Beethoven (horse)

Last updated

Beethoven
Sire Oratorio
Grandsire Danehill
DamQueen Titi
Damsire Sadler's Wells
Sex Stallion
Foaled2 April 2007 [1]
CountryIreland
Colour Bay
Breeder Whisperview Trading Ltd
Owner Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier & Derrick Smith
Mohammed Kazim Al Ansari & Sons
Trainer Aidan O'Brien
Ahmed Kobeissi
Record63: 8-5-6
Earnings£495,018
Major wins
Dewhurst Stakes (2009)
Desmond Stakes (2010)
Qatar Derby (2010)

Beethoven (foaled 2 April 2007) is an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse best known for his upset victory in the 2009 Dewhurst Stakes. He was highly tried as a juvenile and ran prominently in several major races before winning the Dewhurst on his tenth appearance of the season at odds of 33/1. As a three-year-old he won the Desmond Stakes and ended his year with a success in the Qatar Derby. He was based in Qatar for the rest of his racing career, making his last appearance in 2015.

Contents

Background

Beethoven is a bay horse with a small white star bred in Ireland by Whisperview Trading Ltd, a breeding company owned by the trainer Aidan O'Brien. [2] As a yearling the colt was consigned by the Carriganog Stud to the Goffs Million sale in September 2008 and was bought for 260,000 euros by Hugo Merry Bloodstock on behalf of John Magnier's Coolmore Stud organisation. [3] The colt was sent into training with Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle. Like many Coolmore horses, the official details of Beethoven's ownership changed from race to race; he was sometimes listed as being the property of Michael Tabor, whilst on other occasions he was described as being owned by a partnership of Tabor, Derrick Smith and Susan Magnier.

Beethoven was from the first crop of foals sired by Oratorio a top-class performer over ten furlongs who won the Eclipse Stakes and the Irish Champion Stakes in 2005. As a breeding stallion the best of his other offspring have included Military Attack, the Italian champion Biz the Nurse and the Golden Rose Stakes winner Manawanui. [4] Beethoven was the first foal of his dam Queen Titi, a useful racemare who won the Listed Garnet Stakes at Naas Racecourse in 2005. She was bred and owned by Anne-Marie O'Brien and trained by her husband Aidan. [5] Queen Titi is a granddaughter of Luv Luvin', an American broodmare whose other descendants have included Henrythenavigator, Magician and the Irish 2000 Guineas winner Saffron Walden. [6]

Racing career

2009: two-year-old season

Beethoven began his racing career in a maiden race over six furlongs at York Racecourse in England on 14 May in which he started the 9/4 favourite but finished third of the ten runners behind No Hubris and Flying Statesman. At Naas Racecourse on 1 June he started odds-on favourite for a minor event and led for most of the way before being overtaken inside the final furlong and beaten a head into second place by the Ger Lyons-trained gelding Love Lockdown. Despite his defeats, Beethoven was then stepped up in class and distance for the Listed Chesham Stakes over seven furlongs at Royal Ascot on 20 June and started the 4/1 joint-favourite alongside his stablemate Emperor Claudius. He was in contention from the start but never looked likely to win and finished fourth, three and a quarter lengths behind the Richard Hannon Sr-trained Big Audio. In July he ran twice at the Curragh, finishing third to Walk On Bye in the Group Three Anglesey Stakes and fifth to his stablemate Alfred Nobel in the Group One Phoenix Stakes. On 6 August the colt was dropped back in class for a maiden race over six furlongs at Leopardstown Racecourse and started the 4/7 favourite in an eleven-runner field. Ridden as in three of his five previous starts by Johnny Murtagh, he took the lead after two furlongs and stayed on in the closing stages to win by a head form Clashnacree. [7]

Beethoven ran twice at the Curragh in September, finishing third to Kingsfort when a 25/1 outsider for the Group One National Stakes and fourth (of twenty) when favourite for the Goffs Million Sprint. On 4 October he was sent to France and was Ireland's only representative in the Group One Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère over 1400 metres at Longchamp Racecourse. Starting at odds of 16/1 in a seven-runner field he was never able to challenge the leaders and finished sixth behind Siyouni. Thirteen days after his run in France Beethoven was one of fifteen colts to contest the Group One Dewhurst Stakes over seven furlongs at Newmarket Racecourse. Ridden by Ryan Moore he was part of a four-horse O'Brien entry which also included Steinbeck (the choice of the stable jockey Johnny Murtagh), Fencing Master and Lord High Admiral and started a 33/1 outsider. The National Stakes runner-up Chabal started favourite ahead of Steinbeck and Xtension whilst the other runners included Silver Grecian (Superlative Stakes), Dick Turpin (Richmond Stakes) and Buzzword (Prix La Rochette). Equipped with a visor for the first time Beethoven was settled behind the leaders by Moore as Pure Champion set the early pace. After briefly looking to be outpaced a quarter of a mile from the finish he was switched to the right and began to make rapid progress approaching the final furlong. In a four-way "blanket finish" he gained the advantage with 50 yards to run and prevailed by a neck, a nose and a neck from Fencing Master, Xtension and Steinbeck. [8] Aidan O'Brien said "He's a very tough horse and he's been improving all the time. He's been getting better with every run even if the figures don't show that. During the week Joseph was riding him and said that there's lots there, and to put a visor on him to sharpen him up". [9]

