King's Theatre (horse)
Encyclopedia
King's Theatre was an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire who was trained in the United Kingdom
in a racing career which lasted from 1993 to 1996. He is best known for winning the 1994 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He later became a sire of both flat racers and jumpers.
out of the mare Regal Beauty, making him a half-brother to the Royal Lodge Stakes
winner High Estate, who was European Champion Two-Year-Old in 1988. He was sent into training with Henry Cecil at Newmarket.
maiden race was followed by a four-length win in the Haynes, Hanson and Clark Conditions Stakes
at Newbury. He was then moved up to the highest level to contest the Racing Post Trophy
at Doncaster, in which he defeated the Fillies' Mile
winner, Fairy Heights.
candidate. On his 1994 debut, however, he proved himself to be a serious contender for the 2000 Guineas by taking a narrow victory in the Craven Stakes
. Sent off as 9-2 favourite for the Guineas, he led early but faded into 13th place behind Mister Baileys. A well-beaten fourth place behind Erhaab
in the Dante Stakes
followed, and his price for the Derby drifted out to 14-1. At Epsom, however, he showed himself to be a top-class middle-distance performer, taking the lead a furlong from home and finishing second of the twenty-five runners behind Erhaab
. As a result of his Epsom performance, he was sent off evens favourite for the Irish Derby and duly defeated his male rivals, but could only manage second place to the European Champion filly Balanchine
.
In the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes he was sent off at 12-1 and produced his best performance. Always prominent, he was taken wide to make his challenge in the straight, took the lead a furlong out, and won by one and a quarter lengths from White Muzzle, with Erhaab well-beaten in seventh. The race was marred to some extent by the performance of Ezzoud
, who unseated his jockey at the start and went on to interfere with several runners. King's Theatre continued to be tried at the highest level, but never won another race. Following his victory at Ascot, he finished third to Ezzoud in the International Stakes
and tenth (beaten less than four lengths) behind Carnegie in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
.
.
and third of four to Strategic Choice in the Gran Premio di Milano
. He was then retired to stud.
and named best three-year-old colt in the Cartier Racing Awards.
for part of the year, before being "shuttled" to stand at the Glenlogan Stud Queensland
, for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season. His winners on the flat included King's Drama (Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes), Young Mick (Cumberland Lodge Stakes
), King's Ironbridge (Craven Stakes
), Royal Code (Alister Clark Stakes
) and Red Rioja (C. L. Weld Park Stakes
).
Later in his stud career he became better known as the sire of several prominent jumpers
, including Riverside Theatre (Ascot Chase
), Captain Chris (Arkle Challenge Trophy), Menorah (Supreme Novices' Hurdle
), Wichita Lineman (Spa Novices' Hurdle
) and Cue Card (Sharp Novices' Hurdle
).
He died on 13th June 2011 after suffering complications following an operation for colic
.
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...
in a racing career which lasted from 1993 to 1996. He is best known for winning the 1994 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He later became a sire of both flat racers and jumpers.
Background
King's Theatre was bred in Ireland by Michael Poland. He was from the sixth crop of the fourteen times European Champion sire Sadler's WellsSadler's Wells (horse)
Sadler's Wells was a Thoroughbred racehorse that was later a leading sire in France, Great Britain & Ireland and North America during the 1990s. He was foaled in 1981 in the United States, but achieved most of his racing and breeding fame in Europe....
out of the mare Regal Beauty, making him a half-brother to the Royal Lodge Stakes
Royal Lodge Stakes
The Royal Lodge Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September....
winner High Estate, who was European Champion Two-Year-Old in 1988. He was sent into training with Henry Cecil at Newmarket.
1993: two-year-old season
King's Theatre his first appearance in July 1993, finishing fifth in a maiden race at Newmarket. An five length win in a YarmouthGreat Yarmouth Racecourse
Great Yarmouth Racecourse, also known simply as Yarmouth Racecourse, is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.The racecourse is a narrow, oblong track, 1 mile 5 furlongs in circumference.- External links :***...
maiden race was followed by a four-length win in the Haynes, Hanson and Clark Conditions Stakes
Haynes, Hanson and Clark Conditions Stakes
The Haynes, Hanson and Clark Conditions Stakes is a flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Newbury over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September....
at Newbury. He was then moved up to the highest level to contest the Racing Post Trophy
Racing Post Trophy
The Racing Post Trophy is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late October....
at Doncaster, in which he defeated the Fillies' Mile
Fillies' Mile
The Fillies' Mile is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September....
winner, Fairy Heights.
1994: three-year-old season
King's Theatre went into the winter of 1993-4 as a leading DerbyEpsom 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...
candidate. On his 1994 debut, however, he proved himself to be a serious contender for the 2000 Guineas by taking a narrow victory in the Craven Stakes
Craven Stakes
The Craven Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid April.The event serves as a trial for the first...
