Red Clubs
Encyclopedia
Red Clubs was an Irish-bred Thoroughbred
racehorse and sire. He won the Group Two
Coventry Stakes
as a two-year-old, two Group Three
races at three and the Group One
Haydock Sprint Cup
at four. The last named win was largely responsible for Red Clubs being named European Champion Sprinter at the 2007 Cartier Racing Awards. He was noted for the toughness and consistency he displayed in a twenty-five race career which lasted from 2005 to 2007. He died of an injury sustained while standing as a stallion in Ireland in 2011.
, was bred in Ireland by Dr John Fike at the Islanmore Stud in Croom, County Limerick, having been conceived at the Vinery Stud in Kentucky
. His sire, Red Ransom, was a lightly raced son of Roberto
who became a successful stallion. Among his best progeny were Electrocutionist
, Typhoon Tracy
and Intikhab
. Red Clubs’ dam Two Clubs, a half sister of the Haydock Sprint Cup winner Petong, was a successful sprinter, winning five races including two at Listed
level.
In November 2004, Red Clubs was sent by the Islanmore Stud as a weanling
to the Tattersalls
sales, where he was sold for 40,000gns
. A year later he was returned to Tattersalls and was again sold for 40,000gns, this time being bought by BBA Ireland and Barry Hills.
Red Clubs entered training at Hills’ stable at Lambourn
, Berkshire
. He was ridden in twenty-one of his twenty-five races by his trainer’s son Michael Hills.
maiden race at Newmarket
. Later in the same month he recorded his first win in a maiden at Goodwood
producing a strong late run to lead inside the final furlong and win by half a length. In May he returned to Newmarket and was sent off 11/4 second favourite in a minor race. Despite carrying top weight of 131lbs
and being hampered two furlongs out he proved far too good for his opponents, pulling clear in the closing stages to win by four lengths.
Ascot Racecourse
was closed for redevelopment work for most of 2007, and the Royal Meeting was transferred to York
. Red Clubs was aimed at the Group Two Coventry Stakes on the opening day and was sent off at odds of 11/2. Michael Hills had the colt in a prominent position throughout before moving into the lead a furlong out. Red Clubs ran on well in the closing stages to win his third successive race by one and three-quarter lengths from Pacific Pride. After the race Barry Hills said that he had been "very Impressed" by the colt and commended his placid temperament by saying that "you could put him at the bottom of your bed if you wanted."
Following his York win Red Clubs was made 2/1 favourite for the July Stakes
at Newmarket, but failed to reproduce his form, finishing seventh of the sixteen runners.
In the second half of the season, Red Clubs produced a series of respectable placed efforts but was unable to win again. He was no match for George Washington
in the Phoenix Stakes
at the Curragh
and was beaten more than ten lengths in finishing third. He then finished second to Amadeus Wolf in both the Group Two Mill Reef Stakes
at Newbury
and the Group One Middle Park Stakes
at Newmarket. On his final start of the year he finished fourth to Sir Percy
and Horatio Nelson
in the Dewhurst Stakes
.
The strength of the opposition Red Clubs faced in these races was emphasised in the International Classification. He was rated the fifth best colt of the year, with the top four places being filled by George Washington, Sir Percy, Amadeus Wolf and Horatio Nelson. Commenting on his season, the Racing Post
described him as an "ultra-tough and precocious" colt.
, a recognised trial race at Newbury. He raced prominently, and went clear inside the final furlong, before being eased down to record an "impressive" victory by one and three quarter lengths from Marcus Andronicus. The lack of early pace however, resulted in a slow time and did not convince everyone that Red Clubs had the stamina for the Classic. In the Guineas itself, he made little impression and weakened in the closing stages to finish twelfth behind George Washington. He was dropped in class and distance for the Group Three Jersey Stakes
over seven furlongs at Royal Ascot but could finish only sixth behind Jeremy.
From this point on, Red Clubs was campaigned almost exclusively over sprint distances. The change was not immediately successful, as he finished unplaced in the July Cup
. He showed rather better form to finish second to Moss Vale in a strong Group Three race at the Curragh, but was then unplaced behind Reverence
in the Nunthorpe Stakes
and the Haydock Sprint Cup
.
