Ogygian
Encyclopedia
Ogygian is a multiple Grade 1 stakes
(G1) winning Thoroughbred
race horse and important broodmare sire.
. His dam, Gonfalon (by Francis S.), from the Cequillo female line, is also second dam (maternal grandmother) to millionaire Honour and Glory
. Named after Ogygia
, the island of the nymph Calypso in Homer's Odyssey
, Ogygian was raced as a homebred by Tartan Farms. His trainer was Jan Nerud, son of John Nerud
who had trained Damascus' fiercest rival, Dr. Fager
. Remembered as "the nation's fastest 2-year-old of 1985," Ogygian won the 1985 Belmont Futurity Stakes (G1) but a shin injury prematurely ended his two-year-old campaign. Back in training that December, he kicked the rail, receiving the injury that he was to battle through the rest of his race career. For the first time, bone chips were removed from his right hind ankle. Though the expected winter-book favorite for the 1986 Kentucky Derby, he did not heal in time to embark on the Triple Crown trail.
Racing back into shape as a three year old with a second in an overnight handicap at Aqueduct , Ogygian followed with wins in an allowance race, and the Riva Ridge Stakes on Belmont day, 1986. Carrying on his reputation for speed, turn of foot, and as a game-minded strategist, he won the Dwyer
(G1) in front-running style, over John's Treasure and Personal Flag, then proved his versatility in the Jerome Handicap
(G1), patiently letting sprint-champion-to-be Groovy
attempt an overwhelming lead, then running by him at will. Though Ogygian proved his merits at distances shorter than the classic mile-and-a quarter, his pedigree suggested classic distance ability. His sire, Damascus, had won the Belmont
at a mile and a half and the Jockey Club Gold Cup
, then two miles. His damsire, Francis S, won at classic distance in the Dwyer while that race was still run at a mile and a quarter. Nerud trained Ogygian toward the mile-and-a-quarter Travers Stakes
(G1), but scratched him from that race due to a muddy track. Some sports columnists criticized his withdrawal from the race. Few were aware until later that throughout his three year old campaign Ogygian had battled chronic trouble from his ankle injury. After a third in the Pegasus Stakes
(G2), seven more chips were discovered in the colt's ankle. He raced once as a four year old, for the first time in his life failing to place. Despite the exceptional heart he had shown winning memorably all summer with a bad ankle, the injury had told in the end. Ogygian was retired in early May 1987. In all, Ogygian raced 10 times, with 7 wins (4 stakes wins, 3 Grade 1 wins), 1 second place (G2) and 1 third place (G2). Though two other sons of Damascus, Desert Wine
and Highland Blade
, earned more on the track, and Highland Blade equaled Ogygian's three Grade 1 wins, neither had the distinction of earning them in only ten races.
in Paris, Kentucky
until 1995, where he sired some two dozen stakes winners, including Denim Yenem, D'hallevant, Dice Dancer, Digital Dan, Flyn J Bryan and the speedy but ill-fated Ramblin Guy, among others. While at Claiborne he lost his left eye in a breeding shed accident. Though a useful sire, he never replicated his own brilliance. In 1995 Ogygian went to East Stud in Japan
, where he enjoyed success. His son Eishin Washington (out of a daughter of Sham
) is a well regarded stallion in Japan. In 2005 Ogygian was retired from breeding. Old Friends Equine
returned him to the United States, and he resides at Dream Chase Farm in Georgetown, Kentucky
.
; multiple Grade 1 winning sprinter Street Boss; Grade 1 winning gelding Gygistar, who replicated Ogygian's Riva Ridge Stakes and Dwyer Stakes sequence; and multiple Grade 2 winner Friendly Island. While Johannesburg, the most noted of Ogygian's descendants so far, is bred on a cross with Storm Cat
(Northern Dancer
sire line), more of Ogygian's stakes level progeny seem to come from crosses with Raise A Native's
descendants—and Johannesburg also carries Raise A Native ancestry.
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
(G1) winning Thoroughbred
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 and important broodmare sire.
On the Track
Bred by Tartan Farms, the muscular bay Ogygian left his mark on 1980s racing as the "swift but star-crossed" fastest son of DamascusDamascus (horse)
Damascus was a thoroughbred race horse sired by Sword Dancer out of Kerala foaled at the Jonabell Farm in Lexington, Kentucky...
. His dam, Gonfalon (by Francis S.), from the Cequillo female line, is also second dam (maternal grandmother) to millionaire Honour and Glory
Honour and Glory
Honour and Glory is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won important races during his career. He was bred by William T...
