Ma Biche

Last updated
Ma Biche
SireKey to the Kingdom
Grandsire Bold Ruler
DamMadge
Damsire Reliance
Sex Mare
Foaled23 January 1980
CountryUSA
Colour Bay or brown
Owner Ghislaine Head
Maktoum Al Maktoum
Trainer Criquette Head
Record11:7-0-2
Major wins
Prix La Flèche (1982)
Prix Robert Papin (1982)
Cheveley Park Stakes (1982)
Prix Imprudence (1982)
1000 Guineas (1983)
Prix de la Forêt (1983)
Awards
Timeform rating: 123 in 1982 and 126 in 1983
Top-rated European two-year-old filly (1982)
Timeform top-rated two-year-old filly (1982)

Ma Biche (foaled 1980) was an American-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare who won the classic 1000 Guineas at Newmarket Racecourse in 1983. The filly was the best racehorse of her age and sex in Europe in 1982 when she won two Group One races: the Prix Robert Papin in France and the Cheveley Park Stakes in England. In the following year she defeated a strong field to win the 1000 Guineas, but then suffered from a series of training problems before returning to form in autumn to win the Prix de la Forêt.

Contents

Background

Ma Biche was a big, powerful, [1] bay or brown mare, with white socks on her hind legs foaled in Kentucky in January 1980. Her sire Key to the Kingdom was a half brother to Fort Marcy and was a Grade Three winner, taking the Stymie Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack in 1974. His other progeny included the Breeders' Cup Turf winner Great Communicator. Ma Biche was the first foal of her dam Madge, a daughter of the racemare Midget whose wins included the Coronation Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Prix de la Forêt. [2]

She originally raced in the colours of Ghislaine Head and was trained by Ghislaine's daughter Criquette. She was ridden to her most important successes by Criquette's brother Freddy Head. The filly's name is a French term of endearment meaning literally "My Doe". [3]

Racing career

1982: two-year-old season

Ma Biche finished third on her debut in 1982 before winning a race over 1100 metres. At Évry Racecourse she moved up in class and distance to win the Listed Prix La Flèche over 1400 metres, defeating a field which included the subsequent Santa Anita Handicap winner Interco. The filly was then brought back in distance for the Group One Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte Racecourse in July. She won from the colt Deep Roots and the British filly Crime of Passion. Deep Roots reversed the form with Ma Biche to win the Prix Morny on firm ground at Deauville Racecourse in August and went on to win the Prix de la Salamandre. On her final appearance of the season, Ma Biche was sent to England to contest the Group One Cheveley Park stakes over six furlongs at Newmarket Racecourse in October. She started the 11/4 favourite [4] and won the race, defeating the British filly Favoridge by three quarters of a length [5] to end the season as the highest-rated filly of her generation in Europe. [6] At the end of the year she was sold for a reported £3 million to Maktoum Al Maktoum. [1]

1983: three-year-old season

On her three-year-old debut in early April Ma Biche won the Prix Imprudence on soft ground at Maisons-Laffitte, easily beating Dancing Display at odds of 2/5. Later that month she was sent back to England to contest the 1000 Guineas over the Rowley Mile course for which she was made 5/2 favourite against seventeen other fillies. Ma Biche was retrained in the early stages by Freddy Head before moving up to take the lead inside the final furlong and winning by one and a half lengths from Royal Heroine, Favoridge and Habibti. [1] Royal Heroine was later disqualified for failing a post race drug test [7] but went on to set a North American record for one mile on turf when winning the inaugural Breeders' Cup Mile, whilst Habibti ended the season as Britain's Horse of the Year after a string of outstanding performances over sprint distances. Criquette Head became the first woman to officially train a winner of a British Classic.

