Double Trigger
Encyclopedia
Double Trigger is a retired Thoroughbred
racehorse and active sire. He was bred in Ireland
, but trained in the United Kingdom
throughout his racing career, which lsted from 1993 to 1998. A specialist stayer, he is best known for winning twelve Group races
including the Stayers' Triple Crown in 1995.
. His most regular jockey was Jason Weaver
, who rode him in 21 of his 29 starts. He was an easily recognisable horse, being a light chestnut with a broad white blaze
and a front-running racing style.
Zetland Stakes
at Newmarket a month later.
His three-year-old career was delayed by injury problems, but when he did re-appear, he was immediately tested at the highest level. A fifth place in the Great Voltigeur Stakes
at York was followed by a third in the St. Leger Stakes
. He then embarked on a brief international campaign, "easily" winning the St Leger Italiano (then a Group 3 race) and finishing seventh of fourteen to Red Bishop in the inaugural Hong Kong Vase
.
over middle-distances, his connections realised that he had the stamina for longer distances, and he was camapaigned accordingly from then on.
In 1995 he was a the Champion Stayer
, winning the Sagaro and Henry II Stakes in spring before taking the Stayers' Triple Crown of the Ascot, Goodwood and Doncaster Cups. Although his best performance was probably at Ascot, where he beat the St Leger
winner Moonax
by five lengths, his Goodwood triumph was even more notable, as he prevailed by a neck over his full brother Double Eclipse in a "thrilling" finish. Johnston called it "a hell of a performance."
At the end of the season he was sent to Australia, where he went off 7-2 favourite for the Melbourne Cup
under top weight of 9 stone 7 pounds. He ran very poorly and finished seventeenth of the twenty runners. Tests carried out after the race revealed no signs of "doping" and Johnston admitted that the performance was "a mystery".
in the Doncaster Cup showing, according to Greg Wood writing in the Independent
, "all his famous swagger and resolution" .
His 1997 campaign was his least successful and he began with two of his worst performances, finishing unplaced in both the Sagaro Stakes
and the Gold Cup
(won by Celeric), leading some to conclude that he was no longer a threat in major races. He did, however, produce one excellent performance to win his second Goodwood Cup, setting a "fierce pace" from the start and beating Classic Cliche by one and a half lengths.
In his final year (1998) he proved almost as good as ever, narrowly failing to defeat Kayf Tara
in the Ascot Gold Cup, before adding a third win in the Goodwood Cup. In his final start he led from the start in what Johnston described as "classical Double Trigger" style, and stayed on to hold off the late challenge of Busy Flight and win a third Doncaster Cup. The horse received an enthusiastic reception from his home crowd and his trainer praised him, saying "Over two miles at his best, Double Trigger is one of the best there has been".
A plan to run in the Prix du Cadran
was abandoned and was then retired to stud.
for Top European Stayer in 1995. He was given a rating of 123 by Timeform
.
He has been honoured with a bronze statue at Doncaster Racecourse
.
Assessing Double Trigger in the Racing Post
Tony Morris wrote
, his most notable winner being Russian Trigger, winner of the Midlands Grand National. He remains an active stallion standing alongside the 2000 Champion Two-Year-Old Tobougg
at Clarendon Farm, Wiltshire
.
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. He was bred in Ireland
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...
, 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...
throughout his racing career, which lsted from 1993 to 1998. A specialist stayer, he is best known for winning twelve Group races
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...
including the Stayers' Triple Crown in 1995.
Background
Double Trigger was bred in Ireland, a son of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Ela-Mana-Mou. His dam was the French-bred mare Solac, who also produced Double Trigger's full brother, the top-class stayer Double Eclipse. He was trained throughout his career by Mark Johnston in North YorkshireNorth 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...
. His most regular jockey was Jason Weaver
Jason Weaver
Jason Michael Weaver also known by his stage name J-Weav, is an American actor and singer. He is perhaps best known for his television roles as a pre-teenage Michael Jackson in the Emmy Award-winning 1992 miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream, and as the older brother Marcus Henderson on the...
, who rode him in 21 of his 29 starts. He was an easily recognisable horse, being a light chestnut with a broad white blaze
Horse 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 front-running racing style.
1993-1994:early career
Double Trigger showed himself to be a promising horse from the start, following a ten-length win in a Redcar maiden in September 1993 with a victory in the ListedConditions 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...
Zetland Stakes
Zetland Stakes
The Zetland Stakes is a flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late October or early November.The event was formerly...
at Newmarket a month later.
