Hard Ridden

Hard Ridden (1955–1981) was an Irish

Hard Ridden was a “long and lean”[1] bay horse bred in Ireland by Sir Oliver Lambart. His sire, Hard Sauce (1948– 1969) was a top-class racehorse, who excelled over sprint distances, winning the July Cup in 1951. Hard Ridden's dam, Toute Belle, was a French-bred mare from a staying family who failed as a racehorse and was covered by Hard Sauce after failing to attract a buyer when put up for auction at Newmarket in December 1953.

Hard Ridden was sent to the sales at Dublin as a yearling, and was bought for 270

On his three-year-old debut, Hard Ridden ran second in a race at the Curragh. He was then returned to the same course for the Irish 2000 Guineas and won impressively by four lengths from the future Irish Derby winner, Sindon, with Paddy's Point third.

The favourite for the Derby,

Hard Ridden did not appear again on the racecourse until late July, when he ran in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. He finished unplaced behind Ballymoss and was shortly afterwards retired to stud.^[1]

Assessment

In their book A Century of Champions, John Randall and Tony Morris rated "Hard Ridden" as an “inferior” Derby winner.^[6]

Timeform rated Hard Ridden on a mark of 131. A rating of 130 is considered the mark of an above average European Group One winner.^[7]

Stud career

Hard Ridden stood as a stallion in Ireland until 1967 when he was exported to Japan. His progeny included Giolla Mear (Irish St. Leger) and Hardicanute (Champagne Stakes).

Pedigree

References