Belmez (horse)
Encyclopedia
Belmez was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred
racehorse best known for winning the 1990 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
and a white sock on his off-fore leg. He was bred by Sheikh Mohammed's Darley Stud
in the USA, a product of the second crop of foals sired by El Gran Senor
. He was trained throughout his career by Henry Cecil and ridden in most of his starts by Steve Cauthen
.
By the time he re-appeared in the Burghclere Stakes in April 1990, his reputation preceeded him, and he won "comfortably" by four lengths at odds of 4-5. Belmez was then moved up in class for the Chester Vase
and defeated Quest for Fame
by a length to become favourite for the Derby
. An injury ruled Belmez out of the Derby which was won easily by Quest For Fame. Belmez returned with a third place to the filly Salsabil
in the Irish Derby (with Quest For Fame fifth) and was then aimed at the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Steve Cauthen, who had ridden Belmez in his previous four races chose to partner Old Vic, with the ride on Belmez going to Mick Kinane. Such was the quality of the entry, that Belmez was the only three-year-old in the field, but he produced a career-best effort, moving up to contest the lead early in the straight and prevailing by a neck from his stablemate Old Vic, with top-class performers like Assatis, Cacoethes, In The Wings, Sapience, Terimon and Legal Case among the also-rans.
A month later Belmez won the Great Voltigeur Stakes
, getting up on the line to beat the future St Leger
winner Snurge by a short-head. He finished fifth behind Saumarez
in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
and seventh behind Better Loosen Up
in the Japan Cup
before being retired to stud.
. He made little impact as a stallion, but he did sire one important winner in Caramba, winner of the Falmouth Stakes
and Nassau Stakes
.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse best known for winning the 1990 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Background
Belmez was a medium-sized, strongly-built bay colt, with a prominent white stripeHorse markings
Markings on horses usually are distinctive white areas on an otherwise dark base coat color. Most horses have some markings, and they help to identify the horse as a unique individual. Markings are present at birth and do not change over the course of the horse's life...
and a white sock on his off-fore leg. He was bred by Sheikh Mohammed's Darley Stud
Darley Stud
Darley Stud is a Thoroughbred breeding operation owned by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and vice-president of the United Arab Emirates. Darley breeds horses in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Dubai, Japan and Australia....
in the USA, a product of the second crop of foals sired by El Gran Senor
El Gran Senor
El Gran Senor was an American-bred Thoroughbred race horse, foaled at Windfields Farm in Maryland.An outstanding two-year-old who went on to win European classics over a mile and over 12 furlongs, El Gran Senor received a Timeform rated 136...
. He was trained throughout his career by Henry Cecil and ridden in most of his starts by Steve Cauthen
Steve Cauthen
Steve Cauthen is a retired American jockey.Cauthen, the son of a trainer and a farrier, grew up in Walton, Kentucky around horses, which made race-riding a logical career choice. He rode his first race on May 12, 1976 at Churchill Downs; he finished last, riding King of Swat...
.
Racing career
Belmez began his racing career with an upset, winning the Carlsberg Stakes at Newmarket in November 1989 as an unconsidered 50-1 outsider.By the time he re-appeared in the Burghclere Stakes in April 1990, his reputation preceeded him, and he won "comfortably" by four lengths at odds of 4-5. Belmez was then moved up in class for the Chester Vase
Chester Vase
The Chester Vase is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Chester over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 66 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
and defeated Quest for Fame
Quest for Fame (horse)
Quest for Fame is a British-bred and British-trained Thoroughbred race horse who won the Epsom Derby in 1990 and who raced successfully in the United States.- References :...
by a length to become favourite for the Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
. An injury ruled Belmez out of the Derby which was won easily by Quest For Fame. Belmez returned with a third place to the filly Salsabil
Salsabil
Salsabil is an Islamic Arabic term referring to a spring in paradise .It can also mean river or fountain in paradise.The sole Qur'anic reference is in sura Al-Insan. Salsabil can also be written as Salsabiil or even Salsabeel but "Salsabiil" is the most common name."And there they will be given a...
in the Irish Derby (with Quest For Fame fifth) and was then aimed at the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Steve Cauthen, who had ridden Belmez in his previous four races chose to partner Old Vic, with the ride on Belmez going to Mick Kinane. Such was the quality of the entry, that Belmez was the only three-year-old in the field, but he produced a career-best effort, moving up to contest the lead early in the straight and prevailing by a neck from his stablemate Old Vic, with top-class performers like Assatis, Cacoethes, In The Wings, Sapience, Terimon and Legal Case among the also-rans.
A month later Belmez won the Great Voltigeur Stakes
Great Voltigeur Stakes
The Great Voltigeur Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
, getting up on the line to beat the future St Leger
St. Leger Stakes
The St. Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.Established in 1776, the St. Leger...
winner Snurge by a short-head. He finished fifth behind Saumarez
Saumarez (horse)
Saumarez was an Thoroughbred racehorse who won France's most prestigious race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe for his famous owners, National Hockey League superstar Wayne Gretzky and owner of his Los Angeles Kings ice hockey team, Bruce McNall.Trained by Henry Cecil, Saumarez was winless at age...
in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year, usually on the first Sunday in October.Popularly referred to as the...
and seventh behind Better Loosen Up
Better Loosen Up
Better Loosen Up was an Australian Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Japan Cup in 1990 and was named Australia's champion racehorse in 1991. He campaigned from two to seven years of age, and won 17 of his 45 starts, including eight Group One races...
in the Japan Cup
Japan Cup
The is the most prestigious horse race run in Japan. It is contested at the end of November at Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu, Tokyo at a distance of 2400 meters over the grass. With a purse of ¥476 million , the Japan Cup is one of the richest races in the world.The Japan Cup is an invitational event...
before being retired to stud.
Stud career
Belmez was retired to stand at the Haras du Pin in NormandyNormandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
. He made little impact as a stallion, but he did sire one important winner in Caramba, winner of the Falmouth Stakes
Falmouth Stakes
The Falmouth Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.-History:The event is named in honour of...
and Nassau Stakes
Nassau Stakes
The Nassau Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 1 mile, 1 furlong and 192 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August.-History:The title of...
.