Tartan Bearer
Encyclopedia
Tartan Bearer is an Irish thoroughbred race horse. A colt of enormous talent, he never quite realised his potential due to injuries throughout his career. He raced eight times and won three of these, being placed on his other five starts. He had the unenviable record of being second thee times and third once in the four Group 1 races he contested.
He was bred by his owners , the Ballymacoll Stud
, and was trained throughout his career by Sir Michael Stoute. He was retired as a five year old after failing to appear in the 2010 season due to injury.
the following April in uncomplicated if unimpressive fashion before going on to York for the Dante Stakes
, now the most important of all the Derby trials. He was relatively unfancied for the race and started fourth in the betting behind favourite Twice Over
who had won the Craven Stakes earlier in the season. Tartan Bearer showed his class and a battling attitude, if still with signs of greenness, to hold off a determined challenge from Frozen Fire, holding on by a head as the two fought all the way to the line: next stop the Derby.
This year the Derby had an open look to it with many horses having a decent chance; Curtain Call, Casual Conquest, Frozen Fire
, New Approach
and Doctor Fremantle being all considered contenders. Tartan Bearer went off at 6/1. He started slowly and had to be bustled along early and jockey Ryan Moore decided to settle him in at the back of the field. As some of the horses began to struggle with the slope heading down towards Tattenham Corner Tartan Bearer cruised past runners and was brought wide coming into the straight. He quickened as soon as asked and tore down the outside getting to the front at the same time as New Approach who had weaved a passage down the inside rail. When he hit the front his head came up and he began looking about, again showing his inexperience. New Approach went past him and, with a target to aim at Tartan Bearer began to close again but at the line was held by half a length: 4½ lengths in front of Casual Conquest. Like his full-brother Golan
before him, Tartan Bearer had finished second in the Derby.
Six of the horses he had beaten convincingly at Epsom reopposed Tartan Bearer in the Irish Derby the following month so it was no surprise that he started the even money favourite, with no New Approach in the line up. He cruised comfortably throughout the race in mid division accelerating up towards the leaders 2½ furlongs out. However, just as he was about to take the lead, the horse on his inside, Alessandra Volta, drifted alarmingly off the rail bumping Tartan Bearer and carrying him across the track. Tartan Bearer lost his momentum and Frozen Fire, his Dante victim and Alessandra Volta's stablemate, shot past him down the outside to win. Alessandra was disqualified with Tartan Bearer being promoted to third place but the damage had been done and another Group One went begging.
at Sandown. He needed every bit of the One mile two furlongs to get up with a late charge by a head from Pipedreamer. His next start came at Royal Ascot. He was sent off favourite but travelled wide throughout. Accelerating well through the field he got to the front 100 yards from the line only for the French-trained Vision d'Etat
to pass him on his outside. Another Group One, another narrow defeat.
His final start in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the richest race of the season with a million up for grabs, was seen as a straight match between himself and stablemate, The St Leger winner of the previous year, Conduit
. After much press debate Ryan Moore finally plumped for Conduit who accordingly beat Tartan Bearer, his stable bully as a juvenile, to favouritism. As it turned out he beat him to the post too. Tartan Bearer was first to make his move from the rear and, similar to Vision d'Etat at Royal Ascot, Conduit tracked him through and passed him half a furlong out. Tartan Bearer tried to rally again but was, for the third time, beaten in a Group One by half a length. Tartan Bearer deserved a Group One success but injury again set him back. His next start was to be York's International Stakes where the winner Sea the Stars
would have surely been too much for him in a year where nothing got near him, but it would have been an intriguing race nevertheless. His second behind the horse he tormented as a yearling was to be his final race as plans to keep him in training were did not end in him running again due to more injury problems.
He was bred by his owners , the Ballymacoll Stud
Ballymacoll Stud
Ballymacoll Stud is a Thoroughbred stud farm of 300 acres in County Meath, Ireland. It is located in the townland of Ballymacoll, approximately two miles from the village of Dunboyne and four miles from the town of Maynooth...
, and was trained throughout his career by Sir Michael Stoute. He was retired as a five year old after failing to appear in the 2010 season due to injury.
Two year old
His first start, at Newmarket, showed huge promise as he was repeatedly blocked against the rail before showing an impressive turn of foot to close all the way to the line finishing a head behind Foolin Myself. It was decided he had learned enough from the experience and he was then put away for the winter with an exciting three year old campaign ahead of him.Three year old
He won his maiden at Leicester racecourseLeicester Racecourse
Leicester Racecourse is a horse-racing course in Oadby, Leicestershire, England.The course is oval shaped and nearly 2 miles in extent. It was opened ante 1773....
the following April in uncomplicated if unimpressive fashion before going on to York for the Dante Stakes
Dante Stakes
The Dante Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 88 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
, now the most important of all the Derby trials. He was relatively unfancied for the race and started fourth in the betting behind favourite Twice Over
Twice Over
Twice Over is a thoroughbred racehorse trained by Henry Cecil and owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah of Juddmonte Farms. Twice Over was bred in Great Britain.-2008 Season:...
who had won the Craven Stakes earlier in the season. Tartan Bearer showed his class and a battling attitude, if still with signs of greenness, to hold off a determined challenge from Frozen Fire, holding on by a head as the two fought all the way to the line: next stop the Derby.
