Blackbeard (horse)

Last updated
Blackbeard
Sire No Nay Never
Grandsire Scat Daddy
DamMuirin
DamsireBorn To Sea
SexColt
Foaled6 February 2020 [1]
CountryIreland
Colour Bay
BreederNewstead Breeding
Owner Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Westerberg
Trainer Aidan O'Brien
Record8: 6-1-0
Earnings£470,842
Major wins
First Flier Stakes (2022)
Marble Hill Stakes (2022)
Prix Robert Papin (2022)
Prix Morny (2022)
Middle Park Stakes (2022)
Awards
Cartier Champion Two-year-old Colt (2022)

Blackbeard (foaled 6 February 2020) is an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old in 2022 he was one of the best juvenile colts in Europe, winning six of his eight races including the Marble Hill Stakes, Prix Robert Papin, Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes. He was then retired from racing to become a breeding stallion.

Contents

Background

Blackbeard is a dark bay horse with no white markings bred in Ireland by Newstead Breeding. As a foal in November 2020 he was put up for auction at Tattersalls and was bought by the bloodstock agent Jamie McCalmont for 270,000 guineas. [2] He raced in the ownership of the Coolmore partners Michael Tabor, Sue Magnier and Derrick Smith in association with Georg von Opel's Westerberg organisation. He was sent into training with Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle.

Blackbeard is from the fifth crop of foals sired by No Nay Never, an American horse who had his greatest success in Europe where he won the Norfolk Stakes and the Prix Morny as a juvenile in 2013. His other foals have included Ten Sovereigns and Alcohol Free. [3] He was the first foal of his dam Muirin, who showed some racing ability as she won one minor races and finished fourth to Happily in the Moyglare Stud Stakes. [4] She was a descendant of the British broodmare Tananarive, making her a distant relative of Mrs Penny and Hatoof. [5]

Racing career

2022: two-year-old season

Blackbeard was ridden in all but one of his races by Ryan Moore. He began his racing career in a maiden race over five furlongs on the synthetic Polytrack surface at Dundalk Racecourse on 8 April when he started at the 15/8 second favourite in a five-runner field. He raced just behind the leaders before taking the lead approaching the final furlong and won "comfortably" by one and a half lengths from the favourite Alexis Zorba. [6] The colt made his turf debut in the Listed First Flier stakes over the same distance on yielding ground at the Curragh on 2 May. Starting the 11/10 favourite against four opponents he tracked the leaders and caught the front-running Crispy Cat in the final strides to win by a head. [7] Nineteen days later at the same track, the colt was stepped up in class and distance for the Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes over six furlongs and started the 5/2 second favourite behind the Ger Lyons-trained Tough Talk. In a change of tactics, he led from the start and accelerated away from his rivals in the closing stages to win by three and a half lengths in "impressive" style. [8] After the race Aidan O'Brien said "We weren't exactly sure that he would get six, Ryan thought the last day that he would and obviously he got it very well. He relaxed very well and quickened very well, that's what you'd really love about him." [9]

On 14 June Blackbeard was sent to England to contest the Group 2 Coventry Stakes over six furlongs at Royal Ascot, but despite starting favourite he never looked likely to win and came home fourth behind the British-trained colts Bradsell, Persian Force and Royal Scotsman, beaten three and three quarter lengths by the winner. Eleven days after his defeat at Ascot the colt started 5/6 favourite for the Group 2 Railway Stakes over the same distance at the Curragh. He became upset before the start but went to the front at half way only to be run down in the closing stages by the Johnny Murtagh-trained Shartash and beaten a head into second place. For his next start the colt was sent to France for the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin over 1200 metres at Chantilly Racecourse on 17 July when he was ridden by Ioritz Mendizabal and started favourite ahead of the Prix du Bois winner Belbek. Blackbeard set the early pace before being headed by Belbek at half way but regained the advantage 300 metres from the finish and drew away in the closing stages to win by three lengths from his stablemate The Antarctic. [10] O'Brien commented "We're delighted with Blackbeard. He was a baby all the way along, and even though he was still babyish today, Ioritz was very impressed with him. He said that he was professional and won easily. With every run he's getting there—he's definitely progressing." [11]

Blackbeard returned to France on 21 August for the Group 1 Prix Morny over 1200 metres at Deauville Racecourse. With Moore back in the saddle he started second choice in the betting behind Persian Force (winner of the July Stakes) in a five-runner field which also included The Antarctic (who had won the Prix de Cabourg since the Prix Robert Papin), The Riddler (Norfolk Stakes and the filly Manhattan Jungle. After disputing the lead with Manhattan Jungle for most of the early running he gained the advantage 400 metres from the finish and kept on well to win by half a length from Persian Force. [12] After the race O'Brien said "We're very happy with him. He always feels like he has a little bit more, but Ryan was delighted with him. He's a proper fast, early, mature two-year-old - he jumps and takes loads of racing. Blackbeard's obviously very speed orientated, he might get further but he has a lot of speed." [13]

