14-1 shot Johar couldn't be separated at the wire. It took three pictures and some 13 minutes before the photo finish sign came down and the dead heat was confirmed.
Falbrav, the 7-2 second choice, almost made it a triple dead heat. He was only a head back after having the lead approaching the wire.
Watching the race live, many believed High Chaparral had won. Jockey Mick Kinane thought so, especially after former jockey Donna Barton, who was working on horseback for NBC, approached him as if he had.
Richard Mulhall, racing manager for the Thoroughbred Corp., which owns Johar, agreed with Kinane. "When I first saw it, I thought we were second," he said. "I didn't think he got up. After I watched the replay over and over and over, then I thought we won it.
"When it was taking so long, I was thinking, well, it has to be a dead heat. I'm happy with a dead heat. It's no disgrace to dead heat with High Chaparral. He's an awful good horse."
It was the third of four victories on the day for Richard Mandella, who trains Johar.
Everybody had plenty of time to watch numerous replays of the thrilling finish. After what seemed an eternity, especially to those directly involved, the dead heat was announced, leading to a noticeable cheer from the large crowd.
"I'm happy it was a dead heat," said John Magnier, the co-owner of High Chaparral who did look and sound sincere. Both owners will receive the requisite trophy that goes to all Breeders' Cup winners, and the winner's share of the purse was divided, each receiving $763,200.
"I don't think it would have been fair for either side to have either horse lose," Magnier said.
articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003...

[@ciaranmcgowan1977]

My favourite horse race of all time. Great turf horses in a great finish with an outstanding call to put the icing on the cake. Ageless.

[@73KHS]

Such very sad news, RIP High Chaparral 12-21-14 and Johar 11-10-14 Running together forever

[@silvercharm]

+73KHS Wow, i did not know this. It's 15--11-25 now.

[@spicetruckin]

um..no it ist 2025 yet!

[@73KHS]

Haha, I think they meant 11-25-15

[@spicetruckin]

I was just messing with on purpose!

[@73KHS]

I know, it was funny though!

[@rosendorendonjr]

RIP Johar. I will always remember you. You were a true favorite. Remember this race like it was yesterday.

[@brettwilkinson9529]

When ever I see Falbrav , I see Ribot in him .His great great great Granddad from his mother's side. Ribot's genetics are so strong in Falbrav's physical appearance.

[@silvercharm]

I remember watching this as it happened on TV. The suspense was unbelievable. I couldn't get over how cool the two trainers were as they judges examined the photos. If you chose to edit the video's title, leaving out the words "dead heat", it would be even better to watch, even for those who know the result. Thanks for uploading this extended version.

[@npdoughty1405]

Formative years for me. I stayed up to watch this aged 15 from the UK. I've loved racing ever since, and now in 2023 I am traveling over to this same venue to attend a breeders cup. What a journey. Hoping to see something similar from Auguste Rodin in the same silks

[@janicewhedbee5199]

I just watch this race first time today.High Chaparral for me he is absolutely beautiful. I watched that show back in the 70’s.I wonder if there were another dead heat from 2003 up to October 2018. He’s in horse heaven with his buddy, racing another dead heat above the clouds with a silver lining Love you will miss you 😘🐎🐎💘Janice &Zenyatta

[@goforwand31]

I was there for this race in person and it was absolutely awesome. I got some great shots of that day of racing and it was unreal to watch the celebration when Mandella got winner #4. Probably one of the best BC's ever.

[@rosendorendonjr]

Johar till this day, one of my all favorite horses, thanks for the upload!

[@thomasucc]

I think High Chaparral. However great race

[@joemac9249]

High Chaparral won this

[@frankschlanker]

I've paused this a million times and High Chaparral wins all day long !! He's in front before the line and he's in front after the line!

[@goforwand31]

I was there and I SWEAR Johar was in front...I have a shot of the win photo and I still swear to this day Johar won that race solo.

