First of all - list of foreign-bred and raced stallions in Czech Republic, who are active this year:
Alex the Great (GB), 1989, Bairn - Another Pageant, Welsh Pageant. His third dam is Sybil's Niece. Winner of Sword Dancer Invitational Gr.1 and third in San Juan Capistrano Gr.1.
Bear King (Ger), 1997, Mujtahid - Bearall, Al Hareb. Gr.3 winner in Germany and gr.2 placed.
Beccari (USA), 1991, Lyphard - Belle Pensee, Ribot. Half brother to Treizieme, fifth in Prix de la Salamandre Gr.1.
Big Walt (USA), 1981, Big Burn - Clearly Bold, Bold Monarch. Winner of Sandford Stakes Gr.2, third in Saratoga Special Gr.2, fourth in Tremont Stakes Gr.3 and Hopeful Stakes Gr.1.
Bobinski (GB), 1992, Polish Precedent - Cockade, Derring-Do. Half brother to Old Vic, listed winner and fourth in Prix Jean Prat Gr.1.
Bretigny (Fr), 1992, Sadler's Wells - Baiser Vole, Foolish Pleasure. Son of champion 2yo filly in Europe and classic winner; double winner.
Bully Pulpit (USA), 2000, Pulpit - Madame Pandit, Wild Again. Unraced; dam was Gr.1 placed.
Capri (GB), 1995, Generous - Island Jamboree, Explodent. Gr.2 winner in France and Gr.3 in England, half brother to champion Fiji.
Don Bosio (USA), 1993, El Gran Senor - Celtic Loot, Irish River. Family of Chic Belle or Sir Harry Lewis; multiple winner in Central Europe.
Donegal (Ire), 1984, Dara Monarch - Penny Habit, Habitat. Gr.3 winner in Germany, half brother to double Gr.1 winner Delmora, who produced multiple Gr. winner Corvaro.
Eternity's Breath (USA), 1986, Nureyev - Sham's Princess, Sham. Gr.2 and 3 placed in Germany and France, fourth in Knickerbocker Handicap Gr.3. Dam multiple Gr.3 winner.
Fair Fabulous (Fr), 1991, Fabulous Dancer - Fairolan, Olantengy. Second in Prix Hocquart Gr.2, third in Criterium de Saint Cloud Gr.1.
Horesti (GB), 1992, Nijinsky - Sushila, Petingo. Half brother to Petoski, placed in GB, placed in Czech Republic (steeplechase).
I Shall Stay (USA), 1984, Alleged - I Will Follow, Herbager. Half brother to Rainbow Quest and former Czech stallion Arcane. Placed once from four starts.
Laroche (Ger), 1991, Nebos - Laurea, Sharpman. German Derby winner and half brother to Lando.
Look Honey (Ire), 2000, Sadler's Wells - Middle Prospect, Mr. Prospector. Winner of Prix Eugene Adam Gr.2, third from Grand Prix de Paris Gr.1.
Marcham (Ire), 1988, Sadler's Wells - Dazzling Light, Silly Season. Second dam Picture Light; third in Racing Post Trophy Gr.1.
Mill Pond (Fr), 1986, Mill Reef - Royal Way, Sicambre. Full Brother to Garde Royale; winner, fifth in Derby Stakes Gr.1.
Minds Music (USA), 1992, Silver Hawk - Misinskie, Nijinsky. Listed winner and second in St. Leger Gr.1; second dam Kankakee Miss, dam of Clever Trick.
Monarch (GB), 1992, Sadler's Wells - Bint Pasha, Affirmed. Winner; dam double Gr.1 winner.
Moonjaz (GB), 1997, Nashwan - Harayir, Gulch. Winner and Gr.3 placed; dam classic winner.
Ponsardin (GB), 1989, Petoski - Premiere Cuvee, Formidable. Triple winner.
Rainbows For Life (Can), 1988, Lyphard - Rainbow Connection, Halo. Both multiple champion runner and sire.
Secret'n Classy (Can), 1987, Secretariat - Classy'n Smart, Smarten. Gr.1 placed, half brother to Dance Smartly.
Security Risk (USA), 1997, Red Ransom - Balinese, Nijinsky. Second dam Homespun; double winner.
Signe Divin (USA), 1991, Bering - Lumen Dei, Raise a Native. Gr.2 winner in France, second in Grand Criterium Gr.1.
So Long Slew (USA), 2000, Seattle Slew - Wendy's Daughter, Halo. Second dam Miss Swapsco; unraced.
Spinning Wild (USA), 1999, Spinning World - Sacahuista, Raja Baba. Winner.
Tahasun (Ire), 1990, Shareef Dancer - Narjis, Blushing Groom. Third dam Marshua; Hungarian Gr.2 winner.
