Strawberry Road
Encyclopedia
Strawberry Road was a champion
Australia
n Thoroughbred
racehorse
who went on to race in Germany
, France
, the United States
, and Japan
. Bred in New South Wales
, he was by the 'superbly-bred' Whiskey Road (Nijinsky
-Bowl Of Flowers
) out of Giftisa (by Rich Gift - a grandson of Nasrullah and Abernant
).
. Following a spell, he progressed from an Improvers to a Graduation with four wins in a row. Taken to Sydney, and stepped up to stakes company
, he finished second to Marscay (the previous year's Golden Slipper
winner) in the Hobartville Stakes
, and, after two further lead-up runs, recorded his first Group One
wins in the Rosehill Guineas
and the AJC Derby. Back in Queensland, following a brief let-up, Strawberry Road won three of his four starts, including the Queensland Derby
. After recording 10 wins for the season, including three in Group One
races, Strawberry Road was named Australia's champion
racehorse for the 1982-1983 season.
In the spring, Strawberry Road campaigned in Melbourne, and, interspersed with defeats at Caulfield, won the Freeway Stakes
, the Centennial Stakes
, and the Cox Plate
. In the autumn, Strawberry Road failed to find his best form, and, after 26 starts in Australia, which produced 13 wins, three seconds, and three thirds, a controlling interest was sold to Ray Stehr and John Singleton
, who exported him to France.
in Germany in 1984. He then finished fifth in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
in France, third and fourth, respectively, in the Washington, D.C. International Stakes and the Breeders' Cup Turf
in the United States, and closed the year with a seventh in the Japan Cup
, ridden by the great English jockey Lester Pigott.
Strawberry Road returned to France in 1985, and, under new trainer Patrick Biancone
, won the Prix d'Harcourt
. He was then sold to prominent French horseman Daniel Wildenstein
, for whom he won the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud
. Wildenstein then sent Strawberry Road to the United States, where he ran second to the champion Pebbles
, by a neck, in the Breeders' Cup Turf
. Sold to Allen Paulson
and Bruce McNall
, Strawberry Road remained in the United States, and was trained by Hall of Fame
trainer Charlie Whittingham.
Now seven, Strawberry Road recorded the last feature win of his career in the Arcadia Handicap
at California's
Santa Anita Park
in 1986.
, Strawberry Road was a highly successful sire
. His 368 progeny included 233 winners, and among the most successful were:
Strawberry Road is also the damsire of:
In 1995, Strawberry Road contracted a bacterial infection that led to peritonitis
and pneumonia
. In a weakened condition, he fell in his stall, fracturing the femur
in his right hindleg, and had to be euthanised
.
Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year
The Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year is awarded to the Thoroughbred horse who is voted to be the champion horse within an Australian racing season. This award is open to all racehorses racing within Australia, regardless of age and sex, and includes overseas performances.This award...
Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n 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...
racehorse
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...
who went on to race in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and 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...
. Bred in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, he was by the 'superbly-bred' Whiskey Road (Nijinsky
Nijinsky
Nijinsky can refer to:*Vaslav Nijinsky , ballet dancer and choreographer*Bronislava Nijinska , dancer, choreographer and teacher*Nijinksy , starring Alan Bates Harry Saltzman as Vaslav Nijinsky*Nijinsky II, race horse...
-Bowl Of Flowers
Bowl of Flowers
Bowl of Flowers was an American Hall of Fame Thoroughbred Champion racehorse.Bowl of Flowers was the product of two horses owned by Isabel Dodge Sloane...
) out of Giftisa (by Rich Gift - a grandson of Nasrullah and Abernant
Abernant (horse)
Abernant was British Thoroughbred racehorse who is "considered by many as the greatest British sprinter of the 20th century," according to Godolphin Racing.-Pedigree:...
).
In Australia
Trained by Doug Bougoure, Strawberry Road had two starts late in his two-year-old season before making a winning start to the new season on 11 August 1982, in the Queensland Maiden Handicap at Eagle FarmEagle Farm Racecourse
Eagle Farm Racecourse is a horse racing venue in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is located in the suburb of Ascot, 7 km from the Brisbane central business district....
. Following a spell, he progressed from an Improvers to a Graduation with four wins in a row. Taken to Sydney, and stepped up to stakes company
Group races
Group races are the highest standard of Thoroughbred horseraces in Australia. The Australian Pattern Committee recommends to the Australian Racing Board which races shall be designated as Group races...
, he finished second to Marscay (the previous year's Golden Slipper
Golden Slipper
The Golden Slipper Stakes is an Australian Thoroughbred horse race for two year old horses held at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney run over 1,200 metres on turf at set weights. It is the premier two year old race in Australia and is the world's richest race for two-year-old Thoroughbreds....
winner) in the Hobartville Stakes
Hobartville Stakes
The Hobartville Stakes is a Group 2 Australian Thoroughbred horse race, for three-year olds at set weights, over a distance of 1400 metres. It is held at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney every February...
