Detroit City (horse)
Encyclopedia
Detroit City was a thoroughbred
racehorse, most famous as a two mile hurdler
. He won five Class 1 races including the 2006 Triumph Hurdle
, he also had success on the flat
in the Cesarewitch Handicap
. The grey
died in November 2007, aged five, following a fall at Ascot
. He was trained by Jeremy Noseda
until his hurdling career began when Philip Hobbs
took over. Six of his seven wins over hurdles came with Richard Johnson
as jockey.
s maiden
. A month later he won a one mile four furlongs maiden at Wolverhampton
and followed this with two handicap
wins over the same distance. In May he returned to turf but was disappointing finishing fifth and sixth in his first two runs. He won a one mile six furlongs handicap at Nottingham
in June and was then entered in Bahrain Trophy
where he finished second.
After his first season of hurdling he returned to the flat in October 2006 for the Cesarewitch, in a field of 31 he won by a length from Inchnadamph.
. Following an eighth place in that race, he went on a succession of wins. He won two juveniles over two miles one furlong before travelling to the Cheltenham Festival
for the Triumph Hurdle
. At odds of 7/2 he went into the race as favourite and the bookmakers were proved correct, he outstayed stablemate Fair Along to win by five lengths. He concluded the season with the Anniversary 4-Y-O Novices' Hurdle
at Aintree
, he won by eight lengths becoming the first horse since Pollardstown in 1979 to complete Triumph Hurdle/Aintree Hurdle double.
After the Cesarewitch success, Detroit City switched back to hurdles again with a run at Cheltenham in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle
. With no pacemakers he set the pace himself and despite carrying top weight won by 14 lengths, the Racing Post
described it as a "stunning performance". Following the race he was made favourite for the Champion Hurdle
. He returned to Cheltenham a month later for the Boylesports.com International Hurdle
and won, beating Hardy Eustace
by a length. The success in a field of only four failed to impress the Racing Post who said he still had "plenty to prove" to justify being favourite for the Champion Hurdle.
Detroit's preparation run before the Champion Hurdle came in the Agfa Hurdle
at Sandown, he won beating Straw Bear
by one and 3/4 lengths. He arrived at Cheltenham on the back of eight consecutive wins but was attempting to defy the poor record of five year olds in the Champion Hurdle, 71 horses of that age had tried since the last five year old winner, See You Then in 1985. He began the race as 6/4 favourite but struggled from the beginning eventually finishing sixth of the ten runners, Racing Post noted it was a "huge disappointment". He ended the season with a run in the Aintree Hurdle
but finished tenth out of ten finishers.
Over the summer of 2007 Detroit City had a wind operation, a back problem and stomach ulcers were also treated. He began the 2007/08 season with the Ascot Hurdle
, moving up in trip to two miles and four furlongs. After jumping the second fence his back end collapsed, jockey Richard Johnson held his head down as he thought the horse may have broken a leg on landing but it would later be revealed a heart problem was the cause. Detroit City died on the track in the arms of Johnson. Afterwards Johnson paid tribute to the horse calling him "probably the best hurdler I've ridden".
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, most famous as a two mile hurdler
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 ....
. He won five Class 1 races including the 2006 Triumph Hurdle
Triumph Hurdle
The Triumph Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and 1 furlong , and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped...
, he also had success on the flat
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...
in the Cesarewitch Handicap
Cesarewitch Handicap
The Cesarewitch Handicap is a flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Newmarket over a distance of 2 miles and 2 furlongs , and the latter part is on the Rowley Mile. It is scheduled to take place each year in October.The event was...
. The grey
Gray (horse)
Gray or grey is a coat color of horses characterized by progressive silvering of the colored hairs of the coat. Most gray horses have black skin and dark eyes; unlike many depigmentation genes, gray does not affect skin or eye color Their adult hair coat is white, dappled, or white intermingled...
died in November 2007, aged five, following a fall 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...
. He was trained by Jeremy Noseda
Jeremy Noseda
Jeremy Noseda is a British racehorse trainer.After six years working for John Dunlop, and five years as assistant to John Gosden, he joined Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation in late 1993, and played a significant role in training such horses as Lammtarra, Halling and Balanchine.He started...
until his hurdling career began when Philip Hobbs
Philip Hobbs
Philip Hobbs is a British racehorse trainer specializing mainly in National Hunt racing. He is based at stables near Minehead, Somerset....
took over. Six of his seven wins over hurdles came with Richard Johnson
Richard Johnson (jockey)
Richard Johnson is an English National Hunt jockey.-Background:Johnson comes from a racing family with his father being an amateur jockey and his mother, Sue Johnson, a successful trainer.-Jockey career:...
as jockey.
Flat
Detroit City's racing career began in 2005 on all weather, he made his debut in January 2005 finishing ninth in a one mile two furlongFurlong
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and U.S. customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to 220 yards, 660 feet, 40 rods, or 10 chains. The exact value of the furlong varies slightly among English-speaking countries....
s maiden
Maiden race horse
A Maiden race horse is the term that refers to a race horse that has yet to win a single race. The races are generally run for younger more inexperienced horses at two and three. However, many maidens never "break their maiden", and will continue to race at later ages, often retiring winless.Zippy...
