Category Archives: Horses

Introduction

 

Sometimes, a name just stands out and seems a perfect fit for an animal. Kingman is one such horse that carries a rather fitting name, with a career that showcased an incredible level of success. Owned by Khalid Abdullah and mastering the art of racing with John Gosden, this horse went on to make headlines with various major wins across a two-year spell.

 

While its career lasted a mere two years, in that time it picked up an impressive six major trophy wins, from the Solario Stakes in 2013 to the Prix Jacques le Marois in 2014.

 

Career Summary

 

In its debut season, Kingman impressed with a win under Ryan Moore at Newmarket, seeing it priced for the Solario Stakes as an underdog. There, it won by a whole two lengths and surprised all. It missed out on a potential big win at the Dewhurst Stakes with a chipped bone.

 

Then, it went on a stunning trophy run that seen it lift five trophies in the year. Starting with the Greenham Stakes, it went on to also win the Irish 2000 Guineas, the St. James Palace Stakes, the Sussex Stakes and lastly the Prix Jacque le Marois.

 

Sadly, problems began to start for the horse after this incredible run of racing. It was retired from the sport in September of 2014, when it was announced that it had picked up a horrible throat infection. This was stopping it from being trained properly, weakening its chances of succeeding at any point in the future at the same level.

 

Now, it can be found at the Bandstead Manor stud.

 

Achievements & Highlights

 

Wins – Solario Stakes (2013), Greenham Stakes (2014), Irish 2000 Guineas (2014), St. James’s Palace Stakes (2014), Sussex Stakes (2014), Prix Jacques Le Marois (2014).

 

Associations – Juddmonte Farms, Khalid Abdullah, John Gosden, James Doyle.

 

Earnings – ?

 

 

Introduction

 

Every horse has a story, and Aldaniti is no different. A racehorse of fleeting but significant repute, it came away with the Grand National title in 1981, causing a major shock. While it never really achieved much else in a fleeting career on the track, Aldaniti is a name worth remembering for reasons other than that famous win in the early 80s.

 

It’s got an incredible history, with the fact that jockey Bob Champion managed to recover from cancer while the horse recovered from a life-threatening injury that occurred. Given that Champion was a major name on the jockey scene before his diagnosis, the fact he carried on post-treatment to win his major title is a fear well worth remembering!

 

Career Summary

 

A stunning chestnut gelding that was bred in the UK, by Harrowgate Stud, and throughout its career was in the ownership of Nick Embiricos. It’s career on the tracks began in 1978, when Aldaniti came third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, before coming second at the Scottish Grand National. Sadly, it lost a year of a fledgling career after the aforementioned injury over at Sandown. Thankfully, it recovered and went on to achieve one of the most impressive returns ever seen.

 

Achievements & Highlights

 

As you might imagine, Aldaniti achieved peak form when it was the winner of the ’81 Grand National. After running amok at the Ascot Racecourse in the February beforehand, it maintained a considerable level of form into the Grand National itself. As 10/1 second favourite, it’s incredible return from injury – alongside Champion – made it the neutrals hero. Taking the lead on the 11^th and continuing on during the whole race, it won by a whole four lengths.

 

3000 people came along to see the legend the day after. While it fella t the first fence the year later and was never really seen afterward, retiring, it lived until March 1997 when it sadly died of old age.

 

Wins – Grand National 1981.

 

Associations – Harrowgate Stud, Nick Embiricos, Josh Gifford.

 

Earnings –?

 

 

Introduction

 

With just 6 races to its name and 4 wins, the name of Taghrooda is still one that not everybody will be sure of. However, it’s a horse that has shot to fame as she won the Oaks Stakes and then won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. With second place and third finishes at events such as the Yorkshire Oaks and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Taghrooda was a one-hit wonder that had a single season in the racing circuit, lifting three major honours in that period of time.

 

Career Summary

 

A bay frilly raised in the Shadwell Stud, Taghrooda is a horse that was a foal from the Sea The Stars racehorse. Her first race came at two years old, when it was a 20/1 outsider but went on to win in a surprising race where she took the finish from Casual Smile – the favourite with the experts – and gaining a lot of attention as a result.

 

As a three-year-old, she raced her only season. Ridden by Paul Hanagan, becoming a quick favourite for the Epsom Oaks having impressed in early races in the season. It won the Epsom Downs race in the same year, having comfortable won it in the end – just as Hanagan had planned.

 

Missing out on the Irish Oaks, it went straight to the big-hitting King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. There, she took her chance and won the major race, retiring at the end of the season with second and third place finishes. It was a shame to see her leave so early, but trainers expected that she perhaps lacked the capacity to go any further and had run her course.

 

Achievements & Highlights

 

 

Wins – Pretty Polly Stakes (2014), Oaks Stakes (2014), King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2014)

 

Associations – Shadwell Stud, Hamdan al Maktoum, John Gosden.

 

Earnings – £1.475m.

 

 

 

Introduction

 

Known for being exceptionally competitive and capable of handling even the most challenging of circumstances, Mill Reef is a shining example of what hard work can achieve on the racecourse. With incredible wins in the early 70s, Mill Reef set a standard that is still exceptionally hard to live up to in this day and age. Before his career was cut short as a four year old, Mill Reef was one of the most respectable and consistent racehorses on the circuit.

 

With wins at major events such as the Epsom Derby and the Eclipse Stakes, Mill Reef managed a glut of major, big-time wins that others wouldn’t get near.

 

Career Summary

 

The famed contemporary of Brigadier Gerard, whom it lost to at the 2000 Guineas, Mill Reef ran 14 races, winning a whopping 12 of them. A successful career at two, three and four years old seen it win a glut of trophies in England and France, with the Coronation Cup its last recorded success.

 

This win was when the major problem with Mill Reef was discovered: suffering from a major viral infection, the horse took a long time to recover. Once it did, it took part in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in the October of ’72. Sadl, it stumbled and heavily damaged a foreleg – difficult surgery took place, taking six hours, and the horse was saved. However, Mill Reef’ racing career was over and it instead became a popular stud.

 

It died in 1986, and is buried at the National Stud alongside a statue that showcases its incredible qualities on the course.

 

Achievements & Highlights

 

Wins – Coventry Stakes (1970), Gimcrack Stakes (1970), Dewhurst Stakes (1970), Greenham Stakes (1971), Epsom Derby (1971), Eclipse Stakes (1971), K. George VI & Q. Elizabeth Stakes (1971), Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (1971), Prix Ganay (1972), Coronation Cup (1972).

 

Associations – Paul Mellon, Ian Balding.

 

Earnings – £300k+.