Jukebox Jury (horse)

Last updated

Jukebox Jury
Owner Mr A D Spence.svg
Racing silks of Alan Spence
Sire Montjeu
Grandsire Sadler's Wells
DamMare Aux Fees
Damsire Kenmare
SexStallion
Foaled15 February 2006 [1]
CountryIreland
Colour Grey
BreederPaul Nataf
OwnerAlan Spence
Trainer Mark Johnston
Record22: 9-2-2
Earnings£859,084
Major wins
Royal Lodge Stakes (2008)
Rose of Lancaster Stakes (2009)
Grand Prix de Deauville (2009)
Preis von Europa (2009)
Jockey Club Stakes (2010)
Fred Archer Stakes (2011)
Prix Kergorlay (2011)
Irish St Leger (2011)

Jukebox Jury (foaled 15 February 2006) is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. A successful and durable international campaigner, he won important races in each of his four seasons of racing and competed in Britain, France, Germany, Canada, Dubai, Ireland and Australia.

Contents

As a two-year-old in 2008 he showed great promise as he won the Royal Lodge Stakes and was placed in the Racing Post Trophy and Prix La Rochette. He had a delayed start to his second campaign but established himself as a top-class middle-distance performer with wins in the Rose of Lancaster Stakes, Grand Prix de Deauville and Preis von Europa as well as finishing second in the Canadian International Stakes. He won the Jockey Club Stakes at four but showed his best form a five-year-old when he won the Fred Archer Stakes, Prix Kergorlay and Irish St Leger.

He failed to recover fully from an injury sustained in the Melbourne Cup and was retired to become a breeding stallion in Germany.

Background

Jukebox Jury is a grey horse bred in Ireland by Paul Nataf. As a yearling in August, the colt (then officially described as bay) was sent to the Arqana sale at Deauville where he was bought for €270,000 by the trainer Mark Johnston. [2] The colt subsequently entered the ownership of Alan Spence and was taken into training with Johnston at his Middleham stable.

He was from the fifth crop of foals sired by Montjeu whose wins included the Prix du Jockey Club, Irish Derby, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. As a breeding stallion his other progeny included Motivator, Authorized, Pour Moi, Camelot, Scorpion, Hurricane Fly, St Nicholas Abbey and Hurricane Run. [3] Jukebox Jury's dam Mare Aux Fees, from whom he inherited his grey coat, showed no racing ability but did better as a broodmare, producing several other winners including the Prix Vanteaux winner Belle Allure. [4] She came from a largely French family which had produced several good winners including Tropique (Eclipse Stakes), Lightning (Prix d'Ispahan) and Soleil Noir (Grand Prix de Paris). [5]

Racing career

2008: two-year-old season

Jukebox Jury began his racing career in a seven furlong maiden race at Goodwood Racecourse on 2 August in which he was ridden by Johnny Murtagh and started a 14/1 outsider. After racing towards the rear of the field he made progress on the outside, caught the leaders in the closing stages and won by a neck despite looking "green" (inexperienced) and hanging right near the finish. [6] Fifteen days later the colt was sent to France and moved up in class for the Listed Prix François Boutin over 1400 metres at Deauville Racecourse and finished fourth, seven lengths behind the Richard Hannon Sr.-trained Soul City after hanging left in the last 200 metres. He returned to France on 7 September for the Group 3 Prix La Rochette at Longchamp in which he was again matched against Soul City. He was again beaten by the Hannon colt but produced a much better as he stayed on well to take third place, half a length and three-quarters of a length behind Soul City and Milanais.

The Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot Racecourse saw Jukebox Jury start the 8/1 fourth choice in the betting behind Cityscape, Orizaba (winner of the Vintage Stakes) and the Henry Cecil-trained On Our Way. After being restrained at the rear of the field in the early stages by his jockey Royston Ffrench the colt began to make progress approaching the final turn and was switched to the outside to make his challenge in the straight. He caught Cityscape 30 yards from the finish and won by three-quarters of a length. [7] Ffrench was again in the saddle when the colt was stepped up to Group 1 class and started 2/1 favourite for the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster on 25 October. He stayed on well in the straight but was hampered a furlong from the finish and was beaten into second place by Crowded House.