Varadar (Ire), 2000, Machiavellian - Vearia, Mill Reef. Winner from two starts; half brother to Vereva and Valanour.
Wallace (GB), 1996, Royal Academy - Masskana, Darshaan. Listed winner and Gr.3 placed; half brother to champion Sulk.
*Glenstal (USA), 1980, Northern Dancer - Cloonlara, Sir Ivor. Gr.3 National Stakes winner, half brother to King's Lake and Salmon Leap.
*House Rules (USA), 1993, Seattle Slew - Houseproud, Riverman. Unraced; dam French classic winner.
(Glenstal was listed as "active"; in fact he wasn't able to breed any mare. House Rules, in spite of that, was scheduled to stand this season in Poland, but he didn't left Napajedla. But he was not licensed this year.)
List of other foreign-bred and raced stallions in Czech Republic, who were standing here between 1998-2005:
Amor (Ger), 1989, Czerekies - Amolina, Antrieb. Winner; second dam classic winner in Germany.
Anno (Ger), 1979, Lombard - Anatevka, Espresso. German classic winner and half brother to dam of Urban Sea.
Arcane (USA), 1987, Blushing Groom - I Will Follow, Herbager. Five-time winner (also over hurdles), half brother to Rainbow Quest.
Assisi del Santo (Fr), 1983, Arctic Tern - Anna Ivanovna, Bonconte di Montefeltro. Winner of Gr.2 Premio Chiusura and second in Gr.1 Gran Criterium.
Asturiano (Chi), 1985, Sharp-Eyed Quillo - Aspasia, Straight Die. Gr.1 and multiple Gr.2 winner in Chile, Gr.3 placed in the US.
Barsetto (Ire), 1998, Acatenanto - Bajonette, Lomond. Listed winner and Gr.2 placed in Germany.
Beldale Ball (USA), 1976, Nashua - San Cat, Barbizon. Winner of Melbourne Cup.
Black Pot (Ire), 1982, Northern Guest - Julie's Gi-Gi, Brave Invader. Gr.3 placed in Ireland.
Buenos (Ger), 1987, Aspros - Bonna, Salvo. Double Gr.2 winner in Germany; half brother to classic winner Britannia, dam of Derby winner Borgia.
Burslem (Ire), 1980, Nebbiolo - Spice Road, Gallant Man. Listed winner and multiple Gr. placed in England.
Cossio (GB), 1993, Shirley Heights - Dananira, High Top. Raced in Spain, fifth in Spanish Derby. Second dam Delsy.
Cumbrales (Ire), 1991, Exactly Sharp - Summer Bloom, Silly Season. Gr.3 winner in Spain, second in Spanish St. Leger, double Horse of the Year in Spain.
Dara Monarch (GB), 1979, Realm - Sardara, Alcide. Classic winner in Ireland, multiple champion sire in Czech Republic.
Desert Track (GB), 1994, Green Desert - Mill Path, Mill Reef. Listed winner.
Deserve (GB), 1989, Green Desert - Scimitara, Kris. Double winner; dam half sister to Double Form.
El Arco (Ger), 1980, Caracol - Escada, Luciano. Gr.3 winner in Germany, second in German St. Leger and also Gr.1 placed in Germany.
Exaltation (Ire), 1998, Rainbow Quest - Carnival Spirit, Kris. Winner of Gr.3 Gallinule Stakes and Gr.2 placed. Dam half sister to Saumarez.
Fallada (Ger), 1978, Wildschutz - Forle, Salto. Winner of German Derby, among others.
Faraway Times (USA), 1974, Olden Times - Farnesia, Neptunus. Double Gr.3 winner in France and third in Prix de la Foret Gr.1.
Friedland (USA), 1988, Nijinsky - Fenella, Thatch. Listed winner.
Galitzin (GB), 1985, Hotfoot - Midnight Music, Midsummer Night II. Winner of Classic Trial Gr.3, third in Craven Stakes Gr.3 and fourth in Great Voltigeur Stakes and Prince of Wales's Stakes, both Gr.2.
Gay Minstrel (Fr), 1981, Gay Mecene - Gracious, Habitat. Double Gr.3 winner in France, dam half sister to Gold River.
Harlow (USA), 1980, Caro - Sensitive Lady, Sensitivo. Winner of Gr.3 Prix du Palais Royal.
Just a Flutter (GB), 1984, Beldale Flutter - Precious Jade, Northfields. Winner of Gr.1 Premio Vittorio di Capua, multiple Gr. placed.
Karloff (Ger), 1987, Esclavo - Kronungsrose, Soderini. German Derby winner.
Kirchner (GB), 1978, Kasmir II - Vwonica, Val de Loir. Winner of Gr.1 International Sprint Stakes and multiple Gr.2 winner.
