Levmoss

Levmoss (1965–1977) was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse whose career lasted from 1967 to 1969. He was the leading stayer in Europe in 1969, when he won the premier long-distance races in England (Ascot Gold Cup) and France (Prix du Cadran). In October of that year he moved down to middle distances to win Europe's most prestigious weight-for-age race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Background

Levmoss was a bay horse bred in Ireland by the McGrath Trust Company, a breeding organisation run by his owner and trainer Seamus McGrath. His sire was the McGrath-owned Le Levanstell, who won the Sussex Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in 1961 before a successful stud career. Levmoss's dam, Feemoss came from a strong staying family, being a daughter of the Yorkshire Oaks winner Feevagh and a half-sister of the Queen Alexandra Stakes winner Laurence O. After, Levmoss, Feemoss went on to produce the Prix de Diane winner Sweet Mimosa and the champion stayer Le Moss.^[1]

Racing career

Early career

Levmoss ran twice as a two-year-old winning once at Gowran Park. At three he appeared to be a good stayer, but slightly below top class. After winning a race at Phoenix Park Racecourse he was sent to England where he finished fourth in the Lingfield Derby Trial. A month later he finished fourth again in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. In August, Levmoss travelled to England for the third time an produced his best performance of the year to win the Oxfordshire Stakes at Newbury Racecourse, beating the St Leger Stakes runner-up Canterbury and the leading filly Park Top. In Autumn he finished third in the Prix Royal Oak and ended the year by winning the Leopardstown November Handicap over two miles carrying 130 pounds.^[2]

1969: four-year-old season

Levmoss began his four-year-old season by running unplaced in the Gladness Stakes and was then sent to France where he finished third behind Zamazaan in the Prix Jean Prat over 3100m at Longchamp Racecourse. He returned to Longchamp the following month and recorded his most important victory up to that time as he beat Zamazaan into third place in the 4000m Prix du Cadran. Having won the most important French staying race, Levmoss was then sent to Royal Ascot to contest the English equivalent, the Ascot Gold Cup. He started 15/8 favourite and won easily by four lengths from Torpid.^[3]

Levmoss returned to Ireland in September to win the Leinster Handicap at the Curragh by three lengths, carrying a weight of 150 pounds. In October, Levmoss was dropped back in distance for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe over 2400m at Longchamp. His opponents included Park Top, Blakeney, Prince Regent (Irish Derby) and Crepellana (Prix de Diane). As he was considered a specialist stayer, Levmoss was not considered a serious contender and started a 52/1 outsider.^[3] Ridden by the Australian Bill Williamson, Levmoss won by three quarters of a length from Park Top.^[4]

Assessment

In their book "A Century of Champions", based on the Timeform rating system, John Randall and Tony Morris rated Levmoss a "superior" Arc winner and the ninth best Irish racehorse of the 20th century.^[3]

Stud record

Levmoss went to stud as a five-year-old after accumluating eight wins worth £142,226. He stood for most of his life in Ireland, where he had been trained by Seamus McGrath, but moved to France for the 1977 season and died that year. The Irish St. Leger winner M-Lolshan and Prix du Cadran winner Shafaraz were his two best winners. He was also the damsire of Ardross.

Pedigree

References

• The Complete Encyclopedia of Horse Racing - written by Bill Mooney and George Ennor