2009: three-year-old season

Jukebox Jury missed the spring of 2009 and made little impact on his seasonal debut when he finished last of seven in the Prix Daphnis over 1800 metres at Longchamp on 22 June. In a strongly contested edition of the Eclipse Stakes on 4 July he started a 50/1 outsider and came home sixth of the ten runners behind Sea the Stars. In August the colt was dropped back to Group 3 class for the Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock Park and started 6/1 fourth choice in the betting. He was among the early leaders before being pulled back by Ffrench and then renewing his challenge in the straight. He overtook the favourite Campanologist inside the final furlong and won by one and a quarter lengths with the John Gosden-trained Duncan taking third place. [8]

Ten days after his win at Haydock Jukebox Jury contested the Great Voltigeur Stakes over one and a half miles at York Racecourse and finished fourth behind Monitor Closely, Mastery and Father Time after stumbling a quarter of a mile from the finish. The colt was back in action less than two weeks later in France when he contested the Grand Prix de Deauville against older horses and started at odds of 9/4 against five opponents including Ideal World (Prix de Reux) and Kasbah Bliss (Prix Gladiateur). Jukebox Jury took the early lead and then settled in second behind Kasbah Bliss before regaining the advantage 300 metres from home. He just held off a late challenge from Pouvoir Absolu to prevail by a nose in a photo finish. [9] Johnston commented "It wasn't the idea to make the running and Jukebox Jury is not the ideal horse for it, so we were delighted when Kasbah Bliss went on. We have had our eyes on the Canadian International since he won at Haydock, but for the moment we'll keep all our options open". [10]

Jukebox Jury was moved up to Group 1 level when he was sent to Germany for the Preis von Europa over 2400 metres at Cologne on 27 September in which he again faced older opponents. He was made joint-favourite with the Sheema Classic winner Eastern Anthem just ahead of the Hardwicke Stakes winner Bronze Cannon with the best of the others appearing to be Toughness Danon (Furstenberg-Rennen), Enroller (John Porter Stakes) and Eliot (fourth in the German Derby). The colt started quickly before settling in second place behind Enroller and then went to the front 400 metres from the finish. Eastern Anthem produced a sustained effort but Jukebox Jury prevailed by a nose with a gap of two and a half lengths back to Eliot in third place. [11]

For his final run of the season, as Johnston had predicted, Jukebox Jury was sent to Canada for the Pattison Canadian International at Woodbine Racetrack on 17 October. Ridden as usual by Ffrench he raced in second place before taking the lead in the straight but was overtaken in the final strides and beaten half a length by the six-year-old Champs Elysees.

In the 2009 World Thoroughbred Rankings, Jukebox Jury was given a rating of 118, making him the 87th best racehorse in the world and the best British three-year-old colt in the Long-distance division. [12]

2010: four-year-old season

In early 2010, Jukebox Jury was sent to Dubai for the Sheema Classic at Meydan Racecourse on 27 March in which he finished fifteenth of the sixteen runners behind Dar Re Mi after fading badly in the straight. On his return to Europe he contested[ clarification needed ] the Jockey Club Stakes over one and a half miles at Newmarket Racecourse on 1 May and started the 13/8 favourite against four opponents, namely Claremont (Prix du Lys), Nanton (Mallard Stakes), Drill Sergeant (Duke of Edinburgh Stakes) and Halicarnassus (Bosphorus Cup). After racing in second place behind Drill Sergeant, Ffrench sent Jukebox Jury to the front with half a mile left and the colt kept on well to win by almost four lengths from Nanton. [13]

Jukebox Jury was well beaten in his next two races, finishing seventh to Fame and Glory in the Coronation Cup and ninth to Harbinger in the Hardwicke Stakes. When sent to Germany for the Deutschland Preis at Hamburg on 17 July he produced a better effort as he finished fourth to Campanologist, beaten less than a length by the winner.

