Nebraska Tornado

Last updated
Nebraska Tornado
Sire Storm Cat
Grandsire Storm Bird
DamMedia Nox
Damsire Lycius
SexMare
Foaled19 January 2000 [1]
CountryUnited States
Colour Dark bay or brown
Breeder Juddmonte Farms
Owner Khalid Abdullah
Trainer André Fabre
Record10: 4-0-2
Earnings£370,289
Major wins
Prix Melisande (2003)
Prix de Diane (2003)
Prix du Moulin (2003)

Nebraska Tornado (foaled 19 January 2000) was a Kentucky-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She was unraced as a two-year-old but quickly established herself as a top-class performer in the spring of 2003, winning her first three races including the Prix Melisande and Prix de Diane. She sustained her first defeat in the Prix Jacques Le Marois but then produced her best performance to overcome a strong international field in the Prix du Moulin. She failed to win in 2004 but ran well in defeat to finish third in both the Prix d'Astarte and the Sun Chariot Stakes and fourth in the Queen Anne Stakes. After her retirement from racing she produced several winners.

Contents

Background

Nebraska Tornado is a dark bay mare with a narrow white blaze and two white socks bred in Kentucky, by her owner Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms. She was sent into training with André Fabre at Chantilly in France.

She was from the twelfth crop of foals sired by Storm Cat, a high-class racehorse who won the Young America Stakes and finished second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in 1985. He went on to become an exceptionally successful breeding stallion, and was the Leading sire in North America in 1999 and 2000. [2] The best of his progeny included Aljabr, Bluegrass Cat, Cat Thief, Forestry, Sophisticat, Giant's Causeway, Hold That Tiger, Jalil, Life Is Sweet, One Cool Cat, Storm Flag Flying and Tabasco Cat. [3]

Nebraska Tornado's dam Media Nox showed high-class racing ability in a brief track career, winning the Prix du Bois in the first of her three starts, [4] and went on to become a successful broodmare, producing several other winners including the Prix Eugène Adam winner Burning Sun. She was descended from the American broodmare Woozem (foaled 1964) who won the Demoiselle Stakes and was a half-sister to Gallant Romeo (Vosburgh Stakes). [5]

Racing career

2003: three-year-old season

Nebraska Tornado did not race as a juvenile and began her track career in the Prix Hildegarde, a maiden race over 1600 metres on soft ground at Saint-Cloud Racecourse on 5 May. Ridden by Olivier Placais she started the 1.4/1 favourite and won by one and a half lengths from Precious Pearl after taking the lead 200 metres from the finish. [6] Christophe Soumillon took the ride when the filly was steppe d up in class and distance for the Listed Prix Melisande over 2000 metres at Longchamp Racecourse seventeen days later. Starting at odds of 4.5/1 in a twelve-runner field she went to the front in the straight and won by one and a half lengths from La Sabana. [7]

In the Group 1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly Racecourse Nebraska Tornado was partnered by Richard Hughes and was made the 5.5/1 third choice in the betting behind Fidelite (winner of the Prix Saint-Alary) and Musical Chimes (Poule d'Essai des Pouliches). The other seven runners included Cassis (Musidora Stakes), Baie (Prix Finlande), Vallee Enchantee (Prix Isonomy) and Campsie Fells (Prix Vanteaux). After racing close behind the front-running outsider aaaaa Nebraska Tornado gained the advantage 400 metres from the finish, accelerated into a clear lead, and then kept on well under pressure to win by three quarters of a length from the British-trained Time Ahead. [8] [9]