, and, after two further lead-up runs, recorded his first Group One
Group One
Group One or Group 1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. Group One races may be run under handicap conditions in Australia but in Europe weight-for-age conditions always apply. Races may be also restricted to age groups or a...
wins in the Rosehill Guineas
Rosehill Guineas
The Rosehill Guineas is an Australian Thoroughbred horse race run annually in March at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney. A race for three-year-olds at set weights, it is contested on turf over a distance of 2000 metres .-Distance:...
and the AJC Derby. Back in Queensland, following a brief let-up, Strawberry Road won three of his four starts, including the Queensland Derby
Queensland Derby
The Queensland Derby is a Brisbane Racing Club Group 1 Australian Thoroughbred horse race for three year olds at, set weights, run over a distance of 2400 metres at Eagle Farm Racecourse, Brisbane in June...
. After recording 10 wins for the season, including three in Group One
Group One
Group One or Group 1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. Group One races may be run under handicap conditions in Australia but in Europe weight-for-age conditions always apply. Races may be also restricted to age groups or a...
races, Strawberry Road was named Australia's champion
Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year
The Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year is awarded to the Thoroughbred horse who is voted to be the champion horse within an Australian racing season. This award is open to all racehorses racing within Australia, regardless of age and sex, and includes overseas performances.This award...
racehorse for the 1982-1983 season.
In the spring, Strawberry Road campaigned in Melbourne, and, interspersed with defeats at Caulfield, won the Freeway Stakes
Manikato Stakes
The Manikato Stakes is a MVRC Group One Australian Thoroughbred horse race run under Weight for Age conditions, over a distance of 1200 metres at Moonee Valley Racecourse, Melbourne in September...
, the Centennial Stakes
Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes
The Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes is a Group 2 Australian Thoroughbred horse race held under Weight for Age conditions, for horses aged three years old and upwards, over a distance of 1600 metres. It is held at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne in September....
, and the Cox Plate
Cox Plate
The W.S. Cox Plate is an Australian Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race held in Melbourne every October by the Moonee Valley Racing Club to honour W.S. Cox, the club's founder. For three-year-olds and over, the race is considered to be the Weight for Age championship of Australasia...
. In the autumn, Strawberry Road failed to find his best form, and, after 26 starts in Australia, which produced 13 wins, three seconds, and three thirds, a controlling interest was sold to Ray Stehr and John Singleton
John Singleton (Australian entrepreneur)
John Desmond Singleton AM is an Australian entrepreneur. He built his success and wealth in the advertising business in Australia in the 1970s and 1980s...
, who exported him to France.
International Campaigns
Trained by John Nicholls, Strawberry Road won the Grosser Preis von BadenGrosser Preis von Baden
The Grosser Preis von Baden is a Group 1 flat horse race in Germany which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Baden-Baden over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early September.-History:The event was established in 1858, and it...
in Germany in 1984. He then finished fifth in the 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...
in France, third and fourth, respectively, in the Washington, D.C. International Stakes and the Breeders' Cup Turf
Breeders' 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...
in the United States, and closed the year with a seventh in the 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...
, ridden by the great English jockey Lester Pigott.
Strawberry Road returned to France in 1985, and, under new trainer Patrick Biancone
Patrick Biancone
Patrick Louis Biancone is a Thoroughbred racehorse trainer. He is currently based in the United States, but enjoyed success in both Europe and Hong Kong earlier in his career...
, won the Prix d'Harcourt
Prix d'Harcourt
The Prix d'Harcourt is a Group 2 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,000 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in April.-History:...
. He was then sold to prominent French horseman Daniel Wildenstein
Daniel Wildenstein
Daniel Leopold Wildenstein was a French art dealer and scholar, as well as a leading thoroughbred race horse owner and breeder....
, for whom he won the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud
Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud
The Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Saint-Cloud over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late June.-History:...
. Wildenstein then sent Strawberry Road to the United States, where he ran second to the champion Pebbles
Pebbles (horse)
Pebbles was a champion British-bred Thoroughbred race horse, the first British-trained racehorse to win a Breeders' Cup race.She was foaled in 1981 and was initially owned by her breeder, Marcos Lemos...
, by a neck, in the Breeders' Cup Turf
Breeders' 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...
. Sold to Allen Paulson
Allen E. Paulson
Allen Eugene Paulson was an American aviation entrepreneur, philanthropist, thoroughbred racehorse breeder and owner, and a self-made multi-millionaire.-Business career in aviation:Born in Clinton, Iowa, Allen E...
and Bruce McNall
Bruce McNall
Bruce Patrick McNall is a former Thoroughbred racehorse owner, and a sports executive who once owned the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League .McNall claimed to have made his initial fortune as a coin collector, though...
