The Minstrel

The Minstrel
Sire	Northern Dancer
Grandsire	Nearctic
Dam	Fleur (USA)
Damsire	Victoria Park
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	11 March 1974
Country	Canada
Colour	Chestnut
Breeder	Windfields Farm
Owner	Robert Sangster
Trainer	Vincent O'Brien
Record	9: 7-1-1
Earnings	₤333,197^[1] ($570,605)
Major wins
Dewhurst Stakes (1976) 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes (1977) Epsom Derby (1977) Irish Derby (1977) K. George VI & Q. Elizabeth Stakes (1977)
Awards
Horse of the Year in the United Kingdom (1977) Horse of the Year in Ireland (1977) Timeform rating 135
Honours
Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (1979) Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh
Last updated on February 18, 2011

The Minstrel (11 March 1974 – 3 September 1990) was a Canadian-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. Bred in Ontario, he was sold as a yearling and exported to Europe, where he was campaigned in Ireland and the United Kingdom. As a two-year-old The Minstrel was unbeaten in three races including the Dewhurst Stakes, but lost two of his first three starts in 1977. He was then moved up in distance and won his remaining three races: the Epsom Derby, the Irish Derby and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

His performances led to him becoming the Horse of the Year in the United Kingdom, and later being inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. The Minstrel spent his stud career in the United States where he had considerable success as a sire of winners.

Background

The Minstrel was a "stocky"^[2] chestnut colt with a white blaze, four white stockings and a gentle disposition, foaled at E.P. Taylor's Windfields Farm in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. The Minstrel was the son of Northern Dancer out of Fleur, a daughter of Victoria Park. He was a three-quarter-brother to the 1970 English Triple Crown champion Nijinsky II (who was by Northern Dancer out of Flaming Page, the dam of Fleur).^[3]

The Minstrel was purchased for $200,000 at the 1975 Keeneland Sales yearling auction by the British Bloodstock Agency (Ireland), acting on behalf of a group headed by Robert Sangster (1936–2004).^[4] The colt was shipped to Ireland under trainer Vincent O'Brien and ridden by champion jockey Lester Piggott.

Racing career

1976: two-year-old season

As a two-year-old The Minstrel won the six furlong Moy Stakes at the Curragh on his debut and then moved up in class to win the Group Three Larkspur Stakes over seven furlongs at Leopardstown. In October he was sent to England to contest the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. Ridden by Piggott, he started 6/5 favourite against ten opponents and won by four lengths from Saros.^[4] In the Free Handicap, a rating of the best two-year-olds to race in Britain, he was given a rating of 123 pounds, eight pounds below the top-rated J O Tobin.^[5]

1977: three-year-old season

In the spring of 1977, The Minstrel was campaigned over one mile. He won the 2000 Guineas Trial on heavy ground at Ascot Racecourse on 2 April. Four weeks later, he started 6/5 favourite for The 2000 Guineas Stakes but after recovering from a poor start he appeared to be beaten for speed in the closing stages as he finished third of the eighteen runners behind Nebbiolo and Tachypous.^[6] In the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh on 14 May he finished strongly to reverse the form with Nebbiolo but was beaten a short head by Pampapaul. Despite two classic defeats, Piggott retained his belief in the colt and told O'Brien and Sangster that "If you run The Minstrel in the Derby, I'll ride him."^[5]

The Minstrel was then moved up in distance to contest the 198th running of the Derby over one and a half miles at Epsom Downs Racecourse. Ridden as usual by Piggott, he started at odds of 5/1 in a field of twenty-two runners, with the French-trained Blushing Groom being made 9/4 favourite. The Minstrel was not among the early leaders but moved forward to take third place at the turn into the straight. Approaching the final quarter mile he moved up to challenge the leader Hot Grove, ridden by Willie Carson. The two colts raced side-by-side throughout the closing stages before The Minstrel gained the advantage in the last strides and prevailed by neck. Blushing Groom was five length further back in third. The Minstrel's success was a fifth in the race for Vincent O'Brien and a record eighth for Piggott.^[7] At the end of the month The Minstrel followed up with a win in the Irish Derby at the Curragh, beating Lucky Sovereign by one and a half lengths and surviving an objection by the rider of the runner-up.^[8]

In July The Minstrel raced against older horses for the first time in Britain's most prestigious all-aged race, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes over one and a half miles at Ascot. The race attracted a strong international field including Bruni, Exceller, Crystal Palace (Prix du Jockey Club) and Crow (St Leger). Piggott settled the colt in the middle of the field before moving up on the outside in the straight to challenge for the lead. He caught the British-trained five-year-old Orange Bay inside the final furlong and held on by a short head in a photo finish as Orange Bay rallied strongly.^[9]

In August a half-share in the colt was sold back to his breeder for $4,500,000. The threat of import restrictions following an outbreak of metritis in Europe led to The Minstrel's owners abandoning plans to run him in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and he was sent to the United States almost immediately.^[10]

By the end of his racing career, out of his nine starts The Minstrel won seven races, finishing second and third once each.

