Pyledriver

Last updated
Pyledriver
Owner Knox and Wells Limited.svg
Racing silks of Knox & Wells Ltd
SireHarbour Watch
GrandsireAcclamation
DamLa Pyle
Damsire Le Havre
SexColt
Foaled14 March 2017 [1]
CountryUnited Kingdom
Colour Bay
BreederKnox & Wells Limited & Roger Devlin
OwnerKnox & Wells Ltd & Roger Devlin
La Pyle Partnership
TrainerWilliam Muir & Chris Grassick
Record19 8-4-1
Earnings£1,848,185
Major wins
Ascendant Stakes (2019)
King Edward VII Stakes (2020)
Great Voltigeur Stakes (2020)
Coronation Cup (2021)
Churchill Stakes (2021)
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2022)
Hardwicke Stakes (2023)

Pyledriver (foaled 14 March 2017) is a retired British Thoroughbred racehorse. After showing promise as a two-year-old in 2019, when he won two of four races including the Listed Ascendant Stakes, he improved in the following year to become a top-class middle-distance performer, winning the King Edward VII Stakes and the Great Voltigeur Stakes as well as finishing third in the St Leger. In 2021 he recorded his first Group 1 victory in the Coronation Cup. In 2022 he registered an upset victory the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He was ridden in fourteen of his first fifteen starts by Martin Dwyer.

Contents

Background

Pyledriver is a brown horse with a white blaze and three white socks, bred in England by Roger Devlin in partnership with Knox & Wells Ltd, a company owned by the brothers Guy and Hugh Leach. As a foal in December 2017 he was consigned to the Tattersalls sales but failed to reach his reserve price of 10,000 guineas. [2] The colt was sent into training with William Muir at the Linkslade stable Lambourn in Berkshire.

He was from the fourth crop of foals sired by Harbour Watch, who was undefeated in three starts including the Richmond Stakes. Harbour Watch's other offspring have included Waikuku (Stewards' Cup), Baron Samedi (Belmont Gold Cup Stakes), and Tis Marvellous (Prix Robert Papin). [3] Pyledriver's dam La Pyle, showed modest racing ability, winning two minor races in France before competing without success over hurdles in Britain. [4] She was a half-sister to the Grand Prix de Paris winner Mount Ormel and, as a descendant of the broodmare Licata, a distant relative of Akiyda and Acamas. [5]

Racing career

2019: two-year-old season

Pyledriver made his debut in a novice race over seven furlongs on firm ground at Salisbury Racecourse on 13 July. He started as a 50/1 outsider but belied his odds as he produced a strong late run to gain the advantage in the closing stages and win "comfortably" by three quarters of a length from the favourite Great Ambassador. [6] The colt was stepped up in class for the Listed Washington Singer Stakes on soft ground over the same trip at Newbury Racecourse on 17 August and came home fourth of the five runners behind the Mark Johnston-trained Thunderous, beaten three and a half lengths by the winner. Three weeks later Pyledriver was partnered by P. J. McDonald when he was moved up to one mile for the Listed Ascendant Stakes at Haydock Park and started at odds of 14/1 in an eight-runner field. After tracking the leaders he took the lead two furlongs from the finish and "stayed on well" to win by one and a quarter lengths. [7] On his final appearance of the season the colt ran poorly in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot Racecourse, finishing tailed-off last of the eight runners. Muir explained that Pyledriver had lost some of his strength having grown throughout the summer. [8]

2020: three-year-old season

The flat racing season in Great Britain was disrupted by the COVID-19 Pandemic with racing being suspended in spring and many major races being rescheduled. Pyledriver began his season by starting a 40/1 outsider for the Classic Trial Stakes which was run behind closed doors on polytrack at Kempton Park Racecourse on 3 June. After being restrained in the early stages he stayed on well in the straight to take second place behind Berlin Tango. The Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes over one and a half miles at Royal Ascot usually takes place two weeks or so after the Epsom Derby but in 2020 the Epsom classic was postponed by a month, meaning that the Ascot race on 16 June became a major Derby trial. With Dwyer in the saddle Pyledriver went off the 18/1 fifth choice in a six-runner field which was headed by the Aidan O'Brien-trained Mogul and also included the Stonehenge Stakes winner Mohican Heights. Pyledriver was always traveling well, overtook the front-running Sound of Cannons in the straight and stayed on well to win by two lengths from Arthur's Kingdom. [9] After the race Muir said "he was just weak as a kitten last year. I was quite confident that this horse would run a massive race as he had really come to himself over the past three or four days... he started to spark and he was bouncing." Going on to discuss the colt's prospects of contesting the Epsom Derby he added "I will monitor the horse... We have three weeks and if he does well we can go there". [10]

