Collier Hill
Encyclopedia
Collier Hill is a British
Thoroughbred
racehorse
. He was bred by the prominent American sportsman George W. Strawbridge, Jr.
who was involved in both steeplechase
and flat racing
and who raced in Europe and the United States.
, Collier Hill was sired by the 1992 Epsom Derby
winner, Dr Devious
. He was an unbroken three-year-old when Melsonby
trainer
Alan Swinbank purchased him at the 2001 Ascot Bloodstock Sales for £5,500. Swinbank sold a half-interest in the horse to Russell Hall and then the remaining half to Ashley Young. Renamed from Dr Freeze to Collier Hill after a hill on a farm owned by Hall, the horse suffered from a number of physical ailments and his race conditioning was a slow process.
in North Yorkshire
where trainer Alan Swinbank operated his stables. He earned his first win as a four-year-old in March 2002 in a two-mile race at Catterick Bridge Racecourse
in Catterick Bridge
. After moderate success in hurdling
races, Collier Hill began to show promise in flat racing, focusing on events where he could use his demonstrated ability at middle to long distances. In 2004 he won a Listed race at Hamilton Park Racecourse
in Scotland
then earned his first significant victory when his handlers entered him in the Group 3 Stockholm Cup International
at Taby Racecourse in Sweden
. He was ridden by 45-year-old journeyman jockey
Dean McKeown
who would ride him for the rest of his career. Having handled travelling well, Collier Hill was sent to compete at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse
in Dubai
in early 2005 where he won a turf handicap and ran third in the Group 1
Dubai Sheema Classic
. While racing in Dubai, a veterinarian
diagnosed the horse as suffering from arthritis
that required medication being given through injections in his joints on a near bi-monthly basis.
With a definite affinity for travelling and running on new venues, Collier Hill was shipped to Germany
where he won the 2005 Group 2 Gerling-Preis in Cologne
and finished second in the Group 1 Deutschland-Preis
at Düsseldorf
. In July he finished second by a head in the Curragh Cup
at Ireland's
famed Curragh Racecourse
but came back in September to win the Group 1 Irish St. Leger, defeating Vinnie Roe
who had won the race the previous four years.
A disagreement between co-owner Ashley Young and trainer Alan Swinbank led to Collier Hill being put up for sale at a Tattersalls
auction in October. Co-owner Russell Hall was the successful bidder who then immediately sold Young's former half-share to David Abell and Richard Crowe.
In 2006, Collier Hill raced with great success at venues around the world. He finished second in a repeat appearance in the Dubai Sheema Classic, returned to Sweden to win another Stockholm Cup International
, became the first 8-year-old to win the C$2
million Grade 1
Canadian International at Woodbine Racetrack
in Canada
and the HK$
14 million Hong Kong Vase
in Hong Kong
, China
.
In the spring of 2007 Collier Hill was scheduled to make his first start of the year in the Dubai Sheema Classic. However, his age, and the continued arthritic affliction, led to his being withdrawn and after a career that saw him race in eight different countries and earn more than £
2.3 million in prize money, the gelding was retired.
Fittingly, when Collier Hill made his appearance in the Canadian International Stakes in Toronto, the Woodbine Entertainment Group
pre-race publicity had described him this way: "For fans of class, versatility and the ageless veteran, Collier Hill, is your equine superhero." http://www.woodbineentertainment.com/ojcdis.asp?LI=YES&ACT=DIS&SEC=TBN&ART=1161292453651&DTSR=1/1/2006%5E12/31/2006
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Thoroughbred
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
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
. He was bred by the prominent American sportsman George W. Strawbridge, Jr.
George W. Strawbridge, Jr.
George W. Strawbridge, Jr. is an American educator, historian, investor, sportsman, and philanthropist.-Biography:Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania he was the son of Margaret Dorrance and stockbroker George W. Strawbridge, Sr.. He studied at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut where he...
who was involved in both steeplechase
Steeplechase
Steeplechase may refer to:* Steeplechase, an event in horse racing* SteepleChase, a Danish jazz label* Steeplechase , a 1975 arcade game released by Atari...
and flat racing
Flat racing
Flat racing is a form of Thoroughbred horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing which is run over hurdles...
and who raced in Europe and the United States.