. Sent off as 9-2 favourite for the Guineas, he led early but faded into 13th place behind Mister Baileys. A well-beaten fourth place behind Erhaab
Erhaab
Erhaab is a retired Thoroughbred race horse and active sire, bred in the United States but trained in the United Kingdom. He is best known as the winner of the Epsom Derby in 1994...
in the Dante Stakes
Dante Stakes
The Dante Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. 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 May....
followed, and his price for the Derby drifted out to 14-1. At Epsom, however, he showed himself to be a top-class middle-distance performer, taking the lead a furlong from home and finishing second of the twenty-five runners behind Erhaab
Erhaab
Erhaab is a retired Thoroughbred race horse and active sire, bred in the United States but trained in the United Kingdom. He is best known as the winner of the Epsom Derby in 1994...
. As a result of his Epsom performance, he was sent off evens favourite for the Irish Derby and duly defeated his male rivals, but could only manage second place to the European Champion filly Balanchine
Balanchine (horse)
Balanchine is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse, bred in the United States and trained in the United Kingdom and Dubai. She is best known for defeating male opposition in the 1994 Irish Derby and for being one of the first successes for Godolphin Racing....
.
In the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes he was sent off at 12-1 and produced his best performance. Always prominent, he was taken wide to make his challenge in the straight, took the lead a furlong out, and won by one and a quarter lengths from White Muzzle, with Erhaab well-beaten in seventh. The race was marred to some extent by the performance of Ezzoud
Ezzoud
Ezzoud , was a Thoroughbred racehorse bred in Ireland and trained in the United Kingdom during a racing career which lasted from 1991 to 1994. He is best known for winning consecutive runnings of the International Stakes at York....
, who unseated his jockey at the start and went on to interfere with several runners. King's Theatre continued to be tried at the highest level, but never won another race. Following his victory at Ascot, he finished third to Ezzoud 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....
and tenth (beaten less than four lengths) behind Carnegie in 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...
.
1995: four-year-old season
For the 1995 season, King's Theatre was moved to the USA to be trained by Bill Mott. He failed to win in three starts, the best of them being a third place behind Kiri's Clown in the Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes at SaratogaSaratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
.
1996: five-year-old season
In the winter of 1995-1996 he was transferred to Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation and was trained by Saeed bin Suroor. He made only two starts as a five year-old, finishing second in a minor stakes race at NewburyNewbury Racecourse
Newbury Racecourse is a racecourse in the civil parish of Greenham, adjoining the town of Newbury in Berkshire, England. It has courses for flat races and over jumps...
and third of four to Strategic Choice in 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....
. He was then retired to stud.
Assessment
King's Theatre was rated the third best juvenile colt in Europe in 1993. At three he was rated at 128 by TimeformTimeform
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...
and named best three-year-old colt in the Cartier Racing Awards.
Stud career
Retired to stand at stud in Ireland in 1997, King's Theatre had a long and reasonably successful career as a stallion. For several years he was a "shuttle" stallion- standing at the Ballylinch Stud, KilkennyCounty Kilkenny
County Kilkenny is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Kilkenny. The territory of the county was the core part of the ancient Irish Kingdom of Osraige which in turn was the core of the Diocese of...
for part of the year, before being "shuttled" to stand at the Glenlogan Stud Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season. His winners on the flat included King's Drama (Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes), Young Mick (Cumberland Lodge Stakes
Cumberland Lodge Stakes
The Cumberland Lodge 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 Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September.The event is named after Cumberland Lodge,...
), King's Ironbridge (Craven Stakes
Craven Stakes
The Craven Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid April.The event serves as a trial for the first...
), Royal Code (Alister Clark Stakes
Alister Clark Stakes
The Alister Clark Stakes is a MVRC Group 2 Australian Thoroughbred horse race, for three year-old colts and geldings, at set weights, over a distance of 2040 metres. It is held annually at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia...
) and Red Rioja (C. L. Weld Park Stakes
C. L. Weld Park Stakes
The C. L. Weld Park Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September or October....
).
Later in his stud career he became better known as the sire of several prominent jumpers
National 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...
, including Riverside Theatre (Ascot Chase
Ascot Chase
The Ascot Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of about 2 miles and 5½ furlongs , and during its running there are seventeen fences to be jumped...
), Captain Chris (Arkle Challenge Trophy), Menorah (Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Supreme Novices' Hurdle
The Supreme Novices' 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 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...
), Wichita Lineman (Spa Novices' Hurdle
Spa Novices' Hurdle
The Spa Novices' Hurdle, also known as the Albert Bartlett Novices' 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 on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles , and during its running there...
) and Cue Card (Sharp Novices' Hurdle
Sharp Novices' Hurdle
The Sharp Novices' 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 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...
).
He died on 13th June 2011 after suffering complications following an operation for colic
Horse colic
Colic in horses is defined as abdominal pain, but it is a clinical sign rather than a diagnosis. The term colic can encompass all forms of gastrointestinal conditions which cause pain as well as other causes of abdominal pain not involving the gastrointestinal tract. The most common forms of colic...
.