Ten Sovereigns

Last updated
Ten Sovereigns
Owner Mr Derrick Smith.svg
Racing silks of Mr Derrick Smith
Sire No Nay Never
Grandsire Scat Daddy
DamSeeking Solace
Damsire Exceed and Excel
Sex Colt
Foaled28 March 2016 [1]
CountryIreland
Colour Bay
BreederCamas Park, Lynch Bages & Summerhill
Owner Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier
Trainer Aidan O'Brien
Record8: 4-0-0
Earnings£749,219
Major wins
Round Tower Stakes (2018)
Middle Park Stakes (2018)
July Cup (2019)

Ten Sovereigns (foaled 28 March 2016) is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. He was one of the best two-year-olds in Europe in 2018 when he was unbeaten in three races including the Round Tower Stakes and the Middle Park Stakes. He was beaten when favourite for the 2000 Guineas on his reappearance in 2019 but subsequently returned to sprint distances and won the July Cup.

Contents

Background

Ten Sovereigns is a bay colt bred in Ireland by Camas Park, Lynch Bages & Summerhill. In October 2017 the yearling was offered for sale at Tattersalls and was bought for 200,000 guineas by the bloodstock agent Charlie Gordon-Watson [2] of behalf of John Magnier's Coolmore Stud organisation. The colt was sent into training with Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle. Like many Coolmore horses, the official details of his ownership changed from race to race: he has sometimes been listed as being the property of Susan Magnier, while on other occasions he was described as being owned by a partnership of Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor and Susan Magnier.

He is from the first crop of foals sired by No Nay Never, an American horse who had his greatest success in Europe where he won the Norfolk Stakes and the Prix Morny as a juvenile in 2013. His other foals from his first season at stud included the Richmond Stakes winner Land Force. [3] Ten Sovereigns' name appears to derive from the lyric "I took from my pocket ten sovereigns bright" from the song The Wild Rover: the chorus of the song begins with the words "No, nay, never..." the name of his sire. [4] Ten Sovereigns' dam Seeking Solace showed some racing ability in France, winning one minor race and finishing fourth in the Prix Penelope. [5] She was descended from the CCA Oaks winner Marshua. [6]

Racing career

2018: two-year-old season

Ten Sovereigns was ridden in all three of his races by his trainer's son Donnacha O'Brien. On his racecourse debut on 25 August the colt started at odds of 5/1 in a twenty-five runner maiden race over six furlongs at the Curragh. After tracking the leaders he went to the front a furlong out and drew right away in the closing stages to win "easily" by seven lengths from Carbon Fibre. [7] A week later over the same course and distance the colt was stepped up in class to contest the Group 3 Round Tower Stakes and was made the 1/3 favourite against seven opponents headed by the Fillies' Sprint Stakes winner Servalan. He recorded another easy win as he settled in second behind his stablemate Fantasy before taking the lead approaching the final furlong and pulling clear to win by almost four lengths. [8] After the race Aidan O'Brien said "He's definitely fast, but he's relaxed and he's very clean-winded. He seemed to do everything right and he has a good, big, open stride. He has a lovely mind, even into the stalls, and everything is very easy". [9]

On 29 September Ten Sovereigns was sent to England for the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes over six furlongs at Newmarket Racecourse. His six rivals included his stablemate Sergei Prokofiev (Rochestown Stakes), Jash (unbeaten in two starts), Emaraaty Ana (Gimcrack Stakes) and Rumble Inthejungle (Molecomb Stakes). After tracking the leaders he went to the front in the last quarter mile and held off the sustained challenge of Jash to win by half a length, with the pair coming home well clear of the rest. [10] Donnacha O'Brien commented "He learned a lot today and he had to fight today,” his jockey said. “It was a big learning curve and when the other horse came to him, he did fight. He put his head down and battled hard. He’s a fast horse and a natural sprinter". [11]

Aidan O'Brien considered running the colt in the Dewhurst Stakes two weeks later but gave up on the idea, saying "he had three runs in a relatively short space of time and, in fairness to the horse, we've decided to leave him alone until next season". [12]

2019: three-year-old season

On his first appearance of 2019 Ten Sovereigns was ridden by Ryan Moore when he started the 9/4 favourite in a nineteen-runner field for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. The race appeared to be strongly affected by the draw as the three horses drawn on the stands side dominated the race for most of the way and finished first, second and sixth. Ten Sovereigns raced up the centre of the track and came home fifth, almost five lengths behind his stablemate Magna Grecia, but only a neck behind Skardu, who finished first in the centre group. [13] The colt was then dropped back to sprint distances to contest the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot on 21 June. Ridden by Moore he started favourite again, but despite making steady progress in the closing stages he never looked likely to win and finished fourth behind Advertise. On 13 July at Newmarket Ten Sovereigns was matched against older horses in the July Cup and started at odds of 9/2 in a twelve-runner field. Advertise started favourite, while the other contenders included Pretty Pollyanna, Fairyland, Limato and Cape Byron (Wokingham Stakes). Racing down the centre of the track, Ten Sovereigns disputed the lead from the start and drew away from his opponents in the closing stages to win by two and three quarter lengths. [14] After the race Aidan O'Brien commented "We knew he was very good from last year but we trained him for a Guineas and he hadn’t really clicked into sprinting at Ascot. We knew his last few works before coming here that he was right there again. He's like all those good athletes, he goes a very high pace very easily, and when you ask him, he quickens". [15]

