Oath (horse)
Encyclopedia
Oath is a retired Thoroughbred
race horse
, bred in Ireland
and trained in the United Kingdom
, best known for winning the 1999
Epsom Derby
. He was injured in his next race and never ran again. He is currently an active sire in India
.
stallion Fairy King
out of the Troy
mare Sheer Audacity. Apart from Oath, Fairy King, who died in 1999, sired the winners of over five-hundred races, including Helissio
(Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
) and Falbrav
(Japan Cup
).
His dam, Sheer Audacity produced several good winners,the most notable being Pelder, who won three Group One
races, including the Prix Ganay
.
As a yearling, Oath was sent to the Goffs sales in County Kildare
, where he was bought for IR£450,000 by The Thoroughbred Corporation, a syndicate headed by the Saudi prince Ahmed Salman (1958-2003). Like all of Salman's horses, which included War Emblem
, Point Given
and Royal Anthem
, Oath raced in a distinctive white bridle.
He was originally sent into training with Roger Charlton at Beckhampton, but after his first race he was moved to the stable of Henry Cecil
at Newmarket. After his move, he was ridden in all his races by Kieren Fallon
..
in June. Ridden by Tim Sprake, he finished fifth of the eight runners, beaten two and a half lengths in a race which looked very good in retrospect: the winner Muqtarib won the Richmond Stakes
in July, whilst the runner-up Compton Admiral went on to win the following year's Eclipse Stakes
.
At Yarmouth
in September, he finished third in a field of seventeen on his debut for Cecil, after appearing to have "every chance".
Oath won at the third attempt in a maiden race at Nottingham
in October. He led early and ran on strongly after being headed to win by two and a half lengths from modest opposition.
His official end of season rating of 91 suggested that he had a future as a racehorse, but that he was around thirty pounds below top class.
showed that he had made some progress over the winter. He led from the start and stayed on well under pressure before finishing second, beaten a neck by the future Group race winner Lucido. The race was also his first opportunity to race over middle distances, and his improvement suggested that his stamina would be a strength.
The first indication that he might be a top class colt came in his next start, in which he was tried in conditions race company for the first time in the Listed Dee Stakes
a recognised trial for the Derby
, run at Chester
. Oath showed ability far beyond anything he had previously revealed, by travelling "effortlessly", taking the lead two furlongs from the finish, and winning by five lengths, with Fallon easing the colt down in the closing strides. Fallon was pleased with the colt's progress, and Willie Carson
, representing the owners said that the colt was an ideal Derby type whilst expressing some doubts about his ability to stay the trip. Oath's rapid progress and the high reputation of his trainer, who had already sent out three Derby winners, saw him enter contention for the Derby, with bookmakers offering him at odds of 14/1.
The remaining Derby trials revealed no outstanding contenders, and Oath, who at least had solid winning form and seemed to be improving, was shortened to 6-1 joint-favourite by the end of the following week.
started favourite at 5/1, with Oath and Lucido joint second in the betting at 13/2. Before the Derby, the horses are paraded in front of the stands. Fallon broke away from the parade early and took Oath, who was described as "restive" and "hot-headed" directly to the start.
In the race Oath was always in contention, and turned into the straight in fifth place behind the leader All The Way. Two furlongs out Daliapour was sent into the lead, and Fallon made his challenge on Oath. The two colts ran together for several strides before Oath pulled ahead and was driven out by Fallon to win by one and three quarter lengths.After the race Fallon was penalised for breaking out of the parade, although Cecil revealed that the jockey was acting under his instructions and had been told to "not worry about the fine."
The intention was that Oath would run in the Irish Derby where he would be matched against the Prix du Jockey Club
winner Montjeu
, while his stable companion, the four-year-old Royal Anthem would contest the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The plan was changed when an injury to Royal Anthem ruled him out of the King George and Oath was made the new favourite for the race. Shortly afterwards, Oath was withdrawn from the Irish Derby after performing poorly in a home gallop and so went straight to the race at Ascot
without another start.
