Refinado Tom

Refinado Tom (28 August 1993 – 9 December 2019) was an Argentinian thoroughbred racehorse who won the Argentinian Triple Crown in 1996.

He was later cloned for breeding polo ponies.

Background Refinado Tom was a chestnut stallion with a star and an off-center snip, bred by Haras La Biznaga, one of the most famous and historic farms in Argentina. He was foaled in the early morning of August 28, 1993. In December 1991, he was exported to stand stud in Argentina at Haras La Biznaga, starting the 1992 breeding season. Refinado Tom was part of his first crop and would be his most successful offspring.

Refinado Tom's dam, Ma Raffine, was bred and campaigned by Haras La Biznaga. She won one of twelve races before being retired. Refinado Tom was her second foal. She came from a classic family known for performing well in long races.

Refinado Tom was well-built, with the physique of a sprinter. He had a large rump, big muscles, and a wide forehead. Refinado Tom was unfriendly and had a poor temperament, such that Bullrich was unable to get close to him to saddle him on race days and he needed to be saddled outside of stalls so he wouldn't kick.

Refinado Tom was made the heavy favorite for the Group 1 Gran Criterium,

The third and final leg of the Argentinian Triple Crown, the Group 1 Gran Premio Nacional, was Refinado Tom's next race. Despite some concerns over its 2500-meter length, many expected Refinado Tom to win the race and the Triple Crown. Jorge Valdivieso had to correct abruptly, avoiding touching Alpino Fitz while maintaining Refinado Tom's space.

Four-year-old season (1997/1998) In the United States, Refinado Tom returned to training in the care of Richard Mandella. Refinado Tom continued to receive therapeutic work on his shoulder injury. Mandella trained Refinado Tom to be better prepared at the start of a race.

Despite his losses, Refinado Tom was still fairly well regarded and started as the second choice in his fourth American start, the Grade 3 Native Diver Handicap. In the race, Refinado Tom ran in the second position before taking the lead to win by seven lengths. Jockey Gary Stevens compared Refinado Tom's acceleration to that of Gentlemen, another Argentinian import, on whom he had won the race the previous year in a record-setting performance.