Ma Biche had training problems after her win at Newmarket and did not reappear until August at Deauville where she finished unplaced behind Luth Enchantee in the Prix d'Astarte and fourth behind the same filly in the Prix Jacques Le Marois. Ma Biche's last race was the Prix de la Forêt over 1400 metres at Longchamp Racecourse on 23 October. She recorded her fourth Group One win, and her first against colts and older horses as she took the lead in the straight and won by half a length from Pampabird. [1]

Assessment

In 1982, the International Classification, compiled by the official handicappers of Britain, Ireland and France awarded Ma Biche a rating of 81, making her the highest rated two-year-old filly in Europe, six pounds behind the leading colt Diesis. The independent Timeform organisation also named Ma Biche as the best two-year-old filly, with a rating of 123. [6]

In 1983, Ma Biche was rated on 82 in the International Classification, placing her seventh among the European three-year-old fillies. She was given a Timeform rating of 126. [1]

In their book, A Century of Champions, based on the Timeform rating system, John Randall and Tony Morris rated Ma Biche an "average" winner of the 1000 Guineas. [8]

Stud record

Ma Biche was retired from racing to become a broodmare. She was bred to several leading stallions including Alydar, Shadeed, Blushing Groom and Danzig but produced no important winners. The mating with Blushing Groom (FR) resulted in the filly Blushing Pink (USA).

1988 Miss Fyor (USA) : Bay filly, by Danzig (USA) – Unraced

1998 Blodwen (USA) : Bay filly, foaled 2 April, by Mister Baileys (GB) – unplaced all 8 starts in Britain 2001

2002 King Henrik (USA) : Bay colt (gelded), foaled 15 February, by King of Kings (IRE) – placed fourth once from 12 starts on the flat in Britain 2004-6 and unplaced both starts over hurdles in Britain 2006

Pedigree

Pedigree of Ma Biche (USA), bay or brown mare, 1980 [9]
Sire
Key to the Kingdom (USA)
1970
Bold Ruler (USA)
1954
Nasrullah Nearco
Mumtaz Begum
Miss Disco Discovery
Outdone
Key Bridge (USA)
1959
Princequillo Prince Rose
Cosquilla
Blue Banner War Admiral
Risque Blue
Dam
Madge (FR)
1975
Roi Dagobert (FR)
1964
Sicambre Prince Bio
Sif
Dame d'AtourCranach
Barley Corn
Midget (FR)
1953
Djebe Djebel
Catherine
MimiBlack Devil
Mignon (Family:1-u) [10]

Related Research Articles

Habibti was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare who was one of the highest-rated sprinters in European racing history. Habibti was unbeaten as a two-year-old, winning the Group Two Lowther Stakes in England and the Moyglare Stud Stakes in Ireland. In early 1983 she was campaigned over longer distances without success before being switched to sprinting in summer. She won her remaining four races that season, taking the July Cup at Newmarket, the William Hill Sprint Championship at York, the Vernons Sprint Cup at Haydock Park and the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp Racecourse. At the end of the season she was named Britain's Horse of the Year and was rated the best three-year-old filly of the last thirty-six years by Timeform. Habibti was less successful when kept in training at four, but did win the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. At the end of 1984 she was retired to stud, where she had little success as a producer of winners.

Highclere (1971–1992) was a British thoroughbred racehorse owned by Queen Elizabeth II. In a racing career lasting from summer 1973 until October 1974, she ran eight times and won three races. Highclere won one minor race as a two-year-old but improved to win the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket Racecourse and Prix de Diane at Chantilly. She later finished second to Dahlia in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. She retired at the end of the season to become a highly successful and influential broodmare.

Ravinella was an American-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare, best known for being the outstanding European filly of her generation in 1987 and for winning the classic 1000 Guineas in 1988.

On The House was a British-bred, British-trined Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare best known for winning the classic 1000 Guineas in 1982. She was one of the best British two-year-old fillies of 1981 when she won two races and finished second in the Cheveley Park Stakes. In the following spring she ran poorly in her first race but then recorded an upset victory in the 169th running of the 1000 Guineas. After being beaten in her next two races she again upset the odds by winning the all-aged Sussex Stakes. After her retirement from racing she had some success as a broodmare and is the female-line ancestor of Cracksman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luth Enchantee</span> French-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Luth Enchantee was a French Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare who was named the best horse in Europe over one mile in 1983. Her early career was undistinguished, as she won one minor event in her first eight races. In the summer of her three-year-old season she made rapid improvement, winning the Prix d'Astarte against her own sex and then defeating male opposition to win France's two most important all-aged mile races, the Prix Jacques Le Marois and the Prix du Moulin. In autumn she was moved up in distance and finished a close third to All Along in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Her subsequent racing career was disappointing as she finished unplaced in her remaining seven starts. She made little impact as a broodmare.