In the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Oath faced older horses, including the multiple Group One winner Daylami, for the first time. Oath, was still a relatively unexposed colt, and hopes that he was still improving led to him being sent off the 9/4 favourite. He ran well for most of the race, but when Fallon tried to move the colt towards the lead in the straight he was soon struggling and faded badly. He finished seventh of the eight runners, ahead Daliapour, in what the Independent's
correspondent described as a "lamentable" performance by the only two three-year-olds in the field.
The reason for Oath's poor run was revealed shortly afterwards as he came back lame. Examinations revealed that he had broken a bone in his knee. The injury was so serious that the colt's connections said that it would be a "miracle" if he ran again that season, although there were hopes that he could return as a four-year-old.
In October it was announced that Oath's racing career was over, and that he had been sold to Japanese breeders for £8,000,000.
.
rated him the second-worst Derby-winner since 1945.
Immediately after the Derby, Oath was rated an "average" Derby winner, with a rating of 123. His injury meant that unlike many Derby winners, he never had the opportunity to improve on this assessment. When the International Classification for the year were released in January, Oath's rating placed him twelve pounds below the European champion Montjeu (135).
Japan, where he is reported to have had limited success.
In 2006 he was returned to Ireland, with the intention that he would stand at the Coolagown Stud in County Cork
. The plans were changed however, and in October 2006 Oath was put up for auction at the Goresbridge sales in County Kilkenny
. The bidding reached €205,000, before he was sold to the Martin Donohoe. Donohoe was acting for the bloodstock agent Hugo Merry, who was in turn acting on behalf of the Maharajah of Idar
.
According to one report in 2011, he has sired winners in India.
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...
race horse
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...
, bred 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...
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...
, best known for winning the 1999
1999 Epsom Derby
The 1999 Epsom Derby was a horse race which took place at Epsom Downs on Saturday June 5, 1999. It was the 220th running of the Derby, and it was won by Oath. The winner was ridden by Kieren Fallon and trained by Henry Cecil...
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...
. He was injured in his next race and never ran again. He is currently an active sire in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Background
Oath is a small, "neat" bay horse bred in Ireland by Mrs Max Morris. He was from one of the last groups of foals sired by the Northern DancerNorthern Dancer
Northern Dancer was a Canadian-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and the most successful sire of the 20th Century. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association calls him "one of the most influential sires in Thoroughbred history"....
stallion Fairy King
Fairy King
Fairy King was an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and a successful sire. A full brother to Sadler's Wells, he was bred and raced by Robert Sangster and associates. Out of the mare Fairy Bridge, he was sired by Northern Dancer who is regarded as the 20th century’s best sire of sires. Fairy...
out of the Troy
Troy (horse)
Troy was a British Thoroughbred racehorse. Owned by industrialist Sir Michael Sobell and his son-in-law Lord Weinstock, under trainer Dick Hern the colt notably won the 1979 Epsom and Irish Derbys en route to earning 3-Year-Old Champion honors as well as the British flat racing Champion Owner...
mare Sheer Audacity. Apart from Oath, Fairy King, who died in 1999, sired the winners of over five-hundred races, including Helissio
Helissio
Helissio is a Thoroughbred racehorse sired by Fairy King and a grandson of Northern Dancer. Owned by the Spanish businessman Enrique Sarasola, he was voted the European Horse of the Year for 1996...
(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...
) and Falbrav
Falbrav
Falbrav is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire, bred in Ireland but trained in Italy and the United Kingdom during his racing career which ran from 2000 to 2004...
(Japan Cup
Japan Cup
The is the most prestigious horse race run in Japan. It is contested at the end of November at Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu, Tokyo at a distance of 2400 meters over the grass. With a purse of ¥476 million , the Japan Cup is one of the richest races in the world.The Japan Cup is an invitational event...
).
His dam, Sheer Audacity produced several good winners,the most notable being Pelder, who won three Group One
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...
races, including the Prix Ganay
Prix Ganay
The Prix Ganay is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,100 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late April or early May....
.
As a yearling, Oath was sent to the Goffs sales in County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
, where he was bought for IR£450,000 by The Thoroughbred Corporation, a syndicate headed by the Saudi prince Ahmed Salman (1958-2003). Like all of Salman's horses, which included War Emblem
War Emblem
War Emblem was the winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 2002. His Derby time was 2:01.13. Victor Espinoza was his jockey for the Derby, never having seen the horse until the morning of the race. War Emblem, who went off at 21-to-1 odds, gave trainer Bob Baffert his third Derby...
