Classic Cliche

Classic Cliche
Racing colours of Godolphin
Sire	Salse
Grandsire	Topsider
Dam	Pato
Damsire	High Top
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	13 March 1992
Country	Ireland
Colour	Bay
Breeder	Victor Matthews
Owner	Ivan Allan Godolphin
Trainer	Henry Cecil Saeed bin Suroor
Record	16: 6-5-0
Earnings	£678,705
Major wins
Dante Stakes (1995) St. Leger Stakes (1995) Yorkshire Cup (1996) Ascot Gold Cup (1996) Prix Kergorlay (1997)

Classic Cliche (foaled 13 March 1992), is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire who was bred in Ireland and trained in Britain and the United Arab Emirates. In a career which lasted from August 1994 until September 1997, he ran sixteen times and won six races. He recorded his most important success when winning the Classic St. Leger Stakes as a three-year-old in 1995, the same year in which he won the Dante Stakes. In the following season he became the first Classic winner in fifty years to win the Ascot Gold Cup.

Background

Classic Cliche is a bay horse with a white star sired by the Prix de la Forêt winner Salse, whose progeny also included the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner Air Express and the Turf Classic Invitational Stakes winner Timboroa. Classic Cliche's dam Pato also produced the Yorkshire Oaks winner My Emma and was a member of the same Thoroughbred family which produced the Epsom Derby winners Blakeney and Morston. Classic Cliche was consigned by the Nidd Park Stud to the Tattersalls sales as a foal in November 1992 where he was sold for 13,500 guineas by N. Magill.^[1] In October 1993 the yearling was sent to the Goffs sales in Ireland and was bought for IR£85,000 by the Malaysian businessman Ivan Allan.^[2] Allan sent the colt into training with Henry Cecil at Warren Place stables at Newmarket.

Racing career

1994: two-year-old season

Classic Cliche made his racecourse debut in a seven furlong maiden race at Newmarket on 26 August. Ridden by Pat Eddery he started 6/5 favourite and "held on well"^[3] in the closing stages to win by a head from Okavango. A month later, he started favourite for a minor stakes race at Ascot in which he was beaten a short head by Wijara, with the future multiple Group One winner Luso finishing fourth. At the end of the year, Classic Cliche was sold to Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin organisation and transferred to the stable of Saeed bin Suroor.

1995: three-year-old season

Classic Cliche made his first appearance for Godolphin in the Dante Stakes at York, a recognised trial for the Epsom Derby. Ridden by Frankie Dettori, he took the lead two furlongs from the finish and stayed on gamely in the straight to win by half a length from Annus Mirabilis, with the favourite Presenting four lengths back in third.^[4]

Classic Cliche ran next in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly on 4 June. He stayed on in the closing stages to finish fourth behind Celtic Swing, Poliglote and Winged Love. Six days later Presenting was beaten less than two lengths by Lammtarra in the Epsom Derby. On 2 July Classic Cliche finished fifth behind Winged Love in the Irish Derby.

After a break of two months, Classic Cliche reappeared in the St. Leger at Doncaster for which he started 100/30 favourite. Dettori tracked the leader, Jural, before moving into the lead four furlongs from the finish. Classic Cliche quickly went clear of the field and won by three and a half lengths from Minds Music.^[5] The win gave Dettori the 1,000th win of his career.^[6]

1996: four-year-old season

As a four-year-old, Classic Cliche was campaigned over extended distances. On his seasonal debut, he was pitted against the Irish St. Leger winner Strategic Choice and the Gran Premio del Jockey Club winner Court of Honour in the Yorkshire Cup at York. Ridden by Mick Kinane, Classic Cliche took the lead in the straight and stayed on strongly^[7] to beat Strategic Choice by one and a half lengths.

Classic Cliche was then moved up in distance and class to contest the two and a half mile Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in June, a race which no Classic winner had won since Ocean Swell in 1945. The Godolphin colt started 3/1 second choice in the betting behind the 1/2 favourite Double Trigger. Mick Kinane restrained Classic Cliche for much of the race before moving him up to challenge in the straight. Classic Cliche took the lead in the closing stages and was driven out by Kinane to win from Double Trigger and Nononito.^[8] A month later, Classic Cliche returned to Ascot for Britain's most prestigious all-aged race, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes over one and a half miles. He was always prominent and took the lead in the straight but was overtaken by Pentire and finished second, beaten one and three quarter lengths, a neck ahead of the Derby winner Shaamit.

On his final appearance of the year, Classic Cliche was sent to Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. He made little impression, and was eased down by Frankie Dettori in the straight, finishing fifteenth of the sixteen runners behind Helissio.^[9]

1997: five-year-old season

On his five-year-old debut, Classic Cliche attempted to win the Yorkshire Cup for the second successive year, but ran unaccountably^[10] badly, finishing last of the nine runners behind Celeric.