After a break of over two months Nebraska Tornado was dropped back in distance at Deauville Racecourse on 17 August for the 1600 metre Prix Jacques Le Marois, a race which saw her matched against male opposition for the first time. She was amongst the leaders from the start and went to the front 200 metres out before being outpaced in the closing stages and coming home sixth behind Six Perfections, Domedriver, Telegnosis, Special Kaldoun and Dubai Destination. On 7 September at Longchamp Nebraska Tornado, with Hughes in the saddle, started a 14.6/1 outsider for the Prix du Moulin over 1600 metres on good-to-soft ground. The 2002 Prix de Diane winner Bright Sky went off favourite while the other twelve runners included Domedriver, Telegnosis, Special Kaldoun, Soviet Song, Reel Buddy, Refuse To Bend, Where Or When and Clodovil (Poule d'Essai des Poulains). In a race run in heavy rain, Nebraska Tornado settling in second behind the Japanese challenger Lohengrin before going to the front in the last 200 metres and winning by half a length. Very few of the other runners were able to get into contention, although Bright Sky and Soviet Song finished strongly to take third and fourth. [10] [11] After the race André Fabre said "I'm delighted as I know she's a top-class filly with a lot of speed – I'm not surprised or I wouldn't have run her. She's a filly who has really only just come to herself as she was growing in the summer" while Hughes commented "That was brilliant. She's as good as Banks Hill if not better." [12]

Although she was expected to run in the Breeders' Cup Mile [12] Nebraska Tornado did not race again in 2003.

In the International Classification for 2003 (the forerunner of the World's Best Racehorse Rankings) Nebraska Tornado was given a rating of 117, making her the 73rd best racehorse and the second best three-year-old filly. [13]

2004: four-year-old season

Nebraska Tornado began her second campaign in the Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp on 23 May when she started second favourite but was reluctant to enter the starting stalls and finished last of the five runners behind the Italian-trained outsider Prince Kirk. She was then sent to England to contest the Queen Anne Stakes on good-to-firm ground at Royal Ascot and produced a better performance, taking the lead three furlongs from the finish and maintaining her advantage until being outpaced in the closing stages and coming home fourth behind Refuse To Bend, Soviet Song and Salselon. In the Prix d'Astarte at Deauville on 1 August she returned to all-female competition and started the 1.1/1 favourite in an eight-runner field. Ridden as in her last two races by Gary Stevens she disputed the lead from the start but was again beaten for pace in the last 200 metres and finished third to Marbye and Majestic Desert, beaten just over a length by the winner. [14]

After a break of two months, Nebraska Tornado returned on 2 October to contest the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse and finished third behind Attraction and Chic, beaten less than two lengths by the winner. For her final race she was sent to Texas for the Breeders' Cup Distaff at Lone Star Park on 30 October. Competing on dirt for the first time she raced in second place before dropping out of contention in the straight and coming home eighth behind Ashado. [15]

Breeding record

At the end of her racing career Nebraska Tornado was retired to become a broodmare for Juddmonte. She produced at least six foals and four winners:

Pedigree

Pedigree of Nebraska Tornado (USA), bay or brown mare, 2000 [1]
Sire
Storm Cat (USA)
1983		 Storm Bird (CAN)
1978		 Northern Dancer Nearctic
Natalma (USA)
South Ocean New Providence
Shining Sun
Terlingua (USA)
1976		 Secretariat Bold Ruler
Somethingroyal
Crimson Saint Crimson Satan
Bolero Rose
Dam
Media Nox (GB)
1993		 Lycius (USA)
1988		 Mr. Prospector Raise a Native
Gold Digger
Lypatia (FR) Lyphard (USA)
Hypatia (GB)
Sky Love (USA)
1985		 Nijinsky (CAN)Northern Dancer
Flaming Page
Gangster of Love Round Table
Woozem (Family: 4-k) [5]

Related Research Articles

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

Scintillate was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare best known for winning the classic Oaks Stakes in 1979. She showed promising form as a two-year-old although she failed to win in three races. After recording her first win in the Sandleford Priory Stakes in the following spring she won the Oaks as a 20/1 outsider. She ran poorly in two subsequent races and was retired to brood where she had limited 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.

Exclusive was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. As a juvenile, she won a strongly-contested race on her debut and the finished third in the Fillies' Mile. As a three-year-old in 1998 she finished third in the classic 1000 Guineas before recording her biggest win in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. After her retirement from racing, she became a very successful broodmare, being the ancestor of major winners including Chic and Integral.