The 2010 World Thoroughbred Rankings saw Jukebox Jury drop to 178 in the rankings with a mark of 116. [14]

2011: five-year-old season

After an absence of more than eleven months, Jukebox Jury returned in the Listed Fred Archer Stakes at Newmarket on 25 June in which he was ridden for the first time by Neil Callan. The Grand Prix de Paris winner Cavalryman started favourite with Jukebox Jury starting at odds of 11/2 in an eight-runner field which also included Allied Powers (Grand Prix de Chantilly) and Afsare (Hampton Court Stakes). In a change of tactics, he led from the start and stayed to win by three-quarters of a length from Cavalryman and Afsare who dead-heated for second place. [15]

In the Glorious Stakes at Goodwood Racecourse a month later, Jukebox Jury partially recovered after being boxed against the inside rail to finish third, beaten a head and a neck by Drunken Sailor and Harris Tweed. In an exceptionally strong renewal of the Prix Kergorlay over 3000 metres at Deauville on 21 August, he started at odds of 5/1 in a thirteen-runner field which included Americain, Dunaden, Red Cadeaux, Kasbah Bliss, Gentoo (Prix du Cadran, Prix Royal Oak), Brigantin (Prix de Lutèce) and Manighar (Prix Chaudenay). Jukebox Jury led from the start, switched left in the straight and drew away from his rivals to win by three lengths from Kasbah Bliss. [16] Johnston commented "The plan was to make the pace, he set a strong one and kicked off the bend. He loves it here" while Callan added, "The horse is very adaptable and I just let him bowl along in front, he enjoyed it when I let him do it when he won first-time-out this season." [17]

The Irish St Leger at the Curragh on 10 September attracted a field of six runners and Jukebox Jury, ridden by Johnny Murtagh started 4/1 second choice in the betting behind the odds-on favourite Fame and Glory. The other four runners were Duncan, Red Cadeaux, Fictional Account (Irish St Leger Trial Stakes) and the 100/1 outsider Waydownsouth. Jukebox Jury led from the start and appeared to be dominating the race before Duncan (ridden by Eddie Ahern) moved up alongside him in the straight. The two horses raced head to head in the last quarter mile and crossed the line together. After examining the photo finish, the racecourse judges declared a dead heat. [18]

On his final appearance of the season the horse was sent to Australia to contest the Melbourne Cup over 3200 metres at Flemington Racecourse on 1 November. Before the race a share in the horse was acquired by the Australian owners Kevin Bamford, Colleen Bamford and Gerry Ryan. Carrying a weight of 126 pounds (the second highest in the race) he finished in 20th place in the 23 runner field having sustained a hairline fracture to the cannon bone of his left foreleg. [19]

Jukebox Jury remained in training in 2012 but suffered another setback and was retired from racing in September. [19]

Stud career

At the end of his racing career, Jukebox Jury became a breeding stallion at the Gestut Etzean near Beerfelden in Germany. In December 2017 he moved to stand at Burgage Stud in Leighlinbridge Ireland. He had his first Grade 1 winner just 3 months later at the Cheltenham festival when Farclas won the Triumph Hurdle for Gordon Elliot. [20]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Jukebox Jury (IRE), grey stallion, 2006 [1]
Sire
Montjeu (IRE)
1996
Sadler's Wells (USA)
1981
Northern Dancer Nearctic
Natalma
Fairy Bridge Bold Reason
Special
Floripedes (FR)
1985 
Top Ville High Top
Sega Ville
Toute CyTennyson
Adele Toumignon
Dam
Mare Aux Fees (GB)
1988
Kenmare (FR)
1975
Kalamoun Zeddaan
Khairunissa
Belle of IrelandMilesian
Belle of the Ball
Feerie Boreale (FR)
1981
Irish River Riverman
Irish Star
SkeldaLa Varende
Fidra (Family: 22-a) [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.

Classic Cliche Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Classic Cliche, is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire who was bred in Ireland and trained in Britain and the United Arab Emirates. In a career which lasted from August 1994 until September 1997, he ran sixteen times and won six races. He recorded his most important success when winning the Classic St. Leger Stakes as a three-year-old in 1995, the same year in which he won the Dante Stakes. In the following season he became the first Classic winner in fifty years to win the Ascot Gold Cup.

Snurge, was an Irish-bred British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career which lasted from September 1989 until September 1994, he ran thirty-four times and won seven races. He recorded his most important success when winning the Classic St. Leger Stakes as a three-year-old maiden in 1990. In the following seasons he won major races in France, Italy and Canada, before retiring as a seven-year-old. At the time of his retirement he held the record for prize money won by a European-trained horse, although the precise total of his earnings was difficult to determine because of the number of different currencies involved.

