Fantastic Light
Fantastic Light | |
---|---|
United States Champion Male Turf Horse (2001) (2001)European Champion Older Horse (2001) European Horse of the Year Emirates World Series Racing Champion (2000, 2001) | |
Last updated on September 7, 2007 |
Fantastic Light (foaled February 13, 1996) is a retired
In his early racing career, when trained by
Background
Fantastic Light, a bay horse with an irregular white
His sire,
Until early 2000, Fantastic Light raced in the colours of Maktoum Al Maktoum and was trained by
Racing career
1998: two-year-old season
Fantastic Light never ran in a
1999: three-year-old season
Fantastic Light began his three-year-old season with his first Group race win in the Sandown Classic Trial. Ridden by Daryll Holland, he took the lead a furlong out and was eased in the closing stages to win by a short head.[8] Speculation that he might develop into a Derby contender[9] ended in his next race, when he was stepped up to one and a half miles for the first time and finished fourth of the five runners in the Lingfield Derby Trial.
Fantastic Light was brought back to a mile and a quarter, and produced placed efforts on his next two starts. At
In August Fantastic Light recorded his first win at Group Two level as he led three furlongs out and ran on to win a strongly contested
On his final start of the season, Fantastic Light was moved up to the highest level for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and finished a remote eleventh of the thirteen runners behind Montjeu.[12]
2000: four-year-old season
Fantastic Light's first run of 2000 was also his last for the
Fantastic Light was then returned to England for a summer campaign. In the Coronation Cup at Epsom in June he finished second to Daliapour and then came fifth of the eight runners behind Giant's Causeway in the Eclipse Stakes. He was then sent to Ascot for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, where he finished second, reversing the Epsom form with Daliapour, but having no chance[15] against the favourite Montjeu.[16]
In Autumn, Godolphin campaigned Fantastic Light in the United States. At
For his last two starts of the year, Fantastic Light was sent to East Asia. In November, in the
2001: five-year-old season
Spring
Like a previous Godolphin champion, Daylami, Fantastic Light proved himself to be better than ever as a five-year-old (see Assessment below).
In March he attempted to win a second Sheema Classic and almost succeeded, taking the lead a furlong out, but being caught on the line and beaten a nose by the Japanese outsider Stay Gold.[23] Despite the defeat, his connections announced that they were "delighted" with the performance.[24] As in 2000, Fantastic Light spent the middle of the season racing in Europe. At the end of May he was sent to Ireland where he won the Tattersalls Gold Cup, taking the lead a furlong from the finish and beating Golden Snake by a neck with Kalanisi third.[25] After the race, Godolphin's racing manager, Simon Crisford, said that Fantastic Light would be aimed at the top middle-distance races in Europe, calling him "very special... a fantastic horse".[26]
Summer
Despite this result, Kalanisi was made favourite when the horses met again in the
Fantastic Light and Galileo did meet at Ascot in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, for which the Aidan O'Brien-trained three-year-old was sent off the 1/2 favourite ahead of Fantastic Light at 7/2. The race was the subject of considerable advance publicity, and was portrayed as a clash between the two most powerful forces in European racing; Godolphin, represented by Fantastic Light, and Ballydoyle/Coolmore represented by Galileo.[30] As in the Prince of Wales's Stakes, Dettori settled Fantastic Light in the early stages before moving him out to challenge in the straight. Galileo had already taken the lead but Fantastic Light moved up and went level a furlong out. The two horses raced side by side for several strides, but Galileo then pulled ahead to win by two lengths.[31]
