Levmoss
Encyclopedia
Levmoss was an Irish-bred and Irish-trained thoroughbred
racehorse
whose career lasted from 1967 to 1969.
His defeat of Park Top
in the 1969 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
was a bodyblow to those who claim that horses who win long-distance races are too slow to do anything else. He had already won the Ascot Gold Cup
and the Prix du Cadran
that year, but he had enough pace when dropped back to one and a half miles to beat not only Park Top, but three other classic winners in Blakeney
, Prince Regent
and Crepellana. He had also beaten Park Top in 1968, in the Oxfordshire Stakes
at Newbury
, and that year also won the two-mile Leopardstown Handicap and was placed in the French St. Leger
, the Queen's Vase
and the Lingfield Derby Trial
. As a two-year-old he won once from two starts. Levmoss went to stud as a five-year-old after accumluating eight wins worth £142,226. He stood for most of his life in Ireland
, where he had been trained by Seamus McGrath, but moved to France
for the 1977 season and died that year. The Irish St. Leger winner M-Lolshan and Prix du Cadran winner Shafaraz were his two best winners.
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
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
whose career lasted from 1967 to 1969.
His defeat of Park Top
Park Top
Park Top was a British racehorse. She had an unfashionable pedigree, cost only 500 guineas as a yearling and did not run as a two-year-old. Her Grand-dam Oola Hills was the dam of Pappa Fourway, but unlike him, Park Top was at her best over middle distances, as she showed when gaining her first...
in the 1969 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...
was a bodyblow to those who claim that horses who win long-distance races are too slow to do anything else. He had already won the Ascot 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....
and 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....
that year, but he had enough pace when dropped back to one and a half miles to beat not only Park Top, but three other classic winners in Blakeney
Blakeney (horse)
Blakeney was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He won the Derby at Epsom as a three-year-old in 1969 and was one of the few winners of the race to campaign successfully at four. He later had a successful stud career.-Background:...
, Prince Regent
Prince Regent
A prince regent is a prince who rules a monarchy as regent instead of a monarch, e.g., due to the Sovereign's incapacity or absence ....
and Crepellana. He had also beaten Park Top in 1968, in the Oxfordshire Stakes
Geoffrey Freer Stakes
The Geoffrey Freer Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Newbury over a distance of 1 mile, 5 furlongs and 61 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.-History:The event was established in 1949, and it...
at Newbury
Newbury 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 that year also won the two-mile Leopardstown Handicap and was placed in the French St. Leger
Prix Royal-Oak
The Prix Royal-Oak 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 3,100 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late October.-History:The event was established in 1861, and it was initially...
, the Queen's Vase
Queen's Vase
The Queen's Vase is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.-History:...
and the Lingfield Derby Trial
Lingfield Derby Trial
The Lingfield Derby Trial is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Lingfield Park over a distance of 1 mile, 3 furlongs and 106 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.The event was established in 1932, and...
. As a two-year-old he won once from two starts. Levmoss went to stud as a five-year-old after accumluating eight wins worth £142,226. He stood for most of his life 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...
, where he had been trained by Seamus McGrath, but moved to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
for the 1977 season and died that year. The Irish St. Leger winner M-Lolshan and Prix du Cadran winner Shafaraz were his two best winners.