[@derekmitchell8904]

The shadow explained who's the real winner,,

[@joemac9249]

​@@derekmitchell8904Years later. Never needed shadow. We all watched it was High Chaparral

[@stevengarcia7296]

I was 15 when this happend..best race in breeders cup history .. Longest photo finish ever!

[@joemac9249]

Took so long. But let me tell you. Hi Chaparral won and I got paid by my bookie. It took some effort

[@briangibson94]

This commentator is the best ever.

[@bgardiner3354]

For a US commentator he’s pretty good... hardly best ever

[@kevinmunday5782]

peter o sullevan is best ever by a distance...:)

[@pugskins]

Tom Durkin The greatest

[@electriclightlynnetrex6346]

This is probably the best field ever assembled in a horse race. I think most of these horses had won a group one, and were true battle hardened globe trotters. You just don't get these kinds of fields anymore.

[@johnsonkevin1]

Definitely wasn't.

[@michaelkuhn1553]

Nope! Into Mischief by 9. They'll not catching today! That's into mischief in front by 9

[@001bushwacker]

Class act was Mick kinane.

[@paulredmond3848]

What a race! What a horse..came back for more...mick kinane quality jockey..1 of the best

[@ahsanshaikh786]

I get goosebumps watching that stretch run!

[@mottthehoople684]

Great ride by Solis... he has had some tough beats at the Breeders Cup

[@bear24rock]

I love the chap!..him the rock and hawk wing..smashing horses!..

[@tintins4021]

+bear24rock all trained by Aidan O'Brien

[@kevinmunday5782]

hawkwing was a beautiful looking horse, and a very good one too :)

[@jamesfitzgerald6636]

I gave Johar tip to my cousin Jimmy Fitzgerald the Trainer at Santa Anita that day! He died in 2004!

[@melvinmelendez5218]

The shadow do not lie , Chaparral in front .

[@thomasucc]

High Chaparral , never gives up

[@Jean0987654321]

Track announcer: Tom Durkin

[@tonymcgrath700]

Falbrav was the moral winner of this race , he was much better over 1m 2f and yet he nearly held on to win ,he should have gone for the classic where his electric turn of speed would have killed the race stone dead a furlong out

[@garyring1157]

What a field! Jesus this was STACKED! ❤

[@briangibson94]

Dont know which was the better...The race or the call?

[@LifeisA_Dream]

If you look at the photo it appears Johar won by a smidge but I can understand calling it a dead heat

[@tonymcgrath700]

RIP Falbrav 🙏

[@jackbauer1781]

HIGH CHAPARRAL iF YOU LOOK CLOSELY AT THE SHADOW

[@StFidjnr]

12:50 Aidan O'Brien is getting his horse ready for the BC classic

[@enriquejavierduenas4173]

I got burned,High Chaparral won.

[@StFidjnr]

11:32 the purse just in case of a dead heat for the win

[@seanscanlon9067]

From around 13:48 is there any stage where Johar's shadow is in front?Or on 14:05?

[@ronsmac]

I’ve watched the race 50 times and still think high chaparral won.

[@malarktaful]

Me too but then I still think Silver Patriarch won the Derby

[@goforwand31]

If you saw the photo up close like I did when I saw it in the in field, it's clear as day Johar's nose was down first. There were a lot of us that day that said the same thing.

[@cmcg3738]

15:05 for the outcome

[@bobbyperu1000]

Great footage great race i had a juice on high chap at 5-1

[@f1fantic1]

Both great horses

[@tonymcgrath700]

The third was even greater

[@agat611]

How did i type that? I meant Johar was the moral victor.

[@thomasucc]

High Chaparral won

[@jimreynolds2399]

It was funny when Mick Kinane cracked a wee joke about the judges going on a tea-break and the interviewer not getting it :-D Americans just don't get subtle humour.