Sophisticat was a Kentucky-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. A daughter of Storm Cat out of the champion filly Serena's Song she was sold for $3.7 million as a yearling and raced in Europe for the Coolmore Stud organization. Racing as a two-year-old, she won only one minor race but was placed in the Queen Mary Stakes, Silver Flash Stakes, Lowther Stakes, Moyglare Stud Stakes and Cheveley Park Stakes. In the following year she won the Prix de la Grotte and finished second in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches before recording her biggest success in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. She was retired at the end of the year and had some success as a broodmare.

Gold Splash was an American-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She was one of the best two-year-old fillies of her generation in France when she won the Prix Marcel Boussac on her third appearance. In the following season she finished third in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches before winning the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. She raced in the United States as a four-year-old, winning the Osunitas Handicap before being retired. Gold Splash was not a success as a broodmare, producing only two minor winners.

Bint Pasha was an American-bred British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She showed promise as a juvenile in 1986 when she won once and finished fourth in the Fillies' Mile. In the following year she emerged as a top class performer when moved up in distance, finishing fourth in the Oaks Stakes before winning the Pretty Polly Stakes in Ireland, the Yorkshire Oaks in England and the Prix Vermeille in France. She failed to win in three starts in 1988 and was retired from racing. She had some success as a broodmare, producing at least eight winners.

Sally Brown was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She was owned and bred by Robert Cowell and trained by Michael Stoute. She did not race as a juvenile but emerged as a top-class middle-distance performer in 1985, winning three of her six races including the Ribblesdale Stakes and the Yorkshire Oaks. She was retired at the end of the season and had modest success as a broodmare.

Gossamer is a British thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. In a racing career which lasted from July 2001 until October 2002 she won four of her eight starts and was one of the best fillies of her generation in Europe at both two and three years of age. As a juvenile she was undefeated in three starts, following up a win in a maiden race with victories in the Group Three Prestige Stakes and the Group One Fillies' Mile. Despite fears that her diminutive stature made her unlikely to improve as a three-year-old, and a defeat when favourite the 1000 Guineas she recovered to record an emphatic success in the Irish 1,000 Guineas. The best of her three subsequent appearances came when she finished third to the colt Rock of Gibraltar in the Prix du Moulin. Since her retirement from racing she has become a successful broodmare.

Rajeem is a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare best known for her 50/1 upset win in the Falmouth Stakes. As a two-year-old she showed little early promise but improved towards the end of the season to win her last two races including the Listed Montrose Stakes. In the following year she was unplaced in her first four races but then defeated a top-class field to win the Falmouth Stakes. She never raced again owing to injuries and was retired in 2007. She has made little impact as a dam of winners.

Mehthaaf was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She showed great promise as a two-year-old in 1993, winning on her second racecourse appearance and going on to finish third in both the Lowther Stakes and the Prix Marcel Boussac. As a three-year-old she won the Nell Gwyn Stakes and ran fourth when favourite for the 1000 Guineas before winning the Irish 1,000 Guineas. Later in the season she produced arguably her best performance with an emphatic victory over male opponents in the Celebration Mile. She also ran third in the Coronation Stakes and Prix Jacques Le Marois as well as finishing fourth in the Champion Stakes. After her retirement from racing she had considerable success as a broodmare.

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.

Classic Park was a British-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. After winning on her racecourse debut she was beaten in her other seven races as a two-year-old although she was placed in the Marble Hill Stakes, Silver Flash Stakes and Round Tower Stakes. In the following spring she won the Leopardstown 1000 Guineas Trial before recording her biggest success when taking the Irish 1,000 Guineas as a 20/1 outsider. She thus became the first Classic race winner trained by Aidan O'Brien. Classic Park did not win again despite running well in important races over one mile and was retired at the end of the year. As a broodmare she was best known as the dam of Walk In The Park who finished second in The Derby and became a successful National Hunt sire.

Helen Street was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. As a two-year-old she was rated the best British-trained filly of her generation after winning the Prix du Calvados and finishing second under top weight in the Fillies' Mile. In the following year she was a top-class performer over middle distances, winning the Irish Oaks, finishing third in the Yorkshire Oaks and fourth in both the Champion Stakes and the Washington, D.C. International Stakes. After her retirement from racing she had a successful career a broodmare, producing Street Cry and Helsinki, the dam of Shamardal.

