Mystiko (horse)

Last updated
Mystiko
Sire Secreto
Grandsire Northern Dancer
DamCaracciola
DamsireZeddaan
Sex Stallion
Foaled1988
CountryUnited Kingdom
Colour Grey
BreederKingston Park Stud
Owner Lady Beaverbrook
Trainer Clive Brittain
Record13:4-1-1
Earnings£194,946
Major wins
European Free Handicap (1991)
2000 Guineas (1991)
Challenge Stakes (1991)

Mystiko (foaled 1988) was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career that lasted from July 1990 to October 1992 he ran thirteen times and won four races, all of them at Newmarket. After taking the European Free Handicap on his first appearance as a three-year-old he recorded his most important success when winning the 2000 Guineas seventeen days later. His subsequent form was disappointing, although he did win the Challenge Stakes that autumn. In 1993 he was retired to stud, but had little success.

Contents

Background

Mystiko was a grey horse with a clearly defined white blaze and four white socks. [1] He was bred by the Australian Kingston Park Stud, who sent a small number of mares to the United States to be bred to leading American stallions. [2] Mystiko was sired by the Northern Dancer stallion Secreto, whose win in the 1984 Epsom Derby was the highlight of a brief racing career. He was acquired as a yearling by the Dowager Lady Beaverbrook.

Lady Beaverbrook was considered an eccentric character [3] who gave most of her horses names consisting of one word with seven letters (Bustino, Terimon, Boldboy, Niniski, Petoski), as this was the most common form for Derby winners. [4] Mystiko (Greek for "secret") was trained throughout his career by Clive Brittain at Newmarket, Suffolk. His most regular jockey was Michael Roberts who rode him in eleven of his thirteen starts. [5]

Racing career

1990: two-year-old season

Mystiko made his first appearance in a six furlong maiden race at Newmarket in July in which he finished second to Act of Diplomacy after briefly taking the lead a furlong from the finish. Three weeks later he ran in another maiden race over the same course and distance. On this occasion he was allowed to lead from the start and was never seriously challenged, winning by two lengths from Wolf Hall who in turn finished eight lengths clear of the other nine runners. [6] On his next start at the end of August he was moved up in class for the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes at York and finished third to the odds-on favourite Mujtahid. [7]

1991: three-year-old season

Mystiko began his three-year-old season on 17 April in the European Free Handicap over seven furlongs at Newmarket, in which he carried 128 pounds. He disputed the lead with Anjiz for the first five furlongs and then pulled steadily clear to win by 3+12 lengths from the filly Zigaura. [8] On 4 May, Mystiko returned to Newmarket to run against thirteen other colts in the 2000 Guineas over one mile. The undefeated Craven Stakes winner Marju was made 6/4 favourite with Mystiko the second choice in the betting at 13/2. Mystiko was among the front-runners from the start and went into a clear lead three furlongs from the finish. In the final furlong he was strongly challenged by the French-trained colt Lycius, but maintained a narrow advantage to win the Classic by a head. The first two pulled six lengths clear of Ganges in third, with Generous in fourth. [9]

As a result of his Newmarket win, Mystiko became regarded as one of the main contenders for the Derby a month later. At Epsom on 5 June he was the third choice in the betting at odds of 5/1 behind the 4/1 joint-favourites Corrupt and Toulon. Mystiko took the lead from the start and was still in front turning into the straight. Two and a half furlongs from the finish however, he was overtaken and dropped away quickly to finish tenth of the thirteen runners behind Generous, beaten more than thirty lengths. [10] The race was his first and only attempt to run a distance further than one mile. On his first run after the Derby he finished last of the eight runners in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in July. [11]

In September, Mystiko was tried over six furlongs for the first time in more than a year when he contested the Ladbroke Sprint Cup at Haydock. He appeared to be outpaced by the specialist sprinters and finished fourth behind Polar Falcon and Sheikh Albadou. [12] Mystiko's final race of the year came in the Group Two Challenge Stakes over seven furlongs at Newmarket in October. Carrying top weight of 126 pounds he made all the running and drew clear of his opponents in the closing stages to win by two lengths from the filly Only Yours. [13] All three of Mystiko's wins in 1991, like his maiden win the previous year, came on his home track at Newmarket: he appeared to have a distinct dislike of travel. [14]

1992: four-year-old season

Mystiko stayed in training as a four-year-old but made no impact. He finished unplaced in the Lockinge Stakes, the Celebration Mile, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and the Challenge Stakes. [5]