Xaar was a British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire, best known for his performances as a two-year-old in 1997. In his juvenile season, he won four of his five races, including the Prix de Cabourg and Prix de la Salamandre in France and the Dewhurst Stakes in England. In 1998, he won the Craven Stakes on his debut, but was beaten in his remaining three races. After two further defeats in 1999, he was retired to stud, where he had limited success as a sire of winners.

Cambremer was a French Thoroughbred racehorse and sire best known for winning the classic St Leger Stakes in 1956. After showing some promise in his early career he developed into a top-class performer when moved up to longer distances. He won the Grand Prix de Vichy in the summer of 1956 before winning the St Leger. In the following season he won the Prix du Cadran and finished second in the Ascot Gold Cup. He made no impact as a sire of winners.

Son of Love was a French Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the classic St Leger Stakes in 1979. After winning two races as a two-year-old, the horse lost his next eleven races before winning the St Leger as a 20/1 outsider. The rest of his career was undistinguished, as he failed to win in seventeen subsequent races.

Ibn Bey British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Ibn Bey was a British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire who won major races in the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Italy and Germany as well as competing in the United States and Japan. After winning once as a two-year-old in 1986 he won the Predominate Stakes in 1987 before recording his first Group One success in the Gran Premio d'Italia. He continued to improve with age and developed into a formidable international campaigner over long distances winning the Grand Prix de Deauville, Prix Maurice de Nieuil, Geoffrey Freer Stakes, Preis von Europa, Grosser Preis von Berlin and Irish St. Leger. On his penultimate start he produced arguably his best performance when finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Classic. He was retired from racing to become a breeding stallion in Japan where he had limited impact as a sire of winners. He died in Japan in December 2012.

Buoy was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. Unraced as a two-year-old, he proved himself one of the best middle-distance colts of his generation in 1973 when he won the Predominate Stakes and the Great Voltigeur Stakes and finished placed in both the Irish Derby and the St Leger. He was even better as a four-year-old, winning the Yorkshire Cup before beating the outstanding French filly Dahlia in the Coronation Cup and taking the Princess of Wales's Stakes. His career was ended by injury in August 1974 and he was exported to stand as a breeding stallion where he had limited success as a sire of winners.

Ask is a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. Unraced as a two-year-old, he showed some promise as a three-year-old in 2006, winning one minor race and finishing fourth in the St Leger. He improved in the following year despite running only three races: he won the Ormonde Stakes and the Cumberland Lodge Stakes and was narrowly beaten in the Canadian International Stakes. He won the Gordon Richards Stakes in 2008 but reached his peak as a six-year-old in the following year, winning the Yorkshire Cup, Coronation Cup and Prix Royal Oak as well as finishing third in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. After a single, unsuccessful start in 2010 his racing career was ended by injury. He was then retired to become a National Hunt stallion in Ireland.

Immortal Verse Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Immortal Verse is an Irish-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. As a two-year-old she showed promise by winning on her debut and finishing second in the Prix d'Aumale. Her early form in 2011 was disappointing as she was beaten in her first two races and refused to enter the starting stalls in the 1000 Guineas. She then made rapid improvement, winning the Prix de Sandringham and the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot before defeating a strong international field in the Prix Jacques Le Marois. She went on to finish third to Frankel in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes but failed to reproduce her best form in two races as a four-year-old. After her retirement from racing she was sold at auction for 4.7 million guineas setting a European record price for a broodmare.

Almanzor (horse) French Thoroughbred racehorse

Almanzor is a French Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old he won his first three races on provincial French tracks but was well-beaten when moved up in class for the Critérium International. In the following year he finished third on his debut but later emerged as the best horse of his generation in Europe with five consecutive victories, taking the Prix de Guiche, Prix du Jockey Club, Prix Guillaume d'Ornano, Irish Champion Stakes and Champion Stakes. He stayed in training as a four-year-old but was affected by a virus and subsequent physical setback and was retired after making an unsuccessful return to racing in August 2017.

Strategic Choice American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Strategic Choice was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and stallion. In a racing career which lasted from April 1994 until July 2000 he competed in nine different countries – Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Turkey, Canada and Hong Kong – and won six of his thirty-four races. Unraced as a two-year-old he won the John Porter Stakes and Irish St. Leger at four, the Gran Premio di Milano and Grand Prix de Deauville at five and the Bosphorus Trophy at six. He was also placed in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Gran Premio del Jockey Club, Yorkshire Cup and St Simon Stakes. After his retirement from racing he had some success as a sire of National Hunt racing.