Assessment and honours

In the 1977 poll organised by the Racegoers' Club, The Minstrel took twenty-six of the thirty-seven votes to win the title of British Horse of the Year. In the same year he was given a rating of a 135 by the independent Timeform organisation, making him the second highest-rated horse in Europe, two pounds behind his stable companion Alleged.^[11] In their book A Century of Champions, John Randall and Tony Morris rated The Minstrel a “superior” Derby winner and the sixteenth best Irish racehorse of the 20th century.^[12]

Stud record

The Minstrel was re-acquired by Windfields Farm and syndicated for $9 million to stand at stud in Maryland. After the sale of Windfields Farm's Maryland division in 1988, The Minstrel was sent to Overbrook Farm in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Minstrel's son Palace Music won the Champion Stakes in 1984 and had an international impact at stud, siring the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Cigar and the leading Australian runner Naturalism.^[2]

Other Group one winners sired by The Minstrel included:

L'Emigrant, foaled 1980 (won Poule d'Essai des Poulains)
Treizieme, 1981 (Grand Criterium)
Bakharoff, 1983 (William Hill Futurity)
Minstrella, 1984 (Phoenix Stakes, Moyglare Stud Stakes, Cheveley Park Stakes)
Melodist, 1985 (Oaks d'Italia, Irish Oaks)
Silver Fling, 1985 (Prix de l'Abbaye)
Musical Bliss, 1986 (1000 Guineas)
Opening Verse, 1986 (Breeders' Cup Mile)^[13]

The Minstrel was euthanised at a veterinary clinic in Lexington on 3 September 1990 and buried at Overbrook Farm.^[14]

Pedigree

Pedigree of The Minstrel (CAN), chestnut stallion, 1974^[15]
Sire Northern Dancer (CAN) 1961	Nearctic (CAN) 1954	Nearco	Pharos
		Nearco	Nogara
		Lady Angela	Hyperion
		Lady Angela	Sister Sarah
	Natalma (USA) 1957	Native Dancer	Polynesian
		Native Dancer	Geisha
		Almahmoud	Mahmoud
		Almahmoud	Arbitrator
Dam Fleur (USA) 1964	Victoria Park (CAN) 1957	Chop Chop	Flares
		Chop Chop	Sceptical
		Victoriana	Windfields
		Victoriana	Iribelle
	Flaming Page (CAN) 1959	Bull Page	Bull Lea
		Bull Page	Our Page
		Flaring Top	Menow
		Flaring Top	Flaming Top (Family 8-f)^[3]

References

↑ Pickering, Martin (1981). Pedigrees of Leading Winners 1960-1980. London: J.A. Allen & Co. Ltd. p. 184. ISBN 0-85131-372-8.
1 2 "Playing on Some Themes with The Minstrel". BloodHorse.com. 5 August 2010. Retrieved 2013-05-16.
1 2 "Thoroughbred Bloodlines - Remembrancer Mare - Family 8-f". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 2013-05-16.
1 2 Mortimer, Roger; Onslow, Richard; Willett, Peter (1978). Biographical Encyclopedia of British Flat Racing. Macdonald and Jane’s. ISBN 0-354-08536-0.
1 2 Tony Morris (11 June 2011). "Little bundle of class who proved doubters wrong". Racing Post. Retrieved 2013-05-16.
↑ "Longshot wins horse race". The Phoenix. 28 April 1977. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
↑ "The Minstrel in on record". Calgary Herald. 2 June 1977. p. 63. Retrieved 2013-05-16.
↑ "The Minstrel headed down victory lane". Victoria Advocate. 26 June 1977. Retrieved 2013-05-16.
↑ "THe Minstrel wins richest at Ascot". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. 24 July 1977. Retrieved 2013-05-16.
↑ "The nine million dollar horse". Windsor Star. 11 February 1978. Retrieved 2013-05-16.
↑ Morris, Tony; Randall, John (1990). Horse Racing: Records, Facts, Champions (Third Edition). Guinness Publishing. ISBN 0-85112-902-1.
↑ Morris, Tony; Randall, John (1999). A Century of Champions. Portway Press,. ISBN 1-901570-15-0.
↑ "The Minstrel Stud Record". Bloodstock.racingpost.com. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2013-05-16.
↑ "Pimlico Back For Short, Sweet Session;Maryland Million Tops 10-Day Meet". Washington Post. 6 September 1990. Retrieved 2013-05-16.
↑ "The Minstrel pedigree". equineline.com. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2013-05-16.