Mail The Desert was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. As two-year-old in 2002 she ran seven times in just over three months, winning the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes in Ireland as well as finishing second in the Prestige Stakes. In the following year she failed to win in three starts but was placed third in the Coronation Stakes. As a broodmare she produced five winners before dying in 2015 at the age of fifteen.

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

Homeward Bound was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. After finishing unplaced on her only appearance as a juvenile she emerged as a top class performer in the following year, winning the Princess Elizabeth Stakes, Epsom Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks. She never won again but was placed in both the Coronation Cup and the Doncaster Cup as a four year old. After her retirement from racing she became a broodmare and had some success as a dam of winners.

All At Sea was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. In a racing career which lasted from October 1991 until September 1992 she recorded five wins and three second places from nine starts. After easily winning her only race as a juvenile she won her first three starts in the following spring including the Pretty Polly Stakes and the Musidora Stakes. She went on to run second in the Epsom Oaks, Nassau Stakes and International Stakes before recording her biggest success in the Prix du Moulin. She was retired from racing after finishing fourth in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. As a broodmare she produced several minor winners but no top-class performers.

Zalaiyka was a French Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. After finishing fifth on her first appearance she won her two other races as a two-year-old including the Prix des Réservoirs. In the following year she took her winning run to four with victories in the Prix de la Grotte and the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches but was beaten in her two remaining starts and was retired at the end of the season. As a broodmare she had little success as a dam of winners.

Bright Sky was an Irish-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare who raced in France, Japan, the United States. Hong Kong and Dubai. After winning three minor races as a juvenile in 2001 she emerged as a top-class performer in the following year, winning the Prix de Diane and Prix de l'Opéra as well as running second in the Prix Saint-Alary and third in the Prix Vermeille. In 2003 she added a third Group 1 success in the Prix d'Astarte and was placed in the Prix d'Ispahan, Prix du Moulin and Prix de l'Opéra. She was retired from racing after two unsuccessful starts as a five-year-old. As a broodmare she produced several minor winners.

Zee Zee Top is a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She did not race until the autumn of her three-year-old season when she won a minor race on her debut and then finished second in the Severals Stakes. In the following year she showed top-class form to win the Middleton Stakes and Prix de l'Opéra as well as being placed in the Pretty Polly Stakes and Nassau Stakes. As a broodmare she produced Izzi Top and Jazzi Top.

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 "Nebraska Tornado pedigree". Equineline.
  2. ↑ "Leading Sires of America". Thoroughbred Heritage.
  3. ↑ "Storm Cat Progeny". Racing Post.
  4. ↑ "Media Nox Race Record & Form". Racing Post.
  5. 1 2 "Turk Mare – Family 23-b". Thoroughbred Bloodlines.
  6. ↑ "Prix Hildegarde result". Racing Post. 5 May 2003.
  7. ↑ "Prix Melisande result". Racing Post. 22 May 2003.
  8. ↑ "Prix de Diane result". Racing Post. 8 June 2003.
  9. ↑ "Tornado storms to victory". BBC . 8 June 2003.
  10. ↑ "Prix du Moulin result". Racing Post. 7 September 2003.
  11. ↑ "Tornado blows Moulin rivals away". Irish Examiner . 7 September 2003.
  12. 1 2 Bloodhorse staff (7 September 2003). "Fabre Eyes BC Mile for Nebraska Tornado". The Blood-Horse .
  13. ↑ "International Classification ratings for 2003" (PDF). horseracingintfed.com. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
  14. ↑ "Prix d'Astarte result". Racing Post. 1 August 2004.[ dead link ]
  15. ↑ "Breeders' Cup Distaff result". Racing Post. 30 October 2004.
  16. ↑ "Panorama Ridge Race Record & Form". Equibase.
  17. ↑ "Cornhusker Race Record & Form". Equibase.
  18. ↑ "Bracing Breeze Race Record & Form". Racing Post.
  19. ↑ "Rip Roaring Race Record & Form". Racing Post.
  20. ↑ "Idaho Tornado Race Record & Form". Equibase.
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.