| Horsename: | Best Pal |
| Sire: | Habitony |
| Grandsire: | Habitat |
| Dam: | Ubetshedid |
| Damsire: | King Pellinore |
| Sex: | Gelding |
| Foaled: | February 12, 1988[1] |
| Country: | United States |
| Colour: | Brown |
| Breeder: | John & Betty Mabee |
| Owner: | Golden Eagle Farm |
| Trainer: | Gary F. Jones |
| Record: | 47: 18-11-4 |
| Earnings: | $5,668,245 |
| Awards: | California Horse of the Year (1990, 1991, 1992) |
| Race: | Hollywood Futurity (1990) Del Mar Futurity (1990) Norfolk Stakes (1990) Balboa Stakes (1990) Pacific Classic Stakes (1991) Swaps Stakes (1991) Santa Anita Handicap (1992) Charles H. Strub Stakes (1992) Oaklawn Handicap (1992) San Fernando Stakes (1992) Hollywood Gold Cup (1993) California Cup Classic (1993) Native Diver Handicap (1994) San Antonio Handicap (1995) |
| Honours: | United States Racing Hall of Fame inductee (2010) Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar Racetrack |
Best Pal (February 12, 1988 – November 24, 1998) was an American Hall of Fame champion racehorse, who retired as the all time record for purses of any California-bred earning (since surpassed) for his owners, the Golden Eagle Farm, US$5.6 million over his lifetime.
Best Pal was a brown gelding bred by John & Betty Mabee. Best Pal was a descendant of Princequillo on both his sire's and dam's line. He was gelded at an early age due to being "studdish and unmanageable".[2]
Best Pal won the first running of the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, and finished second in the 1991 Kentucky Derby. He won the Hollywood Gold Cup and the Santa Anita Handicap, thus capturing all three of California's premier handicap races. In all, Best Pal won 18 races—17 of them stakes—nearly all in California.
Retired in 1996, Best Pal had a massive heart attack while on his way to a training track at Golden Eagle Farm. He was buried at the farm, and a large boulder with a plaque covers his grave. Best Pal was voted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2010.[3]