Terimon
Encyclopedia
Terimon was a British Thoroughbred
racehorse and sire. His most successful year was 1991, when he won the International Stakes
at York
and was named European Champion Older Horse at the inaugural Cartier Racing Awards. He is best known, however, for his performance in the 1989
Derby
in which he finished second at odds of 500/1, the longest ever recorded for a placed horse in the race.
high, bred by the Hesmonds Stud in East Sussex
in 1986. His sire Bustino
was the best horse to race in the colours of Terimon's owner, Lady Beaverbrook
. Bustino was a notable influence for stamina, being the sire of the Ascot Gold Cup
winner Paean and the Coronation Cup
winner Easter Sun. His dam, Nicholas Grey, from whom he inherited his colour, won the Listed Premio Carlo Chiesa
and was placed in the Oaks d'Italia
.
Lady Beaverbrook was considered an eccentric character who gave most of her horses names consisting of one word with seven letters (Bustino, Terimon, Boldboy, Niniski, Mystiko, Petoski), as this was the most common form for Derby winners.
Like a much more famous grey champion Spectacular Bid
, Terimon was so dark that he appeared almost black in his early racing career, although like most greys, his coat lightened as he aged.
He was trained throughout his career by Clive Brittain at Newmarket, Suffolk. His most regular jockey was Michael Roberts
who rode him in 21 of his 31 starts.
. He was campaigned ambitiously however; on his final race he ran in the Group One Middle Park Stakes
, finishing last of the six runners.
. On his eighth start, he recorded his first win, taking the lead close to the finish in a maiden race at Leicester
.
Terimon was the most experienced runner in the 1989 Epsom Derby
, but he had apparently been exposed as being well below top class and started the complete outsider of the twelve runners at 500/1. The clear favourite for the race was Nashwan
, the winner of the 2000 Guineas and the only horse seriously supported against him was Cacoethes, the easy winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial
. Clive Brittain was well aware that his colt had no chance of beating Nashwan, and had entered him in the race with the intention of reaching a place. Cacoethes took the lead in the straight and was soon challenged by Nashwan. The two favourites raced together for a few strides, before Nashwan pulled away. Michael Roberts made steady headway on Terimon, moving up through the field to catch the tiring Cacoethes in the closing stages and finish second, five lengths behind Nashwan. Terimon's odds meant that those who had backed him "each-way" (win or place) were paid out at odds of 125/1. Brittain claimed that he was not surprised by the result later saying, "I told his owner, Lady Beaverbrook, that he would be placed - and we were."
In his two other starts of the year, Terimon failed to win, but confirmed that he was a Group class performer by finishing second in the Great Voltigeur Stakes
and fourth in the St Leger
.
at Newmarket Racecourse
. He had once again been ignored in the betting, starting at 20/1.
He failed to win in his other six races that year, but finished second in the Eclipse Stakes
and third in the Prince of Wales's Stakes
at Royal Ascot.
in the Coronation Cup
and third to Stagecraft in the Prince of Wales's Stakes.
He was well beaten in the Eclipse Stakes (behind Environment Friend) and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (behind Generous
) before being sent to York
for the International Stakes. He was made the 16/1 outsider of the six runners, with the leading contenders being Stagecraft, Environment Friend and the 1990 Derby
winner Quest For Fame
. Roberts sent Terimon into an early lead and set a slow pace before accelerating in the straight. Although his rivals had every chance, Terimon was never in serious danger and won by two lengths to record his biggest win. It was to be the only Group One win by an older male in Britain in 1991.
In his remaining two starts he was unplaced in the Champion Stakes
and the Japan Cup
.
.
At the end of the season he was retired to stud.
, Sheikh Albadou
, Marling, Selkirk, Hector Protector
and many other top class performers. Terimon's win at York was therefore enough to secure him the title of European Champion Older Horse in the inaugural Cartier Racing Awards.
Terimon was rated 124 by Timeform
, which came as a surprise to the staff at the Barton Stud at Bury St Edmunds where he was standing as a stallion. The death report was a result of a clerical error, and Terimon was actually "fine and in good form."
In 2000, he was moved to the Shade Oak Stud in Shropshire
.
Terimon sired the winners of over 100 winners, with most of his success being as a sire of National Hunt runners.
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. His most successful year was 1991, when he won the International Stakes
International Stakes
The International Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. 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 August....
at 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...
and was named European Champion Older Horse at the inaugural Cartier Racing Awards. He is best known, however, for his performance in the 1989
1989 Epsom Derby
The 1989 Epsom Derby was a horse race which took place at Epsom Downs on Wednesday June 7, 1989. It was the 210th running of the Derby, and it was won by the pre-race favourite Nashwan...