Background
Out of the mare Polar Queen, a granddaughter of DanzigDanzig (horse)
Danzig was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who is best known as a leading sire. He was purchased for $310,000 by Henryk de Kwiatkowski at the 1978 Saratoga Yearling Sale...
, Collier Hill was sired by the 1992 Epsom 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...
winner, Dr Devious
Dr Devious
Dr Devious is an Irish-bred and British-trained Thoroughbred race horse, winner of the Epsom Derby in 1992.-Background:Bred by Lyonstown Stud, Dr Devious was sired by Ahonoora and out of the mare Rose of Jericho, a daughter of two-time Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Alleged...
. He was an unbroken three-year-old when Melsonby
Melsonby
Melsonby is a village and civil parish in the Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire, England. It lies a few miles west of the A1 motorway.-Murder of Diana Garbutt:...
trainer
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
Alan Swinbank purchased him at the 2001 Ascot Bloodstock Sales for £5,500. Swinbank sold a half-interest in the horse to Russell Hall and then the remaining half to Ashley Young. Renamed from Dr Freeze to Collier Hill after a hill on a farm owned by Hall, the horse suffered from a number of physical ailments and his race conditioning was a slow process.
Racing Career
Collier Hill began his racing career in bumper racesNational Hunt flat race
National Hunt Flat races, informally known as Bumper races, are flat races run under National Hunt racing rules in Britain and Ireland....
in North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
where trainer Alan Swinbank operated his stables. He earned his first win as a four-year-old in March 2002 in a two-mile race at Catterick Bridge Racecourse
Catterick Bridge Racecourse
Catterick Bridge Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in the hamlet of Catterick Bridge in North Yorkshire, England.The Catterick Sunday Market, held on the racecourse grounds, is the largest Sunday Market in the North of England....
in Catterick Bridge
Catterick Bridge
Catterick Bridge is a hamlet about 1 mile north of Catterick Village in North Yorkshire, England. It is home to Catterick Bridge Racecourse, a pub and a few houses...
. After moderate success in hurdling
Hurdling (horse race)
A Hurdle race in England is a National Hunt horse race where the horses jump over obstacles called hurdles that are over three and a half feet high. They are typically made of brush, that has some flexability. Hurdle races always have a minimum of eight hurdles and a minimum distance of two miles ....
races, Collier Hill began to show promise in flat racing, focusing on events where he could use his demonstrated ability at middle to long distances. In 2004 he won a Listed race at Hamilton Park Racecourse
Hamilton Park Racecourse
Hamilton Park Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue in Hamilton, Scotland to the south of Glasgow. It is a flat racing venue, with a season which runs from May to September....
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
then earned his first significant victory when his handlers entered him in the Group 3 Stockholm Cup International
Stockholm Cup International
The Stockholm Cup International is a Group 3 flat horse race in Sweden which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Täby over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September....
at Taby Racecourse in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. He was ridden by 45-year-old journeyman jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
Dean McKeown
Dean McKeown
Dean Russell McKeown is a currently bannedBritish Thoroughbred horse racing jockey. He embarked on his professional career as a teenager, earning his first win in 1977. While never a Champion jockey, McKeown has won a number of important Conditions races in the United Kingdom including three...
who would ride him for the rest of his career. Having handled travelling well, Collier Hill was sent to compete at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse
Nad Al Sheba Racecourse
Nad Al Sheba Racecourse is a former Thoroughbred horse racing facility in Dubai, United Arab Emirates opened in 1986. It has a 2,200 metre left-handed dirt race track and a left-handed turf course of the same distance...
in Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
in early 2005 where he won a turf handicap and ran third in the Group 1
Group One
Group One or Group 1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. Group One races may be run under handicap conditions in Australia but in Europe weight-for-age conditions always apply. Races may be also restricted to age groups or a...