His three-year-old career was delayed by injury problems, but when he did re-appear, he was immediately tested at the highest level. A fifth place in 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....
at York was followed by a third in the St. Leger Stakes
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...
. He then embarked on a brief international campaign, "easily" winning the St Leger Italiano (then a Group 3 race) and finishing seventh of fourteen to Red Bishop in the inaugural 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....
.
1995:four-year-old sSeason
Although Double Trigger was obviously Group classConditions 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...
over middle-distances, his connections realised that he had the stamina for longer distances, and he was camapaigned accordingly from then on.
In 1995 he was a the Champion Stayer
Cartier Racing Award
The Cartier Racing Awards are awards in European horse racing, founded in 1991, and sponsored by Cartier jewelers. The award winners are decided by points earned in group races plus the votes cast by British racing journalists and readers of the Racing Post and Daily Telegraph newspapers.Eight...
, winning the Sagaro and Henry II Stakes in spring before taking the Stayers' Triple Crown of the Ascot, Goodwood and Doncaster Cups. Although his best performance was probably at Ascot, where he beat the 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 Moonax
Moonax
Moonax was an Irish-bred, English-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In 1994 Moonax became the first horse to win both the Classic St Leger and the Prix Royal-Oak and was named European Champion Stayer. He remains the only three year old to have been honoured in this way...
by five lengths, his Goodwood triumph was even more notable, as he prevailed by a neck over his full brother Double Eclipse in a "thrilling" finish. Johnston called it "a hell of a performance."
At the end of the season he was sent to Australia, where he went off 7-2 favourite for the Melbourne Cup
Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is Australia's major Thoroughbred horse race. Marketed as "the race that stops a nation", it is a 3,200 metre race for three-year-olds and over. It is the richest "two-mile" handicap in the world, and one of the richest turf races...
under top weight of 9 stone 7 pounds. He ran very poorly and finished seventeenth of the twenty runners. Tests carried out after the race revealed no signs of "doping" and Johnston admitted that the performance was "a mystery".
1996-1998:later career
Double Trigger was never quite so dominant again, but he continued to produce in top-class performances for the next three years. In 1996 he recorded his second win in the Henry II Stakes after being pushed along all the way and catching Grey Shot close to the finish. He added a repeat victory in the Sagaro Stakes, but was beaten by Classic Cliche in the Ascot Gold Cup. He had been affected by a hoof injury before the Ascot race, and the problem recurred, ruling him out of the Goodwood meeting. He returned in September to beat CelericCeleric
Celeric is a retired, British Thoroughbred racehorse. He improved from running in minor handicaps to Group One level, and recorded his most important win in the 1997 Ascot Gold Cup. In the same year he was named European Champion Stayer at the Cartier Racing Awards. He won thirteen of his forty-two...
in the Doncaster Cup showing, according to Greg Wood writing in the Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
, "all his famous swagger and resolution" .
His 1997 campaign was his least successful and he began with two of his worst performances, finishing unplaced in both the Sagaro Stakes
Sagaro Stakes
The Sagaro Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late April or early May....
and the Gold Cup
Gold Cup
Gold Cup may refer to:In art and archaeology:* Royal Gold Cup, 14th century French cup in the British Museum* Rillaton Gold Cup, late Neolithic, from Rillaton Barrow in England* Ringlemere Cup, Bronze Age from EnglandIn horse racing:...
(won by Celeric), leading some to conclude that he was no longer a threat in major races. He did, however, produce one excellent performance to win his second Goodwood Cup, setting a "fierce pace" from the start and beating Classic Cliche by one and a half lengths.
In his final year (1998) he proved almost as good as ever, narrowly failing to defeat Kayf Tara
Kayf Tara
Kayf Tara is a United Kingdom Thoroughbred racehorse owned by Godolphin Stables who won the Cartier European Top Stayer three years in a row from 1998, through 2000....
in the Ascot Gold Cup, before adding a third win in the Goodwood Cup. In his final start he led from the start in what Johnston described as "classical Double Trigger" style, and stayed on to hold off the late challenge of Busy Flight and win a third Doncaster Cup. The horse received an enthusiastic reception from his home crowd and his trainer praised him, saying "Over two miles at his best, Double Trigger is one of the best there has been".
A plan to run in the Prix du Cadran
Prix du Cadran
The Prix du Cadran is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 4,000 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early October....
was abandoned and was then retired to stud.