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...
in which he finished second at odds of 500/1, the longest ever recorded for a placed horse in the race.
Background
Terimon was a grey horse, standing 16 handsHand (unit)
The hand is a non-SI unit of measurement of length, now used only for the measurement of the height of horses in some English-speaking countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA. With origins in ancient Egypt, it was originally based on the breadth of a human hand...
high, bred by the Hesmonds Stud in East Sussex
East Sussex
East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the south by the English Channel.-History:...
in 1986. His sire Bustino
Bustino
Bustino was a British Thoroughbred Champion racehorse and an important sire. Bred by E. Cooper Bland, he was sired by 1967 British Horse of the Year, Busted, and out of the mare Ship Yard....
was the best horse to race in the colours of Terimon's owner, Lady Beaverbrook
Marcia Anastasia Christoforides
Marcia Anastasia Christoforides, Lady Beaverbrook was a philanthropist, an art collector, and racehorse owner.-Married to two millionaires:...
. Bustino was a notable influence for stamina, being the sire of the Ascot Gold Cup
Ascot Gold Cup
The Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
winner Paean and the Coronation Cup
Coronation Cup
The Coronation Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
winner Easter Sun. His dam, Nicholas Grey, from whom he inherited his colour, won the Listed Premio Carlo Chiesa
Premio Carlo Chiesa
The Premio Carlo Chiesa is a Group 3 flat horse race in Italy which is open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Capannelle, Rome, over a distance of 1,200 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in April.The event was formerly classed at Listed...
and was placed in the Oaks d'Italia
Oaks d'Italia
The Oaks d'Italia is a Group 2 flat horse race in Italy open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Milan over a distance of 2,200 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May or June....
.
Lady Beaverbrook was considered an eccentric character who gave most of her horses names consisting of one word with seven letters (Bustino, Terimon, Boldboy, Niniski, Mystiko, Petoski), as this was the most common form for Derby winners.
Like a much more famous grey champion Spectacular Bid
Spectacular Bid
Spectacular Bid was an American Thoroughbred race horse. "The Bid" as he was known was one of the most dominant gallopers of his time...
, Terimon was so dark that he appeared almost black in his early racing career, although like most greys, his coat lightened as he aged.
He was trained throughout his career by Clive Brittain at Newmarket, Suffolk. His most regular jockey was Michael Roberts
Michael Roberts (jockey)
Michael Roberts is a South African jockey currently residing in Suffolk, England, with his wife Verna and two daughters, Melanie and Carolyn. Roberts has had a successful career, winning many English and South African races multiple times. He was British flat racing Champion Jockey in 1992...
who rode him in 21 of his 31 starts.
1988: two-year-old season
Terimon raced four times in 1988 without success, his nearest approach to victory coming when he was beaten a head in a maiden 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...
. He was campaigned ambitiously however; on his final race he ran in 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...
, finishing last of the six runners.
1989: three-year-old season
Terimon began his three-year-old career with three more defeats, although he showed some ability by finishing second in the Group Three Sandown Classic TrialSandown Classic Trial
The Sandown Classic Trial is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. 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 late April.The event was established in 1953, and it...
. On his eighth start, he recorded his first win, taking the lead close to the finish in a maiden race at Leicester
Leicester 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....
.
Terimon was the most experienced runner in the 1989 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...
, but he had apparently been exposed as being well below top class and started the complete outsider of the twelve runners at 500/1. The clear favourite for the race was Nashwan
Nashwan
Nashwan was a thoroughbred racehorse bred and owned by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.The chestnut colt was sired by the 1977 Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Blushing Groom out of Height of Fashion, a daughter of Bustino previously owned by Queen Elizabeth II. He was a thus half-brother to the Group...
, the winner of the 2000 Guineas and the only horse seriously supported against him was Cacoethes, the easy winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial
Lingfield Derby Trial
The Lingfield Derby Trial is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Lingfield Park over a distance of 1 mile, 3 furlongs and 106 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.The event was established in 1932, and...
. Clive Brittain was well aware that his colt had no chance of beating Nashwan, and had entered him in the race with the intention of reaching a place. Cacoethes took the lead in the straight and was soon challenged by Nashwan. The two favourites raced together for a few strides, before Nashwan pulled away. Michael Roberts made steady headway on Terimon, moving up through the field to catch the tiring Cacoethes in the closing stages and finish second, five lengths behind Nashwan. Terimon's odds meant that those who had backed him "each-way" (win or place) were paid out at odds of 125/1. Brittain claimed that he was not surprised by the result later saying, "I told his owner, Lady Beaverbrook, that he would be placed - and we were."