, Point Given
Point Given
Point Given is an American Hall of Fame champion racehorse foaled on March 27, 1998 in Kentucky. As a three-year-old, he won the 2001 Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, along with the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year...
and Royal Anthem
Royal Anthem (horse)
Royal Anthem is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire bred in the United States.-Background:A son of Theatrical, Royal Anthem's grandsire was Nureyev and his damsire was U.S...
, Oath raced in a distinctive white bridle.
He was originally sent into training with Roger Charlton at Beckhampton, but after his first race he was moved to the stable of Henry Cecil
Henry Cecil
Sir Henry Richard Amherst Cecil is a successful English horse racing trainer who has had many winners in the Epsom Derby, 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Oaks and the St. Leger Stakes....
at Newmarket. After his move, he was ridden in all his races by Kieren Fallon
Kieren Fallon
Kieren Francis Fallon is a professional flat racing jockey and has been British Champion Jockey six times....
..
1998: two-year-old season
Oath made his racecourse debut in a maiden race at GoodwoodGoodwood Racecourse
Goodwood Racecourse is a horse-racing track five miles north of Chichester, West Sussex, in England controlled by the family of the Duke of Richmond, whose seat is nearby Goodwood House...
in June. Ridden by Tim Sprake, he finished fifth of the eight runners, beaten two and a half lengths in a race which looked very good in retrospect: the winner Muqtarib won 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....
in July, whilst the runner-up Compton Admiral went on to win the following year's Eclipse Stakes
Eclipse Stakes
The Eclipse Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three 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 early July.-History:The event is named after Eclipse, a...
.
At Yarmouth
Great 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 :***...
in September, he finished third in a field of seventeen on his debut for Cecil, after appearing to have "every chance".
Oath won at the third attempt in a maiden race at Nottingham
Nottingham Racecourse
Nottingham Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England. It is situated at Colwick Park, close to the River Trent and about 3 km east of the city centre....
in October. He led early and ran on strongly after being headed to win by two and a half lengths from modest opposition.
His official end of season rating of 91 suggested that he had a future as a racehorse, but that he was around thirty pounds below top class.
Spring
Oath's three-year-old debut 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...
showed that he had made some progress over the winter. He led from the start and stayed on well under pressure before finishing second, beaten a neck by the future Group race winner Lucido. The race was also his first opportunity to race over middle distances, and his improvement suggested that his stamina would be a strength.
The first indication that he might be a top class colt came in his next start, in which he was tried in conditions race company for the first time in the Listed Dee Stakes
Dee Stakes
The Dee Stakes 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, 2 furlongs and 75 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
a recognised trial for the 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...
, run at Chester
Chester Racecourse
Chester Racecourse, known as the Roodee, is according to official records the oldest racecourse still in use in England. Horse racing at Chester dates back to the early sixteenth century. It is also thought to be the smallest racecourse of significance in England at 1 mile and 1 furlong ...
. Oath showed ability far beyond anything he had previously revealed, by travelling "effortlessly", taking the lead two furlongs from the finish, and winning by five lengths, with Fallon easing the colt down in the closing strides. Fallon was pleased with the colt's progress, and Willie Carson
Willie Carson
William Fisher Hunter Carson, OBE is a retired jockey in thoroughbred horse racing.-Life and career:Best known as "Miserable Willie", Carson was born in Stirling, Scotland. In 1957 he was apprenticed to Captain Gerald Armstrong at his stables at Tupgill, North Yorkshire...
, representing the owners said that the colt was an ideal Derby type whilst expressing some doubts about his ability to stay the trip. Oath's rapid progress and the high reputation of his trainer, who had already sent out three Derby winners, saw him enter contention for the Derby, with bookmakers offering him at odds of 14/1.
The remaining Derby trials revealed no outstanding contenders, and Oath, who at least had solid winning form and seemed to be improving, was shortened to 6-1 joint-favourite by the end of the following week.
