Larkspur (horse)
Encyclopedia
Larkspur was an Irish Thoroughbred
racehorse and sire who won the Epsom Derby
1962. He was the first of six Derby winners trained by Vincent O’Brien at Ballydoyle
. Larkspur achieved little of note either before or after his Epsom triumph.
horse with a white blaze
, was bred in Ireland by Philip Love. His sire, the American-bred Derby winner Never Say Die
, was a qualified success at stud, getting the double Classic winner Never Too Late and becoming Champion Sire in 1962, largely thanks to Larkspur’s earnings. Apart from Larkspur, his dam Skylarking produced eight winners, the best being the 1965 Dante Stakes
winner Ballymarais.
Ballymarais ran in the 2000 Guineas and was nearest at finish at 33-1,and when the weights for the Dante were published he carried only 7.11 and was 1-4 on for the race, which he duly won, he was trained by Bill Gray, owned by Bill Stoker and ridden by Brian Connorton.
Larkspur was sent as a yearling to the Ballsbridge Sales where he was bought for 12,200gns
by Vincent O’Brien on behalf of the American businessman Raymond R. Guest
in the summer of 1961. After a break he returned to Leopardstown in September to record his first win, taking a maiden race by three lengths. He was strongly fancied for the National Stakes
later in the month, in which he finished a close third behind Mystery.
On his final start of the year, Larkspur was sent to England for the Observer Gold Cup
at Doncaster
in October. He made little impression and finished unplaced behind Miralgo.
s at the Curragh
on his reappearance. In May however, he was moved up in distance and earned his place in the Derby field by winning the Wills Gold Flake Stakes over one and a half miles at Leopardstown. The runner-up, Sicilian Prince, went on to win the Prix Royal Oak. Larkspur suffered a setback in his training shortly afterwards and his participation in the Derby was only confirmed a few days before the race.
At Epsom
, in front of a crowd estimated at 400,000, Larkspur was sent off a 22/1 outsider in a field of twenty-six, being perceived as O’Brien’s second string. The race was marred by an incident just after half way, in which seven horses, including the favourite Hethersett either fell or were brought down; one horse was killed and four jockeys were detained in hospital as a result. Larkspur’s Australian jockey Neville Sellwood could not offer an explanation for the incident but said that “the horses fell right in front of me...I had a narrow escape”. Larkspur took the lead two furlongs out and stayed on strongly in the closing stages to win by two lengths from the French-trained colts Arcor and Le Cantilien.
Larkspur failed to reproduce his Derby-winning form in three subsequent races. At the end of June he finished fourth at the Curragh behind the French-trained Tambourine when 9/4 favourite for the Irish Derby. His rider, Scobie Breasley
, offered no excuses, saying that Larkspur “could never get in a real blow”. He returned to the Curragh in autumn and started odds-on favourite for the Blandford Stakes
, but was narrowly beaten by Sicilian Prince. He was sent to Doncaster for the St Leger
, but could finish only sixth of the fifteen runners behind Hethersett.
The only lasting memorial to Larkspur’s achievements is Larkspur Park near his training base in Cashel
, County Tipperary
which includes a “globally renowned” pitch and putt
golf course.
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 sire who won the Epsom 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...
1962. He was the first of six Derby winners trained by Vincent O’Brien at Ballydoyle
Ballydoyle
Ballydoyle is a racehorse training facility located in County Tipperary in Ireland. It is a sister thoroughbred facility to Coolmore Stud, and both are owned by John Magnier...
. Larkspur achieved little of note either before or after his Epsom triumph.
Background
Larkspur, a light chestnutChestnut (coat)
Chestnut is a hair coat color of horses consisting of a reddish-to-brown coat with a mane and tail the same or lighter in color than the coat. Genetically and visually, chestnut is characterized by the absolute absence of true black hairs...
horse with a 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...
, was bred in Ireland by Philip Love. His sire, the American-bred Derby winner Never Say Die
Never Say Die (horse)
Never Say Die was a Thoroughbred racehorse foaled at Jonabell Farm in the United States and trained in Great Britain who won the Epsom Derby in 1954....
, was a qualified success at stud, getting the double Classic winner Never Too Late and becoming Champion Sire in 1962, largely thanks to Larkspur’s earnings. Apart from Larkspur, his dam Skylarking produced eight winners, the best being the 1965 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....
winner Ballymarais.
Ballymarais ran in the 2000 Guineas and was nearest at finish at 33-1,and when the weights for the Dante were published he carried only 7.11 and was 1-4 on for the race, which he duly won, he was trained by Bill Gray, owned by Bill Stoker and ridden by Brian Connorton.