Fairy Footsteps was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare best known for winning the classic 1000 Guineas in 1981. She showed promise in her first two races as a two-year-old before establishing herself as one of the best fillies of her generation with an emphatic win in the Waterford Candelabra Stakes. In the spring of 1981 she was heavily backed for the 1000 Guineas before and after a win in the Nell Gwyn Stakes. She won the 1000 Guineas by leading all the way and was considered highly likely to follow up with a win in the Epsom Oaks but was retired after a disappointing defeat in the Musidora Stakes. She had some success as a broodmare.

One in a Million was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare best known for winning the classic 1000 Guineas in 1979. She won both her races as a two-year-old in impressive style and began her three-year-old season with a five length win in the Nell Gwyn Stakes. She won the 1000 Guineas as a short-priced favourite and was awarded victory in the Coronation Stakes on the disqualification of Buz Kashi. She lost her unbeaten record when finishing unplaced in the July Cup and never raced again. After being retired from racing she had considerable success as a broodmare. She died in 1992.

Sigy was a French Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She was best known for her exploits as a two-year-old in 1978, when she won her last three races culminating with a win over colts and older horses in the Prix de l'Abbaye. At the end of the season she was rated the best racehorse of her age and sex in Europe. Her three-year-old career was disappointing, although she did win the Prix du Gros Chêne. She later had some success as a broodmare.

Sanedtki was an Irish-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She was trained in France for most of her career before moving to the United States for her last two races. Although she was capable of competing at the highest level against specialist sprinters, she showed her best form over middle distances.

Cloonlara was an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. Although she never contested a Group One race as a two-year-old, Cloonlara was regarded as the best juvenile filly to race in Europe in 1976. The daughter of Derby winner Sir Ivor won all three of her races that year by wide margins, culminating in a six length win over colts in the Phoenix Stakes. She missed the rest of the season through injury and failed to reproduce her best form in 1977, when she became increasingly temperamental. Cloonlara made a highly promising start to her breeding career before her death from a lightning strike at the age of seven in August 1981.

Roussalka was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. In a racing career which lasted from May 1974 until July 1976 she won seven of her seventeen races and was placed on four occasions. As a two-year-old in 1974 she won four races including the Cherry Hinton Stakes and the Princess Margaret Stakes. In the following year, she showed her best form in summer, winning the Coronation Stakes and the Nassau Stakes. In 1976 she ran only three times, but became the first filly to win the Nassau Stakes for a second time. She was then retired from racing and became a very successful broodmare.

Bitty Girl (1971–1994) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She was one of the leading fillies of her generation in 1973 when she won her first five races including the Queen Mary Stakes, Molecomb Stakes and Lowther Stakes. In the following year she failed to win but ran prominently in some major sprint races before being sold at the end of the aeon and sent to race in the United Stakes where she won three minor races. After her retirement from racing she had some success as a broodmare, producing the Prix Maurice de Gheest winner Beaudelaire. [sic]

Desirable was a British thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. As a two-year-old in 1983 she won on her debut and then took the Princess Margaret Stakes on her second appearance. After finishing second in the Lowther Stakes and the Moyglare Stud Stakes she recorded her biggest victory in the Cheveley Park Stakes. In the following year she failed to win but was placed in the 1000 Guineas and the Nassau Stakes as well as finishing fourth in the Coronation Stakes and the Irish Champion Stakes. After her retirement from racing she became a very successful broodmare, producing the 1000 Guineas winner Shadayid and several other good winners.