In the Ascot Gold Cup, Classic Cliche faced an exceptionally strong field which included Celeric, Double Trigger, Nononito, Moonax and Persian Punch. Ridden by Dettori, he was held up in the closing stages before moving up to take the lead in the straight. Inside the final furlong he was overtaken by Celeric and finished second, beaten three quarters of a length.^[11] In July, Classic Cliche started favourite for the Goodwood Cup, but was beaten one and a half lengths by Double Trigger. On 24 August, Classic Cliche was sent to France to contest the Prix Kergorlay at Deauville, in which he was ridden by John Reid. Starting the 7/10 favourite, he took the lead in the straight and won by two lengths from Orchestra Stall.^[12]

Classic Cliche's final race was the Irish St Leger at the Curragh in September. He started 2/1 joint favourite but was never a threat and finished tailed-off last of the seven runners behind Oscar Schindler.

Stud career

Classic Cliche stood at the Wood Farm stud in Shropshire^[13] before moving to the Kilbarry Lodge Stud in Ireland. His best flat racing performer was the filly Macadamia who won the Falmouth Stakes in 2003^[14] He is currently marketed as a National Hunt sire.

Pedigree

Pedigree of Classic Cliche (GB), bay stallion, 1992^[15]
Sire Salse (USA) 1985	Topsider (USA) 1974	Northern Dancer	Nearctic
		Northern Dancer	Natalma
		Drumtop	Round Table
		Drumtop	Zonah
	Carnival Princess (USA) 1974	Prince John	Princequillo
		Prince John	Not Afraid
		Carnival Queen	Amerigo
		Carnival Queen	Circus Ring
Dam Pato (GB) 1982	High Top (IRE) 1969	Derring-Do	Darius
		Derring-Do	Sipsey Bridge
		Camenae	Vimy
		Camenae	Madrilene
	Patosky (GB) 1969	Skymaster	Golden Cloud
		Skymaster	Discipliner
		Los Patos	Ballymoss
		Los Patos	Patagonia (Family:20-c)^[16]

References

↑ "Tattersalls | Racing Post". Bloodstock.racingpost.com. 2012-05-04. Retrieved 2012-05-12.
↑ "Goffs | Racing Post". Bloodstock.racingpost.com. 2012-05-04. Retrieved 2012-05-12.
↑ "Results from the 2.30 race at NEWMARKET (JULY) - 26 August 1994". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-05-12.
↑ "Dante Stakes". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-05-12.
↑ "St Leger". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-05-12.
↑ "Dettori gets his 1,000th win". New Straits Times. 10 September 1995. Retrieved 2012-05-12.
↑ "Yorkshire Cup 1996". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-05-12.
↑ "Ascot Gold Cup 1996". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-05-12.
↑ "Arc de Triomphe". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-05-12.
↑ "Yorkshire Cup 1997". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-05-12.
↑ "Ascot Gold Cup 1997". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-05-12.
↑ "Prix Kergorlay". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-05-12.
↑ "Horse - Godolphin". Timeform.com. Retrieved 2012-05-12.
↑ "Classic Cliche | Stud Record | Bloodstock Stallion Book | Racing Post". Bloodstock.racingpost.com. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2012-05-12.
↑ "Classic Cliche pedigree". equineline.com. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
↑ "Palmflower - Family 20-c". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 2012-05-12.