Lanitos (Ger), 1988, Connaught - Liranga, Literat. Half brother to champions Lagunas and Lirung.
Latino (Brz), 1977, Sabinus - Trevisa, Kurrupako. Classic winner and multiple Gr.1 placed in Brazilia.
Long Meadows (USA), 1979, Sham - Cheveley Princess, Busted. Unraced, dam Gr.1 winner.
Lord Carnaby (Aut), 1982, Schiwago - Jolly Dudith, Jolly Jet. Multiple winner, Gr.2 placed in Austria.
Monseigneur (USA), 1974, Graustark - Brown Berry, Mount Marcy. Multiple Gr.2 winner and multiple Gr.1 placed in France, half brother to Avatar, Unconscious and Hours After, all Gr.1 winners.
Muscatite (Ire), 1980, Habitat - Takette, Takawalk. Winner of Gr.3 Craven Stakes and multiple Gr. placed, incl. Two Thousand Guineas.
Najoom (Ire), Sadler's Wells - Mayfair Madam, Hello Gorgeous. Unraced; dam half sister to Tree of Knowledge.
Sapano (GB), 1984, Sassafras - Pampered Protege, Majestic Prince. Unraced.
Secret Silver (USA), 1992, Silver Hawk - Secret Form, Formidable. Winner; dam multiple Gr. winner and double classic placed in France.
Sectori (USA), 1979, Secretariat - Marie Curie, Exbury. Second in International St. Leger Gr.2.
Sharp End (GB), 1978, Sharpen Up - Death Ray, Tamerlane. Winner of Gr.3 Badener Meile and multiple champion sire in Czech Republic. Half brother to Irish classic winner Shoot a Line.
Siam (USA), 1990, Nureyev - Pasadoble, Prove Out. Third in Grand Prix de Paris Gr.1, full brother to Miesque.
Spring Haven (Ire), 1975, African Sky - Marsville, Trouville. Winner.
Steamship (Fr), 1984, Kenmare - Glitter, Reliance. Multiple winner and Gr.3 placed; dam Gr.1 winner.
Sun Valley (Ire), 1982, Royal and Regal - Dolphin Bay, Rarity. Gr.3 winner and third in Irish Two Thousand Guineas Gr.1.
Super Moment (USA), 1977, Big Spruce - Seductive, Shantung. Charles H. Strub Stakes Gr.1 winner, multiple Gr. winner and Gr.1 placed, including Ky Derby, SA Derby and Blue Grass Stakes. Dam half sister to Night Off.
Wondras (Ger), 1985, Aspros - Wondrous Pearl, Prince Ippi. Gr.2 placed in Germany and fourth in German Two Thousand Guineas.
So that's it. Some of them were stars, some of them left absolutely no footstep here... I'm not writing more informations right now, but I can do when there's anybody interested in it. However - any racing informations or photos from abroad are welcomed! Especially photos of Rainbows For Life, who seems to be the best stallion we ever had!
And few words to our "annual stud trip", which we made last week. We visited five studs, which are standing almost the best stallions in the country. Photos of all stallions mentioned are available, if there's anybody interested! And as usual, please forgive any mistakes in my English.
Uhersky Ostroh - Bully Pulpit. Very impressive chestnut horse, although not too much high. We were joking whether Mr. Psurny is sure that it's thoroughbred, as he looked more like a quarter horse. Horse with near-perfect conformation - I would like only to see little, little more depth. Good and strong legs, strong neck, a lot of muscles, intelligent head. Nice to look and perfect for taking photograhps. Came for this season, so progeny will come, but I have to say I liked him very much.
Doubravy. Where are the times when three royally-bred stallions were there! Secret'n Classy died this spring, and Bretigny with Spinning Wild left for this breeding season. Only Laroche came for this breeding season from Stud Mimon. To be true, stallion in Stud Mimon almost means useless stallion, because there are no good mares and not much interest due to location of this stud. It was certainly good for Laroche to move to stud in other part of the country, but so far I don't know how many mares he bred. However, he's still a horse with a lot of charisma, and his condition is - I'd say - much better than in Mimon. He has very solid conformation, although he isn't so powerfully built as Bully Pulpit is. He has good depth in girth, a lot of slope in the shoulder and good legs, but has one thing I really hate to see on thoroughbred - weak rear end. Shortly, he isn't so impressive, but certainly is pretty well looking animal. Also has no racing progeny so far.
