Notnowcato
Encyclopedia
Notnowcato is a retired Thoroughbred
racehorse and active sire, bred and trained in the United Kingdom
. He won several important races in a career which lasted from 2004 to 2007, but is best known for his victory in the 2007 Eclipse Stakes.
Notnowcato, a 16.1 hand
chestnut colt with a narrow white stripe
, was bred by the Rothschild family at their own Southcourt Stud near Leighton Buzzard
, Bedfordshire, England.
As a son of the Hungerford Stakes
winner Inchinor, he is a representative of the Byerley Turk sire line, unlike more than 95% of modern thoroughbreds, who descend directly from the Darley Arabian
. Aside from Notnowcato, Inchinor, who died in 2003, sired over five hundred winners including the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
winner Summoner, the Prix de Diane
winnner Latice and the sprinter Cape of Good Hope
.
Notnowcato is the first recorded foal of his dam, Rambling Rose, who won the Listed
Galtres Stakes at York in 1998.
His unusual name is a reference to the Pink Panther
film series.
He was sent into training with Sir Michael Stoute at Newmarket.
and Salisbury
. The following year he proved himself to be a useful and consistent performer, winning two handicaps at Newmarket
from six starts. He was obviously some way below top class (his official rating was 101), but his steady improvement suggested that he could develop into a Group race
performer.
) and Bandari (Princess of Wales's Stakes
), in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown
. He finished only fifth in a highly-anticipated renewal of the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, but, in being beaten less than two lengths behind proven Group One winners Ouija Board, Electrocutionist
, Manduro
and David Junior
he proved that he was a capable of competing at the highest level. This impression was re-inforced when Notnowcato finished second to David Junior in the Eclipse Stakes, with Ouija Board, who had trouble finding a clear run, back in fifth.
At York for the International Stakes he was partnered for the first time by Ryan Moore and recorded his best win up to that point. Taking the lead two furlong
s out he showed his ability to "dig deep" by staying on strongly to claim a short-head win over Maraahel, with the odds-on favourite Dylan Thomas
in fourth.
Having had a hard race, Notnowcato was given a break to "freshen him up" for an autumn campaign. These plans came to nothing however, as he ran an "uncharacteristically flat" race when finishing last of eight behind Pride
in the Champion Stakes
and did not return until 2007.
winner Red Rocks
in the Gordon Richards Stakes
, before traveling outside England for the first and only time to challenge for the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh
. Under a strong ride from Johnny Murtagh
(who was warned by the stewards for excessive use of the whip) he took up the lead in the straight and stayed on under pressure to hold off Dylan Thomas by a head, with Youmzain
four lengths back in third. After the race, Dylan Thomas's trainer, Aidan O'Brien offered "no excuses". At Royal Ascot he was part of a small, but exceptionally strong field for the Prince of Wales's Stakes. He finished third behind the 2007 World Champion
Manduro
and Dylan Thomas, with Red Rocks fourth and the 2006 Derby
winner Sir Percy
last of the six runners.
The 2007 Eclipse Stakes was expected to be a contest between the 2007 Derby
winner Authorized
and the Ballydoyle
-trained four-year-old George Washington
, who had been rated the equal best horse in Europe in 2006
. Ryan Moore, re-united for the race with Notnowcato, had noticed that the pace of the turf course was uneven, and decided to take advantage of this fact. As the horses entered the straight, Moore moved Notnowcato sharply to the left to race on the stands side, completely isolated from the other seven runners. While Authorized held off the challenge of George Washington on the far side, Notnowcato kept on strongly along the stands rail to score an upset length and a half victory. Moore was effusive in his praise for the colt, saying "he's got a lot of class and a great heart" and offering his opinion that "our lad proved he is the best mile-and-a-quarter horse in this country". Others, however, considered him a lucky winner, with Chris McGrath in the Independent
claiming that Authorized was a "victim of tactics" who had been "mugged in a messy race".