Arctic Owl was a British Thoroughbred racehorse. A specialist stayer who was gelded before the start of his racing career, he won ten of twenty-five races between his June 1997 debut and September 2002 retirement. As a four-year-old in 1998, he emerged as a top class performer when he won four of his five races including the Prix Kergorlay and the Jockey Club Cup. He won the Henry II Stakes in 1999 and recorded his biggest victory in 2000 when he won the Irish St Leger. He remained in training until the age of eight when his career was ended by injury.

Alandi is an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was a slow-maturing horse who did not race as a two-year-old and made only one (winning) appearance at three. As a four-year-old he established himself as one of the best staying racehorses in the world with victories in the Vintage Crop Stakes, Ballycullen Stakes, Irish St. Leger and Prix du Cadran. He was then sold to race in Australia as a Melbourne Cup prospect but failed to reproduce his European form. A return to Europe in 2012 saw no improvement and he was retired from racing to become a breeding stallion in Poland.

Kew Gardens (horse) 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.

Chief Contender was an Irish-bred British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse who recorded his best wins in France. He showed good form as a three-year-old when he won three races including the Listed Grand Prix de la Region des Pays de La Loire and was placed in the Gordon Stakes, Prix Kergorlay and Prix de Lutèce. In the following year he ran third in the Prix Kergorlay and the Prix Gladiateur before recording his biggest win when he defeated a very strong field of stayers to take the Prix du Cadran. He was then sold and exported to Australia where he had no success.

Cityscape (horse) British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Cityscape is a British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire, who raced in England, Ireland, Hong Kong, France, Dubai, Canada and Italy and was twice rated among the top 40 racehorses in the world.

Wootton Bassett is a British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was one of the best two-year-old in Europe in 2010 when he was undefeated in five race including the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. He failed to win in 2011 and was retired from racing at the end of the year. He has had considerable success as a sire of winners.

Laws of Indices is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. He showed very good form as a two-year-old in 2020 when he won two races including the Railway Stakes as well as finishing third in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and fourth in the Phoenix Stakes. In the following year he was beaten in his first three races but then recorded an upset victory in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat.

Scope is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. After winning his only start as a two-year-old in 2020 he developed into a top-class stayer in the autumn of the following year, winning the Noel Murless Stakes and the Prix Royal-Oak.

References

  1. 1 2 "Jukebox Jury pedigree". Equineline.
  2. "Arqana August Yearling Sale". Racing Post . Archived from the original on 13 August 2017.
  3. "Montjeu Stud record". Racing Post. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  4. "Mare Aux Fees – Progeny". Racing Post.
  5. 1 2 "Stella – Family 22-a". Thoroughbred Bloodlines. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  6. "Blue Square EBF Maiden Stakes result". Racing Post. 2 August 2008.
  7. "Royal Lodge Stakes result". Racing Post. 27 September 2008.
  8. "Rose of Lancaster Stakes result". Racing Post. 8 August 2009.
  9. "Grand Prix de Deauville result". Racing Post. 30 August 2009.
  10. Desmond Stoneham (30 August 2009). "France – Jukebox Jury wins Grand Prix de Deauville". Racing Post . Archived from the original on 13 August 2017.
  11. "Preis von Europa result". Racing Post. 27 September 2009.
  12. "2009 World Thoroughbred Rankings". International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities. 12 January 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  13. "Jockey Club Stakes result". Racing Post. 1 May 2010.
  14. "2010 World Thoroughbred Rankings". International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities. 11 January 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  15. "Fred Archer Stakes result". Racing Post. 25 June 2011.
  16. "Prix Kergorlay". Racing Post. 21 August 2011.
  17. "Jukebox Jury runs away with Kergorlay". www.thoroughbrednews.com.au. 22 August 2011.
  18. "Irish St Leger result". Racing Post. 10 September 2011.
  19. 1 2 James Burn (11 September 2012). "Irish St Leger winner Jukebox Jury retired". Racing Post .
  20. "Jukebox Jury – Progeny". Racing Post.