Mount Nelson (horse)

Last updated • 6 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
Mount Nelson
Sire Rock of Gibraltar
Grandsire Danehill
DamIndependence
Damsire Selkirk
Sex Stallion
Foaled7 April 2004 [1]
CountryUnited Kingdom
Colour Bay
BreederCliveden Stud
OwnerDerrick Smith, Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor
Trainer Aidan O'Brien
Record9: 3-1-2
Earnings£459,137
Major wins
Critérium International (2006)
Eclipse Stakes (2008)

Mount Nelson (7 April 2004 – 1 November 2019) was a British-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire best known for winning the Eclipse Stakes in 2008. Mount Nelson showed great promise as a two-year-old in 2006 when he won the Critérium International less than a month after his racecourse debut. Hopes that he would become a classic contender in 2007 ended when he sustained a serious foot injury early in the year. He returned as a four-year-old to win the Eclipse and ran well in defeat in several other major races. He was then retired to stud and sired several good winners both on the flat and over jumps.

Contents

Background

Mount Nelson was a bay horse with a white star and stripe bred by the Cliveden Park Stud in Buckinghamshire. Mount Nelson was from the first crop of foals sired by Rock of Gibraltar who won seven Group 1 races in a row, including the 2000 Guineas. He has gone on to sire a number of other top racehorses, including Society Rock, Eagle Mountain, Varenar (Prix de la Forêt) and Samitar (Irish 1000 Guineas). [2] Mount Nelson's dam, Independence, was a high-class racemare who won four races including the Matron Stakes and the Sun Chariot Stakes in 2001. [3] She was descended from Home on the Range, the dam of the Epsom Derby winner Reference Point. [4] Apart from Mount Nelson, Independence's best performer has been Monitor Closely, who won the Great Voltigeur Stakes and finished third in the St Leger Stakes.

As a yearling, the colt was consigned from the New England Stud to the Tattersalls sales at Newmarket. On 5 October he was bought for 330,000 guineas by the bloodstock agent Dermot "Demi" O'Byrne, acting on behalf of John Magnier's Coolmore organisation. [5] Like many Coolmore horses, the details of Mount Nelson's ownership varied from race to race: he was sometimes listed as being owned by Derrick Smith, while in other races he was listed as the property of a partnership of Smith, Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor. The colt was trained throughout his racing career by Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle. [6]

Racing career

2006: two-year-old season

Mount Nelson did not compete in a race until late autumn, but then ran three times in a little over three weeks. On 6 October he started at odds of 5/2 in a seven furlong maiden race at Gowran Park, County Kilkenny and finished second of the fourteen runners behind the Dermot Weld-trained Treasure Map. In a similar event at the Curragh Racecourse sixteen days later, the colt started 2/1 favourite against twenty-eight opponents. Ridden by Seamie Heffernan, Mount Nelson established a clear lead approaching the final quarter mile and drew away from the field in the closing stages to win impressively by six lengths. [7] Eight days after his win in the Curragh maiden race, the colt was moved up abruptly in class when he was sent to France to contest the Group One Critérium International over 1600 metres at Saint-Cloud Racecourse. He was coupled in the betting with his stable companion Yellowstone and went off at odds of 10.9/1, with the locally trained Spirit One being made the 3/5 favourite. Heffernan restrained Mount Nelson in the early stages before moving up to challenge the leaders in the straight. He took the lead approaching the last 200 metres and held off a sustained challenge of Spirit One to win by a short-head in a photo-finish, with Yellowstone in third. [8] Despite the soft ground, the winning time of 1:41.3 was a new course record. Commenting on the performance, O'Brien said "Our decision to run Mount Nelson twice in the period of a week was justified, but it was a big risk. He's a lovely horse who will be even better next year when he should stay further." [9] The trainer went on to mention the 2000 Guineas and the Poule d'Essai des Poulains as future targets, whilst bookmakers introduced him into the betting for the 2007 Epsom Derby at odds of 20/1. [10]

2007: three-year-old season

Mount Nelson was being prepared for his three-year-old campaign when he sustained a serious injury to his left front foot. According to O'Brien the colt "tore off a shoe... and took half of his foot off with it". [11] Both the hoof and bone were damaged, necessitating surgery and a long period of recuperation. He made his one and only appearance of the season at Newmarket Racecourse in October when he ran in the Champion Stakes. He started a 16/1 outsider and finished eleventh of the twelve runners, forty lengths behind the winner Literato.