On his final appearance of the year, Beethoven was sent to California to contest the Breeders' Cup Juvenile over 8+1⁄2 furlongs on the synthetic Cushion Track at Santa Anita Park on 7 November. After racing towards the rear of the thirteen-runner field he made steady progress in the straight to finish sixth, less than three lengths behind the winner Vale of York.

2010: three-year-old season

Beethoven had been expected to challenge for the 2000 Guineas but missed the race after a training setback. [10] He did not appear as a three-year-old until June when he finished sixth of nine behind Canford Cliffs in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. In the following month he was matched against older horses for the first time in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood Racecourse and finished fourth behind Canford Cliffs, Rip Van Winkle and Premio Loco. On 12 August Beethoven was dropped in class for the Group Three Desmond Stakes over one mile at Leopardstown and started the 2/1 favourite with the best of his five opponents appearing to be the (Blue Wind Stakes) winner Akdarena. Ridden by Joseph O'Brien he tracked Akdarena before taking the lead a furlong and a half from the finish and winning "comfortably" by three quarters of a length from Dandy Boy. [11] Joseph O'Brien, who was winning his first Group race, said "He quickened up really well when I asked and it was a good performance. He can’t have the ground fast enough, so it suited him well tonight". [12]

In September Beethoven stepped back up to Group One class and finished fourth to Cape Blanco in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and fourth in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot behind Poet's Voice. After finishing sixth to Gitano Hernando at Dundalk Racecourse he was sent to the United States to contest his second Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs on 6 November. He started a 25/1 outsider for the Breeders' Cup Mile and finished tenth of the eleven runners behind Goldikova. In December the colt was shipped to Sha Tin Racecourse for the Hong Kong Mile but made little impact as he finished unplaced behind Beauty Flash.

Shortly after his race in Hong Kong Beethoven was acquired by Mohammed Kazim Al Ansari & Sons and relocated to Qatar where he was trained by Ahmed Kobeissi. On his first appearance for his new connections Beethoven contested the Qatar Derby over ten furlongs at Doha on 23 December. Ridden by Seb Sanders he took the lead 2+1⁄2 furlongs from the finish, went clear of the field and held off the late challenge of the French colt Lancelot to win by a neck. [13]

2011 – 2015: later career

Beethoven continued his racing career in Qatar. On his 2011 debut in the HH Heir Apparent Trophy at Doha on 27 January he produced a strong late finish to win by half a length from Miss Starlight with Lancelot and Joshua Tree in third and fourth. [14] He failed to win in seven subsequent starts that year and was beaten in all eleven of his races as a five-year-old in 2012. In 2013 he ran ten times, recording his only victory in a minor event at Doha in April. He was unplaced in both his starts in 2014 and in his only recorded race as an eight-year-old in 2015. [15]

Assessment

In the 2009 European Thoroughbred Rankings, Beethoven was given a rating of 117, making him the eighth-best juvenile of the year, seven pounds behind the top-rated St Nicholas Abbey. [16]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Beethoven (IRE), bay horse, 2007 [1]
Sire
Oratorio (IRE)
2002		 Danehill (USA)
1986		 Danzig Northern Dancer
Pas de Nom
Razyana His Majesty
Spring Adieu
Mahrah (USA)
1987		 Vaguely Noble Vienna
Noble Lassie
Montage Alydar
Katonka
Dam
Queen Titi (IRE)
2002		 Sadler's Wells (USA)
1981		 Northern Dancer Nearctic
Natalma
Fairy Bridge Bold Reason
Special
Litani River (USA)
1986		 Irish River Riverman
Irish Star
Luv Luvin' Raise a Native
Ringing Bells (Family: 9-b) [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magician (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Magician is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. After showing unremarkable form as a two-year-old in 2012, he established himself as a top-class performer in May 2013 with wins in the Dee Stakes and the Irish 2000 Guineas. After a long break, he returned in November to win the Breeders' Cup Turf and a month later was voted Cartier Champion Three-year-old Colt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oratorio (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Oratorio is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. As a two-year-old in 2004 he won four of his seven races including the Anglesey Stakes, Futurity Stakes and Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère as well as finishing second in the Phoenix Stakes and the Dewhurst Stakes. He showed his best form when tried over a mile and a quarter in 2005, when he defeated strong international fields in the Eclipse Stakes and the Irish Champion Stakes, beating The Derby winner Motivator on both occasions. He was retired to stud at the end of 2005 and has had some success as a sire of winners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">War Command</span> American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

