Graded stakes producer Hard Knocker dead at 26
Multiple stakes producer Hard Knocker died on May at Knockgriffin Farm in Lexington. She was 26.
By Raja Baba out of multiple stakes-placed winner Homespun, by Round Table, Hard Knocker produced nine winners from 13 starters, including two stakes winners.
Hard Knocker’s top runner to date is 2002 Tempted Stakes (G3) winner Chimichurri, runner-up in the 2003 Prioress Stakes (G1). Chimichurri’s 2007 foal by A.P. Indy was the $3.1-million sale topper at the 2008 Keeneland September yearling sale.
Hard Knocker also is the dam of multiple stakes winner Huambo and stakes-placed winner Skip Poker. She has a three-year-old filly by Mr. Greeley, named Arbeka, who is unplaced in one career start.
Hard Knocker is a half sister to multiple Group 1 winner and sire Mashaallah, winner of the 1992 Jefferson Smurfit Memorial Irish St. Leger (Ire-G1), Grade 1 winner Folk Art; multiple graded stakes-placed stakes winner and sire Sportin’ Life; and multiple graded stakes producer Connie Knows.