Autumn
The second meeting between Fantastic Light and Galileo was scheduled for the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in September and was highly anticipated.[32] This time Dettori rode Fantastic Light more positively as part of an agreed Godolphin plan,[33] sending him past the Ballydoyle pacemaker to take the lead two furlongs out. Michael Kinane immediately brought Galileo to challenge and the two horses raced alongside each other all the way to the line. Galileo appeared to gain a slight advantage, but Fantastic Light, stayed on strongly under pressure to regain the lead and win by a head in a "thrilling"[34] contest.[35] The British Horseracing Authority described the event as "one of the greatest races witnessed throughout the current decade",[36] whilst readers of the Racing Post placed it seventh (the third highest for a flat race) in their list of the 100 Greatest Races.[37][38]
For Fantastic Light's final start, he was sent back to America for a second attempt at the
A projected run in the Japan Cup did not materialise[44] and his retirement was announced shortly afterwards. He had already amassed sufficient points to secure a second Emirates World Series.[45][46]
Race record
Date | Race | Dist (f) | Course | Class | Prize (£K) | Odds | Runners | Placing | Margin | Time | Jockey | Trainer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 August 1998 | Carshalton Novice Stakes | 7 | Sandown | 4 | 8/1 | 5 | 1 | 1.75 | 1:33.35 | John Reid | Michael Stoute | |
22 August 1998 | Sun Conditions Stakes | 8 | Sandown | 4 | 7/2 | 5 | 1 | 0.75 | 1:44.02 | John Reid | Michael Stoute | |
11 September 1998 | Stardom Stakes | 8 | Goodwood | Listed | 13 | 9/4 | 3 | 3 | 2.5 | 1:44.70 | Ray Cochrane | Michael Stoute |
24 April 1999 | Sandown Classic Trial | 10 | Sandown | 3 | 39 | 13/2 | 7 | 1 | Short head | 2:15.73 | Darryll Holland | Michael Stoute |
8 May 1999 | Lingfield Derby Trial | 12 | Lingfield | 3 | 32 | 3/1 | 5 | 4 | 6.75 | 2:30.31 | Darryll Holland | Michael Stoute |
15 June 1999 | Prince of Wales's Stakes | 10 | Ascot | 2 | 88 | 14/1 | 8 | 2 | Head | 2:04.37 | Gary Stevens | Michael Stoute |
3 July 1999 | Eclipse Stakes | 10 | Sandown | 1 | 174 | 6/1 | 8 | 3 | 0.75 | 2:06.42 | Gary Stevens | Michael Stoute |
17 August 1999 | Great Voltigeur Stakes | 12 | York | 2 | 57 | 4/1 | 7 | 1 | 1.25 | 2:29.05 | Gary Stevens | Michael Stoute |
19 September 1999 | Arc Trial
|
11 | Newbury | Listed | 28 | 9/4 | 6 | 1 | 0.75 | 2:21.51 | Kieren Fallon | Michael Stoute |
3 October 1999 | Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe | 12 | Longchamp | 1 | 538 | 33/1 | 14 | 11 | 29 | 2:38.50 | John Reid | Michael Stoute |
25 March 2000 | Dubai Sheema Classic | 12 | Nad Al Sheba | 3 | 731 | 16 | 1 | 3 | 2:27.70 | Kieren Fallon | Michael Stoute | |
9 June 2000 | Coronation Cup | 12 | Epsom | 1 | 150 | 7/4 | 4 | 2 | 0.75 | 2:41.83 | Chris McCarron | Saeed bin Suroor |
8 July 2000 | Eclipse Stakes | 10 | Sandown | 1 | 216 | 5/1 | 8 | 5 | 6.25 | 2:05.32 | John Reid | Saeed bin Suroor |
29 July 2000 | King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes | 12 | Ascot | 1 | 435 | 12/1 | 7 | 2 | 1.75 | 2:29.98 | John Reid | Saeed bin Suroor |
9 September 2000 | Man o' War Stakes | 11 | Belmont | 1 | 182 | 13/20 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2:17.44 | Jerry Bailey | Saeed bin Suroor |
7 October 2000 | Turf Classic Invitational
|
12 | Belmont | 1 | 274 | 7/5 | 12 | 4 | 3.5 | 2:28.58 | Frankie Dettori | Saeed bin Suroor |