St Leger Stakes winners

1776 Allabaculia ♥ 1777 Bourbon 1778 Hollandoise ♥ 1779 Tommy 1780 Ruler 1781 Serina ♥ 1782 Imperatrix ♥ 1783 Phoenomenon 1784 Omphale ♥ 1785 Cowslip ♥ 1786 Paragon 1787 Spadille 1788 Young Flora 1789 Pewett ♥ 1790 Ambidexter 1791 Young Traveller 1792 Tartar 1793 Ninety-three 1794 Beningbrough 1795 Hambletonian 1796 Ambrosio 1797 Lounger 1798 Symmetry 1799 Cockfighter 1800 Champion 1801 Quiz 1802 Orville 1803 Remembrancer 1804 Sancho 1805 Staveley 1806 Fyldener 1807 Paulina ♥ 1808 Petronius 1809 Ashton 1810 Octavian 1811 Soothsayer 1812 Otterington 1813 Altisidora ♥ 1814 William 1815 Filho da Puta 1816 The Duchess ♥ 1817 Ebor 1818 Reveller 1819 Antonio 1820 St Patrick 1821 Jack Spigot 1822 Theodore 1823 Barefoot 1824 Jerry 1825 Memnon 1826 Tarrare 1827 Matilda ♥ 1828 The Colonel 1829 Rowton 1830 Birmingham 1831 Chorister 1832 Margrave 1833 Rockingham 1834 Touchstone 1835 Queen of Trumps ♥ 1836 Elis 1837 Mango 1838 Don John 1839 Charles the Twelfth 1840 Launcelot 1841 Satirist 1842 Blue Bonnet ♥ 1843 Nutwith 1844 Faugh-a-Ballagh 1845 The Baron 1846 Sir Tatton Sykes 1847 Van Tromp 1848 Surplice 1849 The Flying Dutchman 1850 Voltigeur 1851 Newminster 1852 Stockwell 1853 West Australian ₩ 1854 Knight of St George 1855 Saucebox 1856 Warlock 1857 Imperieuse ♥ 1858 Sunbeam ♥ 1859 Gamester 1860 St Albans 1861 Caller Ou ♥ 1862 The Marquis 1863 Lord Clifden 1864 Blair Athol 1865 Gladiateur ₩ 1866 Lord Lyon ₩ 1867 Achievement ♥ 1868 Formosa ♥ ₩ 1869 Pero Gomez 1870 Hawthornden 1871 Hannah ♥ ₩ 1872 Wenlock 1873 Marie Stuart ♥ 1874 Apology ♥ ₩ 1875 Craig Millar 1876 Petrarch 1877 Silvio 1878 Jannette ♥ 1879 Rayon d'Or 1880 Robert the Devil 1881 Iroquois 1882 Dutch Oven ♥ 1883 Ossian 1884 The Lambkin 1885 Melton 1886 Ormonde ₩ 1887 Kilwarlin 1888 Seabreeze ♥ 1889 Donovan 1890 Memoir ♥ 1891 Common ₩ 1892 La Fleche ♥ ₩ 1893 Isinglass ₩ 1894 Throstle ♥ 1895 Sir Visto 1896 Persimmon 1897 Galtee More ₩ 1898 Wildfowler 1899 Flying Fox ₩ 1900 Diamond Jubilee ₩ 1901 Doricles 1902 Sceptre ♥ ₩ 1903 Rock Sand ₩ 1904 Pretty Polly ♥ ₩ 1905 Challacombe 1906 Troutbeck 1907 Wool Winder 1908 Your Majesty 1909 Bayardo 1910 Swynford 1911 Prince Palatine 1912 Tracery 1913 Night Hawk 1914 Black Jester 1915 Pommern ₩ 1916 Hurry On 1917 Gay Crusader ₩ 1918 Gainsborough ₩ 1919 Keysoe ♥ 1920 Caligula 1921 Polemarch 1922 Royal Lancer 1923 Tranquil ♥ 1924 Salmon-Trout 1925 Solario 1926 Coronach 1927 Book Law ♥ 1928 Fairway 1929 Trigo 1930 Singapore 1931 Sandwich 1932 Firdaussi 1933 Hyperion 1934 Windsor Lad 1935 Bahram ₩ 1936 Boswell 1937 Chulmleigh 1938 Scottish Union 1940 Turkhan 1941 Sun Castle 1942 Sun Chariot ♥ ₩ 1943 Herringbone ♥ 1944 Tehran 1945 Chamossaire 1946 Airborne 1947 Sayajirao 1948 Black Tarquin 1949 Ridge Wood 1950 Scratch 1951 Talma 1952 Tulyar 1953 Premonition 1954 Never Say Die 1955 Meld ♥ ₩ 1956 Cambremer 1957 Ballymoss 1958 Alcide 1959 Cantelo ♥ 1960 St. Paddy 1961 Aurelius 1962 Hethersett 1963 Ragusa 1964 Indiana 1965 Provoke 1966 Sodium 1967 Ribocco 1968 Ribero 1969 Intermezzo 1970 Nijinsky ₩ 1971 Athens Wood 1972 Boucher 1973 Peleid 1974 Bustino 1975 Bruni 1976 Crow 1977 Dunfermline ♥ 1978 Julio Mariner 1979 Son of Love 1980 Light Cavalry 1981 Cut Above 1982 Touching Wood 1983 Sun Princess ♥ 1984 Commanche Run 1985 Oh So Sharp ♥ ₩ 1986 Moon Madness 1987 Reference Point 1988 Minster Son 1989 Michelozzo 1990 Snurge 1991 Toulon 1992 User Friendly ♥ 1993 Bob's Return 1994 Moonax 1995 Classic Cliche 1996 Shantou 1997 Silver Patriarch 1998 Nedawi 1999 Mutafaweq 2000 Millenary 2001 Milan 2002 Bollin Eric 2003 Brian Boru 2004 Rule of Law 2005 Scorpion 2006 Sixties Icon 2007 Lucarno 2008 Conduit 2009 Mastery 2010 Arctic Cosmos 2011 Masked Marvel 2012 Encke 2013 Leading Light 2014 Kingston Hill 2015 Simple Verse ♥

Legend - ₩ = Triple Crown Winners, ♥ = Filly

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