On 24 September Blackbeard was one of eight colts to contest the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes over six furlongs at Newmarket Racecourse and went off the 100/30 second choice in the betting behind the Gimcrack Stakes runner-up Marshman while the other contenders included Persian Force, The Antarctic and Mischief Magic (Sirenia Stakes). Blackbeard was "unruly" before the start but settled well behind the leaders before moving up to take the lead from Persian Force inside the last quarter mile out. He stayed on well in the closing stages to win by two lengths from The Antarctic. [14] O'Brien commented "He’s a character. There’s no badness in him but he doesn’t have a lot of patience. Some people don’t mind waiting, others like to get going and he does too. He can do whatever he wants – he’s a very important horse for us. He’s very fast and always very professional. He started off very early and has held his form very strong. I think he’s all about speed rather than a Guineas horse." [15]

On 24 October it was announced that Blackbeard had sustained a training injury and had been retired from racing. O'Brien said "Blackbeard was a little off after exercise this morning. Unfortunately, when we had him x-rayed the radiographs showed a small chip in his right knee and a decision has been made to retire him. He’s a typical No Nay Never; strong, early maturing and very fast. He ran every month from April to September and improved and improved from one race to the next." [16]

On 9 November Blackbeard was named Champion Two-year-old Colt at the Cartier Racing Awards. [17] In the official two-year-old ratings for 2022, Blackbeard was rated the equal second-best juvenile of the season in Europe, five pounds behind the Phoenix Stakes winner Little Big Bear and level with the Dewhurst Stakes winner Chaldean. [18]

Stud career

Blackbeard began his career as a breeding stallion for the Coolmore Stud in 2023, standing at a fee of €25,000. [19]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Blackbeard (IRE), bay colt, 2020 [1]
Sire
No Nay Never (USA)
2011		 Scat Daddy (USA)
2004		 Johannesburg Hennessy
Myth
Love Style Mr Prospector
Likeable Style
Cat's Eye Witness (USA)
2003		 Elusive Quality Gone West
Hopespringseternal
Comical Cat Exceller
Six Months Long
Dam
Muirin (IRE)
2015		Born To Sea (IRE)
2009		 Invincible Spirit Green Desert (USA)
Rafha (GB)
Urban Sea (USA) Miswaki
Allegretta (GB)
Girouette (IRE)
2005		 Pivotal (GB) Polar Falcon (USA)
Fearless Revival
Vassiana (FR) Anabaa (USA)
Vassia (USA) (Family: 25) [5]

Related Research Articles

Scorpion is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. As a three-year-old in 2005 he won the Grand Prix de Paris and the St. Leger Stakes. In 2007 he won the Coronation Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Nay Never</span> American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

For the Irish folk song, see: The Wild Rover

<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">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.

Bushranger is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He showed his best form as a two-year-old in 2008 when he won four of his seven races including the Anglesey Stakes in Ireland, the Prix Morny in France and the Middle Park Stakes in England as well as finishing second in the Phoenix Stakes. He was rated the second-best juvenile of the year in Europe. Bushranger failed to recapture his form in three starts as a three-year-old and was retired to stud at the end of 2009. He has had some success as a sire of winners.

Saffron Walden was a French-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. Bred by Stavros Niarchos he fetched IR£1,200,000 as a yearling and showed considerable promise on his only run as a two-year-old when he finished second in the Killavullan Stakes. In the spring of 1999 he emerged as a top-class miler, winning the 2000 Guineas Trial Stakes before recording an emphatic victory in the Irish 2000 Guineas. He was fancied for The Derby but finished seventh and was disappointing in his two subsequent races. After being retired from racing he stood as a breeding stallion in Japan and Ireland with limited success as a sire of winners.

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.

Septimus was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a racing career which was frequently interrupted by injury he won eight of his thirteen races between September 2005 and November 2008. He showed very promising form as a juvenile, winning the Beresford Stakes and finishing third when favourite the Racing Post Trophy and went on to win the Dante Stakes by eight lengths in an abbreviated three-year-old campaign. At four he won the Mooresbridge Stakes and was then stepped up in distance to take the Lonsdale Cup and the Doncaster Cup. In his final season he won the Curragh Cup and the Irish St. Leger, taking the latter event by thirteen lengths. He was rated the best horse in the world over extended distances in both 2007 and 2008. He was retired to stud but had fertility problems and died on 12 December 2010 after complications resulting from a gelding operation.

