Ragusa (horse)

Ragusa (1960–1973) was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who won five top-class races in 1963–64.

Background

Ragusa was a bay horse bred by

Ragusa made his first racecourse appearance in October 1962 at the Curragh where he won the Suir Maiden Plate over seven furlongs.

1963: three-year-old season

On his first appearance of the 1963 season, Ragusa was sent to England, where he started favourite for the Dee Stakes at Chester Racecourse but finished second to My Myosotis. In June, he started a 25/1 outsider for the Derby at Epsom and exceeded expectations by finishing third of the twenty-six runners behind Relko and Merchant Venturer.

At the

Ragusa began his third season by winning the Ardenode Stakes at Naas, then ran third in the Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh. In July, he returned to England and won the Eclipse Stakes by one and a half lengths from Baldric. On his final racecourse appearance, he finished unplaced in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Stud career

Ragusa was retired from racing to become a breeding stallion in Ireland. The best of his progeny included Morston, Ragstone, Caliban (Coronation Cup), and Homeric. Ragusa died in 1973.

Pedigree

References