St Jovite

St Jovite (foaled 1989 in Kentucky) is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred and raced by American Virginia Kraft Payson, he was sired by Pleasant Colony, winner of the 1981 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. He was out of Ms. Payson's mare, Northern Sunset, a granddaughter of the preeminent sire of the 20th Century, Northern Dancer.

Sent to race on European turf courses under Irish trainer Jim Bolger, in 1991 St Jovite was voted the Champion 2-year-old in Ireland after winning the Anglesey and Futurity Stakes. At three, the colt ran second to Dr Devious in the 1992 Epsom Derby. St Jovite then defeated Dr Devious by twelve lengths while setting a new Curragh Racecourse record in winning the Irish Derby. Following his win over older horses in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, St. Jovite ran second again by a fraction of a nose to Dr Devious in the Irish Champion Stakes.

Sent to Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France for the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, St Jovite finished fourth to winner, Subotica.

Retired to stud duty, St Jovite was purchased by Greentree Stud in Newtown, County Tipperary in Ireland where he now stands. Among his notable offspring is Amerique, a winner in the United States of the San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap.

References

• St. Jovite's pedigree and partial racing stats
• Video at YouTube with pre Arc de Triomphe commentary and highlights of the three previous meetings between St Jovite and Dr Devious
• St Jovite at Greentree Stud