2008: four-year-old season

On his return to racing as a four-year-old, Mount Nelson started odd-on favourite for the Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh in May, but was never in contention and finished sixth of the eight runners. A month later he showed improved form to finish third in the Prix du Chemin de Fer du Nord at Chantilly despite having difficulty obtaining a clear run in the straight. On 17 June, Mount Nelson returned to Group One level for the Queen Anne Stakes over one mile at Royal Ascot. Racing against leading milers he started at odds of 33/1 and finished fifth of the ten runners behind Haradasun, Darjina, Finsceal Beo and Cesare, beaten just over a length by the winner. For the second race in succession he encountered trouble in running, being "squeezed out" [12] approaching the final furlong.

On 5 July, Mount Nelson started the 7/2 second favourite in for the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park Racecourse. The field for the weight-for-age event appeared to be well below the usual standard: [13] none of Mount Nelson's seven opponents had won at Group One level. [11] Ridden by Johnny Murtagh, the colt was held up in the early stages before making progress in the straight. Despite hanging to the right a furlong from the finish he caught the leader Phoenix Tower in the last stride and won by a short-head. [14] Commenting on the colt's victory, O'Brien said that "the whole team did a great job to get him back, and they need to take all the credit. He is an amazing horse to come back, and we didn’t think he would make it." [11]

After a break of two months, Mount Nelson was sent to the United States to contest the Arlington Million over one and a quarter miles at Arlington Park. Murtagh positioned the colt in second place for most of the race, but he could make no progress in the straight and finished third behind Spirit One and Archipenko. [15]

Assessment

In the 2008 edition of the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings, Mount Nelson was given a rating of 119, making him the fifty-second best racehorse in the world. [16]

Stud record

Mount Nelson was retired from racing to become a breeding stallion at Newsells Park Stud in Hertfordshire, where he stood at a fee of £6,000 along with Nathaniel and the leading sprinter Equiano. The best of his first crop of foals was the filly Purr Along, which won the Prix du Calvados at Deauville Racecourse in August 2012. At Royal Ascot in June 2013, Berkshire, a colt from Mount Nelson's second crop won the Listed Chesham Stakes by two and a half lengths. [17] The most successful of his subsequent offspring was the sprinter Librisa Breeze (British Champions Sprint Stakes).

He later moved to the Boardsmill Stud in County Meath where he stood as a National Hunt stallion, siring the Stayers' Hurdle winner Penhill. After a "prolonged battle with lymphangitis" he died in 2019 at the age of fifteen. [18]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Mount Nelson (GB), bay stallion, 2004 [1]
Sire
Rock of Gibraltar (IRE)
b. 1999		 Danehill (USA)
b. 1986		 Danzig (USA)
b. 1977		 Northern Dancer*
Pas de Nom
Razyana (USA)
b. 1981		 His Majesty
Spring Adieu
Offshore Boom (IRE)
ch. 1985		 Be My Guest (USA)
ch. 1974		 Northern Dancer*
What a Treat
Push a Button (IRE)
b. 1980		 Bold Lad
River Lady
Dam
Independence (GB)
b. 1998		 Selkirk (USA)
ch. 1988		 Sharpen Up (GB)
ch. 1969		Atan
Rocchetta
Annie Edge (IRE)
ch. 1980		 Nebbiolo
Friendly Court
Yukon Hope (USA)
b. 1993		 Forty Niner (USA)
ch. 1985		 Mr. Prospector
File
Sahara Forest (GB)
b. 1988		 Green Desert
Home on the Range (Family: 10-d) [4]

Note: b. = Bay, ch. = Chestnut

* Mount Nelson is inbred 4x4 to Northern Dancer. This means that the stallion appears twice in the fourth generation of his pedigree.

Related Research Articles

Hold That Tiger (horse) American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Hold That Tiger is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire who was bred in the United States and trained in Ireland. He is best known for winning the 2002 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère and being named European Champion Two-Year-Old at the Cartier Racing Awards.