Major wins
| Date | Race | Dist (f) | Course | Class | Prize (£K) | Odds | Runners | Margin | Runner-up | Time | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doncaster Cup Doncaster Cup The Doncaster Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 2 miles and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.... |
18 | Doncaster | 3 | 20 | 9-4 | 6 | 1 | Busy Flight | 3:50.92 | Darryll Holland Darryll Holland Darryll Paul Holland is a United Kingdom flat racing jockey who has ridden for trainers such as Luca Cumani, Geoff Wragg, and Mark Johnston.... |
Mark Johnston | |
| Doncaster Cup Doncaster Cup The Doncaster Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 2 miles and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.... |
18 | Doncaster | 3 | 19 | Evens | 6 | 2 | Celeric Celeric Celeric is a retired, British Thoroughbred racehorse. He improved from running in minor handicaps to Group One level, and recorded his most important win in the 1997 Ascot Gold Cup. In the same year he was named European Champion Stayer at the Cartier Racing Awards. He won thirteen of his forty-two... |
3:53.00 | Frankie Dettori Frankie Dettori Lanfranco "Frankie" Dettori, MBE is an Italian horse racing jockey and celebrity. Dettori has been Champion Jockey on three occasions and has ridden the winners of more than 500 Group races.. He has had many successes in his role of stable jockey to Godolphin Racing... |
Mark Johnston | |
| Doncaster Cup Doncaster Cup The Doncaster Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 2 miles and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.... |
18 | Doncaster | 3 | 21 | 4-11 | 6 | 3 | Further Flight Further Flight Further Flight was an Irish-bred, British-trained thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the Jockey Club Cup for five successive years... |
3:58.74 | Jason Weaver Jason Weaver Jason Michael Weaver also known by his stage name J-Weav, is an American actor and singer. He is perhaps best known for his television roles as a pre-teenage Michael Jackson in the Emmy Award-winning 1992 miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream, and as the older brother Marcus Henderson on the... |
Mark Johnston | |
| Goodwood Cup Goodwood Cup The Goodwood Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 2 miles , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August.-History:... |
16 | Goodwood | 2 | 40 | 11-2 | 9 | 0.75 | Canon Can | 3:29.19 | Darryll Holland Darryll Holland Darryll Paul Holland is a United Kingdom flat racing jockey who has ridden for trainers such as Luca Cumani, Geoff Wragg, and Mark Johnston.... |
Mark Johnston | |
| Goodwood Cup Goodwood Cup The Goodwood Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 2 miles , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August.-History:... |
16 | Goodwood | 2 | 38 | 16-1 | 10 | 1.5 | Classic Cliche | 3:24.81 | Michael Roberts Michael Roberts (jockey) Michael Roberts is a South African jockey currently residing in Suffolk, England, with his wife Verna and two daughters, Melanie and Carolyn. Roberts has had a successful career, winning many English and South African races multiple times. He was British flat racing Champion Jockey in 1992... |
Mark Johnston | |
| Goodwood Cup Goodwood Cup The Goodwood Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 2 miles , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August.-History:... |
16 | Goodwood | 2 | 36 | 2-1 | 9 | Neck | Double Eclipse | 3:25.86 | Jason Weaver Jason Weaver Jason Michael Weaver also known by his stage name J-Weav, is an American actor and singer. He is perhaps best known for his television roles as a pre-teenage Michael Jackson in the Emmy Award-winning 1992 miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream, and as the older brother Marcus Henderson on the... |
Mark Johnston | |
| Henry II Stakes Henry II Stakes The Henry II Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 2 miles and 78 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late May.... |
16 | Sandown | 3 | 25 | 5-6 | 5 | 7 | Assessor | 3:41.15 | Jason Weaver Jason Weaver Jason Michael Weaver also known by his stage name J-Weav, is an American actor and singer. He is perhaps best known for his television roles as a pre-teenage Michael Jackson in the Emmy Award-winning 1992 miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream, and as the older brother Marcus Henderson on the... |
Mark Johnston | |
| Henry II Stakes Henry II Stakes The Henry II Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 2 miles and 78 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late May.... |
16 | Sandown | 3 | 25 | 5-4 | 7 | 6 | Old Rouvel | 3:33.01 | Jason Weaver Jason Weaver Jason Michael Weaver also known by his stage name J-Weav, is an American actor and singer. He is perhaps best known for his television roles as a pre-teenage Michael Jackson in the Emmy Award-winning 1992 miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream, and as the older brother Marcus Henderson on the... |
