Conquistador Cielo - 1982 Belmont Stakes

Conquistador Cielo wins the 1982 Belmont Stakes in the slop with a devastating stretch drive.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Thoroughbred
• Horse
• Racing
• Conquistador
• Cielo
• 1982
• Belmont
• Stakes
• NYRA
• Marshall
• Cassidy
• New
• York

[Mrkrush]

I own a C Cielo 6 yo gelding. Talk about smart, typey, dominant, athletic. Got him out of a field around Baltimore. He didn't make it at the track but has proved to be a champion in the hunter jumper ring. The most opinionated horse I have ever trained he easily wins consistently over the nicest warmbloods. Nationally known trainers have tried to buy him but I keep him for the constant bites, kicks and ornery behavior, not to mention my love of the thoroughbred! Thanks for the CC videos!

[cf1970]

You are very welcome. Thanks for the interesting info about his offspring.

[kcaj789]

I got to see Conquistador Cielo at Claiborne farms shortly before his death in 2002. real ornery. What a race.

[cf1970]

Ornery. Ha. I can just imagine. Sounds about right considering how much he liked to take command of a race.

Lucky you. Thanks.

[ahsans786]

conquistador cielo, one of the many flashy horses in the eighties that never raced for very long (spend a buck, swale, island whirl). winning the metropolitan mile and the belmont in the same week has to go down as one of the most impressive things i've seen in racing.

[cf1970]

I totally agree. What a horse.

Take care.

[711ATOM]

I remember watching this race and being impressed by how muddy the track was that day. All that slop and still managed a 2:28 and 1/5. Just a terrific performance.

[jhordanian]

Conquistador Cielo was the sire of one of my favorite horses, Marquetry. Marquetry began his career in Europe then was sent to the US under the care of Bobby Frankel. Marquetry won more than $3million, capturing grade 1 races like the Hollywood Gold Cup and Meadowlands Cup on dirt and the Eddie Read on turf. He would go on to sire two Eclipse and Breeders Cup champion sprinters, Squirtle Squirt and the sensational Artax.

[BE109]

Keep in mind this dude won the Metropolitan H. 8F. in 1:33,popping older horses! Only 5 days before this race,thats incredible!!

[Mrkrush]

By viewing youtube video "Krush Hopeful Hunters Sunday Fence" you can see a beutiful Conquistador Cielo son at his first horse show where he was champion. He continues his show career with every outing being champion or reserve champion! A wonderful TB with brains, beauty and a big opinion! Wins over warmbloods.

[cf1970]

Another good one. Entertaining to read. Thanks for sharing your memories.

[AwsiDooger]

cf1970 likes anecdotes so I'll provide one.

I was on a trip with my dad, returning from college. Just before this race my dad pulled over at a freeway rest stop, somewhere in the South. I had a portable TV but the batteries were dead. I plugged it in near the sinks at the rest stop and watched Conquistador Cielo's great race. I was getting strange looks but it's a fun memory:)