Falbrav
Encyclopedia
Falbrav is a retired Thoroughbred
racehorse and active sire, bred in Ireland
but trained in Italy
and the United Kingdom
during his racing career which ran from 2000 to 2004. He is notable for having won Group One
/Grade I
races in five different countries: the Premio Presidente della Repubblica
and the Gran Premio di Milano
in Italy; the Japan Cup
in Japan; the Prix d'Ispahan
in France; the Eclipse Stakes
, the Juddmonte International Stakes
and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
in the United Kingdom and the Hong Kong Vase
in Hong Kong.
, was bred in Ireland by the Italian Azienda Agricola Francesca. He was from one of the last groups of foals sired by the Northern Dancer
stallion Fairy King
out of the Slewpy mare Gift of the Night. Apart from Falbrav, Fairy King, who died in 1999, sired the winners of over five-hundred races, including Helissio
(Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
) and Oath
(Derby
).
Falbrav was first put into training with Luciano D'Auria at Bellinzago Lombardo
in Italy, but was moved to the English stable of Luca Cumani in early 2003.
"Falbrav" is a Milanese dialect word meaning "be good".
racecourses, Falbrav won three times from six starts in 2001. His most significant performance, however, came in defeat, when finishing second to Morshdi in the Group One Derby Italiano
. His end of season rating of 113 made him the best three-year-old in Italy, but placed him sixteen pounds below the European champion Galileo
suggesting that he would struggle against top class international competition.
In May he won the Group One Premio Presidente della Repubblica
, taking the lead a furlong
from home and beating the odds-on Godolphin colt Ekraar by one and a quarter lengths. A month later, Falbrav again defeated a Godolphin challenger, winning the Gran Premio di Milano
by three lengths from Narrative.
He was then aimed at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
and ran a promising trial when taking third place in the Prix Foy
. Although Falbrav's challenge provoked interest and enthusiasm in Italy he appeared to have his limitations exposed when finishing ninth behind Marienbard
in the French classic.
In the Japan Cup
in November, however, he showed his best form, leading inside the final furlong and staying on strongly to hold off Sarafan
and Symboli Kris S
in a photo-finish. The rest of the field included such major winners as Golan
, Storming Home
, Indigenous
, Bright Sky (2002 Prix de Diane
and Prix de l'Opera
) and Jungle Pocket (2001 Tokyo Yushun
and Japan Cup). The race was a rough one, and Falbrav's win was only confirmed after an objection from the connections of the runner-up who claimed that a collision in the closing stages had cost their horse the race. According to Sarafan's rider "Falbrav bumped me...I'm not happy or satisfied at all."
following a reported disagreement between the horses owners and Luciano D'Auria. Cumani was impressed by Falbrav, saying that he looked "a million dollars", but early plans were flexible, with the owners undecided about whether to campaign the horse in Europe or Japan.
He began the year in France, finishing third in the Prix Ganay
before beating Bright Sky in the Prix d'Ispahan
. Cumani was not particularly enthusistic about the win, but pointed out that he had been concerned by the soft ground which did not suit Falbrav.
in the Prince of Wales's Stakes
at Royal Ascot, but then reversed the form in the Eclipse Stakes
, winning by three-quarters of a length after breaking clear of the field a furlong out. Cumani felt that the horse had been forced to take the lead earlier than was ideal, but was keen to praise him, describing him "full of confidence and power" and comparing him to "a heavyweight boxer." Others were more sceptical, pointing out that the fast-finishing runner-up had been unable to find a clear run in the closing stages. He returned to Ascot for the one and a half mile King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, where he raced prominently before weakening into fifth place behind Alamshar
.
In the International Stakes
at York he produced what the Telegraph's described as his "key weapon... a decisive turn of foot" to go four lengths clear two furlongs from the finish, before running on to record a two length win, increasing his Sandown superiority over Nayef, who finished third. Cumani's assessment of Falbrav reached even greater heights after the race, as he called Falbrav "amazing, a machine... one of the best horses I have ever trained" The win also earned Falbrav's owners a £250,000 bonus for winning the Middle Distance Championship series from the British Horseracing Board
.