Stud career

Mystiko had a poor record as a stallion, siring the winners of fewer than a hundred races, none of them at Group level. [15]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Mystiko (USA), grey stallion, 1988 [16]
Sire
Secreto (USA)
1981
Northern Dancer
1961
Nearctic Nearco
Lady Angela
Natalma Native Dancer
Almahmoud
Betty's Secret
1977
Secretariat Bold Ruler
Somethingroyal
Betty Lorraine Prince John
Gay Hostess
Dam
Caracciola (FR)
1978
Zeddaan
1965
Grey Sovereign Nasrullah
Kong
VaretaVilmorin
Veronique
Cendres Bleues
1968
Charlotteville Prince Chevalier
Noorani
Aigue-ViveVatellor
Vice-Versa (Family:1-t)

Related Research Articles

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

Shaamit (1993–2001) was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred race horse and sire. In a career which lasted from September 1995 to October 1996, he ran six times and won twice. He was the winner of the Epsom Derby in 1996. He was retired to stud at the end of his three-year-old season where he had limited success. He died in 2001.

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

Kris Kin was a thoroughbred race horse and active sire. He was bred in the United States but was trained in England during his racing career. In a career that lasted just over a year, from October 2002 to October 2003, he ran seven times and won three races, most notably The Derby in 2003. Kris Kin stood as a stallion in Italy, before being exported to stand in Libya, where he died in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benny the Dip</span> American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Benny the Dip (1994–2003) was an American-bred and British-trained Thoroughbred race horse and sire. In a career which lasted from 1996 to 1997 he ran eleven times and won five races, most notably the 1997 Epsom Derby. Benny the Dip was retired to stud at the end of his three-year-old season. He died after sustaining an injury in a paddock accident in 2003.

Dr Devious was an Irish-bred and British-trained Thoroughbred race horse. In a career which lasted from May 1991 until November 1992, he ran fifteen times and won six races. He is most notable as the winner of the Derby in 1992. Dr Devious's other most significant wins came in the Dewhurst Stakes and the Irish Champion Stakes. He was the second horse, after Bold Arrangement in 1986, to run in both the Kentucky Derby and the Epsom Derby.

Bustino was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career which lasted from August 1973 until July 1975, he ran nine times and won five races. He was the best British three-year-old of 1974, when his wins included the Classic St Leger, as well as the Sandown Classic Trial, Lingfield Derby Trial and Great Voltigeur Stakes. As a four-year-old he won the Coronation Cup in record time and finished second to Grundy in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in what is often described as the 'Race of the Century'.

Mutafaweq is a Thoroughbred racehorse who raced successfully in England, Germany, and Canada.

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

Shantou was a classic-winning Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. As a three-year-old in 1996 he won the St. Leger and the Gran Premio del Jockey Club as well as finishing third in the Epsom Derby and fourth in the Breeders' Cup Turf. In the following year he won the Gran Premio di Milano and the Princess of Wales's Stakes. After his retirement from racing he had success as a sire of National Hunt horses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King's Theatre (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

King's Theatre was an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was trained in the United Kingdom and the United States during a racing career which lasted from July 1993 to June 1996, winning five of his seventeen races. He is best known for winning the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 1994, a year in which he was named European Champion Three-year old colt. King's Theatre later became a sire of both flat racers and jumpers.

Terimon was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. His most successful year was 1991, when he won the International Stakes at York and was named European Champion Older Horse at the inaugural Cartier Racing Awards. He is best known, however, for his performance in the 1989 Derby in which he finished second at odds of 500/1, the longest ever recorded for a placed horse in the race.

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

Entrepreneur was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career that lasted from August 1996 to September 1997 he ran six times and won three races. After winning two of his three races in 1996 he won the 2000 Guineas on his first start as a three-year-old. Entrepreneur then started the shortest-priced Epsom Derby favourite for fifty years, but finished fourth. After another disappointing run in autumn he was retired to stud.

Petoski was a British Thoroughbred racehorse. In a racing career that lasted from June 1984 to July 1986, he ran twelve times and won four races. Petoski is most notable for his win against a strong international field in the 1985 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Sixties Icon, is a retired British Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. In a career which lasted from April 2006 until November 2008, he ran seventeen times and won eight races. He recorded his most important victory when winning the Classic St. Leger Stakes as a three-year-old. He won five other Group Races before being retired to stud.