Summer
The Derby of 1999, run in cold wet conditions, was a very open race, with many lightly-tested colts and only one previous Group One winner, the Irish-trained Saffron Walden. The highly regarded, but untested Dubai MillenniumDubai Millennium
Dubai Millennium was a Thoroughbred racehorse and sire, bred in the United States but trained in the United Kingdom and Dubai during his racing career which ran from 1998 and 2000. He is notable for winning a series of major races in 1999 and 2000 including the Dubai World Cup...
started favourite at 5/1, with Oath and Lucido joint second in the betting at 13/2. Before the Derby, the horses are paraded in front of the stands. Fallon broke away from the parade early and took Oath, who was described as "restive" and "hot-headed" directly to the start.
In the race Oath was always in contention, and turned into the straight in fifth place behind the leader All The Way. Two furlongs out Daliapour was sent into the lead, and Fallon made his challenge on Oath. The two colts ran together for several strides before Oath pulled ahead and was driven out by Fallon to win by one and three quarter lengths.After the race Fallon was penalised for breaking out of the parade, although Cecil revealed that the jockey was acting under his instructions and had been told to "not worry about the fine."
The intention was that Oath would run in the Irish Derby where he would be matched against the Prix du Jockey Club
Prix du Jockey Club
The Prix du Jockey Club, sometimes referred to as the French Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
winner Montjeu
Montjeu
Montjeu , is a thoroughbred horse racing World Champion colt and sire of champions. Sired by Sadler's Wells from the dam Floripedes, Montjeu is a grandson of Northern Dancer....
, while his stable companion, the four-year-old Royal Anthem would contest the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The plan was changed when an injury to Royal Anthem ruled him out of the King George and Oath was made the new favourite for the race. Shortly afterwards, Oath was withdrawn from the Irish Derby after performing poorly in a home gallop and so went straight to the race at Ascot
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...
without another start.
In the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Oath faced older horses, including the multiple Group One winner Daylami, for the first time. Oath, was still a relatively unexposed colt, and hopes that he was still improving led to him being sent off the 9/4 favourite. He ran well for most of the race, but when Fallon tried to move the colt towards the lead in the straight he was soon struggling and faded badly. He finished seventh of the eight runners, ahead Daliapour, in what the Independent's
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...
correspondent described as a "lamentable" performance by the only two three-year-olds in the field.
The reason for Oath's poor run was revealed shortly afterwards as he came back lame. Examinations revealed that he had broken a bone in his knee. The injury was so serious that the colt's connections said that it would be a "miracle" if he ran again that season, although there were hopes that he could return as a four-year-old.
In October it was announced that Oath's racing career was over, and that he had been sold to Japanese breeders for £8,000,000.
Race record
| Date | Race | Dist (f) | Course | Class | Prize (£K) | Odds | Runners | Placing | Margin | Time | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EBF Hitachi Seiki Maiden Stakes | 6 | Goodwood Goodwood Racecourse Goodwood Racecourse is a horse-racing track five miles north of Chichester, West Sussex, in England controlled by the family of the Duke of Richmond, whose seat is nearby Goodwood House... |
M | 4 | 6/1 | 8 | 5 | 2.5 | 1:11.54 | Tim Sprake | Roger Charlton Roger Charlton Roger J. Charlton is an English racehorse trainer and a former flat racing jockey. He trains horses in Beckhampton Stables in Wiltshire, England. He has had many successes as a trainer in England and Europe, including victories in both the Epsom Derby and the Prix du Jockey Club in 1990... |
|
| EBF Fleggborough Maiden Stakes | 7 | Yarmouth Great 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 :***... |
M | 3 | 9/4 | 17 | 3 | 2 | 1:27.30 | Kieren Fallon Kieren Fallon Kieren Francis Fallon is a professional flat racing jockey and has been British Champion Jockey six times.... |
Henry Cecil Henry Cecil Sir Henry Richard Amherst Cecil is a successful English horse racing trainer who has had many winners in the Epsom Derby, 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Oaks and the St. Leger Stakes.... |
|
| EBF Maiden Stakes | 8 | Nottingham Nottingham Racecourse Nottingham Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England. It is situated at Colwick Park, close to the River Trent and about 3 km east of the city centre.... |