, Strawberry Road remained in the United States, and was trained by Hall of Fame
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
trainer Charlie Whittingham.
Now seven, Strawberry Road recorded the last feature win of his career in the Arcadia Handicap
Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap
The Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run in early March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Open to horses four years of age and older, it is raced over a distance of one mile . The Grade I race currently offers a purse of $300,000.Inaugurated in 1960 as...
at California's
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent racing events in the United States during the winter and in spring. With its backdrop of the purple San Gabriel Mountains, it is considered by many as the world's most beautiful race...
in 1986.
At Stud
Retired to stud by Paulson (now his sole owner), at his Brookside Farm in Versailles, KentuckyVersailles, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,511 people, 3,160 households, and 2,110 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,330 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 88.18% White, 8.67% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.35%...
, Strawberry Road was a highly successful sire
Stallion (horse)
A stallion is a male horse that has not been gelded .Stallions will follow the conformation and phenotype of their breed, but within that standard, the presence of hormones such as testosterone may give stallions a thicker, "cresty" neck, as well as a somewhat more muscular physique as compared to...
. His 368 progeny included 233 winners, and among the most successful were:
- Dinard (b. 1988) - Won 1991 Santa Anita DerbySanta Anita DerbyThe Santa Anita Derby is an American Grade 1 thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds run each April at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California and carries a purse of $1 million. Inaugurated in 1935, it is considered the most important West Coast stepping-stone to the Kentucky Derby...
, San Rafael StakesSan Rafael StakesThe San Rafael Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run at Santa Anita Park, located in Arcadia, California. The race is a Grade III event with a purse of $150,000 and is open to three-year-olds willing to race one mile on the facility's Cushion Track synthetic dirt race track.Prior to... - Fraise (b. 1988) - Won the 1992 Breeders' Cup TurfBreeders' Cup TurfThe 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...
- EscenaEscenaEscena is an American Thoroughbred filly racehorse. Bred and raced by Allen Paulson, she was out of the mare Claxton's Slew, a daughter of 1977 U.S. Triple Crown champion, Seattle Slew. Her sire was the great international runner Strawberry Road who was the 1983 Australian Champion Racehorse of...
(b. 1993) - Won 1998 Breeders' Cup DistaffBreeders' Cup DistaffThe Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares, 3 years old and up. Known as the Breeders' Cup Distaff from its inception in 1984 through 2007, it is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders'... - AjinaAjinaAjina is an American Champion Thoroughbred racehorse.-Bckground:Bred by renowned horseman Allen E. Paulson, Ajina was purchased by Janice and Robert McNair's Stonerside Stable of Paris, Kentucky....
(b. 1994) - Won 1997 Breeders' Cup DistaffBreeders' Cup DistaffThe Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares, 3 years old and up. Known as the Breeders' Cup Distaff from its inception in 1984 through 2007, it is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders'...
Strawberry Road is also the damsire of:
- VindicationVindication (horse)Vindication was an American Thoroughbred Champion racehorse. Bred by Payson Stud Inc., he was sired by 1977 U.S. Triple Crown Champion Seattle Slew...
(b. 2000) - The 2002 American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt and winner of the Breeders' Cup JuvenileBreeders' Cup JuvenileThe Breeders' Cup Juvenile is a Thoroughbred horse race for 2-year-old colts and geldings raced on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships.... - AffluentAffluent (horse)Affluent is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred and raced by Janis Whitham, and trained by U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Ron McAnally, the daughter of 1978 U.S...
(b.1998) - Winner of four American Grade One races and prize money of more than US$1.4 million
In 1995, Strawberry Road contracted a bacterial infection that led to peritonitis
Peritonitis
Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, the serous membrane that lines part of the abdominal cavity and viscera. Peritonitis may be localised or generalised, and may result from infection or from a non-infectious process.-Abdominal pain and tenderness:The main manifestations of...
and pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
. In a weakened condition, he fell in his stall, fracturing the femur
Femur
The femur , or thigh bone, is the most proximal bone of the leg in tetrapod vertebrates capable of walking or jumping, such as most land mammals, birds, many reptiles such as lizards, and amphibians such as frogs. In vertebrates with four legs such as dogs and horses, the femur is found only in...
in his right hindleg, and had to be euthanised
Animal euthanasia
Animal euthanasia is the act of putting to death painlessly or allowing to die, as by withholding extreme medical measures, an animal suffering from an incurable, especially a painful, disease or condition. Euthanasia methods are designed to cause minimal pain and distress...
.