, in which he "just failed" to catch High Chaparral
, having struggled to find space to run in a rough race. After the race, Falbrav's connections launched an unsuccessful appeal to have the result overturned, on the grounds that High Chaparral should have been disqualified. He then proved his versatility by moving down to the one mile distance and beating the 1,000 Guineas winner Russian Rhythm
in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
at Ascot, recording the second fastest time in the race's history. After the race his trainer reportedly offered to present four crates of champagne to anyone who could persuade Falbrav's owners to keep their horse in training for another year.
Falbrav's owners then paid a supplementary charge of $180,000 to run him in the Breeders' Cup
at Santa Anita
where Cumani opted for the Turf
after seriously considering a run in the Classic
. He led a furlong from home before losing out in a three way photo-finish, a head behind the dead-heaters High Chaparral and Johar
.
On his final racecourse appearance, Falbrav produced one of his best performances, beating Rakti
by two lengths in the Hong Kong
Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse
. Frankie Dettori said of the run, "That was electric... He just flew. He took my breath away", after Falbrav's acceleration had settled the result a furlong from the finish.
In the International Classification for the same year, Falbrav was rated on 127, six pounds behind Hawk Wing
,. Although this rating made him the fourth best horse in the world, some commentators claimed that he had been unfairly under-rated. The argument was centred on the fact that Hawk Hing's rating was based on one performance (in the Lockinge Stakes
), whereas Falbrav had raced at a consistently high standard from April to December.
The same arguments, in reverse, were aired when Falbrav was awarded the title of BHB
Horse of the Year.
Although they also gave Hawk Wing a higher rating, Timeform
named Falbrav their "Horse of the Year". In awarding him a rating of 133 they observed,
, Japan in the early part of the year before moving to Australia for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season where he has stood at the Arrowfield Stud at Scone, New South Wales
.
He has made a "good start" at stud, producing winners like Fanunalter (Diomed Stakes
), Fravashi (QTC Sires Produce Stakes
), Distant Memories (Winter Hill Stakes
), Brava Fortune (Karrakatta Plate
) and One Carat (Hakodate Sprint 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 and active sire, 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 Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and 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 ran from 2000 to 2004. He is notable for having won 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...
/Grade I
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...
races in five different countries: the Premio Presidente della Repubblica
Premio Presidente della Repubblica
The Premio Presidente della Repubblica is a Group 1 flat horse race in Italy open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Capannelle over a distance 2,000 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...
and the Gran Premio di Milano
Gran Premio di Milano
The Gran Premio di Milano is a Group 1 flat horse race in Italy open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Milan over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
in Italy; 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...
in Japan; the Prix d'Ispahan
Prix d'Ispahan
The Prix d'Ispahan is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,850 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...
in France; the Eclipse Stakes
Eclipse Stakes
The Eclipse Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 7 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early July.-History:The event is named after Eclipse, a...
, the Juddmonte International Stakes
International Stakes
The International Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 88 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile , and it is now scheduled to take place each year in October. As of 2011, it is run on Champions Day as the final race...
in the United Kingdom and the 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.
Background
Falbrav, a "massive, bull-like" bay horse with three white feet and a small starHorse 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...
, was bred in Ireland by the Italian Azienda Agricola Francesca. He was from one of the last groups of foals sired by the Northern Dancer
Northern Dancer
Northern Dancer was a Canadian-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and the most successful sire of the 20th Century. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association calls him "one of the most influential sires in Thoroughbred history"....
stallion Fairy King
Fairy King
Fairy King was an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and a successful sire. A full brother to Sadler's Wells, he was bred and raced by Robert Sangster and associates. Out of the mare Fairy Bridge, he was sired by Northern Dancer who is regarded as the 20th century’s best sire of sires. Fairy...
out of the Slewpy mare Gift of the Night. Apart from Falbrav, Fairy King, who died in 1999, sired the winners of over five-hundred races, including Helissio
Helissio
Helissio is a Thoroughbred racehorse sired by Fairy King and a grandson of Northern Dancer. Owned by the Spanish businessman Enrique Sarasola, he was voted the European Horse of the Year for 1996...
(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 Oath
Oath (horse)
Oath is a retired Thoroughbred race horse, bred in Ireland and trained in the United Kingdom, best known for winning the 1999 Epsom Derby. He was injured in his next race and never ran again. He is currently an active sire in India....
(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...
).
