Ribero

Last updated
Ribero
Sire Ribot
Grandsire Tenerani
DamLibra
Damsire Hyperion
Sex Stallion
Foaled1965
CountryUnited States
Colour Bay
BreederMargaret Hager Rogers
Owner Charles W. Engelhard, Jr.
Trainer Fulke Johnson Houghton
Record12:3-1-3
Major wins
Irish Derby Stakes (1968)
St. Leger Stakes (1968)
Last updated on July 26, 2008

Ribero (foaled 1965 in Kentucky) was an American-bred British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career which lasted from September 1967 until May 1969 he ran twelve times and won three races. He is best known for his performances in 1968 when he won two of the most important European races for three-year-olds; the Irish Derby (in which he defeated Sir Ivor), and the St Leger.

Contents

Background

Ribero was a bay horse with no white markings standing 16.1+12 hands high. [1] He was bred at the Idle Hour Farm in Paris, Kentucky by Mrs J. G. (Margaret) Rogers. [2] As a yearling he was sent to the Keeneland sales where he was bought for $50,000 by Charles W. Engelhard, Jr. [3] Ribero was a son of the undefeated dual Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner, Ribot out of the mare Libra. Libra won only one minor race, but went on to become a notable broodmare, producing Ribocco (Irish Derby, St Leger) and Libra's Rib (Princess of Wales's Stakes). Ribero was sent to England to be trained by Fulke Johnson Houghton at Blewbury in Berkshire.

Racing career

1967: two-year-old season

Ribero made his racecourse debut in Feversham Stakes over seven furlongs at Doncaster in September in which he finished fourth. In the final race of the British flat racing season at Haydock Park Racecourse in November, Ribero recorded his first victory when he won the six furlong Bury Stakes by a length at odds of 2/5.

1968: three-year-old season

In the spring of 1968, Ribero was campaigned in trial races for The Derby. He finished fourth in the Blue Riband Trial Stakes at Epsom and third in the Dante Stakes at York a race in which he did not help his cause by veering to the right in the closing stages.

Ribero was withdrawn from the Derby and sent instead to Ascot to contest the King Edward VII Stakes. Ribero was required to concede four pounds to the Epsom Derby runner-up Connaught, who beat him by twelve lengths. In the Irish Derby at the Curragh at the end of June, Ribero started a 16/1 outsider with the Derby winner Sir Ivor starting 1/3 favourite. Sir Ivor was ridden by the Irish jockey Liam Ward, while Lester Piggott, who had ridden the colt to victory in the Derby, took the ride on Ribero. [4] Ribero turned into the straight in second place behind Giolla Mear before moving up along the rail to take the lead and win by two lengths from Sir Ivor and record a "stunning upset" victory. [5] Ribero was well-fancied for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July, but unseated Piggott and bolted before the start, only being brought under control after several minutes. He finished fourth behind Royal Palace, Felicio and Topyo. In August, Ribero was moved up in distance to contest the Prix Kergorlay over 3000 m but ran poorly, finishing last of the seven runners.

In September, Ribero was sent to Doncaster to contest the Classic St Leger over 14+12 furlongs. He started at odds of 100/30 in a field of eight runners, with Connaught being made odds-on favourite in a race run on very soft ground. Ridden by Piggott, Ribero turned into the straight in fourth place before taking the lead 1+12 furlongs from the finish and holding the late challenge of the Irish-trained Canterbury to win by a short head, with Connaught fifth. [6] Piggott reportedly showed great control and composure, never using his whip on the temperamental colt, despite the closeness of the finish. [7] On his only subsequent appearance of the season, Ribero was kicked by another horse at the start of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and finished unplaced behind Vaguely Noble.

1969: four-year-old season

Ribero ran twice as a four-year-old without success. He finished third to Torpid in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket and third again to Remand in the Westbury Stakes at Sandown. He was sent to Epsom to contest the Coronation Cup but was withdrawn before the start.

Stud career

Ribero stood as a stallion in England at the Royal Studs at Sandringham, but made little impression as a sire of winners. His best winners included Riboson (Yorkshire Cup) and Riberetto (Lingfield Derby Trial). His son Torus became a successful National Hunt stallion, siring the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Mr Mulligan. Ribero was sold and exported to Japan in 1978. He was "put out of stud" in Japan in December 1985. [8]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Ribero (USA), bay stallion, 1965 [9]
Sire
Ribot (GB)
1952
Tenerani
1944
Bellini Cavaliere d’Arpino
Bella Mina
TofanellaApelle
Try Try Again
Romanella
1943
El Greco Pharos
Gay Gamp
Barbara Burrini Papyrus
Bucolic
Dam
Libra (GB)
1956
Hyperion
1930
Gainsborough Bayardo
Rosedrop
SeleneChaucer
Serenissima
Weighbridge
1945
PortlawBeresford
Portree
Golden WayGold Bridge
Adria (Family: 4-c) [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nijinsky (horse)</span> Canadian-bred Thoroughbred racehorse (1967–1992)

Nijinsky was a Canadian-bred, Irish-trained champion Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was the outstanding two-year-old in Europe in 1969 when he was unbeaten in five races. In the following season, he became the first horse for thirty-five years to win the English Triple Crown, a feat that has not been repeated as of 2023. He is regarded as one of the greatest European flat racehorses of the 20th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Minstrel</span> Canadian-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse

The Minstrel was a Canadian-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. Bred in Ontario, he was sold as a yearling and exported to Europe, where he was campaigned in Ireland and the United Kingdom. As a two-year-old The Minstrel was unbeaten in three races, including the Dewhurst Stakes, but lost two of his first three starts in 1977. He was then moved up in distance and won his remaining three races: the Epsom Derby, the Irish Derby and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sir Ivor</span> American Thoroughbred racehorse

Sir Ivor was an American-bred, Irish-trained champion Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career which lasted from July 1967 to October 1968 he ran thirteen times and won eight races. He won major races in four countries: the National Stakes in Ireland, the Grand Criterium in France, the 2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and Champion Stakes in England and the Washington, D.C. International in the United States.