In late September, Red Clubs ran in the Group Two Diadem Stakes at the newly reopened Ascot Racecourse. It was well-contested race with the runners including the Group One winners Somnus
and Fayr Jag and Red Clubs started 6/1. He raced prominently before showing a "smart turn of foot" to take the lead in the final furlong and going clear. Although he swerved "violently" to the left in the closing stages, he was able to win by one and a quarter lengths from Baltic King. There was some speculation that Red Clubs had been "spooked" by a shadow on the course in an echo of Dayjur
's defeat in the Breeders' Cup Sprint
. A week later, Red Clubs was sent to France for the Prix de l'Abbaye
at Longchamp but finished unplaced behind Desert Lord.
in May, in which he led approaching the final furlong before finishing second to his old rival Amadeus Wolf. He was well fancied for the Temple Stakes
at Sandown two weeks later, but broke badly and was never able to get into contention.
At Royal Ascot he contested the lead in the final stages of the Golden Jubilee Stakes
before finishing fourth, beaten just over a length by Soldier's Tale, Takeover Target
and Asset. He then improved on his 2006 effort in the July Cup, finishing third to Sakhee's Secret
. In the same month it was announced that Red Clubs would retire to the Tally-Ho Stud at the end of the season.
Another solid effort followed, as he ran fourth to the two-year-old Kingsgate Native in the Nunthorpe Stakes, before being sent to Haydock
for the Sprint Cup. His rivals included Sakhee's Secret, Somnus, Asset, Amadeus Wolf and the French-trained Marchand d'Or
in what was described as an "outstanding renewal" of the race. Michael Hills settled the colt in the early stages before moving up to challenge in the last quarter of a mile. He caught and passed Marchand d'Or inside the final furlong and ran on strongly to record his biggest win by three quarters of a length. Barry Hills called him "a very, very game horse and has run consistently well all through his career." Michael Hills said that Red Clubs "has given me everything from two to three to four... I'm so pleased for the horse that he has won a Group One."
On his final start he was moved back up to seven furlongs for the Prix de la Forêt
at Longchamp, but tired badly on the soft ground and finished last of the thirteen runners.
At the 2007 Cartier Racing Awards Red Clubs was named European Champion Sprinter in a "closely-fought" contest. In the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
however, he was rated only the fifth best European Sprinter of the year, his rating of 117 placing him three pounds below the top rated Sakhee's Secret
.
, County Westmeath
from 2008 to 2010. His first foals reached the racecourse as two-year-old in 2011. His first crop have won 34 races and include Vedelago, winner of the Group Three Premio Primi Passi
.
He died in 2011 after being injured in an accident when covering a mare in early 2011. The Racing Post commented that "the premature death of Red Clubs has robbed the industry of a highly promising young stallion."
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 sire. He won the Group Two
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...
Coventry Stakes
Coventry Stakes
The Coventry Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
as a two-year-old, two Group Three
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 at three and the 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...
Haydock Sprint Cup
Haydock Sprint Cup
The Sprint Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Haydock Park over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early September....
at four. The last named win was largely responsible for Red Clubs being named European Champion Sprinter at the 2007 Cartier Racing Awards. He was noted for the toughness and consistency he displayed in a twenty-five race career which lasted from 2005 to 2007. He died of an injury sustained while standing as a stallion in Ireland in 2011.
Background
Red Clubs, a brown horse with a white star and snipHorse 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 in Ireland by Dr John Fike at the Islanmore Stud in Croom, County Limerick, having been conceived at the Vinery Stud 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...
. His sire, Red Ransom, was a lightly raced son of Roberto
Roberto (horse)
Roberto was an American-bred Thoroughbred Champion racehorse who competed in Ireland and England.-Background:Roberto was bred by Galbreath at his Darby Dan Farm near Lexington, Kentucky. The son of the successful sire Hail To Reason out of the dam Bramalea, Roberto's grandsire was Turn-To, a...
who became a successful stallion. Among his best progeny were 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...