Vlachovice - Ray of Light and Fair Fabulous. "Fabul" is beautiful animal, altough not with perfect conformation - as well as Laroche, he has little weak rear end. However, the rest of his body is built for speed, which he possesses as a sire. Very strong and long neck and body, very deep girth. He has beautiful head for taking pictures and he's very good tempered. Not a model of champion stallion, but successful sire with good qualities - also sire of champion sprinter Kifaab. Ray of Light is multiple Czech champion racehorse, who lost Triple Crown by a nose. Irish-bred son of Rainbows For Life out of Topmost, by Top Ville. He was a small rocket (by the way, he's five cm smaller than his "small" sire Rainbows!) as a racehorse and great and fiery fighter; he stayed much the same way as a stallion. He has very strong and powerful conformation (that's also why he was always a joy to watch when he was racing), although he's not as elegant as Rainbows is. So far he has his first three year olds and not too much successful, but I'd guess he'll stay popular for some more years.
Strelice - Minds Music and Tribal Instinct. We've seen Minds Music only in his paddock, so I can say only he's quite calm animal. He's not much attractive - he's built to get the distance and not to run too fast, and also has a little strange colour. Just a stallion. He has no racing progeny so far. Tribal Instinct (Doyoun - Mystery Treat, Plugged Nickle) is - unlike Ray of Light - our Triple Crown winner, although he wasn't so popular (I'd say mainly because he had so much class he didn't need to fight so hardly
). In the stud he also remained the same way - nothing attractive at the first look. Well looking horse, engineered to run - very deep girth, very long neck, good bodied, strong rear end. What is interesting - although he doesn't have so much muscles as Ray does, Tribal looks even more powerfully than Ray. Simply, perfect thoroughbred from great pedigree (It's not needed to comment Doyoun, and Mystery Treat traces back to Double Copy Mare Rare Perfume) across great racing career (also multiple champion) to perfect outlook. What I was surprised with, he's also very kind horse and seems to be very intelligent.
And finally Napajedla. This season they were standing five stallions, but Bear King had some health problems (I really don't know English equivalent, I'm sorry) and at the time of our visit he was back at his stall, but Look Honey had the same problem about a month after and still was at equine clinic in Brno. Also Varadar was only lying in his stable, so we saw only Mill Pond, House Rules and Rainbows For Life. Mill Pond is still wonderfully looking animal, but only thanks to his long mane - we saw him galloping along rail with his mane flying around, and we feel like in a fairy-tale. He still looks healthy and happy, and as we saw in March, he still enjoys breeding. But there are some infirmities of growing age, although he hardly look like 20 years old horse. House Rules is no horse, it's a mount of muscles and fat formed to equine body. We were told it's by steroids he was used to get as a two year old; however, he's unraced because of hairline fracture. I don't wonder - his groom told us he's weighing 780 kg... Anyway, House Rules is quite kind horse. I have to say we were affraid a bit to pet his head, because he's such a monstrous animal and really looks like he's going not to bite, but to eat your fingers. In fact he seldom let us to get to him, he was almost all the time trotting or galloping, but if he let us get nearer, he was acting like equine gentleman.
Rainbows... Rainbows is chapter on its own. Multiple champion racehorse and multiple champion sire; his offsprings are reigning over Czech tracks in the way almost nobody of us remember. He has five Czech classic winners (three of them multiple classic winners) and so many National Listed and first category (two highest categories of races here) winners, that it's almost impossible to count them. He's the best stallion we had since legends like Masis or Behistoun. Simply - he's The King, he's treated like The King and he knows he's The King. I would wish you to see his face when we were trying to move him around his paddock! We have tons of his perfect portraits, because he was standing like a statue, but we wanted also some photo where he would be moving. No, he wanted to stand, so he stood there and nothing and nobody would force him to move, because only he decides what he will do. It was crazy. But he's great horse and great personality with a lot of intelligence. We just love this horse!
At the end, two short news.
- last living stallion from Secretariat sire line, who was breeding here, died. Not Secret'n Classy, but Czech-bred Yocker. I was already writing about him here I think; son of Knesset, who was by General Assembly. We wanted to visit him both last and this year, but we weren't able to get there. He was a great horse (multiple champion and Horse of the Year) and we are really sad that he died. By the way, third and last stallion with Secretariat's blood was Sectori, standing here somewhere at the beginning of 1990's.
- Glenstal. Old Glenstal is still alive at the age of 26, but to be true... He looks quite well for his age, but his condition got a bit worse since we last saw him in July 2005. He put some weight off and he started to loose hairs from his tail. I have also photos, naturally, but I'm sorry, owners don't want us to post them anywhere, and I must agree, because they aren't too nice. I only want to let all members know that Glenstal is still alive, that he's happy and still is great old gentleman.
So that's all for now. I hope that this article will be useful for somebody and if anybody has any questions, I finally have holidays, which also means I have enough time for relatively quick replies!
Sai
They are “priceless gems”. Look at the auction-catalogue of BBAG for the August Yearling Sales: 6 colts by Monsun are on the market but no filly, even there seem to be no horses out of Monsun-mares – they are all well kept by their owner-breeders.