This year the Derby had an open look to it with many horses having a decent chance; Curtain Call, Casual Conquest, Frozen Fire
Frozen Fire
Frozen Fire is a thoroughbred horse sired by Montjeu from the dam Flamingo Sea, who won the 2008 Irish Derby.-References:* - Frozen Fire's pedigree* - Frozen Fire's race record...
, New Approach
New Approach
New Approach is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and active stallion. He won the 2008 Epsom Derby, and was rated the best racehorse in the world in the 2008 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings....
and Doctor Fremantle being all considered contenders. Tartan Bearer went off at 6/1. He started slowly and had to be bustled along early and jockey Ryan Moore decided to settle him in at the back of the field. As some of the horses began to struggle with the slope heading down towards Tattenham Corner Tartan Bearer cruised past runners and was brought wide coming into the straight. He quickened as soon as asked and tore down the outside getting to the front at the same time as New Approach who had weaved a passage down the inside rail. When he hit the front his head came up and he began looking about, again showing his inexperience. New Approach went past him and, with a target to aim at Tartan Bearer began to close again but at the line was held by half a length: 4½ lengths in front of Casual Conquest. Like his full-brother Golan
Golan (horse)
Golan is a retired thoroughbred racehorse and active sire who was bred in Ireland but trained in the United Kingdom throughout his racing career, which lasted from 2000 to 2002. He won the 2,000 Guineas in 2001 and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes in 2002...
before him, Tartan Bearer had finished second in the Derby.
Six of the horses he had beaten convincingly at Epsom reopposed Tartan Bearer in the Irish Derby the following month so it was no surprise that he started the even money favourite, with no New Approach in the line up. He cruised comfortably throughout the race in mid division accelerating up towards the leaders 2½ furlongs out. However, just as he was about to take the lead, the horse on his inside, Alessandra Volta, drifted alarmingly off the rail bumping Tartan Bearer and carrying him across the track. Tartan Bearer lost his momentum and Frozen Fire, his Dante victim and Alessandra Volta's stablemate, shot past him down the outside to win. Alessandra was disqualified with Tartan Bearer being promoted to third place but the damage had been done and another Group One went begging.
Four year old
His new campaign started well when he won the Group Three Gordon Richards StakesGordon Richards Stakes
The Gordon Richards Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 7 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in April.The event was established in 1963, and...
at Sandown. He needed every bit of the One mile two furlongs to get up with a late charge by a head from Pipedreamer. His next start came at Royal Ascot. He was sent off favourite but travelled wide throughout. Accelerating well through the field he got to the front 100 yards from the line only for the French-trained Vision d'Etat
Vision d'Etat
Vision d'Etat is a French Thoroughbred racehorse. Sired by Group One winner Chichicastenango and out of the mare Uberaba, he was bought for €39,000 by Jacques Detre and trainer Eric Libaud's wife, Vicky....
to pass him on his outside. Another Group One, another narrow defeat.
His final start in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the richest race of the season with a million up for grabs, was seen as a straight match between himself and stablemate, The St Leger winner of the previous year, Conduit
Conduit (horse)
Conduit is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. In a career that lasted from August 2007 to November 2009 he won seven of his fifteen starts, including four at Group One/Grade I level....
. After much press debate Ryan Moore finally plumped for Conduit who accordingly beat Tartan Bearer, his stable bully as a juvenile, to favouritism. As it turned out he beat him to the post too. Tartan Bearer was first to make his move from the rear and, similar to Vision d'Etat at Royal Ascot, Conduit tracked him through and passed him half a furlong out. Tartan Bearer tried to rally again but was, for the third time, beaten in a Group One by half a length. Tartan Bearer deserved a Group One success but injury again set him back. His next start was to be York's International Stakes where the winner Sea the Stars
Sea the Stars
Sea The Stars is a champion Irish Thoroughbred colt racehorse. Regarded by many as one of the greatest racehorses of all time, he is best known for winning the 2,000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby, the Eclipse Stakes, - the first colt to accomplish this treble since 1989 champion Nashwan - the...
would have surely been too much for him in a year where nothing got near him, but it would have been an intriguing race nevertheless. His second behind the horse he tormented as a yearling was to be his final race as plans to keep him in training were did not end in him running again due to more injury problems.