Grandera
Grandera | |
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Al Maktoum Challenge, Round 3 (2003) | |
Awards | |
European Champion Older Horse 2002 | |
Last updated on June 22, 2007 |
Grandera (foaled 21 April 1998) is a retired
Background
Grandera, described by the New Zealand Herald as "a stunning individual",
He was bred in
Sold as a yearling to Roger Shelton for Ir£30,000,
Apart from his racing ability, Grandera was known for his difficult temperament, being described by Godolphin's racing manager Simon Crisford as "a thoroughly unpleasant beast" and "a bit nasty",[6] whilst Frankie Dettori is reported to have referred to him as "a lunatic".[7] and "a nightmare".[1]
Racing career
2000: two-year-old season
Grandera began his career with a fifth place in a maiden race at Doncaster in July 2000, before claiming his first win in a similar event at Warwick. He was then moved up to
Commenting on the colt's first season, James Fanshawe later said, "He was rather weak as a two-year-old and anything he did then... was going to be a bonus".[10]
2001: three-year-old season
Grandera proved himself to be a colt of the highest class in 2001 with a series of placed efforts. He began with a second place in the
He recorded his first win in over a year in September, beating Mubtaker in the
2002: four-year-old season
Grandera sent to winter in Dubai, before embarking on a four-year-old campaign which took him to six different countries. He began with a second place in the
On returning to the British Isles, Grandera produced what was arguably his finest performance in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. Despite behaving aggressively towards the other horses in the parade ring and racing with his head at a high, odd angle ("as if consulting an airport timetable"), he produced a strong run in the straight to pull five lengths clear of a field which included Banks Hill and Nayef[6]
As a result of this win, he was sent off 13-8 favourite for the
Seven weeks later, Grandera arrived to contest the
On his final start of the year he finished seventh as odds-on favourite for the Hong Kong Cup,[21] but his performances had been enough to win the World Series Racing Championship.[1]
2003: five-year-old season
Grandera stayed in training as a five-year-old, but was less successful. After winning a prep race at Nad Al Sheba,[22] he was fancied for the Dubai World Cup,[23] but was rejected by Frankie Dettori in favour of Sulamani. Familiar doubts about Grandera's temperament resurfaced- one correspondent referred to him as being "nutty as a fruitcake"-[24] as he finished a well-beaten fourth to Moon Ballad.[25]
A return to Europe brought no improvement as he finished down the field in the Prince of Wales's Stakes and Eclipse Stakes. In the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, his starting price of 33-1 and the fact that Dettori again chose to ride Sulamani both reflected his decline. He was fitted with cheek-pieces,[26] which are normally used to improve a horse's concentration, but seemed "reluctant" to race and finished eleventh of the twelve runners. [27]
He was then retired to stud.
Assessment
Grandera was named as the
In the 2001 International Classification he was rated 119 making him the thirteenth-best three-year-old colt in Europe, ten pounds below the champion Galileo.[28]
In the 2002 International Classification he was rated as 126, placing him third behind Rock of Gibraltar and Marienbard. These ratings covered horses raced in Europe, North America and Japan.[29]
Grandera was rated 129 by Timeform.[4]
Stud career
Grandera was sent to stud at the Yushun Stallion Station in
Pedigree
Sire Grand Lodge (USA) 1991 |
Chief's Crown 1982 |
Danzig | Northern Dancer |
---|---|---|---|
Pas de Nom | |||
Six Crowns | Secretariat | ||
Chris Evert | |||
La Papagena 1983 |
Habitat | Sir Gaylord | |
Little Hut | |||
Magic Flute | Tudor Melody | ||
Filigrana | |||
Dam Bordighera (USA) 1992 |
Alysheba 1984 |
Alydar | Raise a Native |
Sweet Tooth | |||
Bel Sheba | Lt. Stevens | ||
Belthazar | |||
Blue Tip 1982 |
Tip Moss | Luthier | |
Top Twig | |||
As Blue | Blue Tom | ||
As Well (Family: 5-g) |
References
- ^ a b c Brown, Sophie (15 December 2002). "Grumpy Grandera hits heights". BBC News. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ "Mind games for great Grandera". NZ Herald. 24 October 2002. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ^ a b "Pedigree spotlight on George Washington". the-racehorse.com. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ^ a b "Horse – Godolphin". Timeform. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ^ "Grand Lodge Stud record". Racing Post. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ a b "Grumpy Grandera replies for Godolphin". The Independent. London. 20 June 2002. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ "Dettori rates plate 'lunatic' his No 1". Sydney Morning Herald. 23 October 2002. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ^ "Somerville Tattersall Stakes". Racing Post. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ "Racing Post Trophy". Racing Post. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ "Fanshawe has second bite with Grandera". The Independent. London. 5 July 2001. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ^ "Medicean showcases Fallon's art". The Independent. London. 8 July 2001. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ "International Stakes". Racing Post. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ Montgomery, Sue (23 September 2001). "Continent bestrides realms of gold". The Independent. London. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ "Godolphin sets Sakhee up for Tiznow rematch". The Independent. London. 31 October 2001. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ "Queen Elizabeth II Cup". Racing Post. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ "Bandari adds to trainer's dilemma". The Independent. London. 12 May 2002. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ^ "Singapore Airlines International Cup". Racing Post. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ^ "Grandera upsets Hawk Wing in Irish Champion Stakes". BloodHorse. 7 September 2002. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ "Godolphin's champion grand in defeat". The Age. Melbourne. 27 October 2002. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ^ "Cox Plate". Racing Post. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ^ "Hong Kong Cup". Racing Post. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ "Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al Maktoum Challenge Stakes (Round III)". Racing Post. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ "Draw gives Nayef chance to plunder Dubai riches". The Independent. London. 27 March 2003. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ "Nayef's class can keep Dubai prize in the family". The Independent. London. 29 March 2003. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ "Dubai World Cup". Racing Post. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ "Older generation will be hard to beat in King George". The Independent. London. 25 July 2003. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ "King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes". Racing Post. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ "EndMaterial2002.PDF" (PDF). Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ "2002 International Classification". Horse-races.net. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ "Moon Ballad, Grandera Retired; Go to Japan". BloodHorse. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ "Grandera Added To Darley Roster". Racingandsports.com.au. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ "Grandera stud record". Racing Post. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ "Grandera pedigree". Equineline. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2012.