Beckett (horse)
Beckett | |
---|---|
Sire | National Stakes (2000) (2001)Joel Stakes |
Beckett (19 March 1998 – 1 August 2016) was an Irish
Background
Beckett was a bay horse with no white markings bred in Ireland by the County Kilkenny-based Ballygallon Stud. As a yearling in September 1999 the colt was consigned to the Tattersalls Houghton sale where he was bought for 1.7 million guineas by Dermot "Demi" O'Byrne acting on behalf of John Magnier's Coolmore Stud organisation.[2] He was sent into training with Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle. During his track career he was officially owned in partnership by Magnier's wife Susan and Michael Tabor.
His sire Fairy King, who was full-brother to Sadler's Wells, failed to win a race after being injured on his debut, but sired the winners of over five-hundred races, including Helissio, Falbrav, Turtle Island and Oath.[3] Beckett's dam Groom Order wan unraced but came from a good family, being closely related to Exclusive and Entrepreneur.[4]
Racing career
2000: two-year-old season
On 14 June Beckett began his racing career in a
On 17 September the colt was ridden by Heffernan again when he stepped up to Group 1 level for the National Stakes on yielding ground over the same course and distance. His stablemate Darwin started the 4/9 favourite ahead of Down To The Woods and Bonnard with Beckett next in the betting on 10/1. The other five runners included King's County (yet another O'Brien trainee), Berlin (third in the Anglesey Stakes) and the Dermot Weld-trained Elbader. Heffernan positioned the colt just behind the leaders as Down To The Woods set the early pace from King's County, but began to make progress two furlongs from the finish. Beckett went to the front approaching the final furlong and drew away in the closing stages to win by three lengths from King's County with the outsider March King staying on to take third.[6] After the race Aidan O'Brien said "I think Beckett is a potential 2,000 Guineas horse. He's a lovely mover but he was able to handle the ground this time. He's got a great pedigree... You can't beat blood",[7] while Heffernan commented "Beckett loved the ground. He relaxed very well for me and then picked up nicely when I said go".[8]
2001: three-year-old season
Training problems kept Beckett off the racecourse for the spring and summer of 2001. After an absence of a year he returned in the Listed
Stud record
At the end of his racing career, Beckett was retired to become a breeding stallion in Ireland. In 2004 he was relocated to Independent Stallions Victoria near
Pedigree
Sire Fairy King (USA) 1982 |
Northern Dancer (CAN) 1961 |
Nearctic
|
Nearco |
---|---|---|---|
Lady Angela | |||
Natalma | Native Dancer | ||
Almahmoud | |||
Fairy Bridge (USA) 1975 |
Bold Reason | Hail To Reason | |
Lalun | |||
Special | Forli | ||
Thong | |||
Dam Groom Order (GB) 1993 |
Groom Dancer (USA) 1984 |
Blushing Groom | Red God |
Runaway Bride | |||
Featherhill | Lyphard | ||
Lady Berry | |||
American Order (USA) 1987 |
Slew o' Gold | Seattle Slew | |
Alluvial | |||
Exclusive Order | Exclusive Native | ||
Bonavista (Family: 6-e)[4] |
References
- ^ a b "Beckett pedigree". Equineline.
- ^ "Tattersalls – Catalogue September 1999". Racing Post.
- ^ "Fairy King Stud Record". Racing Post. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ a b "Fenella – Family 6-e". Thoroughbred Bloodlines. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
- ^ "EBF Maiden result". Racing Post. 14 June 2000.
- ^ "National Stakes result". Racing Post. 17 September 2000.
- ^ J A McGrath (17 September 2000). "Beckett is 10-1 National hero". The Daily Telegraph.
- ^ "Racing: Beckett captures G1 Aga Khan National Stakes at Curragh". RTÉ Sport. 17 September 2000.
- ^ "Joel Stakes result". Racing Post. 4 October 2001.
- ^ Fleetwood-Jones, Colin (5 October 2001). "Walk in Park for Johannesburg". The Guardian.
- ^ "Beckett On His Way". www.racingandsports.com.au. 17 August 2004.
- ^ "Beckett – Progeny". Racing Post.