Pyledriver started at odds of 16/1 for the 241st running of the Derby on 4 July and finished eleventh of the sixteen runners behind Serpentine, having never looked likely to win after being hampered in the early stages. [11] On 19 August at York Racecourse the colt contested the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes went off the 10/1 fifth choice in an eight-runner field, with those preferred in the betting being Mogul, Darain, Roberto Escobarr and Berkshire Rocco. Pyledriver raced towards the rear before making "rapid progress" in the straight, taking the lead two furlongs out, and winning "comfortably" by three and a half lengths from Highland Chief. [12] Muir commented "I knew the horse had got stronger since Epsom... I could only see him getting stronger next year and he looks a great horse for the future," while Dwyer said "Pyledriver won that like a Group 1 horse and I'm pleased he's back in business. Epsom was a write-off as he was interfered with after a furlong and never ran his race." [13]

In the 244th running of the St Leger over fourteen and a half furlongs at Doncaster Racecourse on 12 September and Pyledriver started the 9/2 fourth choice of the eleven runners. He came from the rear of the field to move into contention in the straight and despite swerving to the left in the closing stages he kept on well to finish third behind Galileo Chrome and Berkshire Rocco. [14] For his final run of the year he was dropped back in distance and matched against older horses in the Champion Stakes over ten furlongs at Ascot on 17 October when he came home seventh of the ten runners behind the six-year-old gelding Addeybb. [15]

In the 2020 World's Best Racehorse Rankings, Pyledriver was rated the fifty-seventh best racehorse in the world. [16]

2021: four-year-old season

For the 2021 season Pyledriver was trained by Muir in partnership with Chris Grassick. The colt began his third campaign on 1 May at Newmarket Racecourse when he finished second to Sir Ron Priestley in the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes. Dwyer reported that the horse had "ducked both ways away from the whip in the closing stages". [17] The colt then returned to Group 1 class and started at 8/1 for the Coronation Cup over one and a half miles at Epsom on 4 June. The Aston Park Stakes winner Al Aasy started favourite while the other four runners were Japan, Mogul, Highland Chief and the filly Albaflora (Buckhounds Stakes). Pyledriver started well, settled in second place behind Highland Chief, went to the front at half way and maintained his lead into the last quarter mile. A furlong out he was challenged and overtaken by Al Aasy but rallied "gamely" to regain the advantage in the final strides and win by a neck. [18] After the race Dwyer said "It was a tremendous race to ride in and I would imagine it would be the same to watch; they're two very tough horses. I don't know what came over me but I was a bit emotional. It's getting harder and harder as all the good horses are with the biggest trainers, and I think that's why people like seeing horses like him and owners who are sporting getting the rewards as they're the underdogs." [19]

After a five-month break, Pyledriver returned to the racecourse on 13 November 2021 to win the Churchill Stakes on the all-weather course at Lingfield. [20] He then made his first trip abroad to run in the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin Racecourse, Hong Kong, on 12 December 2021. He was beaten one length into second place by the odds-on favourite Glory Vase. [20]

2022: five-year-old season

On 26 February 2022 Pyledriver started 2/1 joint favourite for the Group 3 Turf Cup at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Hampered by a faller in the closing stages, he came 11th of fourteen runners. It was the last time he was ridden by Dwyer, who had ridden him in all but one of his previous fourteen starts. [20] Dwyer was injured in March 2022 and retired from race-riding four months later. [21] In the Dubai Sheema Classic in March, Pyledriver was ridden by Frankie Dettori and was beaten a length into fourth place by Shahryar. [20]

