Crow (horse)

Crow (23 February 1973–10 February 1989)^[2] was a French Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was one of the best three-year-olds in Europe in 1976 when he won the classic St Leger Stakes and finished second in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. He went on to win the Coronation Cup as a five-year-old in 1978. After his retirement from racing he stood as a breeding stallion in the United States and Australia with limited success.

Background

Crow was a chestnut horse with a white blaze standing 16 hands^[3] high bred by his owner Daniel Wildenstein. He was the best horse sired by the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Exbury, to whom he bore a close physical resemblance. His dam, Carmosina was an Argentinian mare bought by Wildenstein for $10,000. The colt was sent into training in France with Angel Penna. Crow usually raced in a sheepskin noseband.

Racing career

1976: three-year-old season

Crow did not race as a two-year-old but began his racing career in the spring of 1976. He won the Prix Northeast, finished second to Hunza Dancer in the Grand Prix de Compiegne and then won the Prix Eugene Adam over 2000 metres at Saint-Cloud Racecourse.

In August, Crow was sent to England, where he finished second to Wollow in the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup.^[4] In September he returned to Britain for the 200th running of the St Leger Stakes at Doncaster Racecourse. Ridden by Yves Saint-Martin he started the 6/1 co-favourite alongside Oats and General Ironside. Crow took the lead early in the straight and won the classic by two lengths from Secret Man and Scallywag. In October, Crow was one of twenty horses to contest the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe over 2,400 metres at Longchamp Racecourse. Crow took a clear lead in the straight but was overtaken 100 metres from the finish and finished second to Ivanjica. The beaten horses included Pawneese, Bruni and Youth. On his final appearance of the season he failed to reproduce his best form as he finished unplaced behind Vitiges in the Champion Stakes over ten furlongs at Newmarket Racecourse.

1977–1978: later career

Crow did not record any major successes in 1977. He did, however, finish a close fifth behind Alleged in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and ran third to Johnny D. in the Turf Classic. At five Crow was trained in England by Peter Walwyn. He finished second to Rex Magna in the Prix d'Hédouville and won the Ormonde Stakes at Chester. In June he appeared at Epsom Downs Racecourse for the Coronation Cup. He started at odds of 9/4^[5] and won from the New Zealand-bred champion Balmerino.

Assessment

Crow was awarded a rating of 134 by Timeform in 1976, making him the second best three-year-old colt in Europe, one pound behind Youth.^[1] A rating of 130 is considered the mark of an above average Group One winner. In their book A Century of Champions, John Randall and Tony Morris rated Crow an "average" St Leger winner.^[6]

Stud career

Crow was retired to stud in 1979. He stood as a breeding stallion in Kentucky before being exported to Australia in 1986.^[3] He sired many winners, but few were of any consequence. Crow died in Australia on 10 February 1989.^[2]

Pedigree

References