| Fonso | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sire | King Alfonso |
| Grandsire | Phaeton |
| Dam | Weatherwitch |
| Damsire | Weatherbit |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1877 |
| Country | United States |
| Colour | Chestnut |
| Breeder | A. J. Alexander |
| Owner | John Snell Shawhan |
| Trainer | Tice Hutsell |
| Record | 12: 5-3-2 |
| Earnings | $8,175 |
| Major wins | |
| Maiden Stakes (1879) Colt Stakes (1879) Phoenix Stakes (1880) American Classic Race wins: Kentucky Derby (1880) | |
Fonso (1877–1903) was anAmericanThoroughbred racehorse and was the winner of the1880 Kentucky Derby under jockeyGeorge Garret Lewis.[1] Fonso was bred inKentucky[2] and was a chestnut colt sired by King Alfonso out of the mare Weatherwitch.
Fonso won thePhoenix Stakes as a three-year-old overLuke Blackburn who finished third, but is best remembered for going on to beat the favoredKimball in the 1880 Kentucky Derby.[3] The track was particularly dry and the dust, up to 5 inches (13 cm) thick, Fonso kicked up obscured the path for the other contenders.[4] Fonso finished the race with a one length lead at a time of 2:37.50 and won $3800. The owner of Kimball called a foul in the race against Fonso, but the placing was not altered. Fonso had a career record of 12 starts, 5 wins, 3 places and 2 shows.[2][4]
Fonso died at the age of 26 while standing as stud at the Oakwood Stud Farm inLexington, Kentucky in 1903.[3] His most notable offspring was the mare Fondling (br. 1886, out of Kitty Heron by Chillicothe), who produced the champion fillyImp.
| Sire King Alfonso 1872 | Phaeton 1865 | King Tom | Harkaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pocahontas | |||
| Merry Sunshine | Storm | ||
| Falstaff Mare | |||
| Capitola 1858 | Vandal | Glencoe I | |
| Tranby Mare | |||
| Margrave Mare | Margrave | ||
| Mistletoe | |||
| Dam Weatherwitch 1858 | Weatherbit 1842 | Sheet Anchor | Lottery |
| Morgiana | |||
| Miss Letty | Priam | ||
| Orville Mare | |||
| Birdcatcher Mare 1850 | Birdcatcher | Sir Hercules | |
| Guiccioli | |||
| Hetman Platoff Mare | Hetman Platoff | ||
| Whim |