Pyledriver raced twice during the summer in Britain. At Epsom on 3 June, again ridden by Dettori and starting as 2/1 favourite, he attempted to win the Coronation Cup for the second time, only to be beaten just over four lengths into second place by Hukum. [20] He then started as 18/1 outsider in a field of six in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July, ridden by McDonald, who had ridden him once before as a two-year-old. Passing the pace-setting Westover and Broome as they turned for home, Pyledriver went on to win by nearly three lengths from Torquator Tasso. [22] A minor soft-tissue injury in training then put paid to plans to race Pyledriver in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October, and he did not race again until June 2023. [23]

2023: six-year-old season and retirement

Pyledriver's first race of the season, after an eleven-month break, was the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot on 24 June 2023, when he survived a stewards' inquiry to win the race by just over a length. [24] The following month he finished fifth behind Hukum in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. In both races he was ridden by McDonald. [20] There were again plans to enter him in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe but on 5 September 2023 Muir announced that he had problems with a suspensory ligament and was being retired. [25]

In October 2023 it was announced that Pyledriver would be standing as a National Hunt stallion at The Beeches Stud in Ireland, part of the Coolmore breeding operation. His trainer summed up his racing career: ""Pyledriver is the best horse I’ve ever had anything to do with and gave us so many fantastic days. From day one he never let us down; brilliant temperament, went on any ground, clean winded and super sound." A spokesman from Coolmore described his potential as a sire: "Pyledriver is a fine big horse, with plenty of quality about him, a great colour and a very good walk. He was a terrific racehorse and is a complete outcross for the majority of National Hunt mares here in Ireland." [26] In late December it was revealed that his fee for 2024 would be €4,000. [27]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Pyledriver (GB), brown colt 2017 [1]
Sire
Harbour Watch (IRE)
2009		 Acclamation (GB)
1999		 Royal Applause Waajib (IRE)
Flying Melody (IRE)
Princess Athena (IRE) Ahonoora (GB)
Shopping Wise
Gorband (USA)
1999		 Woodman Mr Prospector
Playmate
Sheroog Shareef Dancer
Fall Aspen
Dam
La Pyle (FR)
2011		 Le Havre (IRE)
2006		 Noverre (USA) Rahy
Danseur Fabuleux
Marie Rheinberg (GER)Surako
Marie d'Argonne (FR)
Lidana (IRE)
2005		 King's Best (USA) Kingmambo
Allegretta (GB)
Lidakiya Kahyasi
Lilissa (Family: 13-c) [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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Palace (horse)</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse (1964–1991

Royal Palace (1964–1991) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse. In a racing career which lasted from June 1966 until July 1968, he ran eleven times and won nine races. After being rated the best English-trained two-year-old of 1966, he won the first two legs of the Triple Crown, the 2000 Guineas and the Derby in 1967. He returned for an unbeaten four-year-old season in 1968 when he won four races which are now Group One events.

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

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

Telescope is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He won one minor race as a two-year-old but was highly regarded by his connections and was considered a leading contender for the following year's Epsom Derby. His three-year-old campaign was severely restricted by injury, but he won two of his three races, including the Great Voltigeur Stakes. At four, he was beaten in his first two races before recording an impressive seven-length win in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. He added a win in the Aston Park Stakes in 2015 before his racing career was ended by injury. Apart from his wins, he finished second in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, third in the International Stakes and fourth in the Breeders' Cup Turf.

Sheriff's Star was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. As a two-year-old he won his first two races before establishing himself as one of the best British colts of his generation with a close second in the William Hill Futurity. In the following year he won the King Edward VII Stakes and Great Voltigeur Stakes, but was well-beaten in both the Derby and the St Leger. He reached his peak as a four-year-old in 1989 when he recorded Group One successes in both the Coronation Cup and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. He later stood as a breeding stallion in Japan where he had some 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">US Army Ranger (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

US Army Ranger is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. In May 2016 he won the Chester Vase on his second racecourse appearance and finished second when favourite for the 2016 Epsom Derby.