Larkspur was sent as a yearling to the Ballsbridge Sales where he was bought for 12,200gns
Guinea (British coin)
The guinea is a coin that was minted in the Kingdom of England and later in the Kingdom of Great Britain and the United Kingdom between 1663 and 1813...
by Vincent O’Brien on behalf of the American businessman Raymond R. Guest
Raymond R. Guest
Commander Raymond Richard Guest OBE Commander Raymond Richard Guest OBE Commander Raymond Richard Guest OBE (November 25, 1907 – December 31, 1991 was an American businessman, thoroughbred race horse owner and polo player. He was United States Ambassador to Ireland.-Biography:...
1961: two-year-old season
Larkspur made little impression on his debut, finishing unplaced in a maiden race at LeopardstownLeopardstown Racecourse
Leopardstown Racecourse is an Irish horse-racing venue. Like the majority of Irish courses, it hosts both National Hunt and Flat racing. Located in Leopardstown, County Dublin, 8km south of the Dublin city centre. The course was built by Captain George Quin and modeled on Sandown Park Racecourse...
in the summer of 1961. After a break he returned to Leopardstown in September to record his first win, taking a maiden race by three lengths. He was strongly fancied for the National Stakes
National Stakes
The National Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September....
later in the month, in which he finished a close third behind Mystery.
On his final start of the year, Larkspur was sent to England for the Observer Gold Cup
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
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 :...
in October. He made little impression and finished unplaced behind Miralgo.
1962: three-year-old season
Larkspur’s unremarkable form continued into 1962 as he finished unplaced in the Madrid Handicap over seven 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 at the Curragh
Curragh Racecourse
The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.- History :...
on his reappearance. In May however, he was moved up in distance and earned his place in the Derby field by winning the Wills Gold Flake Stakes over one and a half miles at Leopardstown. The runner-up, Sicilian Prince, went on to win the Prix Royal Oak. Larkspur suffered a setback in his training shortly afterwards and his participation in the Derby was only confirmed a few days before the race.
At Epsom
Epsom Downs Racecourse
Epsom Downs is a Grade 1 racecourse near Epsom, Surrey, England. The "downs" referred to in the name are part of the North Downs. The course is best known for hosting the Epsom Derby, the United Kingdom's premier thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old colts and fillies, over a mile and a half...
, in front of a crowd estimated at 400,000, Larkspur was sent off a 22/1 outsider in a field of twenty-six, being perceived as O’Brien’s second string. The race was marred by an incident just after half way, in which seven horses, including the favourite Hethersett either fell or were brought down; one horse was killed and four jockeys were detained in hospital as a result. Larkspur’s Australian jockey Neville Sellwood could not offer an explanation for the incident but said that “the horses fell right in front of me...I had a narrow escape”. Larkspur took the lead two furlongs out and stayed on strongly in the closing stages to win by two lengths from the French-trained colts Arcor and Le Cantilien.
Larkspur failed to reproduce his Derby-winning form in three subsequent races. At the end of June he finished fourth at the Curragh behind the French-trained Tambourine when 9/4 favourite for the Irish Derby. His rider, Scobie Breasley
Scobie Breasley
Arthur Edward "Scobie" Breasley was an Australian jockey. He won the Caulfield Cup in Melbourne five times: 1942-45 consecutively on Tranquil Star, Skipton, Counsel and St Fairy; then on Peshawar in 1952...
, offered no excuses, saying that Larkspur “could never get in a real blow”. He returned to the Curragh in autumn and started odds-on favourite for the Blandford Stakes
Blandford Stakes
The Blandford Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.The event is named after the...
, but was narrowly beaten by Sicilian Prince. He was sent to Doncaster for 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...
, but could finish only sixth of the fifteen runners behind Hethersett.
Assessment and Honours
In their book A Century of Champions, John Randall and Tony Morris rated Larkspur a “poor” Derby winner.The only lasting memorial to Larkspur’s achievements is Larkspur Park near his training base in Cashel
Cashel
Cashel is an Anglicised form of the Irish language word Caiseal, meaning "stone ringfort". Cashels were typically built on rocky outcrops.It has given its name to the following places:In Ireland:*Cashel, County Tipperary...
, County Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
which includes a “globally renowned” pitch and putt
Pitch and putt
Pitch and putt is an amateur sport, similar to golf. The maximum hole length for international competitions is with a maximum total course length of . Players may only use three clubs; one of which must be a putter...
golf course.
Stud career
Larkspur stood as a stallion in Ireland for three seasons before being exported to Japan in 1967. He made little impact as a stallion in either country.Pedigree
- Larkspur was inbredInbreedingInbreeding is the reproduction from the mating of two genetically related parents. Inbreeding results in increased homozygosity, which can increase the chances of offspring being affected by recessive or deleterious traits. This generally leads to a decreased fitness of a population, which is...
4x4 to the 1929 Poule d'Essai des PoulainsPoule d'Essai des PoulainsThe Poule d'Essai des Poulains, sometimes referred to as the French 2,000 Guineas, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts...
winner Vatout. This means that the stallion appears twice in the fourth generation of his pedigree.