Never Say Die (horse)
Encyclopedia
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.
Bred and raced by Robert Sterling Clark
, Never Say Die was foaled in Kentucky
and sent to England as a yearling. Trained by Joseph Lawson, who had already won eleven Classics http://www.horseracinghistory.co.uk/hrho/action/viewDocument?id=1303, even if Never Say Die had achieved nothing else, the colt would be in the racing history books as the first Derby winner ridden by Lester Piggott
, who was 18 years old when he rode him to a 33-1 success at Epsom
in 1954. But Never Say Die was a great deal more than a one-race wonder. As a two-year-old, he won once and was placed in the Richmond Stakes
and Dewhurst Stakes
. Although Never Say Die was beaten in a very rough race for the King Edward VII Stakes
at Ascot Racecourse
(Piggott received a very harsh six months suspension for his riding in the race), he ended his career with a 12-length success at the St. Leger Stakes
.
On retirement, his owner, American Robert Sterling Clark
, gifted him to the National Stud and he was champion sire in 1962, thanks to Larkspur's
Derby victory. He also sired the Epsom Oaks
and 1,000 Guineas winner Never Too Late and other good winners in Die Hard and Sostenuto.
Never say Die was put down in 1975, by when his stock had won 309 races worth more than £400,000 in Great Britain
.
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 foaled at Jonabell Farm in the United States and trained in Great Britain 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...
in 1954.
Bred and raced by Robert Sterling Clark
Robert Sterling Clark
Robert Sterling Clark , heir to the Singer Sewing Machine fortune, was an American art collector, horse breeder, and philanthropist.-Biography:...
, Never Say Die was foaled in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
and sent to England as a yearling. Trained by Joseph Lawson, who had already won eleven Classics http://www.horseracinghistory.co.uk/hrho/action/viewDocument?id=1303, even if Never Say Die had achieved nothing else, the colt would be in the racing history books as the first Derby winner ridden by Lester Piggott
Lester Piggott
Lester Keith Piggott is a retired English professional jockey, popularly known as "The Long Fellow". With 4,493 career wins, including nine Epsom Derby victories, he is one of the most well-known English flat racing jockeys of all time....
, who was 18 years old when he rode him to a 33-1 success 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 1954. But Never Say Die was a great deal more than a one-race wonder. As a two-year-old, he won once and was placed in the Richmond Stakes
Richmond Stakes
The Richmond Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August....
and Dewhurst Stakes
Dewhurst Stakes
The Dewhurst Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.The event was established in 1875, and it...
. Although Never Say Die was beaten in a very rough race for the King Edward VII Stakes
King Edward VII Stakes
The King Edward VII Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
at Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races...
(Piggott received a very harsh six months suspension for his riding in the race), he ended his career with a 12-length success at 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...
.
On retirement, his owner, American Robert Sterling Clark
Robert Sterling Clark
Robert Sterling Clark , heir to the Singer Sewing Machine fortune, was an American art collector, horse breeder, and philanthropist.-Biography:...
, gifted him to the National Stud and he was champion sire in 1962, thanks to Larkspur's
Larkspur (horse)
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.-Background:...
Derby victory. He also sired the Epsom Oaks
Epsom Oaks
The Oaks Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early June....
and 1,000 Guineas winner Never Too Late and other good winners in Die Hard and Sostenuto.
Never say Die was put down in 1975, by when his stock had won 309 races worth more than £400,000 in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
.