<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.

Dick Whittington is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He showed his best form as a two-year-old in 2014 when he won three of his six races including the Anglesey Stakes and Phoenix Stakes. After finishing fourth on his only appearance of 2015 he returned as a four-year-old to win the Ballycorus Stakes.

<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">Caravaggio (horse)</span> American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Caravaggio is an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old he was one of the best colts of his generation in Europe when he was unbeaten in four races including the Marble Hill Stakes, Coventry Stakes and Phoenix Stakes. In the following year he took his winning run to six with victories in the Lacken Stakes and the Commonwealth Cup but his only success in four subsequent starts came in the Flying Five. He was retired from racing at the end of 2017 having won seven of his ten starts. Aidan O'Brien described him as the fastest horse that he had ever trained.

<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">Kew Gardens (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Kew Gardens is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. He showed considerable promise as a juvenile in 2017 when he won two of his five races including the Zetland Stakes. In the following year he developed into a top class stayer, taking the Queen's Vase, Grand Prix de Paris and St Leger. As a four-year-old he added another major win as he took the British Champions Long Distance Cup as well as finishing second in the Coronation Cup and the Irish St. Leger.

<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">Magna Grecia (horse)</span> Thoroughbred racehorse trained in Ireland

Magna Grecia is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. He showed top class form as a two-year-old in 2018 when he won two of his three races including the Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy. On his three-year-old debut he won the 2000 Guineas Stakes.

Myboycharlie is an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was one of the best two-year-olds of his generation in Europe when he won his first three races including the Anglesey Stakes and the Prix Morny. He did not live up to his early promise and failed to win again before being retired from racing at the end of the following year. He stood as a breeding stallion in Australia, England, France and Turkey and has had considerable success as a sire of winners.

<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.

Little Big Bear is an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse. He was rated the best two-year-old in Europe in 2022 when he won four of his five races including the Windsor Castle Stakes, Anglesey Stakes and Phoenix Stakes. The following season he added to his victories with a win in the Sandy Lane Stakes. His retirement from racing, due to injury, was announced in August 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paddington (horse)</span> Irish trained racehorse

Paddington is a British-bred, Irish-trained multiple Group 1 winning Thoroughbred racehorse. In 2023 Paddington won his first six starts winning four Group 1 events including the Irish 2,000 Guineas in Ireland and the St James's Palace Stakes, Coral-Eclipse and Sussex Stakes in England.

References

  1. 1 2 "Blackbeard pedigree". Equineline.
  2. ↑ "December Foal Sale 2020, Lot 974". Tattersalls. Retrieved Jun 8, 2023.
  3. ↑ "No Nay Never - Progeny". Racing Post.
  4. ↑ "Muirin race record". Racing Post.
  5. 1 2 "Brimmer Mare – Family 25". Thoroughbred Bloodlines. Retrieved 2013-11-30.
  6. ↑ "Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden result". Racing Post. 8 April 2022.
  7. ↑ "GAIN First Flier Stakes result". Racing Post. 2 May 2022.
  8. ↑ "Marble Hill Stakes result". Racing Post. 21 May 2022.
  9. ↑ "Marble Hill Stakes: Blackbeard heading to Royal Ascot after impressive Curragh success". Sky Sports. 21 May 2022.
  10. ↑ "Prix Robert Papin result". Racing Post. 17 July 2022.
  11. ↑ Scott Burton (17 July 2022). "Blackbeard Dominates in the Prix Robert Papin". The Bloodhorse.
  12. ↑ "Prix Morny result". Racing Post. 21 August 2022.
  13. ↑ "Darley Prix Morny: Blackbeard and Ryan Moore too strong for Frankie Dettori and Persian Force at Deauville". Sky Sports. 21 August 2022.
  14. ↑ "Middle Park Stakes result". Racing Post. 24 September 2022.
  15. ↑ Paley, Tony (Sep 24, 2022). "Blackbeard plunders Middle Park prize and leads home one-two for O'Brien" . Retrieved Jun 8, 2023– via The Guardian.
  16. ↑ David Jennings (24 October 2022). "'Ultimate professional' Blackbeard retired after picking up gallops injury". Racing Post.
  17. ↑ Milnes, David (9 November 2022). "Baaeed crowned Cartier Horse of the Year and top older horse for 2022". Racing Post.
  18. ↑ "2022 European 2yo Classification" (PDF). British Horseracing Authority. 17 January 2023.
  19. ↑ "Blackbeard | Stallions - Coolmore Ireland". Coolmore. Retrieved Jun 8, 2023.
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.