At York Racecourse on 23 August Ten Sovereigns was dropped back to five furlongs and started 13/8 favourite for the Nunthorpe Stakes but after tracking the leaders he faded in the closing stages and finished sixth of the eleven runners behind Battaash. The colt was then sent to Australia to contest The Everest, a valuable sprint race over 1200 metres at Randwick Racecourse on 19 October. He was never in serious contention and finished last.

Stud record

At the end of his racing career, Ten Sovereigns was retired to become a breeding stallion at the Coolmore Stud.

Pedigree

Pedigree of Ten Sovereigns (IRE), bay colt, 2016 [1]
Sire
No Nay Never (USA)
2011
Scat Daddy
2004
Johannesburg Hennessy
Myth
Love Style Mr Prospector
Likeable Style
Cat's Eye Witness
2003
Elusive Quality Gone West
Hopespringseternal
Comical Cat Exceller
Six Months Long
Dam
Seeking Solace (GB)
2007
Exceed and Excel (AUS)
2000
Danehill (USA) Danzig
Razyana
Patrona (USA) Lomond
Gladiolus
Flamelet (USA)
2000
Theatrical (IRE) Nureyev (USA)
Tree of Knowledge
Darling Flame Capote
My Darling One (Family 16) [6]

Related Research Articles

George Washington (horse) Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

George Washington was a thoroughbred racehorse foaled in Ireland by champion sire Danehill out of Bordighera, also the dam of the high-class colt Grandera. Bred by Roy and Gretchen Jackson, he was trained at Ballydoyle by Aidan O'Brien and owned by Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith. George Washington suffered a dislocated ankle fracture during the Breeders' Cup Classic at Monmouth Park on 27 October 2007, and was euthanized. The horse was nicknamed 'Gorgeous George' by his followers.

Australia (horse) British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Australia is an Irish-bred, Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2014 Epsom Derby. As a two-year-old in 2013, he won two of his three races, creating a very favourable impression when winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Trial Stakes, and was highly regarded by his trainer Aidan O'Brien. In May 2014 he finished third behind Night of Thunder and Kingman in the 2000 Guineas before winning the Epsom Derby on 7 June. He subsequently won the Irish Derby and International Stakes before being defeated by The Grey Gatsby in the Irish Champion Stakes. His racing career was ended by injury in October 2014. He is standing at Coolmore 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.

Minardi was an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was the top-rated European two-year-old in 2000 when he recovered from a defeat on his debut to win the Phoenix Stakes and the Middle Park Stakes. In the following year he finished fourth in the 2000 Guineas and third in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. He was retired to stud but had limited success as a breeding stallion.

Churchill (horse) Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Churchill is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. He was rated the best two-year-old colt in Europe in 2016, winning five of his six races including the Chesham Stakes, Tyros Stakes, Futurity Stakes, National Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes. On his three-year-old debut he won the 2000 Guineas and followed up with a second Classic victory in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.

Beethoven is an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse best known for his upset victory in the 2009 Dewhurst Stakes. He was highly tried as a juvenile and ran prominently in several major races before winning the Dewhurst on his tenth appearance of the season at odds of 33/1. As a three-year-old he won the Desmond Stakes and ended his year with a success in the Qatar Derby. He was based in Qatar for the rest of his racing career, making his last appearance in 2015.

Moonstone is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare best known for her win in the Irish Oaks. Unraced as a two-year-old, her six-race track career lasted from April to October 2008. After finishing second in a maiden race on her debut she ran fourth in the Musidora Stakes and second in The Oaks before recording her first and only victory in the Irish Oaks. She finished unplaced in two subsequent races and was retired from racing at the end of the year. As a broodmare she has produced several good winners including US Army Ranger.

Bracelet is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She won the second of her two starts as a two-year-old in 2013 and developed into a top-class filly in the following year, taking the Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial and Ribblesdale Stakes. She recorded her biggest victory on her sixth and final appearance when she won the Irish Oaks. She was retired from racing at the end of the season and became a broodmare for the Coolmore Stud.

Lavery was an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. As a two-year-old in 1998 he was beaten on his debut but then recorded his biggest success with an emphatic victory in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes. In the following spring he won the Shergar Cup Sprint but was beaten in his next two races before being exported to South Africa. He won three times in South Africa before being retired to stud but had little success as a breeding stallion.

