Apache Double

Apache Double (May 17, 1969 – October 23, 1999) was a champion Appaloosa racehorse and stallion in the Appaloosa Horse Club. Two years after his death, in 2001, he was inducted into the ApHc Hall Of Fame for his contributions on the racetrack and his influence as a sire.

Background
Apache Double was foaled on May 17, 1969, near Clarkston, Washington, in the heart of Nez Perce County. He was bred by George Hatley. George gave his wife, Iola Hatley, the choice of which of their Appaloosa foals to keep; she chose Apache Double, who would race under her ownership for his entire racing career. He was named half for his father (a 'sire' in horse breeding terminology), the Thoroughbred racehorse Double Reigh, and half for the dam sire Apache, who was also a Hall Of Famer.

Racing career
On May 28, 1971, only 11 days after he had turned 2 years old, he was put in his first race in Boise, Idaho. It was a 400-yard dash in which he fell to his knees at the break. In spite of his start, he stopped the clock in 22.45 seconds, which still stands as the Track Record in Boise. At this point, he was trained by Thomas Dyer III. Jack Scott Lynn Jackson trained him for his next start in July of that year, when he won a 3 furlong race in 36.3 seconds in Ferndale California by 12 lengths. His first stakes race followed soon after and he won the Ferndale Futurity by 3 1/2 lengths. Next would be the Chief Joseph Futurity, which started in a trial race. In this trail, he would run against another Appaloosa 2-year-old named Bucky's Granite. It was a sloppy track that day, causing his feet to slip from under him, giving his rivals six lengths at the start. He recovered quickly and moved through the pack, but could not catch Bucky's Granite, so he lost his first race. But when it came time for the Chief Joseph Futurity, he broke smoothly and beat his opponents by 13 lengths—ending his season with 4 wins from 5 starts.

As he turned 3-years-old, he got the chance to run in the biggest races of his career. By this point, he had settled on his current trainer Joe King kicking off his campaign with an easy allowance victory at Rillito Park by 7 1/2 lengths. His most important races that season were three separate derby races. Firstly, he took the 3 1/2 furlong Washington Appaloosa Derby on a sloppy racetrack by 3 lengths. The 3 1/2 furlong Treasure Valley Derby was next, and the first time top Appaloosa jockey Clarence Courtwright would be given the mount. Their first race together proved tumultuous as Apache Double blew the turn nearly going the outside rail and having to be briefly pulled up by Clarence. This move forced Apache Double back to last place after leading the field. But under strong encouragement by Clarence Apache, Double flew past the field, finishing with a 1 1/2 length lead. After this race the focus in his training was to have him hug the rail. His next two stops were races against older horses. The first of which on June 28 was at 350 yards, despite his older opponents leading the first 300 yards in the final burst Apache Dude opened up 2 1/2 lengths. His second run against older horses on July 4 was at 870 yards. Apache Double stalked until they hit the top of the stretch there, he moved forward, took the lead and won by 4 lengths.

Last of these derbies was the California Appaloosa Derby. Which was at the time the richest Derby for Appaloosas. With a purse of $12,825. About forty thousand people were in attendance for this race. It also became a rematch between Apache Double and Ky-Lotta --the second horse to defeat Apache Double. Ky-Lotta had beaten Apache Double in a 4 1/2 furlong trial race for the Derby in 52.8 seconds, a new track record. Apache Double also lost the race due to coming from as far back as 10 lengths behind the leaders at one point in the race and being strung out wide into the far turn. He still flew to be second but it was another rare defeat for the colt. Ky Lotta took the lead early into the race with Apache Double staying behind in the first half but when they reached the home turn he locked up with Ky Lotta before winning under a drive. The crowd was on their feet and the on track announcer was almost impossible to hear as he won the biggest race of his career. He also had run the 4 1/2 furlong distance in 52.4 seconds shaving off Ky Lotta's previous record. He had set at least 5 track records during this time at distances ranging from 3 1/2 furlongs to 5 1/2 furlongs. After this win Clarence Courtwright would go on to say quote "I rode all the fastest Appaloosas back in the '60s and '70s, Apache Double — his feet never touched the ground — he was the fastest". He would be the highest earning and winning Appaloosa of 1972 with 8 career victories that season.

When it came time for him to run again as a 4-year-old he remained just as dominant. It was the only year he remained undefeated not losing in 6 races. Continuing to set records at multiple distances including his best remembered speed record coming at Portland Meadows Oregon on April 25, 1973, where he ran 5 furlongs at 1:00.40 a time that has been equalled twice but never surpassed by Manitou Rock in 1975 and Olympic Time in 1978. His other major wins that year included the Pleasanton Appaloosa Handicap carrying top weight of 128 pounds completing the 5 furlongs with a time of 59 seconds flat. His last race was an invitational handicap in Santa Rosa, California, where he was assigned 130 pounds 14 pounds more than the second highest weight carrier. He set yet another record running 5 1/2 furlongs in 1.05.50.

Breeding record and Honors
After his sixth win as a 4-year-old his owners were not able to find any more competition for him to face. With no other horses willing to run against Apache Double, Iola Hatley reluctantly retired her prized horse after 21 starts, 18 victories, and 3 second-place finishes. He had set 14 track records, only 4 career wins without a single record attached, 3 of which currently stand today. Soon after his retirement, he was sold to Michael Muir for a record $100,000 with two partners. He would also be honoured with a Bronze Medallion for racing in 1975 and was entered into the 1975 National Show, where he was Reserve National Halter Champion Stallion out of 54 competitors.

Standing on at stud, he proved a near immediate success producing show horses like National Grand Champion Pennie Pincher. But as an Appaloosa Racing Stallion he was unmatched in terms of success, becoming the first racing Appaloosa stud to earn 1 million dollars in progeny earnings and then surpassing 2 million, by the end of his career his progeny earnings were $2,132,630.97. He produced 422 registered Appaloosa foals: 209 starters, 134 winners, 25 stakes winners, 44 stakes placed, 62 register of merit earners, 26 medallion winners, nine champions, two supreme champions, and four regional champions.