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

Saddlers' Hall was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. After finishing fifth in his only race as a juvenile he developed into a high class staying colt in 1991, winning the King Edward VII Stakes and finishing second the St Leger. He reached his peak in the first half of the following season, winning four consecutive Group races: the John Porter Stakes, Ormonde Stakes, Coronation Cup and Princess of Wales's Stakes. He was retired to stud at the end of the year and had some success as a breeding stallion, siring the St Leger winner Silver Patriarch. He died in 2008 at the age of twenty.

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

Highland Reel is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. In a career running from June 2014 to December 2017 he raced in Ireland, Britain, France, the United States, Australia, Hong Kong and Dubai, and recorded seven victories at Group 1 or Grade 1 level in the Secretariat Stakes, Hong Kong Vase (twice), King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Breeders' Cup Turf, Coronation Cup and Prince of Wales's Stakes. He was also placed in the Prix du Jockey Club, Cox Plate, International Stakes, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Champion Stakes. He holds the record for the greatest amount of prize money earned by a racehorse trained in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Idaho (horse)</span> 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.

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

Cracksman is a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He won his only race as a two-year-old in 2016 before developing into a top-class middle distance performer in the following year. As a three-year-old Cracksman won the Investec Derby Trial before running third when favourite for the 2017 Epsom Derby. The horse then finished runner-up in the Irish Derby. He went on to win the Great Voltigeur Stakes and Prix Niel, before recording an emphatic success in the Champion Stakes. He ended the year as the top-rated three-year-old in the world. In 2018, he won the Prix Ganay and the Coronation Cup before taking a second Champion Stakes.

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

Capri is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old in 2016 he won three of his five races including the Canford Cliffs Stakes and the Beresford Stakes as well as finishing third in the Critérium de Saint-Cloud. In the following year he was beaten in his first two races and finished sixth in The Derby before emerging as one of the best colts of his generation in Europe with wins in the Irish Derby and the St Leger. He won the Alleged Stakes on his four-year-old debut but failed to win in eleven subsequent starts and was retired from racing at the end of 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kew Gardens (horse)</span> 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.

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

Papal Bull is a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. Although he never won a Group 1 race he was rated at his peak as one of the best middle distance horses in the world. He was variously described by the men who rode him as "quirky", "a bit of a monkey" and "a lazy little devil". After winning one minor race as a juvenile in 2005 he improved in the following year to win the Chester Vase and the King Edward VII Stakes. He was even better in 2007 when he took the Princess of Wales's Stakes and the Geoffrey Freer Stakes. In 2008, as a five-year-old he failed to win a race but produced a career-best performance when narrowly beaten by Duke of Marmalade in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He made very little impact as a breeding stallion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Van Dyck (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Anthony Van Dyck was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse, best known for winning the 2019 Epsom Derby. He was a top-class two-year-old in 2018 when he won three of his seven races including the Tyros Stakes and the Futurity Stakes as well as finishing second in the National Stakes and third in the Dewhurst Stakes. He won the Derby Trial Stakes on his three-year-old debut before taking the Epsom Derby on 1 June. Later that year he was placed in the Irish Derby, Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders' Cup Turf. He remained in training as a four-year-old in 2020, winning the Prix Foy and running second in both the Coronation Cup and the Caulfield Cup. He was euthanized after breaking down in the 2020 Melbourne Cup on 3 November 2020.

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

Sovereign is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse, best known for winning the 2019 Irish Derby. He showed promising form as a juvenile in 2018 when he won one minor race as well as finishing third in the Eyrefield Stakes and fourth in the Beresford Stakes. In the following year he was placed in the Ballysax Stakes and the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial before running unplaced when acting as a pacemaker in the 2019 Epsom Derby. He was given little chance in the Irish Derby but won easily at odds of 33/1. He failed to win in 2020 but was placed in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Vintage Crop Stakes and Bahrain International Trophy.