War Command is an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old he won the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot by six lengths and then won the Futurity Stakes, before going on to record his first Group 1 win in the Dewhurst Stakes. In his first run as a three-year-old he finished down the field in the 2000 Guineas. He was subsequently beaten in two other Group One races as a three-year-old before being retired to stud where he has proved a successful young sire. In his racing career he was trained by Aidan O'Brien and owned by Joseph Allen, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gleneagles (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Gleneagles is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. After finishing fourth on his debut, he finished first in his remaining five races as a two-year-old in 2014 and was named Cartier Champion Two-year-old Colt. He won the Tyros Stakes, Futurity Stakes and National Stakes in Ireland before being disqualified after crossing the line in first place in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère in France. On his three-year-old debut he won the 2000 Guineas and followed up in the Irish 2,000 Guineas three weeks later. In June he added a win in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elm Park (horse)</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Elm Park is a British Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old he became regarded as a leading contender for the 2015 British Classic Races after wins in the Royal Lodge Stakes and the Racing Post Trophy. In 2015 he finished third to Golden Horn and Jack Hobbs in the Dante Stakes but finished unplaced in The Derby. He later won the listed Fortune Stakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Force Blue</span> American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Air Force Blue is an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. As a juvenile in 2015 he established himself as the best two-year-old colt in Europe by recording three consecutive Group One wins in the Phoenix Stakes, National Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes. On his reappearance in 2016 he was unplaced when odds-on favourite for the 2000 Guineas, was well beaten in the Irish 2,000 Guineas on his second start and suffered two further defeats over shorter distances before being retired to stud.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fascinating Rock</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Fascinating Rock is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. After finishing unplaced on his only appearance as a juvenile he emerged as a high-class middle distance colt in the spring of 2014 with wins in the Ballysax Stakes and the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial but was well-beaten in both The Derby and the Irish Derby. In 2015 he won the Mooresbridge Stakes and the Enterprise Stakes before recording his biggest win in the Champion Stakes. In 2016 he won the Tattersalls Gold Cup.

Minardi was an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was the top-rated European two-year-old in 2000 when he recovered from a defeat on his debut to win the Phoenix Stakes and the Middle Park Stakes. In the following year he finished fourth in the 2000 Guineas and third in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. He was retired to stud but had limited success as a breeding stallion.

Intense Focus was an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. As a two-year-old he was highly tried, running nine times. After winning a maiden race in May he was placed in the Coventry Stakes, Railway Stakes and Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère before recording a 20/1 upset victory in the Dewhurst Stakes. He failed to win in two starts in 2009 and was retired from racing. He has had some success as a breeding stallion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Churchill (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Churchill is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. He was rated the best two-year-old colt in Europe in 2016, winning five of his six races including the Chesham Stakes, Tyros Stakes, Futurity Stakes, National Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes. On his three-year-old debut he won the 2000 Guineas and followed up with a second Classic victory in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parish Hall</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Parish Hall is an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred, owned and trained by the Bolger family he won one of his first four starts as a two-year-old in 2011 before recording an upset victory in the Group One Dewhurst Stakes. He was regarded as a serious contender for the 2012 Epsom Derby but sustained a serious leg injury in the spring and missed the whole of his second season. He returned to the track in 2014 and in the next three seasons he proved himself to be a consistent middle-distance performer although slightly below top class. He won the Alleged Stakes and the Diamond Stakes in 2013, the Meld Stakes in 2014 and a second Alleged Stakes in 2015. Apart from his victories he was placed in numerous good races including the Tyros Stakes, Futurity Stakes, Mooresbridge Stakes, International Stakes (twice), Royal Whip Stakes, Cumberland Lodge Stakes and Silver Stakes.

Bracelet is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She won the second of her two starts as a two-year-old in 2013 and developed into a top-class filly in the following year, taking the Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial and Ribblesdale Stakes. She recorded her biggest victory on her sixth and final appearance when she won the Irish Oaks. She was retired from racing at the end of the season and became a broodmare for the Coolmore Stud.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capri (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Capri is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old in 2016 he won three of his five races including the Canford Cliffs Stakes and the Beresford Stakes as well as finishing third in the Critérium de Saint-Cloud. In the following year he was beaten in his first two races and finished sixth in The Derby before emerging as one of the best colts of his generation in Europe with wins in the Irish Derby and the St Leger. He won the Alleged Stakes on his four-year-old debut but failed to win in eleven subsequent starts and was retired from racing at the end of 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U S Navy Flag (horse)</span> Thoroughbred racehorse trained in Ireland