, Typhoon Tracy
Typhoon Tracy
Typhoon Tracy is an outstanding Australian Thoroughbred racemare who has won six group one races and was crowned Australian Racehorse of the Year for 2009/10.-Breeding:...
and Intikhab
Intikhab
Intikhab is an American racehorse. It was winner of two Group races on the flat for the trainer Saeed Bin Suroor.Intikhab won a total of 8 races between 1996 and 1999, 2 of which were Group races - notably the Queen Anne Stakes under the jockey Frankie Dettori on 16 June 1998.-External...
. Red Clubs’ dam Two Clubs, a half sister of the Haydock Sprint Cup winner Petong, was a successful sprinter, winning five races including two at 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...
level.
In November 2004, Red Clubs was sent by the Islanmore Stud as a weanling
Weanling
A weanling is an animal that has just been weaned. The term is usually used to refer to a type of young horse, a foal that has been weaned, usually between the ages of 6 months and a year. Once a year old, the horse is referred to as a yearling.-References:...
to the Tattersalls
Tattersalls
Tattersalls is the main auctioneer of race horses in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It was founded in 1766 by Richard Tattersall , who had been stud groom to the second Duke of Kingston. The first premises occupied were near Hyde Park Corner, in what was then the outskirts of London...
sales, where he was sold for 40,000gns
Guinea (British coin)
The guinea is a coin that was minted in the Kingdom of England and later in the Kingdom of Great Britain and the United Kingdom between 1663 and 1813...
. A year later he was returned to Tattersalls and was again sold for 40,000gns, this time being bought by BBA Ireland and Barry Hills.
Red Clubs entered training at Hills’ stable at Lambourn
Lambourn
Lambourn is a large village and civil parish in the northwestern part of the ceremonial county of Berkshire in England. Its metropolitan district has a population of 4,017, and is most noted for its associations with British National Hunt racehorse training....
, Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
. He was ridden in twenty-one of his twenty-five races by his trainer’s son Michael Hills.
2005: two-year-old season
Red Clubs racing career began unremarkably in April 2005, when he finished sixth of the eight runners in a five-furlongFurlong
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....
maiden race 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...
. Later in the same month he recorded his first win in a maiden at 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...
producing a strong late run to lead inside the final furlong and win by half a length. In May he returned to Newmarket and was sent off 11/4 second favourite in a minor race. Despite carrying top weight of 131lbs
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
and being hampered two furlongs out he proved far too good for his opponents, pulling clear in the closing stages to win by four lengths.
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...
was closed for redevelopment work for most of 2007, and the Royal Meeting was transferred to York
York Racecourse
York Racecourse is a horse racing track in the southwest of the city of York in North Yorkshire, England with a spectator capacity of 60,000. The most famous race to be held at York on an annual basis is the Ebor Handicap, which is run during the Ebor Festival meeting in August...
. Red Clubs was aimed at the Group Two Coventry Stakes on the opening day and was sent off at odds of 11/2. Michael Hills had the colt in a prominent position throughout before moving into the lead a furlong out. Red Clubs ran on well in the closing stages to win his third successive race by one and three-quarter lengths from Pacific Pride. After the race Barry Hills said that he had been "very Impressed" by the colt and commended his placid temperament by saying that "you could put him at the bottom of your bed if you wanted."
Following his York win Red Clubs was made 2/1 favourite for the July Stakes
July Stakes
The July Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July....
at Newmarket, but failed to reproduce his form, finishing seventh of the sixteen runners.
In the second half of the season, Red Clubs produced a series of respectable placed efforts but was unable to win again. He was no match for 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...
in the Phoenix Stakes
Phoenix Stakes
The Phoenix Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July or August.-History:...
at the Curragh
Curragh Racecourse
The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.- History :...
and was beaten more than ten lengths in finishing third. He then finished second to Amadeus Wolf in both the Group Two Mill Reef Stakes
Mill Reef Stakes
The Mill Reef Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Newbury over a distance of 6 furlongs and 8 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September....
