David Junior
Encyclopedia
David Junior is a retired thoroughbred
racehorse and active sire, who was bred in the United States
but trained in the United Kingdom
during his racing career which lasted from 2004 to 2006. In 2006-7 he won three Group One
races and was officially rated the joint-best colt in the world in the 2005-06 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings.
winning stallion Pleasant Tap
. His dam, Paradise River was a full sister to the American Turf Champion, Paradise Creek
. This pedigree suggested a bright future on American tracks, but at the Fasig-Tipton
sale at Calder
in spring 2004, he was bought for $175,000 by the bloodstock agent Richard Galpin on behalf of the British publisher David Sullivan. Sullivan, who runs his horses under the name of Roldvale Ltd, named the chestnut colt in honour of his son, and sent him into training in England with Brian Meehan. At that time, Meehan was training at Lambourn
.
in September 2004. Two weeks later he appeared in a similar event at Ascot
and led from the start to record his first win despite showing his inexperience (running "green").
. Starting a complete outsider at 100-1, he finished unplaced, but did rather better than his odds suggested, finishing eleventh of the nineteen runners, beaten less than five lengths by Footstepsinthesand
. A move up in trip followed, and he immediately showed his aptitude for middle distances in the listed
Fairway Stakes at Newmarket, taking the lead two furlongs out and pulling clear to win by eight lengths from a field that included the future Group One winner Linngari. Less than two weeks later he appeared in another listed event, the Fink Gala Stakes at Sandown and was "impressive", winning by five lengths despite being eased down in the closing stages. Brought back to a mile (and back up to Group One) he made little impression in the Sussex Stakes
, finishing seventh behind Proclamation. He then disappointed when finishing second at odds-on in the Group Three
Rose of Lancaster Stakes
at Haydock
.
At this point, David Junior appeared to be a useful colt, but some way below the very best (rated 115). From this point on however, he began to show top class form. Ridden for the first time by his new regular jockey Jamie Spencer
, he recorded his first Group race win by taking the Select Stakes at Goodwood
by a one and a half lengths despite hanging to the right in the closing stages. He was then stepped back up to the highest level for the Group I Champion Stakes at Newmarket. Starting as a 25-1 outsider, David Junior was held up in the early stages, before moving through the field and taking a clear lead a furlong from the finish. He stayed on strongly to win by three quarters of a length from the Cartier Award winning filly Pride
, with major winners such as Rakti
, Alexander Goldrun
, Alkaased, Oratorio and Maraahel amongst the beaten horses. The surprising nature of the result led to David Junior's win being received with "barely a cheer" from the crowd. Even his trainer, Brian Meehan, seemed to be unprepared for his colt's win and commented, "What can you say? It may be a surprise, but it's now in the form book".
.
Less than a month later, the colt was sent to the UAE
to prepare for the Dubai Duty Free at Nad Al Sheba
. The race attracted a strong international field, with runners from the UAE, USA (The Tin Man
), Hong Kong (Bullish Luck
), Australia (Fields of Omagh
), South Africa and Japan. None of them were able to offer any challenge to David Junior, who was sent up to take the lead a furlong and a half from home and pulled away to win by three and a half lengths from The Tin Man.
His summer camapaign back in England consisted of just two races. The field for the Prince of Wales's Stakes
at Royal Ascot was exceptionally strong, including as it did the European and North American
Champion mare Ouija Board, the Dubai World Cup
winner Electrocutionist
and the future World Champion
Manduro
, but David Junior was made the 11-8 favourite. He made a challenge in the straight but hung badly to the right, and despite staying on well, could finish only fourth behind Ouija Board.
In the Eclipse Stakes a little over two weeks later David Junior produced his best performance in Europe, despite rumours that he had been working poorly at home. He was held in last place by Jamie Spencer, as the race was led by his stable companion, Royal Alchemist, who had been bought a few days earlier to act as a pacemaker. In the straight he produced what the BBC's correspondent described as a "dramatic finishing burst" to accelerate past the field to and win by a length and a half from Notnowcato
, with Ouija Board a further two and a half lengths back in fifth. Meehan commented on the performance by saying, "today is a great day... he is a seriously good horse".
David Junior did not race for the next four months, despite expectations that he would run in the Irish Champion Stakes in Sepetmber. In October, it became clear that he would be retired at the end of the season, and it was reported that Sullivan was considering an offer of $8,000,000 for the colt from Japanese breeders, which he eventually accepted.
David Junior's final race was run in the Breeders' Cup Classic
which ended in disappointment, as he completely failed to cope with the dirt at Churchill Downs
, and finished tailed-off behind Invasor
.