U S Navy Flag is an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. In 2017 he became the first horse in 35 years to win both the Middle Park Stakes and the Dewhurst Stakes. As two-year-old he was beaten in his first four racecourse appearances, including the Coventry Stakes before winning a maiden race in July. He then finished second in the July Stakes and fourth in the Phoenix Stakes before recording his first significant win in the Group 3 Round Tower Stakes. He won the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse on 30 September and returned to the same track two weeks later to follow up in the Dewhurst Stakes. As a three-year-old in 2018 he ran in several major mile races without success before dropping back to sprint distances to win the July Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saxon Warrior</span> Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse

Saxon Warrior is a Japanese-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old in 2017 he was one of the best colts of his generation in Europe, winning all three of his races including the Beresford Stakes and the Racing Post Trophy. On his three-year-old debut the colt won the 2000 Guineas before finishing fourth when odds-on favourite for the 2018 Epsom Derby. He went on to be placed in the Irish Derby, Eclipse Stakes and Irish Champion Stakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ten Sovereigns</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Ten Sovereigns is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. He was one of the best two-year-olds in Europe in 2018 when he was unbeaten in three races including the Round Tower Stakes and the Middle Park Stakes. He was beaten when favourite for the 2000 Guineas on his reappearance in 2019 but subsequently returned to sprint distances and won the July Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Van Dyck (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Anthony Van Dyck was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse, best known for winning the 2019 Epsom Derby. He was a top-class two-year-old in 2018 when he won three of his seven races including the Tyros Stakes and the Futurity Stakes as well as finishing second in the National Stakes and third in the Dewhurst Stakes. He won the Derby Trial Stakes on his three-year-old debut before taking the Epsom Derby on 1 June. Later that year he was placed in the Irish Derby, Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders' Cup Turf. He remained in training as a four-year-old in 2020, winning the Prix Foy and running second in both the Coronation Cup and the Caulfield Cup. He was euthanized after breaking down in the 2020 Melbourne Cup on 3 November 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sovereign (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Sovereign is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse, best known for winning the 2019 Irish Derby. He showed promising form as a juvenile in 2018 when he won one minor race as well as finishing third in the Eyrefield Stakes and fourth in the Beresford Stakes. In the following year he was placed in the Ballysax Stakes and the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial before running unplaced when acting as a pacemaker in the 2019 Epsom Derby. He was given little chance in the Irish Derby but won easily at odds of 33/1. He failed to win in 2020 but was placed in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Vintage Crop Stakes and Bahrain International Trophy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mark's Basilica (horse)</span> French-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse

St Mark's Basilica is a French-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He was rated the best two-year-old in Europe in 2020 when he won two of his five races including the Dewhurst Stakes. On his first run of 2021 he won the Poule d'Essai des Poulains. He went on to win the Prix du Jockey Club and defeat older horses in the Eclipse Stakes and the Irish Champion Stakes.

Broome is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. He showed very good form as a juvenile in 2018 when he won one minor race and ran second in both the Champions Juvenile Stakes and the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère. He improved in the following year to win the Ballysax Stakes and the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial before finishing a close fourth in the Epsom Derby. After running poorly in two races in 2020 he returned to form as a five-year-old to win the Devoy Stakes, Alleged Stakes, Mooresbridge Stakes and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

References

  1. 1 2 "Beethoven pedigree". Equineline.
  2. ↑ Gordon Deegan (3 January 2014). "Bumper year for racehorse trainer Aidan O'Brien's firm". Irish Examiner .
  3. ↑ "Goffs Million Yearling Sale 2008". Racing Post . Archived from the original on 2 February 2017.
  4. ↑ "Oratorio Stud Record". Racing Post. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  5. ↑ "Queen Titi – Record By Race Type". Racing Post.
  6. 1 2 "Sweepstakes Mare – Family 9-b". Thoroughbred Bloodlines. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  7. ↑ "Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden result". Racing Post. 6 August 2009.
  8. ↑ "Dewhurst Stakes result". Racing Post. 17 October 2009.
  9. ↑ Peter Scargill (17 October 2009). "Beethoven 33 1 shock in Dewhurst". Racing Post . Archived from the original on 2 February 2017.
  10. ↑ Chris Wright (20 April 2010). "Trainer Aidan O'Brien rules Dewhurst Stakes winner Beethoven out of the StanJames.com 2,000 Guineas". Liverpool Echo .
  11. ↑ "Desmond Stakes result". Racing Post. 12 August 2010.
  12. ↑ James Burn (12 August 2010). "Joseph O'Brien wins first Group race". Racing Post . Archived from the original on 2 February 2017.
  13. ↑ "Qatar Derby result". Racing Post. 23 December 2010.
  14. ↑ "HH Heir Apparent Trophy result". Racing Post. 27 January 2011.
  15. ↑ "Beetoven – Statistics". Equibase.
  16. ↑ "Ratings Classifications". The British Horseracing Authority. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.