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 the Group One Middle Park Stakes
Middle Park Stakes
The Middle Park Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.The event was established...
at Newmarket. On his final start of the year he finished fourth to 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...
and Horatio Nelson
Horatio Nelson (horse)
Horatio Nelson was a racehorse sired by Danehill, out of the Irish 1,000 Guineas and Epsom Oaks winner Imagine. His owners were John Magnier and David Nagle. The colt won four of his seven starts, including the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère at Longchamp Racecourse in October 2005. He competed in the...
in the 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...
.
The strength of the opposition Red Clubs faced in these races was emphasised in the International Classification. He was rated the fifth best colt of the year, with the top four places being filled by George Washington, Sir Percy, Amadeus Wolf and Horatio Nelson. Commenting on his season, the Racing Post
Racing 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:...
described him as an "ultra-tough and precocious" colt.
2006: three-year-old season
Red Clubs was aimed at the one mile 2000 Guineas in the spring of 2006, beginning his campaign with a run the Group Three Greenham StakesGreenham Stakes
The Greenham Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Newbury over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in April....
, a recognised trial race at Newbury. He raced prominently, and went clear inside the final furlong, before being eased down to record an "impressive" victory by one and three quarter lengths from Marcus Andronicus. The lack of early pace however, resulted in a slow time and did not convince everyone that Red Clubs had the stamina for the Classic. In the Guineas itself, he made little impression and weakened in the closing stages to finish twelfth behind George Washington. He was dropped in class and distance for the Group Three Jersey Stakes
Jersey Stakes
The Jersey Stakes 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 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
over seven furlongs at Royal Ascot but could finish only sixth behind Jeremy.
From this point on, Red Clubs was campaigned almost exclusively over sprint distances. The change was not immediately successful, as he finished unplaced in the July Cup
July Cup
The July Cup is a Group 1 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 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July....
. He showed rather better form to finish second to Moss Vale in a strong Group Three race at the Curragh, but was then unplaced behind Reverence
Reverence (horse)
Reverence is a British champion Thoroughbred racehorse. He is a specialist sprinter who was especially effective over five furlongs , recording all but one of his wins over the distance. Most unusually for a modern thoroughbred racehorse Reverence did not appear on a racecourse until he was four...
in the Nunthorpe Stakes
Nunthorpe Stakes
The Nunthorpe Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged two years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 5 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
and the Haydock Sprint Cup
Haydock Sprint Cup
The Sprint Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Haydock Park over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early September....
.
In late September, Red Clubs ran in the Group Two Diadem Stakes at the newly reopened Ascot Racecourse. It was well-contested race with the runners including the Group One winners Somnus
Somnus (horse)
Somnus is a retired British champion Thoroughbred racehorse. One of the best European two-year-olds in 2002, he developed into a leading the following year when he won the Group One Haydock Sprint Cup...
and Fayr Jag and Red Clubs started 6/1. He raced prominently before showing a "smart turn of foot" to take the lead in the final furlong and going clear. Although he swerved "violently" to the left in the closing stages, he was able to win by one and a quarter lengths from Baltic King. There was some speculation that Red Clubs had been "spooked" by a shadow on the course in an echo of Dayjur
Dayjur
Dayjur was an American-bred racehorse who was trained by Dick Hern in the United Kingdom. He was beaten only four times out of eleven starts and of those, one was because he did not stay the trip, and another in the most freakish circumstances...
's defeat in the Breeders' Cup Sprint
Breeders' Cup Sprint
The Breeders' Cup Sprint is an American Weight for Age Grade I Thoroughbred horse race for three year olds & up. Run on dirt over a distance of 6 Furlongs , the race has been held annually since 1984 at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World...
. A week later, Red Clubs was sent to France for the Prix de l'Abbaye
Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp
The Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged two years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,000 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early October.-History:The Prix de l'Abbaye was one of two major...
at Longchamp but finished unplaced behind Desert Lord.
2007: four-year-old season
Red Clubs won only once from seven starts in his championship season, but his consistent efforts in important races earned him enough points to take the title. He began in the Duke of York StakesDuke of York Stakes
The Duke of York Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...
in May, in which he led approaching the final furlong before finishing second to his old rival Amadeus Wolf. He was well fancied for the Temple Stakes
Temple Stakes
The Temple Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Haydock Park over a distance of 5 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
at Sandown two weeks later, but broke badly and was never able to get into contention.