Falbrav was first put into training with Luciano D'Auria at Bellinzago Lombardo
Bellinzago Lombardo
Bellinzago Lombardo is a comune in the Province of Milan in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 25 km northeast of Milan.Bellinzago Lombardo borders the following municipalities: Gessate, Inzago, Gorgonzola, Pozzuolo Martesana....
in Italy, but was moved to the English stable of Luca Cumani in early 2003.
"Falbrav" is a Milanese dialect word meaning "be good".
2000: two-year-old season
Falbrav won a maiden race at San Siro Racecourse, Milan on his racecourse debut in September 2000. He was placed in three other races that autumn, most notably the Group Two Premio Guido Berardelli in which he finished a neck second to Mistero.2001: three-year-old season
Racing exclusively at the San Siro and CapanelleCapannelle Racecourse
Capannelle Racecourse, also known as Ippodromo Capannelle, is a horse racing venue in Rome, Italy. The course was first constructed in 1881, and it was rebuilt in 1926....
racecourses, Falbrav won three times from six starts in 2001. His most significant performance, however, came in defeat, when finishing second to Morshdi in the Group One Derby Italiano
Derby Italiano
The Derby Italiano is a Group 2 flat horse race in Italy open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Capannelle over a distance of 2,200 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
. His end of season rating of 113 made him the best three-year-old in Italy, but placed him sixteen pounds below the European champion Galileo
Galileo (horse)
Galileo is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. He is best known for winning the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby Stakes, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2001 and for his rivalry with the Godolphin champion Fantastic Light...
suggesting that he would struggle against top class international competition.
2002: four-year-old season
Falbrav won another minor event on his four-year-old debut. From that point on he began to show vastly improved form.In May he won the Group One Premio Presidente della Repubblica
Premio Presidente della Repubblica
The Premio Presidente della Repubblica is a Group 1 flat horse race in Italy open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Capannelle over a distance 2,000 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...
, taking the lead a furlong
Furlong
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....
from home and beating the odds-on Godolphin colt Ekraar by one and a quarter lengths. A month later, Falbrav again defeated a Godolphin challenger, winning the Gran Premio di Milano
Gran Premio di Milano
The Gran Premio di Milano is a Group 1 flat horse race in Italy open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Milan over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
by three lengths from Narrative.
He was then aimed at 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 ran a promising trial when taking third place in the Prix Foy
Prix Foy
The Prix Foy is a Group 2 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbred colts and fillies aged four years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September....
. Although Falbrav's challenge provoked interest and enthusiasm in Italy he appeared to have his limitations exposed when finishing ninth behind Marienbard
Marienbard
Marienbard was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse bred by Saif Ali and raced by Godolphin Racing. Out of the mare Marienbad, he was sired by the French Champion Three-Year-Old Colt, Caerleon, a son of the 1971 British Triple Crown champion, Nijinsky....
in the French classic.
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...
in November, however, he showed his best form, leading inside the final furlong and staying on strongly to hold off Sarafan
Sarafan
A Sarafan is a traditional Russian long, shapeless jumper dress worn as Russian folk costume by women and girls.Chronicles first mention it under the year 1376, and since that time it was worn well until the 20th century. It is now worn as folk costume for performing Russian folk songs and folk...
and Symboli Kris S
Symboli Kris S
Symboli Kris S is a retired Japanese Thoroughbred race horse. He was voted Japanese Horse of the Year in 2002 and 2003. He was retired at the end of 2003 and was syndicated for $15-million. He stands at stud at Shadai Stallion Station on the island of Hokkaido in Japan.-References:**...
in a photo-finish. The rest of the field included such major winners as Golan
Golan (horse)
Golan is a retired thoroughbred racehorse and active sire who was bred in Ireland but trained in the United Kingdom throughout his racing career, which lasted from 2000 to 2002. He won the 2,000 Guineas in 2001 and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes in 2002...
, Storming Home
Storming Home
Storming Home is a retired, British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire who was trained in the United Kingdom and the United States during a racing career which ran from 2000 to 2003...
, Indigenous
Indigenous (horse)
Indigenous was an Irish thoroughbred racehorse who also raced in Hong Kong.He was bred by Major John de Burgh at his Oldtown Stud in Naas, County Kildare, Ireland and sold as a yearling for 10,500 guineas at the Goffs Orby Sale in 1994.Purchased by trainer Kevin Prendergast, he was named...