Dubai Sheema Classic
Dubai Sheema Classic
The Dubai Sheema Classic is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Arab Emirates open to thoroughbreds which are four-years-old or above. It is run over a distance of 2,400 metres on the turf track at Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, and it takes place annually during the Dubai World Cup Night in...
. While racing in Dubai, a veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
diagnosed the horse as suffering from arthritis
Arthritis
Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints....
that required medication being given through injections in his joints on a near bi-monthly basis.
With a definite affinity for travelling and running on new venues, Collier Hill was shipped to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
where he won the 2005 Group 2 Gerling-Preis in Cologne
Cologne
Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
and finished second in the Group 1 Deutschland-Preis
Deutschland-Preis
The Grosser Preis von Berlin, formerly known as the Deutschland-Preis, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Germany open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older...
at Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
. In July he finished second by a head in the Curragh Cup
Curragh Cup
The Curragh Cup is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late June or early July....
at Ireland's
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
famed Curragh Racecourse
Curragh Racecourse
The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.- History :...
but came back in September to win the Group 1 Irish St. Leger, defeating Vinnie Roe
Vinnie Roe
Vinnie Roe is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. He won the Irish St. Leger for four years in succession and was named European Champion Stayer in the Cartier Racing Awards for 2002. He also became known internationally for his three attempts to win the Melbourne Cup in which...
who had won the race the previous four years.
A disagreement between co-owner Ashley Young and trainer Alan Swinbank led to Collier Hill being put up for sale at a Tattersalls
Tattersalls
Tattersalls is the main auctioneer of race horses in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It was founded in 1766 by Richard Tattersall , who had been stud groom to the second Duke of Kingston. The first premises occupied were near Hyde Park Corner, in what was then the outskirts of London...
auction in October. Co-owner Russell Hall was the successful bidder who then immediately sold Young's former half-share to David Abell and Richard Crowe.
In 2006, Collier Hill raced with great success at venues around the world. He finished second in a repeat appearance in the Dubai Sheema Classic, returned to Sweden to win another Stockholm Cup International
Stockholm Cup International
The Stockholm Cup International is a Group 3 flat horse race in Sweden which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Täby over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September....
, became the first 8-year-old to win the C$2
Canadian dollar
The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
million Grade 1
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
Canadian International at Woodbine Racetrack
Woodbine Racetrack
Woodbine Racetrack is a Canadian racetrack for Thoroughbred horse races located at 555 Rexdale Blvd. in the city of Toronto, Ontario. It is the only horseracing track in North America which stages, or is capable of staging, thoroughbred and standardbred horseracing programs on the same day...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the HK$
Hong Kong dollar
The Hong Kong dollar is the currency of the jurisdiction. It is the eighth most traded currency in the world. In English, it is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively HK$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
14 million Hong Kong Vase
Hong Kong Vase
The Hong Kong Vase is a Group 1 flat horse race in Hong Kong which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 2,400 metres at Sha Tin, and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid December....
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
In the spring of 2007 Collier Hill was scheduled to make his first start of the year in the Dubai Sheema Classic. However, his age, and the continued arthritic affliction, led to his being withdrawn and after a career that saw him race in eight different countries and earn more than £
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
2.3 million in prize money, the gelding was retired.
Fittingly, when Collier Hill made his appearance in the Canadian International Stakes in Toronto, the Woodbine Entertainment Group
Woodbine Entertainment Group
Woodbine Entertainment Group is responsible for operations of the casino and race track at Woodbine Race Track in Toronto. The group changed their name from the Ontario Jockey Club in 2001 and also operates/operated at other tracks in Southern Ontario:...
pre-race publicity had described him this way: "For fans of class, versatility and the ageless veteran, Collier Hill, is your equine superhero." http://www.woodbineentertainment.com/ojcdis.asp?LI=YES&ACT=DIS&SEC=TBN&ART=1161292453651&DTSR=1/1/2006%5E12/31/2006