Conquistador Cielo was bred by Lewis E. Iandoli and foaled in Florida in 1979. He was by Mr. Prospector, a legendary sire of sires, and out of K D Kindness, a race-winning mare by Bold Commander. His pedigree also included Native Dancer, Nashua, Bold Ruler, and Turn-to. He was a dark bay with a big hip, short back, and kind eye. He was purchased at the Fasig-Tipton New York Yearling Sale for $150,000 by Henryk de Kwiatkowski and was trained by Woody Stephens.
Conquistador Cielo made four starts as a two-year-old and won a Maiden Special Weight at Belmont Park and the Saratoga Special Stakes (Gr. 2) at Saratoga. He skipped the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes due to an injury, but famously won the Metropolitan Handicap against older horses and came back six days later to win the Belmont Stakes by 14 lengths. He won four graded stakes races in 1982 and clinched the Horse of the Year title. In total, Conquistador Cielo started 13 times, won 9 races, and earned $474,328 on the track. He stood stud at Claiborne Farm. He sired 60 stakes winners including Marquetry, Forty Niner Days, and Lexicon. Overall, he did not meet expectations as a sire, but his descendants continue to thrive on the track and in second careers.
Equality Road
Photo Credit: Ashlee Lynn Photography.
Equality Road, also known as “Jax,” is a Michigan bred gelding by Equality. His dam, Queen of Savoy, is a daughter of Conquistador Cielo. Jax started 25 times, won two races, and earned $22,856 on the track. His two wins were at Hazel Park. He also made starts in the Michigan Sires Stakes and the Lansing Stakes. He made his final start in 2016 and is now owned by Megan Helm. Megan and Jax compete in English Pleasure, Equitation, Western Pleasure, and Horsemanship. She says that he is level-headed and dependable. This beautiful gray has a great attitude and work ethic – attributes which make him a fantastic show horse.
All Q’d Up
All Q’d Up, also known as “Gator,” is a Maryland bred gelding by Oratory. His damsire, Norquestor, is a multiple-graded-stakes winning son of Conquistador Cielo. Gator started 33 times, won three races, and earned $43,916 on the track. His three wins were at Penn National, Laurel Park, and Mountaineer. He made his final start in 2016 and was the 2018 MI NBHA Reserve Youth 1D Champion. Gator was recently purchased by Brittany Vickstorm. Brittany says that this bay gelding is extremely agile. He is fast, but he can rate and turn with ease. Champion racehorses are often commended for their charming charisma and Gator also possesses that quality. He has a relaxed attitude and enjoys trail riding when he is not running barrels.
Amiga Del Sol
Photo Credit: Baby Beluga Photography
Amiga Del Sol, also known as “Amie,” is a New York bred mare by Friends Lake. Her dam, Inca Sun, is a daughter of Conquistador Cielo. Amie started 14 times, won three races, and earned $87,057 on the track. Her three wins were at Belmont Park. She made her final start in 2011 and is now owned by Logan Davis. Logan and Amie compete in barrel racing. Logan says that this lovely bay mare is alert and intelligent. She moves beautifully and uses her body efficiently. Before Amie was retrained for barrels, she was a broodmare for a few years. She produced three race starters – Thrown of My Own, Cloud Control, and Skyler’s Lil Cutie. All three of her offspring are winners and Cloud Control is still racing! Logan says that Amie has a lot of heart and try. These are qualities that she may have inherited from Conquistador Cielo and no doubt passed on to her own progeny.
The Western Thoroughbred 