M | 3 | 4/5 | 8 | 1 | 2.5 | 1:52.80 | Kieren Fallon Kieren Fallon Kieren Francis Fallon is a professional flat racing jockey and has been British Champion Jockey six times.... |
Henry Cecil Henry Cecil Sir Henry Richard Amherst Cecil is a successful English horse racing trainer who has had many winners in the Epsom Derby, 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Oaks and the St. Leger Stakes.... |
|
| Compton Conditions Stakes | 10 | 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... |
9 | 3/1 | 8 | 2 | Neck | 2:09.43 | Kieren Fallon Kieren Fallon Kieren Francis Fallon is a professional flat racing jockey and has been British Champion Jockey six times.... |
Henry Cecil Henry Cecil Sir Henry Richard Amherst Cecil is a successful English horse racing trainer who has had many winners in the Epsom Derby, 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Oaks and the St. Leger Stakes.... |
||
| Dee Stakes Dee Stakes The Dee Stakes 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, 2 furlongs and 75 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.... |
10 | Chester Chester Racecourse Chester Racecourse, known as the Roodee, is according to official records the oldest racecourse still in use in England. Horse racing at Chester dates back to the early sixteenth century. It is also thought to be the smallest racecourse of significance in England at 1 mile and 1 furlong ... |
L | 28 | 2/1 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 2:10.51 | Kieren Fallon Kieren Fallon Kieren Francis Fallon is a professional flat racing jockey and has been British Champion Jockey six times.... |
Henry Cecil Henry Cecil Sir Henry Richard Amherst Cecil is a successful English horse racing trainer who has had many winners in the Epsom Derby, 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Oaks and the St. Leger Stakes.... |
|
| 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... |
12 | 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... |
1 | 611 | 13/2 | 16 | 1 | 1.7.5 | 2:37.43 | Kieren Fallon Kieren Fallon Kieren Francis Fallon is a professional flat racing jockey and has been British Champion Jockey six times.... |
Henry Cecil Henry Cecil Sir Henry Richard Amherst Cecil is a successful English horse racing trainer who has had many winners in the Epsom Derby, 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Oaks and the St. Leger Stakes.... |
|
| King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes | 12 | Ascot 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... |
1 | 342 | 9/4 | 8 | 7 | 11.5 | 2:29.35 | Kieren Fallon Kieren Fallon Kieren Francis Fallon is a professional flat racing jockey and has been British Champion Jockey six times.... |
Henry Cecil Henry Cecil Sir Henry Richard Amherst Cecil is a successful English horse racing trainer who has had many winners in the Epsom Derby, 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Oaks and the St. Leger Stakes.... |
|
.
Assessment
Oath has been considered to be one of the least distinguished winners of the Derby. John Randall, writing in the Racing PostRacing Post
The Racing Post is a British daily horse racing, greyhound racing and sports betting newspaper, appearing in print form and online.From 30 May 2011 - 3 July 2011 it had a circulation of 56,507.-History:...
rated him the second-worst Derby-winner since 1945.
Immediately after the Derby, Oath was rated an "average" Derby winner, with a rating of 123. His injury meant that unlike many Derby winners, he never had the opportunity to improve on this assessment. When the International Classification for the year were released in January, Oath's rating placed him twelve pounds below the European champion Montjeu (135).
Stud Career
Oath began his career at stud by standing at the Yushun Stallion Station in HokkaidoHokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
Japan, where he is reported to have had limited success.
In 2006 he was returned to Ireland, with the intention that he would stand at the Coolagown Stud in County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
. The plans were changed however, and in October 2006 Oath was put up for auction at the Goresbridge sales in County Kilkenny
County 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...
. The bidding reached €205,000, before he was sold to the Martin Donohoe. Donohoe was acting for the bloodstock agent Hugo Merry, who was in turn acting on behalf of the Maharajah of Idar
Idar (princely state)
Idar State or Edar, was a native state of India, which formed part of the Mahi Kantha agency, within the Gujarat Division of Bombay. It has an area of 1669 m²., and a population of 168,557, showing a decrease of 44% in the decade as the result of famine. Estimated gross revenue, £29,000; tribute...
.
According to one report in 2011, he has sired winners in India.