, Bright Sky (2002 Prix de Diane
Prix de Diane
The Prix de Diane, sometimes referred to as the French Oaks, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies...
and Prix de l'Opera
Prix de l'Opéra
The Prix de l'Opéra is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,000 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early October.The event was established in 1974, and it was...
) and Jungle Pocket (2001 Tokyo Yushun
Tokyo Yushun
The , also called as the is a Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies run over a distance of 2,400 metres at the Tokyo Racecourse, Fuchū, Tokyo in late May or early June....
and Japan Cup). The race was a rough one, and Falbrav's win was only confirmed after an objection from the connections of the runner-up who claimed that a collision in the closing stages had cost their horse the race. According to Sarafan's rider "Falbrav bumped me...I'm not happy or satisfied at all."
Spring
After the Japan Cup Falbrav's owners, Scuderia Rencati, sold a half share in the horse to Tenruya Yoshida. For his five-year-old season Falbrav was transferred to the Newmarket stable of Luca CumaniLuca Cumani
Luca M. Cumani is an Italian thoroughbred horse trainer. He has trained at Bedford House Stables in Newmarket, England since 1976...
following a reported disagreement between the horses owners and Luciano D'Auria. Cumani was impressed by Falbrav, saying that he looked "a million dollars", but early plans were flexible, with the owners undecided about whether to campaign the horse in Europe or Japan.
He began the year in France, finishing third in the Prix Ganay
Prix Ganay
The Prix Ganay is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,100 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late April or early May....
before beating Bright Sky in the Prix d'Ispahan
Prix d'Ispahan
The Prix d'Ispahan is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,850 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...
. Cumani was not particularly enthusistic about the win, but pointed out that he had been concerned by the soft ground which did not suit Falbrav.
Summer
In summer, Falbrav raced in his new home country. He finished a disappointing fifth behind NayefNayef (horse)
Nayef is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse an active sire, bred in the United States but trained in the United Kingdom during his racing career which ran from 2000 to 2003...
in 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, but then reversed the form in the Eclipse Stakes
Eclipse Stakes
The Eclipse Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 7 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early July.-History:The event is named after Eclipse, a...
, winning by three-quarters of a length after breaking clear of the field a furlong out. Cumani felt that the horse had been forced to take the lead earlier than was ideal, but was keen to praise him, describing him "full of confidence and power" and comparing him to "a heavyweight boxer." Others were more sceptical, pointing out that the fast-finishing runner-up had been unable to find a clear run in the closing stages. He returned to Ascot for the one and a half mile King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, where he raced prominently before weakening into fifth place behind Alamshar
Alamshar
Alamshar is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. He won five of his nine races in a career which lasted from September 2002 to September 2003...
.
In the International Stakes
International Stakes
The International Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 88 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
at York he produced what the Telegraph's described as his "key weapon... a decisive turn of foot" to go four lengths clear two furlongs from the finish, before running on to record a two length win, increasing his Sandown superiority over Nayef, who finished third. Cumani's assessment of Falbrav reached even greater heights after the race, as he called Falbrav "amazing, a machine... one of the best horses I have ever trained" The win also earned Falbrav's owners a £250,000 bonus for winning the Middle Distance Championship series from the British Horseracing Board
British Horseracing Board
From 10 June 1993 until 30 July 2007, the British Horseracing Board was the governing authority for horseracing in Great Britain. It was created in 1993, and took on responsibilities previously held by the Jockey Club...
.
Autumn
He next travelled to Leopardstown for the Irish Champion StakesIrish Champion Stakes
The Irish Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.-History:The event was established in 1976, and...
, in which he "just failed" to catch High Chaparral
High Chaparral
High Chaparral is a racehorse, winner of the Epsom Derby in 2002, and the winner of the Breeders' Cup Turf in 2002 and 2003 .-2001: Two-year-old season:...
, having struggled to find space to run in a rough race. After the race, Falbrav's connections launched an unsuccessful appeal to have the result overturned, on the grounds that High Chaparral should have been disqualified. He then proved his versatility by moving down to the one mile distance and beating the 1,000 Guineas winner Russian Rhythm
Russian Rhythm
Russian Rhythm is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active broodmare who was bred in the United States but trained in the United Kingdom during a rcing career which lsted from 2002 to 2004...
in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile , and it is now scheduled to take place each year in October. As of 2011, it is run on Champions Day as the final race...
at Ascot, recording the second fastest time in the race's history. After the race his trainer reportedly offered to present four crates of champagne to anyone who could persuade Falbrav's owners to keep their horse in training for another year.