At Royal Ascot he contested the lead in the final stages of the Golden Jubilee Stakes
Golden Jubilee Stakes
The Golden Jubilee Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.-History:...
before finishing fourth, beaten just over a length by Soldier's Tale, Takeover Target
Takeover Target
Takeover Target is a much travelled Australian Thoroughbred racehorse who has won top sprinting races in each of the five major cities in Australia as well as the United Kingdom, Japan and Singapore....
and Asset. He then improved on his 2006 effort in the July Cup, finishing third to Sakhee's Secret
Sakhee's Secret
Sakhee's Secret is a Thoroughbred racehorse. He is owned and bred by octogenarian, Bridget Swire.Sakhee's Secret defeated older horses to win the 6 furlong July Cup at Newmarket Racecourse which was a key factor in the colt being ranked the World Champion 3-year-old sprinter on turf for...
. In the same month it was announced that Red Clubs would retire to the Tally-Ho Stud at the end of the season.
Another solid effort followed, as he ran fourth to the two-year-old Kingsgate Native in the Nunthorpe Stakes, before being sent to Haydock
Haydock Park Racecourse
Haydock Park Racecourse is a racecourse in Haydock, Merseyside, England. The track is a mostly flat left-handed oval of around 1 mile 5 furlongs with a very slight rise on the run-in. There are courses for flat racing and National Hunt racing...
for the Sprint Cup. His rivals included Sakhee's Secret, Somnus, Asset, Amadeus Wolf and the French-trained Marchand d'Or
Marchand d'Or
Marchand d'Or is a Thoroughbred racehorse who, in 2008, won his third straight Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville Racecourse, becoming the first to ever win three consecutive runnings of any French Group 1 race....
in what was described as an "outstanding renewal" of the race. Michael Hills settled the colt in the early stages before moving up to challenge in the last quarter of a mile. He caught and passed Marchand d'Or inside the final furlong and ran on strongly to record his biggest win by three quarters of a length. Barry Hills called him "a very, very game horse and has run consistently well all through his career." Michael Hills said that Red Clubs "has given me everything from two to three to four... I'm so pleased for the horse that he has won a Group One."
On his final start he was moved back up to seven furlongs for the Prix de la Forêt
Prix de la Forêt
The Prix de la Forêt 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 1,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.-History:The race was established in 1858,...
at Longchamp, but tired badly on the soft ground and finished last of the thirteen runners.
Assessment
As noted above, Red Clubs was rated the fifth best colt of his generation in 2005, with his mark of 117 putting him seven pounds below the champion George Washington.At the 2007 Cartier Racing Awards Red Clubs was named European Champion Sprinter in a "closely-fought" contest. 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....
however, he was rated only the fifth best European Sprinter of the year, his rating of 117 placing him three pounds below the top rated Sakhee's Secret
Sakhee's Secret
Sakhee's Secret is a Thoroughbred racehorse. He is owned and bred by octogenarian, Bridget Swire.Sakhee's Secret defeated older horses to win the 6 furlong July Cup at Newmarket Racecourse which was a key factor in the colt being ranked the World Champion 3-year-old sprinter on turf for...
.
Stud career
Red Clubs stood at the Tally-Ho Stud near MullingarMullingar
Mullingar is the county town of County Westmeath in Ireland. The Counties of Meath and Westmeath Act of 1542, proclaimed Westmeath a county, separating it from Meath. Mullingar became the administrative centre for County Westmeath...
, County Westmeath
County Westmeath
-Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar...
from 2008 to 2010. His first foals reached the racecourse as two-year-old in 2011. His first crop have won 34 races and include Vedelago, winner of the Group Three Premio Primi Passi
Premio Primi Passi
The Premio Primi Passi is a Group 3 flat horse race in Italy open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Milan over a distance of 1,200 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
.
He died in 2011 after being injured in an accident when covering a mare in early 2011. The Racing Post commented that "the premature death of Red Clubs has robbed the industry of a highly promising young stallion."