<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">Roberto (horse)</span> American-bred, Irish Thoroughbred racehorse

Roberto was an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. In a career that lasted from 1971 until July 1973, he ran fourteen times and won seven races. He was the best Irish two-year-old of 1971, when his victories included the National Stakes. As a three-year-old, he won the Derby before recording a famous victory over Brigadier Gerard in the inaugural running of the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup. This is regarded by many experts to have been one of the greatest ever performances on a European racecourse. He won the Coronation Cup as a four-year-old before being retired to stud. Roberto had fragile knees and required a left-handed track to perform to his best; he never won going right-handed. He was described by Lester Piggott as " a champion when things were in his favour". Roberto also proved to be a highly successful and influential stallion.

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.

Never Say Die (1951–1975) was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. After winning only once from his first nine races, he demonstrated much improved form in the summer of 1954 to win the Derby, becoming the first American-bred colt to win the race in 73 years. Later that year he added a second British Classic, when winning the St. Leger Stakes by a record margin of twelve lengths. He was later retired to a successful stud career.

<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.

Ribocco was an American-bred British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He is best known for his performances in 1967 when he won two of the most important European races for three-year-olds; the Irish Derby and the St Leger. Ribocco briefly held the record for prize money won by a British-trained racehorse.

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

Empery was an American-bred, French-trained racehorse best known for winning the 1976 Epsom Derby. In a racing career which lasted from September 1975 until July 1976 he ran eight times and won two races. Empery showed some good form in France to be placed third in the Prix Lupin but appeared to be some way below the best colts in his own country. He comfortably defeated the best of the British colts in the Derby to give his jockey Lester Piggott a seventh win in the race. Empery finished second in his only subsequent start and was retired to a stud career of limited success.

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

Nedawi, is a retired British Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. In a career that lasted from June 1998 until July 1999, he ran seven times and won three races. He recorded his most important success by winning the Classic St. Leger Stakes as a three-year-old in 1998, the same year that he won the Gordon Stakes. In the following season he finished second in the Dubai Turf Classic and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes before being retired to stud.

Boucher, was an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In Ireland he won the Beresford Stakes as a two-year-old in 1971 and went on to win the Nijinsky Stakes and the Desmond Stakes in 1972. In September 1972 he was sent to England where he won the St. Leger Stakes at Doncaster. At the end of the season he was retired to stand as a stallion in Australia, where he had some success as a sire of winners.

Habitat 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 a very successful sire of racehorses and broodmares.

Aurelius was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and sire best known for winning the classic St Leger Stakes in 1961 and for becoming one of the few classic winners to compete in steeplechases. As a two-year-old he finished fourth in his only appearance but was one of the best colts in Britain in the following year, winning the Craven Stakes and the King Edward VII Stakes before taking the St Leger. He was even better in 1962 when he won the Hardwicke Stakes and was narrowly beaten in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He was retired to stud but had serious fertility problems and later returned to the racecourse where he had a reasonably successful career in National Hunt racing.

Cut Above was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire best known for his upset win in the 1981 St Leger Stakes. As a two-year-old he showed useful form despite being beaten in both of his races and won the White Rose Stakes on his three-year-old debut. After recovering from a viral infection he finished second to Shergar in the Irish Derby and third to Ardross in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes. In the St Leger he started a 28/1 outsider but won from Glint of Gold and Bustomi with the odds-on Shergar in fourth. After being well-beaten in his only subsequent race he stood as a breeding stallion in Ireland and Brazil.

<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.

Connaught (1965–1987) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. Noted for his difficult temperament and front-running style, he won seven of his sixteen races in a track career which lasted from October 1967 to July 1970. Owned and bred by Jim Joel, he was trained by Noel Murless and ridden in most of his races by Sandy Barclay.

<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.

Gonzales was an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. Unraced as a two-year-old he established himself as a high-class stayer in the following year winning the Gallinule Stakes, Blandford Stakes, and Irish St Leger as well as starting favourite for the Prix du Jockey Club. He was then sent to the United States where he was campaigned for two years to little effect. He made little impact as a breeding stallion.

<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.

References

  1. Hugh McMahon. "Ribero". Sporthorse-data.com. Retrieved 2012-06-18.
  2. "Mrs. Julian G. Rogers". Breederscup.com. 1989-10-26. Archived from the original on 2012-03-16. Retrieved 2011-12-31.
  3. Mortimer, Roger; Onslow, Richard; Willett, Peter (1978). Biographical Encyclopedia of British Flat Racing. Macdonald and Jane’s. ISBN   0-354-08536-0.
  4. "Ribero wins in upset". Toledo Blade. 29 June 1968. Retrieved 2012-06-18.
  5. "Ribero captures stunning Irish sweepstakes upset". Spokesman-Review. 29 June 1968. Retrieved 2012-06-18.
  6. "Tremendous double for Houghton and Piggott". Glasgow Herald. 12 September 1968. Retrieved 2012-06-18.
  7. "Ribero's Leger was Lester in excelsis". Thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 2012-06-18.
  8. Staff. "Ribero (USA)". Japan Race Horse Registry. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  9. "Ribero pedigree". equineline.com. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  10. "Maniac - Family 4-c". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 2012-06-18.