On February 26, 1999, Refinado Tom returned to Argentina, Mar 17, 1996 2 1400 meters Dirt Premio Payaso Maiden Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo 9.35 5 1 1:22.23 Head Jorge Valdivieso May 4, 1996 2 1400 meters Turf Gran Premio Raúl y Raúl E. Chevalier I Hipódromo de San Isidro 5.35 11 1 1:20.96 6 lengths Jorge Valdivieso Jun 8, 1996 2 1600 meters Turf Gran Criterium I Hipódromo de San Isidro 1.40* 10 3 1:33.71 (5 lengths) Jorge Valdivieso Jun 29, 1996 2 1600 meters Dirt Gran Premio Estrellas Juvenile I Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo 5.25 11 1 1:34.85 5 lengths Jorge Valdivieso Sep 7, 1996 3 1600 meters Dirt Gran Premio Polla de Potrillos I Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo 1.75* 14 1 1:34.59 9 lengths Jorge Valdivieso Oct 5, 1996 3 2000 meters Turf Gran Premio Jockey Club I Hipódromo de San Isidro 1.75* 12 1 2:00.47 1 lengths Jorge Valdivieso Nov 9,1996 3 2500 meters Dirt Gran Premio Nacional I Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo 1.55* 7 1 2:33.84 Neck Jorge Valdivieso July 31, 1997 4 1 mile Turf Wickerr Handicap Stakes Del Mar 1.90* 7 7 1:36.60 (14 lengths) Corey Nakatani Sep 27, 1997 4 1 1/8 mile Dirt William P. Kyne Handicap III Bay Meadows 1.30* 7 3 1:46.32 ( length) Gary Stevens Nov 16, 1997 4 1 1/16 mile Dirt Arcangues Handicap Listed Hollywood Park 1.60* 7 5 1:43.54 (10 lengths) Chris McCarron Dec 21, 1997 4 1 1/8 mile Dirt Native Diver Handicap III Hollywood Park 2.20 8 1 1:47.84 7 lengths Gary Stevens Feb 7, 1998 4 1 1/8 mile Dirt San Antonio Handicap II Santa Anita 4.40 5 3 1:47.60 (7 lengths) Chris McCarron Mar 8, 1998 4 1 1/8 mile Dirt New Orleans Handicap III Fair Grounds 4.00 8 6 1:48.13 (10 lengths) Gary Stevens Apr 11, 1998 4 1 1/8 mile Dirt San Bernardino Handicap II Santa Anita 10.70 10 DNF 1:48.48 N/a José Valdivia Jr. Oct 14, 1998 5 6.5 furlongs Turf Allowance Allowance Santa Anita 9.30 7 4 1:14.97 (5 lengths) Gary Stevens Nov 6,1998 5 1 mile Dirt Skywalker Handicap Stakes Santa Anita 2.70 7 4 1:35.41 (11 lengths) David Flores Nov 27, 1998 5 1 1/16 mile Dirt Forty-Niner Handicap Listed Golden Gate Fields 6.40 5 4 1:42.00 (4 lengths) Dennis Carr May 28, 1999 5 1600 meters Dirt Gran Premio Benito Villanueva II Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo 3.50 10 1 1:37.99 1 lengths Jorge Valdivieso Jun 26, 1999 5 2000 meters Turf Gran Premio Estrellas Classic I Hipódromo de San Isidro 2.40 14 1 1:57.78 2 lengths Jorge Valdivieso Aug 16, 1999 6 1800 meters Dirt Gran Premio General San Martin I Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo 1.40* 6 2 1:48.92 (2 lengths) Jorge Valdivieso Sep 6, 1999 6 2000 meters Dirt Gran Premio Italia III Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo 2.30 5 1 2:01.60 1 length Jorge Valdivieso Oct 9, 1999 6 2500 meters Dirt Gran Premio de Honor I Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo 1.95* 7 4 2:38.95 (2 lengths) Jorge Valdivieso Nov 7, 1999 6 2400 meters Turf Gran Premio Copa de Oro I Hipódromo de San Isidro 4.50 7 3 2:24.95 (2 lengths) Jorge Valdivieso Dec 12, 1999 6 2400 meters Turf Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini I Hipódromo de San Isidro 16.20 18 7 2:21.98 (6 lengths) Jorge Valdivieso May 26, 2000 6 1600 meters Dirt Gran Premio Benito Villanueva II Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo 2.60*† 8 6 1:33.42 (8 lengths) Jorge Valdivieso An asterisk after the odds means Refinado Tom was the post time favorite. † indicates a coupled entry.

Stud career Refinado Tom retired to stud at his home farm of Haras La Biznaga. He proved to be subfertile, producing two foals from fourteen services in his first year and only producing one foal the following year. |f=Shy Tom (USA) 1986|m=Ma Raffine (ARG) 1987|ff=Blushing Groom (FR) 1974|fm=Island Kitty (USA) 1976|mf=Mountdrago (ARG) 1977|mm=Reflejante (ARG) 1974|fff=Red God (USA)|ffm=Runaway Bride (GB)|fmf=Hawaii (SAF)|fmm=T. C. Kitten (USA|mff=Sheet Anchor (USA)|mfm=Atbara (ARG)|mmf=Practicante (ARG)|mmm=Rutilante (ARG)|ffff=Nasrullah (GB)|fffm=Spring Run (USA)|ffmf=Wild Risk (FR)|ffmm=Aimee (GB)|fmff=Utrillo (ITY)|fmfm=Ethane (SAF)|fmmf=Tom Cat (USA)|fmmm=Needlebug (USA)|mfff=Ambiorix (FR)|mffm=Anchors Aweigh (USA)|mfmf=Tobago (FR)|mfmm=Eritrea (ARG)|mmff=Pronto (ARG)|mmfm=Extraneza (ARG)|mmmf=Rigolo (ARG)|mmmm=Lapataia (ARG)