. Named after Ogygia
Ogygia
Ogygia , is an island mentioned in Homer's Odyssey, Book V, as the home of the nymph Calypso, the daughter of the Titan Atlas, also known as Atlantis in ancient Greek. In Homer's Odyssey Calypso detained Odysseus on Ogygia for 7 years and kept him from returning to his home of Ithaca, wanting to...
, the island of the nymph Calypso in Homer's Odyssey
Odyssey
The Odyssey is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems attributed to Homer. It is, in part, a sequel to the Iliad, the other work ascribed to Homer. The poem is fundamental to the modern Western canon, and is the second—the Iliad being the first—extant work of Western literature...
, Ogygian was raced as a homebred by Tartan Farms. His trainer was Jan Nerud, son of John Nerud
John A. Nerud
John A. Nerud is an American thoroughbred horse trainer and owner who was inducted in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1972.-Early years:...
who had trained Damascus' fiercest rival, Dr. Fager
Dr. Fager
Dr. Fager was an American a thoroughbred racehorse who had what many consider one of the greatest single racing seasons by any horse in the history of the sport. "The Doctor" was the only horse who ever held four titles in one year...
. Remembered as "the nation's fastest 2-year-old of 1985," Ogygian won the 1985 Belmont Futurity Stakes (G1) but a shin injury prematurely ended his two-year-old campaign. Back in training that December, he kicked the rail, receiving the injury that he was to battle through the rest of his race career. For the first time, bone chips were removed from his right hind ankle. Though the expected winter-book favorite for the 1986 Kentucky Derby, he did not heal in time to embark on the Triple Crown trail.
Racing back into shape as a three year old with a second in an overnight handicap at Aqueduct , Ogygian followed with wins in an allowance race, and the Riva Ridge Stakes on Belmont day, 1986. Carrying on his reputation for speed, turn of foot, and as a game-minded strategist, he won the Dwyer
Dwyer
-Other uses:*Dwyer Arena*Dwyer Hill Road*Dwyer Brothers Stable*Dwyer Stadium*Dwyer Stakes*Lester Schwab Katz and Dwyer*Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School*William T. Dwyer High School-See also:* O'Dwyer...
(G1) in front-running style, over John's Treasure and Personal Flag, then proved his versatility in the Jerome Handicap
Jerome Handicap
The Jerome Stakes is a Grade II race for thoroughbred horses run each fall at one mile on the dirt at Belmont Park. It is open to three-year-olds and carries a purse of $150,000. The race is a prep race to several races of the Breeders' Cup....
(G1), patiently letting sprint-champion-to-be Groovy
Groovy (horse)
Groovy was an American Thoroughbred Champion sprint racehorse known for his love of jelly donuts. As at 2011, he is the last horse to break the 130 Beyer Speed Figure having accomplished that milestone in his first two starts of 1987. In the Roseben Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack he earned a 131...
attempt an overwhelming lead, then running by him at will. Though Ogygian proved his merits at distances shorter than the classic mile-and-a quarter, his pedigree suggested classic distance ability. His sire, Damascus, had won the Belmont
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
at a mile and a half and the Jockey Club Gold Cup
Jockey Club Gold Cup
The Jockey Club Gold Cup, established in 1919, is a prestigious thoroughbred flat race open to horses of either gender three-years-old and up. It is typically the main event of the fall meeting at Belmont Park, just as the Belmont Stakes is of the spring meeting and the Travers Stakes is of the...
, then two miles. His damsire, Francis S, won at classic distance in the Dwyer while that race was still run at a mile and a quarter. Nerud trained Ogygian toward the mile-and-a-quarter Travers Stakes
Travers Stakes
The Travers Stakes is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York.First held in 1864, it was named for William R. Travers, the president of the old Saratoga Racing Association. His horse, Kentucky, won the first running of the Travers...
(G1), but scratched him from that race due to a muddy track. Some sports columnists criticized his withdrawal from the race. Few were aware until later that throughout his three year old campaign Ogygian had battled chronic trouble from his ankle injury. After a third in the Pegasus Stakes
Pegasus Stakes
The Pegasus Stakes is an American Grade III Thoroughbred horse race run annually in June at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, New Jersey.An event for three-year-olds of either gender, it is contested at a mile and an eighth on the dirt, and offers a purse of $250,000.There was no race run in...