Falbrav's owners then paid a supplementary charge of $180,000 to run him in the Breeders' Cup
Breeders' Cup
The Breeders' Cup World Championships is an annual series of Thoroughbred horse races, most but not all Grade I, operated by Breeders' Cup Limited, a company formed in 1982. From its inception in 1984 through 2006, it was a single-day event; starting in 2007, it expanded to two days. The location...
at Santa Anita
Santa Anita
Santa Anita may refer to:*Metro Santa Anita, a station on the Mexico City Metro*Rancho Santa Anita, a 13,319-acre land grant given to Hugo Reid*Santa Anita, Baja California Sur, a village in Baja California del Sur, Mexico...
where Cumani opted for the Turf
Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Emirates Airlines.The forerunner...
after seriously considering a run in the 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...
. He led a furlong from home before losing out in a three way photo-finish, a head behind the dead-heaters High Chaparral and Johar
Johar
Johar is an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2003 Breeders' Cup Turf in a dead-heat with High Chaparral....
.
On his final racecourse appearance, Falbrav produced one of his best performances, beating 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:...
by two lengths in the 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...
Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse
Sha Tin Racecourse
Sha Tin Racecourse is one of the two racecourses for horse racing in Hong Kong. It is located in Sha Tin in the New Territories. It is managed by Hong Kong Jockey Club.Penfold Park is encircled by the track.-History:...
. Frankie Dettori said of the run, "That was electric... He just flew. He took my breath away", after Falbrav's acceleration had settled the result a furlong from the finish.
Assessment
Falbrav won the 2003 Cartier Racing Award for Champion European older horse.In the International Classification for the same year, Falbrav was rated on 127, six pounds behind Hawk Wing
Hawk Wing
Hawk Wing is a Thoroughbred racehorse trained by Aidan O'Brien.-2001: Two-year-old career:He was the top two-year old of 2001 in the United Kingdom and Ireland, by virtue of a two and a half length win in the National Stakes. He was not undefeated at two, however, having earlier finished second in...
,. Although this rating made him the fourth best horse in the world, some commentators claimed that he had been unfairly under-rated. The argument was centred on the fact that Hawk Hing's rating was based on one performance (in the Lockinge Stakes
Lockinge Stakes
The Lockinge Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Newbury over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...
), whereas Falbrav had raced at a consistently high standard from April to December.
The same arguments, in reverse, were aired when Falbrav was awarded the title of BHB
British Horseracing Board
From 10 June 1993 until 30 July 2007, the British Horseracing Board was the governing authority for horseracing in Great Britain. It was created in 1993, and took on responsibilities previously held by the Jockey Club...
Horse of the Year.
Although they also gave Hawk Wing a higher rating, 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...
named Falbrav their "Horse of the Year". In awarding him a rating of 133 they observed,
Stud career
Falbrav operates as a "shuttle" stallion, standing at the Shadai Stallion Station in HokkaidoHokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
, Japan in the early part of the year before moving to Australia for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season where he has stood at the Arrowfield Stud at Scone, New South Wales
Scone, New South Wales
Scone is a town in the Upper Hunter Shire in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales, Australia. At the 2006 census, Scone had a population of 4,624 people. It is located on the New England Highway north of Muswellbrook about 270 kilometres north of Sydney, and is part of the Hunter and Upper...
.
He has made a "good start" at stud, producing winners like Fanunalter (Diomed Stakes
Diomed Stakes
The Diomed Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile and 114 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early June....
), Fravashi (QTC Sires Produce Stakes
QTC Sires Produce Stakes
The QTC Sires Produce Stakes is a Group 2 Australian Thoroughbred horse race for two year olds run at set weights over 1400 metres, at Eagle Farm Racecourse in June each year...
), Distant Memories (Winter Hill Stakes
Winter Hill Stakes
The Winter Hill Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Windsor over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 7 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.The event is traditionally held during...
), Brava Fortune (Karrakatta Plate
Karrakatta Plate
The Karrakatta Plate is a WATC Group 2 Thoroughbred horse race for two year olds, run at set weights, over a distance of 1200 metres at Ascot Racecourse, Perth in April...
) and One Carat (Hakodate Sprint Stakes).