Mark of Esteem
Mark of Esteem | |
---|---|
Sire | Darshaan |
Grandsire | Shirley Heights |
Dam | Homage |
Damsire | Ajdal |
Sex | Stallion |
Foaled | 1993 |
Country | Ireland |
Colour | Bay |
Breeder | Sheikh Mohammed |
Owner | Godolphin |
Trainer | Saeed bin Suroor |
Record | 7: 4-1-0 |
Earnings | £365,139 |
Major wins | |
2,000 Guineas Stakes (1996) Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (1996) Celebration Mile (1996) |
Mark of Esteem is a retired Irish bred thoroughbred racehorse. In his two years of racing, he won four races and placed once from seven runs, with earnings of £365,139.00.
Background
Mark of Esteem is a bay horse with a white blaze bred at the Dalham Hall Stud by Sheikh Mohammed. He was sired by the Prix du Jockey Club winner Darshaan out of the mare Homage, a daughter of the July Cup winner Ajdal.
Racing career
1995: Two-Year-Old Season
As a juvenile, Mark of Esteem finished second on his first start before winning a maiden rwce at Goodwood by three lengths.
1996: Three-Year-Old Season
His first three year old start came in the first Classic of the 1996 season: the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. Mark of Esteem won by a short head in a photo finish from Even Top and Bijou d'Inde.
His next start in the St. James's Palace Stakes was a loss to Bijou d'Inde.
Mark of Esteem then won the Group Two Celebration Mile at Goodwood by three and a half lengths and the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot, where he scored by over a length from Classic-winning Henry Cecil filly Bosra Sham. This was the third win of the day for jockey Frankie Dettori at a major meeting when he famously went on to win all seven races. Official handicappers hailed it as the best performance of his generation over a mile for a decade. Mark of Esteem's final start was in America, but he failed to show the same acceleration from mid-division in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Woodbine.
Assessment
Mark of Esteem was retired with a Timeform rating of 137.
Stud career
Mark of Esteem stood at a stud under the Darley banner where he had much success including his siring of Derby winner Sir Percy[1] and the 1000 Guineas winner Ameerat. His progeny also includes group winners High Accolade, Reverence and Ordnance Row.
In 2007, he retired from stud duty due to declining fertility.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Pagones, Rachel (8 February 2007). "Mark Of Esteem removed from stud duties on veterinary advice". The Racing Post. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- http://www.timeform.com/godolphin/gd_horse.asp?code=00068866&source=03
- http://www.racingpost.com/bloodstock/stallionbook/stallion_home.sd?horse_id=105212&tab=details
|