Sayf El Arab was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. A specialist sprinter he won four of his twenty-one races in a track career which lasted from April 1982 until August 2014. After being bought cheaply as a yearling he showed promising form as a juvenile in 1982 as he won two of his seven races. In the following year he was well beaten in his first three starts but then recorded an upset victory in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. In 1984, he won once in seven races and finished third in his attempt to repeat his win in the King's Stand. He was retired to stud at the end of the year and had moderate success as a breeding stallion.

Ensconse was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. In 1988 she showed considerable promise as she won a twenty-five runner maiden race and the Blue Seal Stakes in her two racecourse appearances. In the following year she won the Nell Gwyn Stakes and finished fourth when favourite for the 1000 Guineas before recording her biggest success when winning the Irish 1000 Guineas. In her two remaining starts she was unlucky in running when sixth in the Prix de Diane and ran second in the Child Stakes. She was retired from racing at the end of the year to become a broodmare but produced only two foals, neither of whom had any success on the racecourse.

Matiya was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. After winning on her racecourse debut she was beaten in her three remaining races as a two-year-old but showed very promising form when finishing third in the Fillies' Mile. In the following spring she finished second in the 1000 Guineas before recording her biggest success in the Irish 1,000 Guineas. She went on to finish third in the Prix de Diane but finished last in her two subsequent races and was retired from racing at the end of the year. She had limited success as a broodmare.

L'Attrayante was a French Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She was the first, and remains, the only horse to win both the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and the Irish 1000 Guineas. As a two-year-old she showed very promising form, winning her first two races and later being placed in both the Prix du Calvados and the Prix Marcel Boussac. In the following spring she reached her peak, taking the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches on 1 May and the Irish 1000 Guineas three weeks later.

Sweet Emma was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. As a two-year-old in 1982 she won two minor races in spring and then recorded her most important success with a victory in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes. She went on to finish fourth in the Moyglare Stud Stakes and ended the year as the best Irish-trained juvenile filly of her generation. After being transferred to race in England she failed to win at three but did finish third in the Leisure Stakes and fourth in the Coronation Stakes. After her retirement from racing she had some success as a broodmare in Europe and Japan.

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

Pia was a British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She showed top-class form as a juvenile in 1966 when she won three races including the Cherry Hinton Stakes and the Lowther Stakes as well as finishing second in the Cheveley Park Stakes. In the following year she ran fourth in the 1000 Guineas and third in the Musidora Stakes before recording her biggest win in the Epsom Oaks. Later that year she dead-heated for first place in the Park Hill Stakes and ran fourth in a strong renewal of the Champion Stakes before being retired from racing. Although her foals made little impact on the track, her daughter Principia became an influential broodmare.

Brocade was a British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. Unraced as a juvenile she began her racing career in 1984 and showed high class form to win the Oak Tree Stakes and the Challenge Stakes as well as finishing second in the Prix Quincey. After struggling to recapture her best form as a four-year-old she ended her racing career with a win in the Prix de la Forêt. She was highly successful as a broodmare, producing several winners including Barathea and Gossamer.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Timeform (1984). Racehorses of 1983. Timeform. ISBN   0-900599-40-5.
  2. Mortimer, Roger; Onslow, Richard; Willett, Peter (1978). Biographical Encyclopedia of British Flat Racing. Macdonald and Jane's. ISBN   0-354-08536-0.
  3. "French Terms of Endearment". French.about.com. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
  4. Abelson, Edward; Tyrrel, John (1993). The Breedon Book of Horse Racing Records. Breedon Books Publishing. ISBN   1-873626-15-0.
  5. "Diesis has a winning look". Glasgow Herald. 30 September 1982. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
  6. 1 2 Morris, Tony; Randall, John (1990). Horse Racing: Records, Facts, Champions (Third ed.). Guinness Publishing. ISBN   0-85112-902-1.
  7. Martin Gale (28 September 1983). "Racing Notes". Glasgow Herald. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
  8. Morris, Tony; Randall, John (1999). A Century of Champions. Portway Press. ISBN   1-901570-15-0.
  9. "Ma Biche pedigree". Equineline. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
  10. "Thoroughbred Bloodlines – Maid of the Glen – Family 1-u". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 2012-12-30.