Persian Punch

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Persian Punch
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Sire:	Persian Heights
Dam:	Rum Cay
Damsire:	Our Native
Sex:	Gelding
Foaled:	13 April 1993
Country:	Ireland
Colour:	Chestnut
Breeder:	Adstock Manor Stud
Owner:	Jeff Smith
Trainer:	David Elsworth
Record:	63: 20-8-11
Earnings:	£1,008,785
Major Racing Wins & Honours & Awards
Major Racing Wins
Henry II Stakes (1997, 1998, 2000) Sagaro Stakes (1998) Lonsdale Cup (1998, 2001) Goodwood Cup (2001, 2003) Jockey Club Cup (2000, 2002, 2003) Doncaster Cup (2003)
Racing Awards
Cartier European Top Stayer (2001, 2003)
Honours
Statue at Newmarket Racecourse
Infobox last updated on: 12 February 2007.

Persian Punch (1993-2004) was a thoroughbred racehorse trained in the United Kingdom. He was frequently heralded by the Racing Post and his fans as the most popular horse in training during the final years of his career. He had his own fan club and website.

He was sired by Persian Heights out of Rum Cay who was trained by Roger Curtis at Lambourn, Berkshire. He has a half brother by Mozart, Classic Punch.

Persian Punch was trained throughout his career by David Elsworth at Whitsbury Manor Racing Stables, Fordingbridge, Wiltshire, England. His most famous stablemate was Desert Orchid, retired by then but still leading out the 2 year olds. Persian Punch was owned by Jeff Smith, owner of Littleton Stud, whose silks had been carried by many famous racehorses including Lochsong and Chief Singer. Persian Punch's lad was Derek Brown.

Persian Punch won 20 races and was placed in 19 of his 63 races, amassing total prize money of over £1million for his owner, Jeff Smith. Although he never won a Group 1 race (he was only ever placed), he won 13 European Pattern races, equalling the record of Ardross, Acatenango and Brigadier Gerard.

At the age of 10 he was just denied the Stayers Triple Crown of Goodwood Cup, Ascot Gold Cup and Doncaster Cup when Mr Dinos beat him into 2nd place at Ascot. He won three Jockey Club Cups, a Doncaster Cup, two Goodwood Cups, three Henry II Stakes and two Lonsdale Cups.

Persian Punch earned the 2001 and 2003 Cartier Award for Top Stayer.

Persian Punch died on 28 April 2004, when he collapsed at the end of the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot. His fan club contacted Newmarket Racecourse where he had his most wins, and his last victory, to request a memorial there to him. The Persian Punch Memorial Fund was founded and a lifesize bronze by Philip Blacker was unveiled on the anniversary of his last win. This was mostly funded by Jeff Smith but fans were given the opportunity to contribute and their names are displayed on a plaque.