Arctic Prince
Arctic Prince | |
---|---|
Sire | Stallion |
Foaled | 1948 |
Country | Ireland |
Colour | Brown |
Breeder | Joseph McGrath |
Owner | Joseph McGrath |
Trainer | Willie Stephenson |
Record | 5: 2-0-0 |
Earnings | £ |
Major wins | |
Epsom Derby (1951) |
Arctic Prince (1948–1969) was an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire who was trained in England during a brief racing career which lasted from 1950 to 1951 and consisted of only five races. Arctic Prince won two races including the 1951 Derby and was retired after breaking down at Ascot in July of the same year.
Background
Arctic Prince was a brown horse bred in Ireland by his owner Joseph McGrath. He was one of the first crop of foals sired by Prince Chevalier who won the Prix du Jockey Club in 1946 before going on to a successful stud career. Apart from Arctic Prince, his most notable offspring was Charlotteville who won the Prix du Jockey Club and the Grand Prix de Paris and sired the 1966 Derby winner Charlottown. Arctic Prince's dam, Arctic Sun, was a successful racemare who won the Anglesey Stakes in 1943. Arctic Prince was sent into training with Willie Stephenson at Royston, Hertfordshire.
Racing career
1950: two-year-old season
Arctic Prince first appeared on the racecourse in a maiden race at Redcar in which he recorded a six length victory. He was then moved up in class for the Gimcrack Stakes at York in which he finished unplaced behind Cortil.[1]
1951: three-year-old season
As a three-year-old, Arctic Prince was sent directly to the
A month later, Arctic Prince started at odds of
In July Arctic Prince was sent to Ascot for the inaugural running of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.[6] The colt finished unplaced behind Supreme Court, sustaining an injury which ended his racing career.[1]
Assessment
Timeform awarded Arctic Prince a rating of 135, the highest for a three-year-old in 1951.[7] A rating of 130 is considered the mark of an above average European Group One winner.
In their book A Century of Champions, John Randall and Tony Morris rated Arctic Prince an “average” Derby winner and the one hundred and ninth best British racehorse of the 20th Century .[8]
Stud career
Arctic Prince stood as a stallion in Britain for four years before being sold for a reported $900,000 and exported to America in 1956.[9] The best of his European progeny was the Eclipse Stakes winner Arctic Explorer. He was also the damsire of the 1964 Derby winner Santa Claus.
Pedigree
Sire Prince Chevalier (FR) 1943 |
Prince Rose 1928 |
Rose Prince | Prince Palatine |
---|---|---|---|
Eglantine | |||
Indolence | Gay Crusader | ||
Barrier | |||
Chevalerie 1933 |
Abbot’s Speed | Abbots Trace | |
Mary Gaunt | |||
Kassala | Cylgad | ||
Farizade | |||
Dam Arctic Sun (GB) 1941 |
Nearco 1935 |
Pharos | Phalaris |
Scapa Flow | |||
Nogara | Havresac | ||
Catnip | |||
Solar Flower 1935 |
Solario | Gainsborough | |
Sun Worship | |||
Serena | Winalot | ||
Charmione (Family: 10-c) |
References
- ^ ISBN 0-354-08536-0.
- ^ "Long shot is English Derby Vivictor". Deseret News. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
- ^ "Arctic Prince wins Derby". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
- ^ "Arctic Prince wins English Derby". The Age. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
- ^ "Arctic Prince wins richest Derby". Glasgow Herald. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
- ^ "Arctic Prince should repel French challenge". Evening Times. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
- ISBN 0-85112-902-1.
- ISBN 1-901570-15-0.
- ^ "Horse Plane-Shy". Star-News. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
- ^ "English Derby Winner: Arctic Prince". Chef-de-race.com. Retrieved 7 November 2011.