Rule of Law, is a retired World Champion Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire who was bred in the United States but trained in Britain. In a career which lasted from June 2003 until September 2004, he ran nine times and won four races. He recorded his most important victory when winning the Classic St. Leger Stakes on his final racecourse appearance. He had previously finished second in the 2004 Epsom Derby.

Brian Boru is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire who was bred in Britain but was trained in Ireland. In a career which lasted from June 2002 until December 2004, he ran eighteen times and won four races. Brian Boru was made favourite for The Derby after winning the Racing Post Trophy in 2002. In September 2003 he recorded his most important win when winning the St Leger at Doncaster.

Minster Son was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career which lasted from late summer 1987 until September 1988, he ran eight times and won five races. He recorded his most important success when winning the Classic St. Leger Stakes as a three-year-old in 1988, ridden by his breeder, Willie Carson. In the same year in which he also won the Newmarket Stakes, the Predominate Stakes and the Gordon Stakes. He was retired to stud following his St Leger victory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doyoun</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Doyoun was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire, best known for winning the classic 2000 Guineas in 1988. In a racing career which lasted from October 1987 until October 1988 he ran seven times and won three races. After winning his only race as a two-year-old in 1987, Doyoun produced his most impressive performance on his three-year-old debut when he defeated Warning in the Craven Stakes. He won the 2000 Guineas on his next appearance but failed to win again, although he did finish third in The Derby. He was retired to stud at the end of the season, and after a slow start to his breeding career, sired several important winners including Daylami and Kalanisi. He died in Turkey in 2002.

Alborada was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare best known for winning consecutive runnings of the Group One Champion Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse. In a racing career which lasted from July 1997 until October 1999 she won six of her ten races. In addition to her wins in the Champion Stakes she also won the C. L. Weld Park Stakes in 1997 and the Pretty Polly Stakes and the Nassau Stakes in 1998. Following her retirement from racing she had some success as a dam of winners.

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

Niniski was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a racing career which lasted from October 1978 until October 1980, he ran fourteen times and won six races. After showing some promise in his early races he emerged as a top-class stayer in the autumn on 1979, winning the Geoffrey Freer Stakes, Irish St. Leger and Prix Royal-Oak. In the spring of 1981 he won the John Porter Stakes and the Ormonde Stakes but was beaten in his three remaining races. He was retired to stud where he became a very successful breeding stallion.

Relkino was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was the highest-priced European yearling of his generation and won four of his sixteen races between July 1975 and October 1977. After winning one race as a two-year-old in 1975 he showed improved form in the early part of the following year, winning the 2000 Guineas Trial Stakes and finishing second to Empery in The Derby. The rest of his three-year-old career was disappointing but he reached his peak in 1977, winning the Lockinge Stakes over a mile and then recording an upset victory in the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup. After his retirement from racing, he had some success as a breeding stallion.

Lahib was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was unraced as a juvenile and won once from two starts as a three-year-old in the spring of 1991. In the following year he improved to become one of the best milers in Europe, winning the Queen Anne Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes as well as finishing second in the Lockinge Stakes, Prix Jacques Le Marois and Champion Stakes. He was retired from racing at the end of the year and became a breeding stallion. He had some success as a sire of winners.

References

  1. "Turfcall". Turfcall. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  2. "Kingston Park Studs". Kingston Park Studs. Archived from the original on 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  3. Davies, David Twiston (1996). Lady Beaverbrook obituary. ISBN   9781550022520 . Retrieved 2011-09-22 via Google Books.
  4. "Names of racehorses" . The Independent . 2006-06-03. Archived from the original on 2022-06-18. Retrieved 2011-09-22.
  5. 1 2 "Mystiko form". Racing Post. 2011-06-02. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  6. "EBF FEDERATION OF BRITISH RACING CLUBS MAIDEN STAKES result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  7. "Gimcrack Stakes result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-03-20.
  8. "European Free Handicap result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  9. "2000 Guineas result". Racing Post. 4 May 1991. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  10. "Epsom Derby result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  11. "Sussex Stakes result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-03-20.
  12. "Sprint Cup result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  13. "Challenge Stakes result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  14. Nick Mordin (2003). Betting for a Living. Aesculus Press. ISBN   9781904328087 . Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  15. "Mystiko Stud Record". Racing Post. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  16. "Mystiko pedigree". Galopp-sieger.de. Retrieved 2012-03-08.