On his next start, Notnowcato finished third to Authorized and Dylan Thomas in his attempt to win a second International Stakes. For the second year in a row his poorest performance came in his seasonal finale in the Champion Stakes, this time finishing a remote sixth to the French colt Literato.
Earlier speculation concerning a challenge for the Breeders' Cup Classic
came to nothing, and he was retired to stud.
rating of 131+, although his official end of year Timeform rating in 2007 was 128.
In the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
he was rated at 121 in 2006, making him the twentieth best racehorse in the world, and in 2007 he was rated at 123, placing him thirteenth. In the latter year he was rated six pounds below Authorized and Dylan Thomas, despite having beaten both.
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 and trained in 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...
. He won several important races in a career which lasted from 2004 to 2007, but is best known for his victory in the 2007 Eclipse Stakes.
Background
Hand (unit)
The hand is a non-SI unit of measurement of length, now used only for the measurement of the height of horses in some English-speaking countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA. With origins in ancient Egypt, it was originally based on the breadth of a human hand...
chestnut colt with a narrow white stripe
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 by the Rothschild family at their own Southcourt Stud near Leighton Buzzard
Leighton Buzzard
-Lower schools:*Beaudesert Lower School - Apennine Way*Clipstone Brook Lower School - Brooklands Drive*Greenleas Lower School - Derwent Road*Dovery Down Lower School - Heath Road*Heathwood Lower School - Heath Road*Leedon Lower School - Highfield Road...
, Bedfordshire, England.
As a son of the Hungerford Stakes
Hungerford Stakes
The Hungerford Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Newbury over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.-History:...
winner Inchinor, he is a representative of the Byerley Turk sire line, unlike more than 95% of modern thoroughbreds, who descend directly from the Darley Arabian
Darley Arabian
The Darley Arabian was one of three dominant foundation sires of modern Thoroughbred horse racing bloodstock, the other two being the Godolphin Arabian and the Byerley Turk. This bay Arabian horse was bought in Aleppo, Syria by Thomas Darley in 1704 and shipped back to Aldby Park in England, where...
. Aside from Notnowcato, Inchinor, who died in 2003, sired over five hundred winners including 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...
winner Summoner, the 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...
winnner Latice and the sprinter Cape of Good Hope
Cape of Good Hope (horse)
Cape of Good Hope is a British thoroughbred racehorse based in Hong Kong. Sired by Inchinor to dam Cape Merino, the chestnut gelding was trained by David Oughton...
.
Notnowcato is the first recorded foal of his dam, Rambling Rose, who won the Listed
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...
Galtres Stakes at York in 1998.
His unusual name is a reference to the Pink Panther
The Pink Panther
The Pink Panther is a series of comedy films featuring the bungling French police detective Jacques Clouseau that began in 1963 with the release of the film of the same name. The role was originated by, and is most closely associated with, Peter Sellers...
film series.
He was sent into training with Sir Michael Stoute at Newmarket.
2004-2005:early career
Notnowcato began his career as a two-year-old in 2004 with placed efforts at WarwickWarwick Racecourse
Warwick Racecourse is a horse racing course in Warwick, England. It is a leading flat racing and steeple chasing course, and has a programme of 25 meetings throughout the year, many of which are televised. The first stand was built in 1808, it has recently undergone a major refurbishment of its...
and Salisbury
Salisbury Racecourse
Salisbury Racecourse is a flat racecourse in the United Kingdom featuring thoroughbred horse racing. It is located four miles from Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. Fifteen races a year are held here between early May and mid-October...
. The following year he proved himself to be a useful and consistent performer, winning two handicaps at Newmarket
Newmarket Racecourse
The town of Newmarket, in Suffolk, England, is the headquarters of British horseracing, home to the largest cluster of training yards in the country and many key horse racing organisations. Newmarket Racecourse has two courses - the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course. Both are wide, galloping...
from six starts. He was obviously some way below top class (his official rating was 101), but his steady improvement suggested that he could develop into a Group race
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...
performer.