. A month later he won a one mile four furlongs maiden at Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton Racecourse
Wolverhampton Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England. The track was the first to be floodlit in Britain and often holds meetings in the evening....
and followed this with two handicap
Handicapping
Handicapping, in sport and games, is the practice of assigning advantage through scoring compensation or other advantage given to different contestants to equalize the chances of winning. The word also applies to the various methods by which the advantage is calculated...
wins over the same distance. In May he returned to turf but was disappointing finishing fifth and sixth in his first two runs. He won a one mile six furlongs handicap at Nottingham
Nottingham Racecourse
Nottingham Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England. It is situated at Colwick Park, close to the River Trent and about 3 km east of the city centre....
in June and was then entered in Bahrain Trophy
Bahrain Trophy
The Bahrain Trophy is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile and 5 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July....
where he finished second.
After his first season of hurdling he returned to the flat in October 2006 for the Cesarewitch, in a field of 31 he won by a length from Inchnadamph.
Hurdles
Detroit City made his hurdling debut in December 2005 in a juvenile novices hurdle at WarwickWarwick Racecourse
Warwick Racecourse is a horse racing course in Warwick, England. It is a leading flat racing and steeple chasing course, and has a programme of 25 meetings throughout the year, many of which are televised. The first stand was built in 1808, it has recently undergone a major refurbishment of its...
. Following an eighth place in that race, he went on a succession of wins. He won two juveniles over two miles one furlong before travelling to the Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious meetings in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, and has race prize money second only to the Grand National...
for the Triumph Hurdle
Triumph Hurdle
The Triumph Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and 1 furlong , and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped...
. At odds of 7/2 he went into the race as favourite and the bookmakers were proved correct, he outstayed stablemate Fair Along to win by five lengths. He concluded the season with the Anniversary 4-Y-O Novices' Hurdle
Anniversary 4-Y-O Novices' Hurdle
The Anniversary 4-Y-O Novices' Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years. It is run at Aintree over a distance of about 2 miles and 110 yards , and during its running there are nine hurdles to be jumped...
at Aintree
Aintree Racecourse
Aintree Racecourse is a racecourse in Aintree, Merseyside, England.It was served by Aintree Racecourse railway station until the station closed in the 1960s....
, he won by eight lengths becoming the first horse since Pollardstown in 1979 to complete Triumph Hurdle/Aintree Hurdle double.
After the Cesarewitch success, Detroit City switched back to hurdles again with a run at Cheltenham in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle
Greatwood Handicap Hurdle
The Greatwood Handicap Hurdle is a Grade 3 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and 110 yards , and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped...
. With no pacemakers he set the pace himself and despite carrying top weight won by 14 lengths, the Racing Post
Racing Post
The Racing Post is a British daily horse racing, greyhound racing and sports betting newspaper, appearing in print form and online.From 30 May 2011 - 3 July 2011 it had a circulation of 56,507.-History:...
described it as a "stunning performance". Following the race he was made favourite for the Champion Hurdle
Champion Hurdle
The Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. As part of a sponsorship agreement with the online sportsbook StanJames.com, the race is now known as the Stan James Champion Hurdle...
. He returned to Cheltenham a month later for the Boylesports.com International Hurdle
Boylesports.com International Hurdle
The StanJames.com International is a Grade 2 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and 1 furlong , and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped...
and won, beating Hardy Eustace
Hardy Eustace
Hardy Eustace is a retired thoroughbred racehorse, best known for winning the Champion Hurdle in 2004 and 2005. He was trained in Ireland by Dessie Hughes and owned by Laurence Byrne.-Early Career:...
by a length. The success in a field of only four failed to impress the Racing Post who said he still had "plenty to prove" to justify being favourite for the Champion Hurdle.
Detroit's preparation run before the Champion Hurdle came in the Agfa Hurdle
Contenders Hurdle
The Contenders Hurdle is a Listed National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of about 2 miles and 110 yards , and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped...
at Sandown, he won beating Straw Bear
Straw Bear
Straw Bear is an American Thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Diesis and dam, Highland Ceilidh. He is owned by John P. McManus, trained by Nick Gifford, and his primary jockey has been Tony McCoy....
by one and 3/4 lengths. He arrived at Cheltenham on the back of eight consecutive wins but was attempting to defy the poor record of five year olds in the Champion Hurdle, 71 horses of that age had tried since the last five year old winner, See You Then in 1985. He began the race as 6/4 favourite but struggled from the beginning eventually finishing sixth of the ten runners, Racing Post noted it was a "huge disappointment". He ended the season with a run in the Aintree Hurdle
Aintree Hurdle
The Aintree Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Aintree over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs , and during its running there are eleven hurdles to be jumped...
but finished tenth out of ten finishers.
Over the summer of 2007 Detroit City had a wind operation, a back problem and stomach ulcers were also treated. He began the 2007/08 season with the Ascot Hurdle
Ascot Hurdle
The Ascot Hurdle is a Grade 2 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of about 2 miles and 3½ furlongs , and during its running there are eleven hurdles to be jumped...
, moving up in trip to two miles and four furlongs. After jumping the second fence his back end collapsed, jockey Richard Johnson held his head down as he thought the horse may have broken a leg on landing but it would later be revealed a heart problem was the cause. Detroit City died on the track in the arms of Johnson. Afterwards Johnson paid tribute to the horse calling him "probably the best hurdler I've ridden".