Happily (horse) Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Happily is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old in 2017 she was one of best of her generation in Europe, winning four of her seven races including two at Group 1 level. After finishing unplaced on her debut she won a maiden race and the Group 3 Silver Flash Stakes before running second to her stablemate Magical in the Debutante Stakes. She reversed the form to beat Magical in the Moyglare Stud Stakes and then defeated male opposition to take the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère. At the end of the season she was voted Cartier Champion Two-year-old Filly. In the following year she was placed in the 1000 Guineas, Irish 1,000 Guineas and Sun Chariot Stakes.

U S Navy Flag Thoroughbred racehorse trained in Ireland

U S Navy Flag is an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. In 2017 he became the first horse in 35 years to win both the Middle Park Stakes and the Dewhurst Stakes. As two-year-old he was beaten in his first four racecourse appearances, including the Coventry Stakes before winning a maiden race in July. He then finished second in the July Stakes and fourth in the Phoenix Stakes before recording his first significant win in the Group 3 Round Tower Stakes. He won the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse on 30 September and returned to the same track two weeks later to follow up in the Dewhurst Stakes. As a three-year-old in 2018 he ran in several major mile races without success before dropping back to sprint distances to win the July Cup.

Caravaggio (horse) American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Caravaggio is an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old he was one of the best colts of his generation in Europe when he was unbeaten in four races including the Marble Hill Stakes, Coventry Stakes and Phoenix Stakes. In the following year he took his winning run to six with victories in the Lacken Stakes and the Commonwealth Cup but his only success in four subsequent starts came in the Flying Five. He was retired from racing at the end of 2017 having won seven of his ten starts. Aidan O'Brien described him as the fastest horse that he had ever trained.

Saxon Warrior Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse

Saxon Warrior is a Japanese-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old in 2017 he was one of the best colts of his generation in Europe, winning all three of his races including the Beresford Stakes and the Racing Post Trophy. On his three-year-old debut the colt won the 2000 Guineas before finishing fourth when odds-on favourite for the 2018 Epsom Derby. He went on to be placed in the Irish Derby, Eclipse Stakes and Irish Champion Stakes.

Kew Gardens (horse) 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.

Fairyland (horse) Irish Thoroughbred racehorse

Fairyland is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. She was one of the best two-year-old fillies in Europe in 2018 when her wins included the Marble Hill Stakes, Lowther Stakes and Cheveley Park Stakes. In the following year she won the Flying Five Stakes and ran well in several major sprint races.

Magna Grecia (horse) Thoroughbred racehorse trained in Ireland

Magna Grecia is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. He showed top class form as a two-year-old in 2018 when he won two of his three races including the Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy. On his three-year-old debut he won the 2000 Guineas Stakes.

Hermosa (horse) Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Hermosa is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. She showed very good form as a juvenile in 2018 when she won two of her seven races including the Weld Park Stakes as well as finishing second in both the Fillies' Mile and the Critérium International and third in the Moyglare Stud Stakes. She improved in the following spring to record Group 1 victories in the 1000 Guineas and the Irish 1000 Guineas.

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.

Mother Earth (horse) Irish Thoroughbred racehorse

Mother Earth is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year old in 2020 she ran eight times, winning the Fillies' Sprint Stakes and finishing placed in the Albany Stakes, Airlie Stud Stakes, Debutante Stakes, Fillies' Mile and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. On her first run of 2021 she won the 1000 Guineas.

Broome is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. He showed very good form as a juvenile in 2018 when he won one minor race and ran second in both the Champions Juvenile Stakes and the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère. He improved in the following year to win the Ballysax Stakes and the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial before finishing a close fourth in the Epsom Derby. After running poorly in two races in 2020 he returned to form as a five-year-old to win the Devoy Stakes, Alleged Stakes, Mooresbridge Stakes and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

References

  1. 1 2 "Ten Sovereigns pedigree". Equineline. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  2. "Tattersalls October Yearling Sale (Book 2) 2017 - Catalogue". Racing Post .
  3. "No Nay Never - Progeny". Racing Post.
  4. "The Wild Rover (No Nay Never) - Free Sheet Music". drinking-songs.com. 26 January 2012.
  5. "Seeking Solace - Race Record & Form". Racing Post.
  6. 1 2 "Sister to Stripling - Family 16". Thoroughbred Bloodlines.
  7. "Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden result". Racing Post. 25 August 2018.
  8. "Round Tower Stakes result". Racing Post. 1 September 2018.
  9. "Ten Sovereigns shines in Round Tower". Sky Sports. 1 September 2018.
  10. "Middle Park Stakes result". Racing Post. 29 September 2018.
  11. Wood, Greg (29 September 2018). "Ten Sovereigns wins Middle Park to crown brilliant Aidan O'Brien treble". The Guardian .
  12. O'Hehir, Tony (10 October 2018). "Ten Sovereigns ruled out of Dewhurst". Racing Post .
  13. "2000 Guineas result". Racing Post. 4 May 2019.
  14. "July Cup result". Racing Post. 13 July 2019.
  15. Wood, Greg (July 13, 2019). "Moore pain for bookies as Aidan O'Brien's Ten Sovereigns wins July Cup" via The Guardian.