David Junior was assessed at 123 making him the fourteenth best horse in the world, and the world's joint-best performer on turf in the Intermediate division. He repeated his 123 rating and fourteenth place in the rankings for 2006. In the ratings for 2005-6, which excluded most horses trained in North America and Europe, he was placed second, equal with Electrocutionist
and Heart's Cry, behind the Australian mare Makybe Diva
.
. He was based for three seasons at the Shizunai Stallion Station
before being moved to the Iburi Stallion Station
in 2010.
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 and active sire, who was bred in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
but trained in the United Kingdom
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...
during his racing career which lasted from 2004 to 2006. In 2006-7 he won three Group One
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
races and was officially rated the joint-best colt in the world in the 2005-06 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings.
Background
David Junior was bred by Arthur Appleton at the Bridlewood Stud Farm near Ocala, Florida, sired by the Eclipse AwardEclipse Award
The Eclipse Award is an American thoroughbred horse racing award named after the 18th century British racehorse and sire, Eclipse. The Eclipse Awards, honoring the champions of the sport, are sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association , Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers...
winning stallion Pleasant Tap
Pleasant Tap
Pleasant Tap was an American thoroughbred stallion racehorse. He was sired by 1981 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Pleasant Colony, out of the mare, Never Knock...
. His dam, Paradise River was a full sister to the American Turf Champion, Paradise Creek
Paradise Creek
Paradise Creek is a tributary of Brodhead Creek in the Poconos of eastern Pennsylvania in the United States.Paradise Creek joins Brodhead Creek at the community of Analomink in Monroe County.-References:...
. This pedigree suggested a bright future on American tracks, but at the Fasig-Tipton
Fasig-Tipton
The Fasig-Tipton Company, Inc. is an auction house for Thoroughbred horses founded in 1898 by William B. Fasig and Edward A. Tipton. It is the oldest auction company of its kind in North America....
sale at Calder
Calder Race Course
Calder Casino & Race Course is a casino and horse racetrack in Miami Gardens, Florida in the United States.-History:In the mid-1960s, real estate developer Stephen A. Calder envisioned summertime racing in Florida; in 1965, on the advice of Mr. Calder, the Florida Legislature approved a bill...
in spring 2004, he was bought for $175,000 by the bloodstock agent Richard Galpin on behalf of the British publisher David Sullivan. Sullivan, who runs his horses under the name of Roldvale Ltd, named the chestnut colt in honour of his son, and sent him into training in England with Brian Meehan. At that time, Meehan was training at Lambourn
Lambourn
Lambourn is a large village and civil parish in the northwestern part of the ceremonial county of Berkshire in England. Its metropolitan district has a population of 4,017, and is most noted for its associations with British National Hunt racehorse training....
.
2004: Two-Year-Old Season
David Junior had a brief two-year-old career, beginnining with a third place in a maiden race at ThirskThirsk Racecourse
Thirsk Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, England. The course is a left handed oval of about 1m2f with a 3f finishing straight and a 6f chute...
in September 2004. Two weeks later he appeared in a similar event at Ascot
Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races...
and led from the start to record his first win despite showing his inexperience (running "green").
2005: Three-Year-Old Season
David Junior's 2005 debut brought a significant rise in class, as he was sent straight for the 2,000 Guineas at NewmarketNewmarket Racecourse
The town of Newmarket, in Suffolk, England, is the headquarters of British horseracing, home to the largest cluster of training yards in the country and many key horse racing organisations. Newmarket Racecourse has two courses - the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course. Both are wide, galloping...
. Starting a complete outsider at 100-1, he finished unplaced, but did rather better than his odds suggested, finishing eleventh of the nineteen runners, beaten less than five lengths by Footstepsinthesand
Footstepsinthesand
Footstepsinthesand is a retired, Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire who was bred in the United Kingdom but trained during his racing career in Ireland. He won both his races as a two-year-old in 2004 and won the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on his three-year-old debut in 2005...
. A move up in trip followed, and he immediately showed his aptitude for middle distances in the listed
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
Fairway Stakes at Newmarket, taking the lead two furlongs out and pulling clear to win by eight lengths from a field that included the future Group One winner Linngari. Less than two weeks later he appeared in another listed event, the Fink Gala Stakes at Sandown and was "impressive", winning by five lengths despite being eased down in the closing stages. Brought back to a mile (and back up to Group One) he made little impression in the Sussex Stakes
Sussex Stakes
The Sussex Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August.-History:...
, finishing seventh behind Proclamation. He then disappointed when finishing second at odds-on in the Group Three
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
Rose of Lancaster Stakes
Rose of Lancaster Stakes
The Rose of Lancaster Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Haydock Park over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 95 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early August.-History:The event was established...
at Haydock
Haydock Park Racecourse
Haydock Park Racecourse is a racecourse in Haydock, Merseyside, England. The track is a mostly flat left-handed oval of around 1 mile 5 furlongs with a very slight rise on the run-in. There are courses for flat racing and National Hunt racing...