Mark Johnston | |
| Sagaro Stakes Sagaro Stakes The Sagaro Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late April or early May.... |
16 | Ascot | 3 | 25 | 11-8 | 7 | Head | Grey Shot | 3:27.64 | Jason Weaver Jason Weaver Jason Michael Weaver also known by his stage name J-Weav, is an American actor and singer. He is perhaps best known for his television roles as a pre-teenage Michael Jackson in the Emmy Award-winning 1992 miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream, and as the older brother Marcus Henderson on the... |
Mark Johnston | |
| Sagaro Stakes Sagaro Stakes The Sagaro Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late April or early May.... |
16 | Ascot | 3 | 25 | 9-2 | 7 | Head | Poltarf | 3:28.90 | Jason Weaver Jason Weaver Jason Michael Weaver also known by his stage name J-Weav, is an American actor and singer. He is perhaps best known for his television roles as a pre-teenage Michael Jackson in the Emmy Award-winning 1992 miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream, and as the older brother Marcus Henderson on the... |
Mark Johnston | |
| Gold Cup Ascot Gold Cup The Gold Cup 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 2 miles and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.... |
20 | Ascot | 1 | 111 | 9-4 | 7 | 5 | Moonax Moonax Moonax was an Irish-bred, English-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In 1994 Moonax became the first horse to win both the Classic St Leger and the Prix Royal-Oak and was named European Champion Stayer. He remains the only three year old to have been honoured in this way... |
4:20.25 | Jason Weaver Jason Weaver Jason Michael Weaver also known by his stage name J-Weav, is an American actor and singer. He is perhaps best known for his television roles as a pre-teenage Michael Jackson in the Emmy Award-winning 1992 miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream, and as the older brother Marcus Henderson on the... |
Mark Johnston | |
| Leger Italiano | 15 | Turin | 3 | 30 | 11-8 | 6 | 3.5 | Michel Georges | 3:20.80 | Jason Weaver Jason Weaver Jason Michael Weaver also known by his stage name J-Weav, is an American actor and singer. He is perhaps best known for his television roles as a pre-teenage Michael Jackson in the Emmy Award-winning 1992 miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream, and as the older brother Marcus Henderson on the... |
Mark Johnston | |
| Zetland Stakes Zetland Stakes The Zetland Stakes is a flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late October or early November.The event was formerly... |
10 | Newmarket | Listed | 8 | 3-1 | 10 | 1.5 | Barbaroja | 2:07.84 | Jason Weaver Jason Weaver Jason Michael Weaver also known by his stage name J-Weav, is an American actor and singer. He is perhaps best known for his television roles as a pre-teenage Michael Jackson in the Emmy Award-winning 1992 miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream, and as the older brother Marcus Henderson on the... |
Mark Johnston | |
Assessment
Double Trigger won the Cartier Racing AwardCartier Racing Award
The Cartier Racing Awards are awards in European horse racing, founded in 1991, and sponsored by Cartier jewelers. The award winners are decided by points earned in group races plus the votes cast by British racing journalists and readers of the Racing Post and Daily Telegraph newspapers.Eight...
for Top European Stayer in 1995. He was given a rating of 123 by Timeform
Timeform
Timeform Publications is a publishing company in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England founded in 1948 to provide information to fans, bettors, and others involved in the horse racing industry...
.
He has been honoured with a bronze statue at Doncaster Racecourse
Doncaster Racecourse
Doncaster Racecourse is a racecourse in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England. It hosts two of Great Britain's 31 Group 1 flat races, the St Leger Stakes and the Racing Post Trophy.- History :...
.
Assessing Double Trigger in 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:...
Tony Morris wrote
Stud career
Like many stayers, Double Trigger struggled to attract top quality mares at stud. He has had some success with jumpersNational Hunt racing
National Hunt racing is the official name given to the sport of horse racing in the United Kingdom, France and Ireland in which the horses are required to jump over obstacles called hurdles or fences...
, his most notable winner being Russian Trigger, winner of the Midlands Grand National. He remains an active stallion standing alongside the 2000 Champion Two-Year-Old Tobougg
Tobougg
Tobougg is a retired thoroughbred racehorse and active sire, who was bred in Ireland, but trained in England and Dubai during a racing career which lasted from 2000 to 2002. He was named European Champion Two-Year-Old Colt for 2000 at the Cartier Racing Awards...
at Clarendon Farm, Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
.