4 November 2000 | Breeders' Cup Turf | 12 | Churchill Downs | 1 | 786 | 119/10 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 2:26.96 | Frankie Dettori | Saeed bin Suroor |
26 November 2000 | Japan Cup | 12 | Tokyo | 1 | 1504 | 79/10 | 16 | 3 | 0.25 | 2:26.10 | Frankie Dettori | Saeed bin Suroor |
17 December 2000 | Hong Kong Cup | 10 | Sha Tin | 1 | 628 | 19/10 | 14 | 1 | 1.75 | 2:02.20 | Frankie Dettori | Saeed bin Suroor |
24 March 2001 | Dubai Sheema Classic | 12 | Nad Al Sheba | 2 | 800 | 7/4 | 16 | 2 | Nose | 2:28.23 | Frankie Dettori | Saeed bin Suroor |
27 May 2001 | Tattersalls Gold Cup | 10.5 | The Curragh | 1 | 100 | 5/4 | 6 | 1 | Neck | 2:13.40 | Frankie Dettori | Saeed bin Suroor |
20 June 2001 | Prince of Wales's Stakes | 10 | Ascot | 1 | 145 | 100/30 | 9 | 1 | 2.5 | 2:04.40 | Frankie Dettori | Saeed bin Suroor |
28 July 2001 | King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes | 12 | Ascot | 1 | 435 | 7/2 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 2:27.71 | Frankie Dettori | Saeed bin Suroor |
8 September 2001 | Irish Champion Stakes | 10 | Leopardstown | 1 | 384 | 9/4 | 7 | 1 | Head | 2:01.80 | Frankie Dettori | Saeed bin Suroor |
27 October 2001 | Breeders' Cup Turf | 12 | Belmont | 1 | 741 | 7/5 | 12 | 1 | 0.75 | 2:24.20 | Frankie Dettori | Saeed bin Suroor |
Assessment, honours and awards
From the mid-1990s the International Classification Committee (representing Europe) and the North American Rating Committee drew up an annual International Classification which included all horses who raced in Europe, North America and Japan. These ratings did not include Southern Hemisphere horses and were not therefore, "World" rankings.
In the 2000 International Classification, Fantastic Light was assessed at 124, placing him fourteenth in the ratings (eighth in Europe), ten pounds below Dubai Millennium.[48] In the 2001 International Classification Fantastic Light was assessed at 129 (equal with Galileo ), making him the third highest rated horse behind Sakhee and Point Given.[49]
Fantastic Light was assessed at 134 by Timeform.[50] A rating in excess of 130 is considered the mark of an above average Group One winner.
In 2001 he was named
In February 2002 Fantastic Light was voted the Eclipse Award for
Stud career
Retired at the end of the 2001 racing season, Fantastic Light stood for the Darley Stud stud at Dalham Hall in Newmarket, England, before being moved to their Japanese base in Hokkaido for the 2007 season.[53]
He has also been shuttled to stand in Australia for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season.[54] During five seasons at stud in Australia he was the sire of 427 live foals that included Mission Critical, who won the group one Waikato Race Club's International Stakes.[55]
He has sired the winners of more than three hundred races including Scintillo, winner of the Winter Derby, the Gran Criterium and the Grand Prix de Chantilly (Group 2).[56] Fantastic Light was then pensioned from stud duties in August 2012.[57]
Pedigree
Sire Rahy (USA) 1985 |
Blushing Groom 1974 |
Red God | Nasrullah* |
---|---|---|---|
Spring Run | |||
Runaway Bride | Wild Risk | ||
Aimee | |||
Glorious Song 1976 |
Halo | Hail To Reason* | |
Cosmah | |||
Ballade | Herbager | ||
Miss Swapsco | |||
Dam Jood (USA) 1989 |
Nijinsky 1967 |
Northern Dancer | Nearctic* |
Natalma | |||
Flaming Page | Bull Page | ||
Flaring Top | |||
Kamar 1976 |
Key To The Mint
|
Graustark | |
Key Bridge | |||
Square Angel | Quadrangle | ||
Nangela* (Family: 14-c)[60] |
- Although there is no inbreeding visible in the table above, four of the horses in the fourth generation (Narsullah, Hail To Reason, Nearctic and Nangela) are direct descendants of Nearco, who as a result appears twice in the fifth, and twice in the sixth generation of Fantastic Light's extended pedigree.