Japan is a British-bred Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. After being sold as a yearling for 1.3 million guineas he was sent into training with Aidan O'Brien. As a two-year-old in 2018 he showed considerable promise, winning two of his three races including the Group 2 Beresford Stakes. In the following year he improved to become one of the best three-year-olds in Europe, finishing fourth in the Dante Stakes and third in the Epsom Derby before winning the King Edward VII Stakes, the Grand Prix de Paris and the International Stakes. He failed to win in five attempts as a four-year-old in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serpentine (horse)</span> Irish Thoroughbred racehorse

Serpentine is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse best known for his win in the 2020 Epsom Derby.

Mogul is a British-bred Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He showed very good form as a two-year-old in 2019 when he won two races including the Juvenile Stakes as well as finishing fourth in the Vertem Futurity Trophy. He improved to become a top-class middle distance performer in the following year, winning the Gordon Stakes, Grand Prix de Paris and the Hong Kong Vase.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adayar (horse)</span> Irish-bred, British-traiined Thoroughbred racehorse

Adayar is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2021 Epsom Derby. He showed promise as a two-year-old in 2020, winning the second of his two starts by nine lengths. In the following year he finished second in both the Sandown Classic Trial and the Lingfield Derby Trial before winning the Derby. On his next start, he became the first Derby winner in 20 years to follow up with a victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Adayar is a son of the top stallion Frankel.

References

  1. 1 2 "Pyledriver pedigree". Equineline.
  2. ↑ Stevens, Martin (18 June 2020). "Pyledriver defies humble origins to beat the bluebloods at Royal Ascot". Racing Post.
  3. ↑ "Harbour Watch – Stud Record". Racing Post.
  4. ↑ "La Pyle – Record By Race Type". Racing Post.
  5. 1 2 "Stray Shot – Family 13-c". Thoroughbred Bloodlines. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
  6. ↑ "T & M Glass Ltd British EBF Novice Stakes result". Racing Post. 13 July 2019.
  7. ↑ "Ascendant Stakes result". Racing Post. 7 September 2019.
  8. ↑ "Royal Lodge Stakes result". Racing Post. 28 September 2019.
  9. ↑ "King Edward VII Stakes result". Racing Post. 16 June 2020.
  10. ↑ Stevens, Martin (16 June 2020). "Pyledriver Upsets King Edward VII Stakes at 18-1". The Blood-Horse .
  11. ↑ "Investec Derby result". Racing Post. 4 July 2020.
  12. ↑ "Great Voltigeur Stakes result". Racing Post. 19 August 2020.
  13. ↑ Milnes, David (19 August 2020). "Pyledriver Makes Quick Work of Competition in Voltigeur". The Blood-Horse.
  14. ↑ "St Leger result". Racing Post. 12 September 2020.
  15. ↑ "Champion Stakes result". Racing Post. 17 October 2020.
  16. ↑ "The 2020 World Thoroughbred Rankings". Horseracingintfed.com. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  17. ↑ "Jockey Club Stakes result". Racing Post. 1 May 2021.
  18. ↑ "Coronation Cup result". Racing Post. 4 June 2021.
  19. ↑ Scargill, Peter (4 June 2021). "Pyledriver Bests Al Aasy in Coronation Cup". The Blood-Horse.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Pyledriver". Racing Post. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  21. ↑ "'I achieved more than I ever thought I would' - Derby-winning jockey Martin Dwyer calls it a day". Racing Post. 2 July 2023.
  22. ↑ "Pyledriver pulls off surprise King George win as favourites tail off". The Guardian. 23 July 2022.
  23. ↑ "Minor setback rules King George hero Pyledriver out of Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe". Racing Post. 8 September 2022.
  24. ↑ "'Roll on the King George' - William Muir delighted as Pyledriver makes triumphant return despite stewards' drama". Racing Post. 24 June 2023.
  25. ↑ "'This horse has been so good to us' - William Muir hails stable star Pyledriver after retirement". Racing Post. 5 September 2023.
  26. ↑ "'The best horse I've ever had anything to do with' - Pyledriver to stand under Coolmore's National Hunt roster". Racing Post. 20 October 2023.
  27. ↑ "Coolmore reveals fees for National Hunt roster including newcomers Hurricane Lane, Pyledriver and Bolshoi Ballet". Racing Post. 20 December 2023.
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.