.
At this point, David Junior appeared to be a useful colt, but some way below the very best (rated 115). From this point on however, he began to show top class form. Ridden for the first time by his new regular jockey Jamie Spencer
Jamie Spencer
Jamie Spencer is an Irish flat racing jockey currently riding in the UK. He has been champion jockey in both Ireland and Britain and has won four classics, two in each country. Spencer is widely regarded as one of the best, and most naturally talented, UK-based jockeys - despite not having a...
, he recorded his first Group race win by taking the Select Stakes at Goodwood
Goodwood Racecourse
Goodwood Racecourse is a horse-racing track five miles north of Chichester, West Sussex, in England controlled by the family of the Duke of Richmond, whose seat is nearby Goodwood House...
by a one and a half lengths despite hanging to the right in the closing stages. He was then stepped back up to the highest level for the Group I Champion Stakes at Newmarket. Starting as a 25-1 outsider, David Junior was held up in the early stages, before moving through the field and taking a clear lead a furlong from the finish. He stayed on strongly to win by three quarters of a length from the Cartier Award winning filly Pride
Pride (horse)
Pride is a champion French racemare who won three Group 1 races. Her biggest success was the 2006 Hong Kong Cup. She was also an unlucky second in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Her other feature wins were the Champion Stakes and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud...
, with major winners such as Rakti
Rakti
Rakti was a British Thoroughbred racehorse, who won six Group One races in Italy and the United Kingdom in a career which lasted from 2001 to 2005.-Background:...
, Alexander Goldrun
Alexander Goldrun
Alexander Goldrun is a retired Thoroughbred filly racehorse. Bred by Dermot Cantillon, she was raced by Mrs. Noel O'Callaghan for whom she compiled a race record of 10 wins, seven seconds, and six thirds in thirty-one starts...
, Alkaased, Oratorio and Maraahel amongst the beaten horses. The surprising nature of the result led to David Junior's win being received with "barely a cheer" from the crowd. Even his trainer, Brian Meehan, seemed to be unprepared for his colt's win and commented, "What can you say? It may be a surprise, but it's now in the form book".
2006: Four-Year-Old Season
Rather than being aimed at one of the major races at the end of the calendar year, David Junior was given a winter break, during which time David Sullivan turned down what he described as a "monstrous, monstrous offer" for his horse. In February he was transferred from Lambourn to Meehan's new base at Manton, WiltshireManton, Wiltshire
Manton is a small village in Wiltshire on the outskirts of Marlborough just off the A4 Bath Road.Manton village is part of the Parish of Preshute, and as such includes St Georges Church, and Preshute Primary The Outside Chance is the only pub in the village....
.
Less than a month later, the colt was sent to the UAE
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
to prepare for the Dubai Duty Free at Nad Al Sheba
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...
. The race attracted a strong international field, with runners from the UAE, USA (The Tin Man
The Tin Man (horse)
The Tin Man is an American thoroughbred gelding racehorse. He was sired by the great Affirmed, the last horse to win the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing out of the unplaced Lizzie Rolfe by another great horse, Tom Rolfe, who was an exceptional racehorse but a better broodmare sire.The Tin Man...
), Hong Kong (Bullish Luck
Bullish Luck
Bullish Luck is a Hong Kong based Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred in Kentucky, he is the son of the 1990 Breeders' Cup Mile winner Royal Academy and out of the Alysheba mare Wild Vintage...
), Australia (Fields of Omagh
Fields Of Omagh
Fields Of Omagh was a champion middle distance Australian Thoroughbred racehorse of the early-mid 2000s. He was a half-brother to the stakeswinners, King Brian , Malcolm and Timeless Grace .Fields Of Omagh was trained at Lindsay Park, South Australia by Peter...
), South Africa and Japan. None of them were able to offer any challenge to David Junior, who was sent up to take the lead a furlong and a half from home and pulled away to win by three and a half lengths from The Tin Man.
His summer camapaign back in England consisted of just two races. The field for the Prince of Wales's Stakes
Prince of Wales's Stakes
The Prince of Wales's Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
at Royal Ascot was exceptionally strong, including as it did the European and North American
Eclipse Award
The Eclipse Award is an American thoroughbred horse racing award named after the 18th century British racehorse and sire, Eclipse. The Eclipse Awards, honoring the champions of the sport, are sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association , Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers...