References
- ^ "Fantastic Light Horse Pedigree". Pedigreequery.com. 2001-10-27. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
- ^ a b "Eclipse Awards 2001 Turf male: Fantastic foreigner". Thoroughbred Times. 2002-02-23. Archived from the original on 2021-11-25. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Rahy stud record". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Fantastic Light pedigree". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Carshalton Stakes result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Sun Conditions Stakes result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ Montgomery, Sue (1998-08-23). "Staying two-year-old trips the light fantastic". The Independent. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Classic Trial result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Case is clear for Fantastic Light". The Independent. 1999-05-08. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Great Voltigeur Stakes result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Arc Trial result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Dubai Sheema Classic 2000 result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Millennium meets date with destiny". The Independent. 2000-03-26. Retrieved 2011-09-21.[dead link]
- ^ "Montjeu shines in solo role". The Daily Telegraph. 2000-07-30. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2000 result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Man o' War Stakes result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ Durso, Joseph (2000-09-10). "Fantastic Light Turns It on in Man o'War". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Breeders' Cup Turf 2000 result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Fantastic Light and Dettori nosed out". The Independent. 2000-11-27. Retrieved 2011-09-21.[dead link]
- ^ "Hong Kong Cup result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ J A McGrath (2000-12-18). "Fantastic Light is 'world' champion". Telegraph. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Dubai Sheema Classic 2001 result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Fantastic Light to shine for Dettori". Thisislondon.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2013-05-05. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Tattersalls Gold Cup result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Fantastic Light Wins Tattersalls". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ Chris Hawkins (2001-06-18). "Racing: Kalanisi out for revenge in fantastic Royal Ascot clash | Sport". The Guardian. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ a b J A McGrath (2001-06-20). "Light's dazzling display". Telegraph. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Prince of Wales's Stakes". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Battle for the crown in race fit for kings". The Independent. 2001-07-27. Retrieved 2011-10-11.[dead link]
- ^ "King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes result 2001". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ Scott, Brough (2001-09-08). "Fantastic holds off Galileo in epic duel". Telegraph. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Fantastic Light outshines Galileo". The Independent. 2001-09-09. Retrieved 2011-09-21.[dead link]
- ^ "Galileo beaten by Fantastic Light". Telegraph. 2001-09-08. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Irish Champion Stakes result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Great Racehorses of the Decade: 001: Galileo". Britishhorseracing.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-31. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "100 Greatest Races top ten". Retrieved 2011-09-21 – via The Free Library.
- ^ "100 Greatest Races". Retrieved 2011-09-21 – via The Free Library.
- ^ Haskin, Steve. "Galileo, Fantastic Light Turn in Sharp Works for Classic". BloodHorse. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ Paul Wheeler in New York (2001-10-25). "Fantastic Light v Galileo at Belmont called off". The Guardian. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Breeders' Cup Turf – Turf 2001 result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Frankie's Fantastic victory". BBC News. 2001-10-27. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ J A McGrath (2001-10-28). "Breeders' Cup reports". Telegraph. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ Liebman, Dan. "Fantastic Finish to Turf". BloodHorse. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Godolphin retire Fantastic Light to stud". Sport.scotsman.com. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Fantastic Light locks up second World Series title". Thoroughbred Times. 2001-11-27. Archived from the original on 2012-09-28. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Fantastic Light race record". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
- ^ "2000 International Classification" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "2001 International Classification" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-09-17.
- ^ "Darley Australia". Darleyaustralia.com. 2008-02-15. Retrieved 2011-09-21.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Armytage, Marcus (2001-11-14). "Cartier Awards: Fantastic Light is Horse of The Year". Telegraph. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Eclipse Award Winners – Horse Racing – 02/18/2002". Horseracing.about.com. 2002-02-18. Archived from the original on 2012-05-03. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Fantastic Light to Japan for 2007". BloodHorse. 2006-11-07. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ Tonkes, Peter. "Fantastic Light to Australia". BloodHorse. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Fantastic Light – offspring". Australian Stud Book. Australian Turf Club Limited and Victoria Racing Club Limited. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
- ^ "Fantastic Light stud record". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Fantastic Light Now a Pensioner".
- ^ "Fantastic Light at Darley Japan". Darley. 2007-10-19. Retrieved 2011-09-21.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Fantastic Light pedigree". Equineline. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
- ^ "Pretty Polly – Family 14-c". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 2012-07-03.