Bikala
Bikala | |
---|---|
Sire | Kalamoun |
Grandsire | Zeddaan |
Dam | Irish Bird |
Damsire | Sea Bird |
Sex | Stallion |
Foaled | 12 March 1978[1] |
Country | Ireland |
Colour | Bay |
Breeder | Moyglare Stud |
Owner | Jules Ouaki |
Trainer | Patrick Biancone |
Record | 13: 3-5-0 |
Major wins | |
Prix du Jockey Club (1981) Prix Ganay (1982) | |
Awards | |
Timeform rating: 134 (1981), 129 (1982) Top-rated French three-year-old (1981) |
Bikala (12 March 1978 – 25 December 1994) was an Irish-bred, French-trained
Background
Bikala was, a big, strong bay horse with a narrow white
As a yearling Bikala was sent to the Goff's Sale but attracted very little interest and was bought for 6,000 guineas by the bloodstock agency Horse France.[4] The colt passed into the ownership of Jules Ouaki and was sent to France to be trained by Patrick Biancone. He was ridden in most of his races by Serge Gorli, a teenager who was forced into retirement by weight problems in 1984.[5]
Racing career
1980: two-year-old season
Bikala ran twice in the late autumn of 1980 and showed some promise. Racing on very soft ground he finished unplaced over 1800
1981: three-year-old season
Bikala began his three-year-old season by finishing second to No Lute in a minor race over 2000m at Saint-Cloud Racecourse in April. Later that month he recorded his first success with a half length win in a 1840m Handicap at Longchamp Racecourse. On 17 May he was moved up in class to contest the Group One Prix Lupin over 2100m at the same course. Ridden by Serge Gorli, he started an 18/1 outsider and finished fourth of the nine runners behind No Lute, The Wonder and Dunphy.[4]
On 7 June, his trainer's 29th birthday,[6] Bikala started at odds of 17/1 in the Prix du Jockey Club over 2400m at Chantilly Racecourse. Gorli tracked the pacemaker Magnum before moving into the lead on the turn into the straight. He went clear of the field and was never seriously challenged, winning by four lengths from Akarad, with the unplaced horses including No Lute, The Wonder and Nijinsky's Secret. A month later, Bikala was matched against older horses for the first time in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud over 2500m. As at Chantilly, he went to the front but on this occasion Akarad proved his superior and won by two and a half lengths. Bikala held on to second place ahead of Lancastrian, April Run, Gold River and Argument.[4]
After a two-month break, Bikala returned in the
1982: four-year-old season
On his four-year-old debut Bikala started the 8/5 favourite for the Group One Prix Ganay over 2100m in April. He led from the start and won by half a length from Lancastrian, with Al Nasr, Vayrann, Kalaglow and April Run among the beaten horses. In July he was sent overseas for the first time when he contested the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes over one and a half miles on firm ground at Ascot Racecourse. He started second favourite behind his half-brother Assert, with Kalaglow, Glint of Gold and Height of Fashion being the other fancied runners. Bikala again attempted to make all the running but was overtaken by Assert on the turn into the straight and faded in the closing stages to finish fifth behind Kalaglow.[7]
As in 1981, Bikala prepared for the Arc de Triomphe by running in the Prix du Prince d'Orange and again finished second, this time being beaten by the three-year-old General Holme. In the Arc he disputed the lead with the Prix Niel winner Bon Sang until early in the straight, but then dropped away quickly and finished twelfth of the seventeen runners behind Akiyda.[7]
Assessment
In the official International Classification for 1981, Bikala was the second-highest rated three-year-old colt in Europe behind the British-trained Shergar and the third highest-rated horse of any age. The independent Timeform organisation gave him a rating of 134, placing him third behind Shergar (140) and Northjet (136).[4] In the following year he was rated 129 by Timeform, while the International Classification made him the third-best older horse in Europe behind Kalaglow and Ardross.[7]
Stud record
Bikala was retired from racing to become a breeding stallion at the Haras du Val Henry near
Pedigree
Sire Kalamoun (GB) 1970 |
Zeddaan (GB) 1965 |
Grey Sovereign | Nasrullah |
---|---|---|---|
Kong | |||
Vareta | Vilmorin | ||
Veronique | |||
Khairunissa (GB) 1960 |
Prince Bio | Prince Rose | |
Biologie | |||
Palariva | Palestine | ||
Rivaz | |||
Dam Irish Bird (USA) 1970 |
Sea Bird (FR)1962 |
Dan Cupid | Native Dancer |
Vixenette | |||
Sicalade | Sicambre | ||
Marmelade | |||
Irish Lass (GB) 1962 |
Sayajirao | Nearco | |
Rosy Legend | |||
Scollata | Niccolo Dellarca | ||
Cutaway (family: 8-c)[3] |
References
- ^ a b "Bikala pedigree". Equineline. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- ^ "Bikala image". sporthorse-data.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- ^ a b "Thoroughbred Bloodlines – Woodbine – Family 8-c". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
- ^ ISBN 0-900599-33-2.
- ^ "Bikala's jockey Gorli dies at 50". Racing Post. 9 April 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
- ^ Kenny RiceArchive (17 March 2004). "Biancone savoring his time with Lion Heart". ESPN. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
- ^ ISBN 0-900599-35-9.
- ^ "Bikala Stud Record". Racing Post. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2013.