Dubawi is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire.

Roderic OConnor (horse) Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Roderic O'Connor is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. He won the Critérium International as a two-year-old and the Irish 2,000 Guineas as a three-year-old. He is owned by Mrs John Magnier and was trained by Aidan O'Brien. He now stands as a stallion at Ballyhane Stud.

Habitat (1966–1987) was an American-bred British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a racing career which lasted from April until October 1969, the colt ran eight times and won five races. Unraced as a two-year-old, he proved to be the best European miler of 1969, winning the Lockinge Stakes and the Wills Mile in England and travelling to France to win the Prix Quincey and the Prix du Moulin. He was then retired to stud where he became an outstandingly successful sire of racehorses and broodmares.

Apalachee (horse) American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Apalachee (1971–1996) was an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a racing career which lasted from August 1973 until May 1974 he ran five times and won four races. In 1973 he was unbeaten in three starts including the Racing Post Trophy and was officially rated the best two-year-old in Britain and Ireland. In the following year he won on his debut but finished third to Nonoalco in the 2000 Guineas and never raced again. He was then retired to stud where he had some success as a sire of winners before his death at the age of twenty-five.

Oratorio (horse) 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.

Medicean (horse) British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Medicean was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire, best known for his performances as a four-year-old in 2001, when he recorded three consecutive wins in important British races. Unraced as a two-year-old, Medicean ran eight times in 2000, winning the Celebration Mile and finishing third in both the St James's Palace Stakes and the Sussex Stakes. In the early part of the following year, the colt showed his best form, winning the Lockinge Stakes, Queen Anne Stakes and Eclipse Stakes. He was retired to stud at the end of the year and had considerable success as a sire of winners.

Ad Valorem (horse) American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Ad Valorem is an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was one of the leading European two-year-olds of 2004, when he was unbeaten in three races including the Middle Park Stakes. He failed to win in 2005 but returned as a four-year-old to win the Queen Anne Stakes. Since his retirement he has had some success as a sire of winners in Australia.

Artaius was an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a brief racing career which lasted from the autumn of 1976 until August 1977 he ran seven times and won three races. In 1977 he was one of the leading three-year-old colts in Europe, recording Group One successes in the Eclipse Stakes and Sussex Stakes. He was retired to stud at the end of the season and had limited success as a breeding stallion.

Solford was an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was undefeated in his first five races, culminating in a victory over a strong international field in the Eclipse Stakes in 1983. He also defeated the Prix du Jockey Club winner Caerleon at Phoenix Park Racecourse and won the Prix du Lys in France. He ran poorly in his only race after the Eclipse and was retired to stud, where he had no impact as a sire of winners.

Declaration of War (horse) American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Declaration of War is an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He won the Group Three Diamond Stakes in 2012, but emerged as a world-class performer in the following year, winning the Queen Anne Stakes and International Stakes and being placed in the Eclipse Stakes, Sussex Stakes and Breeders' Cup Classic.

Dickens Hill was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. The colt showed promising form as a two-year-old in 1978, winning the Anglesey Stakes and being narrowly beaten by the English-trained Tap On Wood in the National Stakes. In the following year he emerged as the best Irish racehorse of his generation, winning the Ballymoss Stakes and the Irish 2000 Guineas in Ireland in spring and the weight-for-age Eclipse Stakes in Britain in July. He also finished runner-up to the outstanding English-trained colt Troy in both The Derby and the Irish Derby. At the end of his three-year-old season he was sold and exported to the United States where he made little impact as a racehorse and proved to be a disappointment as a breeding stallion.

Super Concorde was an American-bred French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was the highest-rated two-year-old in France in 1977 when he won Prix de Cabourg and Prix Morny over sprint distances before defeating a strong field in France's premier race for juveniles, the Grand Critérium. He was disappointing in three runs in 1978 and was retired to stud after having won four of his eight races.

