Giacomo (horse)

Giacomo
Giacomo at the 2006 Pacific Classic
Sire	Holy Bull
Grandsire	Great Above
Dam	Set Them Free
Damsire	Stop The Music
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	February 16, 2002
Country	USA
Colour	Gray
Breeder	Mr. & Mrs. Jerome S. Moss
Owner	Mr. & Mrs. Jerome S. Moss/Stronach Stables
Trainer	John Shirreffs
Record	16:3-2-5
Earnings	$2,537,316
Major wins
Kentucky Derby (2005) San Diego Handicap (2006)
Last updated on November 9, 2006

Giacomo (foaled February 16, 2002 in Kentucky) is an American Thoroughbred race horse and sire best known for winning the 2005 Kentucky Derby.

The gray stallion is owned by his breeder, Jerry Moss, who may be better known for co-founding A&M Records with trumpeter Herb Alpert. Giacomo was named after the son of Sting. Giacomo's dam Set Them Free also produced Tiago.

Giacomo was trained during his racing career by John Shirreffs.

Giacomo, ridden by Mike E. Smith won the 2005 Kentucky Derby in a time of 2:02.75. At odds of 50–1, Giacomo stands as tied, with Mine That Bird in 2009, for the second-biggest longshot ever to win the Derby, trailing only Donerail, who went off at 91–1 in 1913.

Giacomo finished third in the 2005 Preakness Stakes behind the favorite, Afleet Alex. He finished seventh in the 2005 Belmont Stakes, again behind the favored Afleet Alex; Smith said after the race that the horse had breathing problems. Giacomo's owner received a first-place check of $1,639,600 for the victory, the largest in Kentucky Derby history.

Giacomo continued to race after his disappointing Belmont finish. In his first race back, he finished third in the Strub Stakes at Santa Anita Park. After that, he was raced in the prestigious Grade I Santa Anita Handicap, where he finished 5th and was never a threat. After a four-month layoff, Giacomo won the July 22, 2006, San Diego Handicap by a head. The victory was followed by a 5th in the Pacific Classic Stakes and a show in the Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap, where Giacomo lost to Lava Man for the 3rd time in 4 races. Despite the fact that Giacomo had only won two stakes races, he was entered in the 2006 Breeders' Cup Classic field, where he faced Lava Man as well as other top horses such as Bernardini and the eventual winner, Invasor. Giacomo finished fourth.