In his two other starts of the year, Terimon failed to win, but confirmed that he was a Group class performer by finishing second in the Great Voltigeur Stakes
Great Voltigeur Stakes
The Great Voltigeur Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
and fourth in the St Leger
St. Leger Stakes
The St. Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.Established in 1776, the St. Leger...
.
1990: four-year-old season
On this first start of 1990, Terimon won his first important race, when he produced a strong finish to lead in the last strides and take the Group Three Earl of Sefton StakesEarl of Sefton Stakes
The Earl of Sefton Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile and 1 furlong , and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid April.The event was established in 1971, and...
at Newmarket Racecourse
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...
. He had once again been ignored in the betting, starting at 20/1.
He failed to win in his other six races that year, but finished second in the 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...
and third in the Prince of Wales's Stakes
Prince of Wales's Stakes
The Prince of Wales's Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
at Royal Ascot.
1991: five-year-old season
Terimon had his best year in 1991, starting with a repeat win in the Earl of Sefton Stakes, this time as 7/2 favourite. He went on to finish a close second to In The GrooveIn the Groove
In the Groove may refer to:*"In the Groove" , classic jazz composition by Mary Lou Williams*In the Groove , music video game series produced by Roxor**In the Groove , first game in the series...
in the Coronation Cup
Coronation Cup
The Coronation Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
and third to Stagecraft in the Prince of Wales's Stakes.
He was well beaten in the Eclipse Stakes (behind Environment Friend) and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (behind Generous
Generous (horse)
Generous is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who in 1991 won both Epsom and Irish Derbys. Sired by Caerleon, his grandsire was Nijinsky...
) before being sent 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...
for the International Stakes. He was made the 16/1 outsider of the six runners, with the leading contenders being Stagecraft, Environment Friend and the 1990 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...
winner Quest For Fame
Quest for Fame
Quest for Fame is a music video game developed by Virtual Music and distributed by IBM. They were eventually acquired by Namco to create karaoke machines....
. Roberts sent Terimon into an early lead and set a slow pace before accelerating in the straight. Although his rivals had every chance, Terimon was never in serious danger and won by two lengths to record his biggest win. It was to be the only Group One win by an older male in Britain in 1991.
In his remaining two starts he was unplaced in the Champion Stakes
Champion Stakes
The Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October...
and 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...
.
1992: six-year-old season
Terimon failed to produce his best form as a six-year-old. His best run in five races came on his debut, when he finished a close third in the Coronation CupCoronation Cup
The Coronation Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
.
At the end of the season he was retired to stud.
Assessment
Most of the open-age Group One races in 1991 were won by three-year-olds, with the classic generation including Generous, Suave DancerSuave Dancer
Suave Dancer is a French Thoroughbred race horse who was the 1991 Champion European Three-Year-Old.Bred by Lillie F. Webb's Xalapa Farm near Paris, Kentucky, Suave Dancer was sired by Green Dancer out of the mare Suavite, both American thoroughbreds...
, Sheikh Albadou
Sheikh Albadou
Sheikh Albadou , was a Thoroughbred racehorse and sire who was bred and trained in the United Kingdom. He is best known for being the only European-trained winner of the Breeders' Cup Sprint and being named as European Champion Sprinter in 1991.-Background:Sheikh Albadou, a bay horse with a narrow...
, Marling, Selkirk, Hector Protector
Hector Protector
Hector Protector is an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who competed primarily in France. Owned and bred by Stavros Niarchos, he was conditioned for racing by Francois Boutin....
and many other top class performers. Terimon's win at York was therefore enough to secure him the title of European Champion Older Horse in the inaugural Cartier Racing Awards.
Terimon was rated 124 by Timeform
Timeform
Timeform Publications is a publishing company in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England founded in 1948 to provide information to fans, bettors, and others involved in the horse racing industry...
Stud career
Less than three years after his retirement, Terimon's death was announced by WeatherbysWeatherbys
Weatherbys provides British Horseracing with its central administration, acts as its bank and maintains the founding Thoroughbred breed register...
, which came as a surprise to the staff at the Barton Stud at Bury St Edmunds where he was standing as a stallion. The death report was a result of a clerical error, and Terimon was actually "fine and in good form."
In 2000, he was moved to the Shade Oak Stud in Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
.
Terimon sired the winners of over 100 winners, with most of his success being as a sire of National Hunt runners.