2006:four-year-old season
As a four-year-old, Notnowcato continued his "rapid progress", signalling his arrival at a higher level by winning the Earl of Sefton Stakes on his debut in impressive style. A month later he followed up with a victory over a stronger field, including Group race winners Hattan (Chester VaseChester Vase
The Chester Vase is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Chester over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 66 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
) and Bandari (Princess of Wales's Stakes
Princess of Wales's Stakes
The Princess of Wales's Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.-History:The event is named in...
), in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown
Sandown Racecourse
Sandown Racecourse is one of the four horse racing venues located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Built for the Victoria Amateur Turf Club, it is the only metropolitan racecourse built in the 20th century and was opened before a crowd of 52,000, in June 1965.Sandown Racecourse is situated 25...
. He finished only fifth in a highly-anticipated renewal of the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, but, in being beaten less than two lengths behind proven Group One winners Ouija Board, Electrocutionist
Electrocutionist
Electrocutionist was a Thoroughbred racehorse. Electrocutionist won eight of his 12 career starts, including three Grade I's, and won more than $5.6 million. Racing four times for the operation based in both Dubai and Newmarket, he was scheduled to participate in the Emirates Airline Champion...
, Manduro
Manduro
Manduro is a World Champion Thoroughbred racehorse. Sired by Monsun, a multiple Group One winner in Germany, he is out of the mare Mandellicht, a daughter of Northern Dancer's son Be My Guest who was the Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland in 1982.Manduro was purchased by Baron Georg von...
and David Junior
David Junior
David Junior is a retired thoroughbred racehorse and active sire, who was bred in the United States but trained in the United Kingdom during his racing career which lasted from 2004 to 2006...
he proved that he was a capable of competing at the highest level. This impression was re-inforced when Notnowcato finished second to David Junior in the Eclipse Stakes, with Ouija Board, who had trouble finding a clear run, back in fifth.
At York for the International Stakes he was partnered for the first time by Ryan Moore and recorded his best win up to that point. Taking the lead two 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....
s out he showed his ability to "dig deep" by staying on strongly to claim a short-head win over Maraahel, with the odds-on favourite Dylan Thomas
Dylan Thomas (horse)
Dylan Thomas is a Thoroughbred racehorse. He was trained in Ireland by Aidan O'Brien and owned by Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor. He was sired by Danehill out of Lagrion, a daughter of Diesis...
in fourth.
Having had a hard race, Notnowcato was given a break to "freshen him up" for an autumn campaign. These plans came to nothing however, as he ran an "uncharacteristically flat" race when finishing last of eight behind Pride
Pride (horse)
Pride is a champion French racemare who won three Group 1 races. Her biggest success was the 2006 Hong Kong Cup. She was also an unlucky second in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Her other feature wins were the Champion Stakes and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud...
in the Champion Stakes
Champion Stakes
The Champion 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 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October...
and did not return until 2007.
2007:five-year-old season
He began his five-year-old season, with a fourth place behind the Breeders' Cup TurfBreeders' 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...
winner Red Rocks
Red Rocks (horse)
Red Rocks is a Thoroughbred racehorse who competes internationally. Regally bred by Ballylinch Stud in County Kilkenny, he was sired by Galileo, a son of the fourteen-time Champion sire in Great Britain & Ireland, Sadler's Wells...
in the Gordon Richards Stakes
Gordon Richards Stakes
The Gordon Richards Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged four 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 April.The event was established in 1963, and...
, before traveling outside England for the first and only time to challenge for the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh
Curragh
The Curragh is a flat open plain of almost 5,000 acres of common land in County Kildare, Ireland, between Newbridge and Kildare. This area is well-known for Irish horse breeding and training. The Irish National Stud is located on the edge of Kildare town, beside the famous Japanese Gardens. Also...
. Under a strong ride from Johnny Murtagh
Johnny Murtagh
Johnny Murtagh is a Irish flat racing jockey from Bohermeen, Navan, County Meath.He excels on the big stage, having won many Group 1 races around the world...