Champion mare Ouija Board, the Dubai World Cup
Dubai World Cup
The Dubai World Cup is a Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1996 and from 2010 at the Meydan Racecourse in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates...
winner Electrocutionist
Electrocutionist
Electrocutionist was a Thoroughbred racehorse. Electrocutionist won eight of his 12 career starts, including three Grade I's, and won more than $5.6 million. Racing four times for the operation based in both Dubai and Newmarket, he was scheduled to participate in the Emirates Airline Champion...
and the future World Champion
2007 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
The 2007 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings is the 2007 edition of the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings. It is an assessment of racehorses which was issued by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities in January 2008...
Manduro
Manduro
Manduro is a World Champion Thoroughbred racehorse. Sired by Monsun, a multiple Group One winner in Germany, he is out of the mare Mandellicht, a daughter of Northern Dancer's son Be My Guest who was the Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland in 1982.Manduro was purchased by Baron Georg von...
, but David Junior was made the 11-8 favourite. He made a challenge in the straight but hung badly to the right, and despite staying on well, could finish only fourth behind Ouija Board.
In the Eclipse Stakes a little over two weeks later David Junior produced his best performance in Europe, despite rumours that he had been working poorly at home. He was held in last place by Jamie Spencer, as the race was led by his stable companion, Royal Alchemist, who had been bought a few days earlier to act as a pacemaker. In the straight he produced what the BBC's correspondent described as a "dramatic finishing burst" to accelerate past the field to and win by a length and a half from Notnowcato
Notnowcato
Notnowcato is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire, bred and trained in the United Kingdom. He won several important races in a career which lasted from 2004 to 2007, but is best known for his victory in the 2007 Eclipse Stakes.-Background:...
, with Ouija Board a further two and a half lengths back in fifth. Meehan commented on the performance by saying, "today is a great day... he is a seriously good horse".
David Junior did not race for the next four months, despite expectations that he would run in the Irish Champion Stakes in Sepetmber. In October, it became clear that he would be retired at the end of the season, and it was reported that Sullivan was considering an offer of $8,000,000 for the colt from Japanese breeders, which he eventually accepted.
David Junior's final race was run in the Breeders' Cup Classic
Breeders' Cup Classic
The Breeders' Cup Classic is a Grade I Weight for Age thoroughbred horse race for 3 year olds and older run at a distance of 1¼ miles on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships...
which ended in disappointment, as he completely failed to cope with the dirt at Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs, located in Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, is a Thoroughbred racetrack most famous for hosting the Kentucky Derby annually. It officially opened in 1875, and held the first Kentucky Derby and the first Kentucky Oaks in the same year. Churchill Downs...
, and finished tailed-off behind Invasor
Invasor
Invasor may refer to:*Invasor - Cuban newspaper*Invasor - Argentine racehorse...
.
Assessment
In the 2005 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings2005 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
The 2005 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings is the 2005 edition of the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings. It is an assessment of racehorses which was issued by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities in January 2006...
David Junior was assessed at 123 making him the fourteenth best horse in the world, and the world's joint-best performer on turf in the Intermediate division. He repeated his 123 rating and fourteenth place in the rankings for 2006. In the ratings for 2005-6, which excluded most horses trained in North America and Europe, he was placed second, equal with Electrocutionist
Electrocutionist
Electrocutionist was a Thoroughbred racehorse. Electrocutionist won eight of his 12 career starts, including three Grade I's, and won more than $5.6 million. Racing four times for the operation based in both Dubai and Newmarket, he was scheduled to participate in the Emirates Airline Champion...
and Heart's Cry, behind the Australian mare Makybe Diva
Makybe Diva
Makybe Diva is a British-bred, Australian-trained Thoroughbred who became the first racehorse to win the famed Melbourne Cup on three occasions: 2003, 2004, and 2005. In 2005, she also won the Cox Plate. Makybe Diva is the highest stakes-earner in Australasian horse racing history, with winnings...
.
Stud career
On his retirement, David Junior was transferred to Japan for stud duties by his new owners, the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' AssociationJapan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association
The Japan Bloodhorse Breeding Association is a public company established to manage the racehorse breeding industry in Japan.It was founded in 1946 as the Thoroughbred Corporation Association, and was later renamed. The JBBA offers many programs to help small time thoroughbred breeders around the...
. He was based for three seasons at the Shizunai Stallion Station
Shizunai Stallion Station
Shizunai Stallion Station is a Japanese Thoroughbred horse farm was opened in 1963 and is located on the island of Hokkaidō. Operated by the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association , it is located in Shizunai whose sister city is Lexington, Kentucky...
before being moved to the Iburi Stallion Station
Iburi Stallion Station
Iburi Stallion Station is a Japanese thoroughbred horse farm located on the island of Hokkaidō. Operated by the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association , it is located in Iburi Prefecture....
in 2010.