(G2), seven more chips were discovered in the colt's ankle. He raced once as a four year old, for the first time in his life failing to place. Despite the exceptional heart he had shown winning memorably all summer with a bad ankle, the injury had told in the end. Ogygian was retired in early May 1987. In all, Ogygian raced 10 times, with 7 wins (4 stakes wins, 3 Grade 1 wins), 1 second place (G2) and 1 third place (G2). Though two other sons of Damascus, Desert Wine
Desert Wine
Desert Wine was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. A descendant of Nearco, he was sired by U.S. Hall of Fame inductee Damascus, himself the son of another Hall of Fame horse, Sword Dancer...
and Highland Blade
Highland Blade
Highland Blade was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won Grade I stakes on both dirt and turf, taking the Brooklyn, Marlboro Cup Invitational, and Pan American Handicaps. He was owned by Pen-Y-Bryn Farm, a partnership founded in 1971 by brothers William W. and Thomas M. Bancroft, Jr. of...
, earned more on the track, and Highland Blade equaled Ogygian's three Grade 1 wins, neither had the distinction of earning them in only ten races.
At Stud
Retired in 1987, Ogygian stood at Claiborne FarmClaiborne Farm
Claiborne Farm is a thoroughbred Horse breeding operation in near Paris, Kentucky. It was established in 1910, by Arthur B. Hancock, owner of Ellerslie Farm in Albemarle County, Virginia, and has been operated by members of his family ever since.-Owners:...
in Paris, Kentucky
Paris, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,183 people, 3,857 households, and 2,487 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 4,222 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 84.23% White, 12.71% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.16%...
until 1995, where he sired some two dozen stakes winners, including Denim Yenem, D'hallevant, Dice Dancer, Digital Dan, Flyn J Bryan and the speedy but ill-fated Ramblin Guy, among others. While at Claiborne he lost his left eye in a breeding shed accident. Though a useful sire, he never replicated his own brilliance. In 1995 Ogygian went to East Stud in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, where he enjoyed success. His son Eishin Washington (out of a daughter of Sham
Sham (horse)
Sham , an American thoroughbred race horse, was one of the fastest horses of the 20th century, but was overshadowed by his larger-than-life peer and half-cousin, Secretariat. He was a dark seal brown in color. While racing, he wore green and yellow blinkers...
) is a well regarded stallion in Japan. In 2005 Ogygian was retired from breeding. Old Friends Equine
Old Friends Equine
Old Friends is a nonprofit equine retirement facility in Georgetown, Kentucky. It is the only thoroughbred retirement facility in the United States that accepts stallions....
returned him to the United States, and he resides at Dream Chase Farm in Georgetown, Kentucky
Georgetown, Kentucky
Georgetown is a city in Scott County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 29,098 at the 2010 census. The original settlement of Lebanon, founded by Rev. Elijah Craig, was renamed in 1790 in honor of President George Washington. It is the home of Georgetown College, a private liberal arts...
.
As a Broodmare Sire
While Ogygian's power and speed on the track remain noteworthy two decades later, perhaps he will be best remembered as a broodmare sire. Among his daughters' foals are the 2001 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner, Eclipse American Juvenile Champion and juvenile champion in Ireland, England and France, JohannesburgJohannesburg (horse)
Johannesburg is a Kentucky-bred United States and European Champion Thoroughbred racehorse. He was trained by Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle, and now stands at stud at Ashford Stud near Versailles, Kentucky, the American arm of the giant Irish breeder Coolmore Stud...
; multiple Grade 1 winning sprinter Street Boss; Grade 1 winning gelding Gygistar, who replicated Ogygian's Riva Ridge Stakes and Dwyer Stakes sequence; and multiple Grade 2 winner Friendly Island. While Johannesburg, the most noted of Ogygian's descendants so far, is bred on a cross with Storm Cat
Storm Cat
Storm Cat was an American Thoroughbred stallion whose breeding fee during the peak of his stud career was $500,000, the highest in the world. As such, he was one of the few horses with a 24-hour armed guard....
(Northern Dancer
Northern 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"....
sire line), more of Ogygian's stakes level progeny seem to come from crosses with Raise A Native's
Raise a Native
Raise a Native was an undefeated Thoroughbred racehorse that was named 1963 champion two-year-old colt in the Turf and Sport Digest poll. He sired 74 stakes winners, including Majestic Prince and Alydar...
descendants—and Johannesburg also carries Raise A Native ancestry.
External links
- Past Performances: Ogygian, report #5044 (brisnet.com)
- Ogygian's pedigree and partial racing stats
- Partial list of Ogygian's progeny and their winnings
- Ogygian at Old Friends