(who was warned by the stewards for excessive use of the whip) he took up the lead in the straight and stayed on under pressure to hold off Dylan Thomas by a head, with Youmzain
Youmzain
Youmzain is a Thoroughbred racehorse. Trained by Mick Channon, he won Preis von Europa and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud group 1 races in 2008. Most notably, he is three-time runner-up in Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe; in 2007 behind Dylan Thomas, in 2008 behind Zarkava, and in 2009 behind Sea The Stars.-...
four lengths back in third. After the race, Dylan Thomas's trainer, Aidan O'Brien offered "no excuses". At Royal Ascot he was part of a small, but exceptionally strong field for the Prince of Wales's Stakes. He finished third behind the 2007 World Champion
2007 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
The 2007 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings is the 2007 edition of the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings. It is an assessment of racehorses which was issued by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities in January 2008...
Manduro
Manduro
Manduro is a World Champion Thoroughbred racehorse. Sired by Monsun, a multiple Group One winner in Germany, he is out of the mare Mandellicht, a daughter of Northern Dancer's son Be My Guest who was the Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland in 1982.Manduro was purchased by Baron Georg von...
and Dylan Thomas, with Red Rocks fourth and the 2006 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...
winner Sir Percy
Sir Percy
Sir Percy is a race horse foaled on January 27, 2003, winner of the 2006 Epsom Derby.-Breeding and pedigree:Sir Percy was bred by Harry Ormesher at the Old Suffolk Stud in Hundon, Suffolk. His sire Mark of Esteem won the 1996 2,000 Guineas, his dam Percy's Lass won the Group 3 September Stakes in...
last of the six runners.
The 2007 Eclipse Stakes was expected to be a contest between the 2007 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...
winner Authorized
Authorized (horse)
Authorized is an Irish-bred and British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse, winner of the 2007 Epsom Derby.-Background:...
and the 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...
-trained four-year-old George Washington
George Washington (horse)
George Washington was a thoroughbred racehorse foaled in Ireland by champion sire Danehill out of Bordighera, also the dam of the high class colt Grandera. Bred by Roy and Gretchen Jackson, he was trained at Ballydoyle by Aidan O'Brien and owned by Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith...
, who had been rated the equal best horse in Europe in 2006
2006 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
The 2006 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings is the 2006 edition of the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings. It is an assessment of racehorses which was issued by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities in January 2007...
. Ryan Moore, re-united for the race with Notnowcato, had noticed that the pace of the turf course was uneven, and decided to take advantage of this fact. As the horses entered the straight, Moore moved Notnowcato sharply to the left to race on the stands side, completely isolated from the other seven runners. While Authorized held off the challenge of George Washington on the far side, Notnowcato kept on strongly along the stands rail to score an upset length and a half victory. Moore was effusive in his praise for the colt, saying "he's got a lot of class and a great heart" and offering his opinion that "our lad proved he is the best mile-and-a-quarter horse in this country". Others, however, considered him a lucky winner, with Chris McGrath in the Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
claiming that Authorized was a "victim of tactics" who had been "mugged in a messy race".
On his next start, Notnowcato finished third to Authorized and Dylan Thomas in his attempt to win a second International Stakes. For the second year in a row his poorest performance came in his seasonal finale in the Champion Stakes, this time finishing a remote sixth to the French colt Literato.
Earlier speculation concerning a challenge for the Breeders' Cup 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...
came to nothing, and he was retired to stud.
Assessment
Notnowcato received a peak 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...
rating of 131+, although his official end of year Timeform rating in 2007 was 128.
In the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
The World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings are compiled by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities , an organization established in 2003 with headquarters in Paris, France made up of members from around the world....
he was rated at 121 in 2006, making him the twentieth best racehorse in the world, and in 2007 he was rated at 123, placing him thirteenth. In the latter year he was rated six pounds below Authorized and Dylan Thomas, despite having beaten both.