[@pauljohnson9698]

wish they would have shown the print

[@thomasucc]

High Chaparral by a mile

[@MrSmid888]

14:02 and the photos at 16:27 the shadows tell a different story

[@StFidjnr]

15:37 Aidan O'Brien is getting confirmation

[@StFidjnr]

14:31 the principles still pacing equine and human

[@salthill99]

Rip big guy

[@coralackey8997]

The number 3son by a nose

[@DiamondMasters]

Could it be they took this long to doctor up the photo for a dead heat? If you look at 14:05 you will see the shadows on the grass and High Chaparral nose was clearly ahead of Johar. Just saying.

[@glenlynch1]

Shadows DON'T win races!!! Did you note... High Chaparral's neck is more extended??? His neck, and head/nose is higher, than Johar's. Casting a further shadow from the direction of the sun behind 'em!!!

[@goforwand31]

@joiganja No it wasn't I was there in and took a photo of the win photo they posted. I swear to this day Johar's nose was down first.

[@glenlynch1]

@joiganja you are a real fool... Because "even the cameraman follows high chap after the race" Now YOUR damn cameramen/women are NOW judges!!! LoLoLoL Please get off this conversation... Thank You

[@glenlynch1]

@joiganja please don't be so stupid you fool how can I reproduce the sun stop it right now you please shut the damn up don't message me and don't be so stupid idiotic you fool

[@shawncarter5540]

You can't be serious. That's a dead heat. And I honestly thought Johar won even without the photo because he got "the bob." Still, it was a great race. Shadows, doctored dead heats, give me a fucking break 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@MrSmid888]

14:02 the shadows favour no.3

[@StFidjnr]

the photo finish judge lasted longer than the race

[@martinclail9290]

It took that long for the judge to draw an extra long nose on Johar.

[@label1877]

They had a NASCAR finish.

[@nickyd.4695]

A little late but congrats to all connections.

[@keithlamontbraggs]

Tis race was the 3rd leg of mypick 4 where i was still alive ,but i picked Sulamani ,Stormin Home and Falbrav ,i thought Falbrav could have held on tothe wire but he couldn't. This race was the biggest disappointment for me because i had picked Dynever Medaglia D Oro and Pleasantly Perfect in my last leg nd Plesantly Perfect won ,i would have won $9800 in the pick 4.

[@richfairclough123]

How could you have 3 in the race and not High Chap!!

[@invisibleman4656]

Can’t beat UK Commentators

[@samuelschwartz2124]

Bogus call. Notice as they cross finish line, Johar's back legs are extended backwards. Then on photo finish photo, they are inward. Santa Anita botched this somehow and put a photo up from about 3/4 length past the finish line.

[@briangibson94]

Samuel Schwartz always thought it was a raw deal “high “ got. He clearly won that race.

[@albertkhare2711]

Samuel Schwartz the way the Canara at the line works, it isn't possible to take a photo of any other spot but the winning post. The horses legs move faster than their body, hence sometimes you would see a horses leg twisted upwards. That's because it's a continues reel that captures the picture and then you can simply show the long picture, notice the background is always the same. The camera rotates much faster than 4k

[@shawncarter5540]

Alex Solis ran their asses over. But he's been doing that all his life.

[@user-cn7rd8cx9s]

That was no dead heat /HC won a nose

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

A nostril is not the smallest margin of victory; a friend of mine commented that he lost by a SNOT once.

[@derekmitchell8904]

That's not fair judging look at the two trainers body language as their respective horses hit the wire ,(2) listen to the lady commentar (3) watch the horses shadow over the winning pole ,"something was not right with that still shot , the judges presented,

[@maryvelado4150]

GULERIN

[@winkieblink7625]

All crossed at pretty much same time,..noses at different height when all crossing the same time. Maybe High Chapparrel ? Lol...my gosh..horses need to be wiped, cooled and covered!

[@billbriscoe9414]

High Chaparral won it.

[@goforwand31]

It was pretty clear from the photo Johar beat him. Those of us there that day said the same thing.

[@ukbbn]

Outside horse had that