Saritamer was a Kentucky-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. As a two-year-old he was rated the third-best two-year-old in Ireland after winning the Anglesey Stakes and the Beresford Stakes. In the following year he became a specialised sprinter, excelling over six furlongs and winning the Greenlands Stakes, Cork and Orrery Stakes, July Cup and Diadem Stakes. He was named best sprinter of 1974 by Timeform. He later sired the middle-distance champion Time Charter, but was otherwise a complete failure at stud.

Black Minnaloushe is an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. Bred in Kentucky, he was sold as a yearling and sent to Ireland to race for the Irish-based Coolmore Stud organisation. After winning both his races as a juvenile, he was initially disappointing in the early part of 2001 but then showed marked improvement to win the Irish 2000 Guineas and the St James's Palace Stakes. He was beaten in his last four races and was retired to stud at the end of the year. He has had success as a breeding stallion in the United States, New Zealand and South Africa.

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 hsd some success as a breeding stallion.

Idaho (horse) Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Idaho is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. In four years on the track he raced in seven countries, namely Ireland, France, England, Canada, the United States, Japan and the United Arab Emirates. In 2016 he finished third in The Derby and second in the Irish Derby before winning the Great Voltigeur Stakes. He was the odds-on favourite for the St Leger Stakes but stumbled and unseated his rider. In the following year he ran poorly in the Coronation Cup but then won the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot and finished third in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The highlight of his final season was a win in the Ormonde Stakes.

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 in 2010 after complications resulting from a gelding operation.

Definite Article was a British-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. As a two-year-old in 1994 he won a maiden race on his debut and then won the Group 1 National Stakes on his second and final start of the year. In the following year he won the Silver Stakes and was narrowly beaten in a strongly contested edition of the Irish Derby. As a four-year-old he added victories in the Mooresbridge Stakes and the Tattersalls Gold Cup. After being retired from racing at the end of the 1996 he became a successful breeding stallion, enjoying particular success as a sire of National Hunt horses.

Phoenix Tower is an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire who despite never winning above Group 3 level, was rated one of the twenty best racehorses in the world at his peak. In an early career disrupted by training problem he won his only race as a two-year-old in 2005 and both of his starts in the following year. He won the Earl of Sefton Stakes on his debut as a four-year-old and then ran second in four consecutive Group 1 races, namely the Lockinge Stakes, Prince of Wales's Stakes, Eclipse Stakes and International Stakes. He was retired from racing at the end of the year and exported to become a breeding stallion in India.

References

  1. 1 2 "Mount Nelson pedigree". Equineline. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2013-07-04.
  2. ↑ "Rock Of Gibraltar Stud Record". Racing Post. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
  3. ↑ "Independence race record". Racing Post. 2011-06-02. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
  4. 1 2 "Thoroughbred Bloodlines – Braxey – Family 10-d". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 2013-07-04.
  5. ↑ "Tattersalls sales October 2005". Racing Post . 7 October 2005. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 2013-07-04.
  6. ↑ "Mount Nelson race record". Racing Post. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
  7. ↑ "Charlie Keatley Memorial EBF Maiden". Racing Post. 22 October 2006. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
  8. ↑ "Critérium International result". Racing Post. 29 October 2006. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
  9. ↑ Schweitzer, Mary (29 October 2006). "Mount Nelson Lands Critérium International". BloodHorse. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
  10. ↑ staff (30 October 2007). "Plain sailing for Nelson". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
  11. 1 2 3 Schweitzer, Mary (6 July 2008). "Mount Nelson Scales Eclipse Heights". BloodHorse. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
  12. ↑ "Queen Anne Stakes result". Racing Post. 17 June 2008. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
  13. ↑ Geoffrey Riddle (5 July 2008). "Nelson lords it at the Eclipse". The National (Abu Dhabi) . Retrieved 2013-07-05.
  14. ↑ "Eclipse Stakes result". Racing Post. 5 July 2008. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
  15. ↑ "Spirit One leads wire-to-wire in claiming Arlington Million". USA Today . 8 September 2008. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
  16. ↑ "2008 World Thoroughbred Rankings". International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities. 13 January 2009. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  17. ↑ "Chesham Stakes winner for Mount Nelson". Racing Post . 2013-06-22. Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
  18. ↑ Peacock, Tom (1 November 2019). "Penhill sire Mount Nelson dies aged 15". Racing Post .
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.