Epsom Derby winners

1780 Diomed 1781 Young Eclipse 1782 Assassin 1783 Saltram 1784 Serjeant 1785 Aimwell 1786 Noble 1787 Sir Peter Teazle 1788 Sir Thomas 1789 Skyscraper 1790 Rhadamanthus 1791 Eager 1792 John Bull 1793 Waxy 1794 Daedalus 1795 Spread Eagle 1796 Didelot 1797 colt by Fidget 1798 Sir Harry 1799 Archduke 1800 Champion 1801 Eleanor ♥ 1802 Tyrant 1803 Ditto 1804 Hannibal 1805 Cardinal Beaufort 1806 Paris 1807 Election 1808 Pan 1809 Pope 1810 Whalebone 1811 Phantom 1812 Octavius 1813 Smolensko 1814 Blucher 1815 Whisker 1816 Prince Leopold 1817 Azor 1818 Sam 1819 Tiresias 1820 Sailor 1821 Gustavus 1822 Moses 1823 Emilius 1824 Cedric 1825 Middleton 1826 Lap-dog 1827 Mameluke 1828 Cadland 1829 Frederick 1830 Priam 1831 Spaniel 1832 St. Giles 1833 Dangerous 1834 Plenipotentiary 1835 Mundig 1836 Bay Middleton 1837 Phosphorus 1838 Amato 1839 Bloomsbury 1840 Little Wonder 1841 Coronation 1842 Attila 1843 Cotherstone 1844 Orlando 1845 The Merry Monarch 1846 Pyrrhus The First 1847 Cossack 1848 Surplice 1849 The Flying Dutchman 1850 Voltigeur 1851 Teddington 1852 Daniel O'Rourke 1853 West Australian ₩ 1854 Andover 1855 Wild Dayrell 1856 Ellington 1857 Blink Bonny ♥ 1858 Beadsman 1859 Musjid 1860 Thormanby 1861 Kettledrum 1862 Caractacus 1863 Macaroni 1864 Blair Athol 1865 Gladiateur ₩ 1866 Lord Lyon ₩ 1867 Hermit 1868 Blue Gown 1869 Pretender 1870 Kingcraft 1871 Favonius 1872 Cremorne 1873 Doncaster 1874 George Frederick 1875 Galopin 1876 Kisber 1877 Silvio 1878 Sefton 1879 Sir Bevys 1880 Bend Or 1881 Iroquois 1882 Shotover ♥ 1883 St. Blaise 1884 St. Gatien Harvester 1885 Melton 1886 Ormonde ₩ 1887 Merry Hampton 1888 Ayrshire 1889 Donovan 1890 Sainfoin 1891 Common ₩ 1892 Sir Hugo 1893 Isinglass ₩ 1894 Ladas 1895 Sir Visto 1896 Persimmon 1897 Galtee More ₩ 1898 Jeddah 1899 Flying Fox ₩ 1900 Diamond Jubilee ₩ 1901 Volodyovski 1902 Ard Patrick 1903 Rock Sand ₩ 1904 St. Amant 1905 Cicero 1906 Spearmint 1907 Orby 1908 Signorinetta ♥ 1909 Minoru 1910 Lemberg 1911 Sunstar 1912 Tagalie ♥ 1913 Aboyeur 1914 Durbar 1915 Pommern ₩ 1916 Fifinella ♥ 1917 Gay Crusader ₩ 1918 Gainsborough ₩ 1919 Grand Parade 1920 Spion Kop 1921 Humorist 1922 Captain Cuttle 1923 Papyrus 1924 Sansovino 1925 Manna 1926 Coronach 1927 Call Boy 1928 Felstead 1929 Trigo 1930 Blenheim 1931 Cameronian 1932 April the Fifth 1933 Hyperion 1934 Windsor Lad 1935 Bahram ₩ 1936 Mahmoud 1937 Mid-day Sun 1938 Bois Roussel 1939 Blue Peter 1940 Pont l'Eveque 1941 Owen Tudor 1942 Watling Street 1943 Straight Deal 1944 Ocean Swell 1945 Dante 1946 Airborne 1947 Pearl Diver 1948 My Love 1949 Nimbus 1950 Galcador 1951 Arctic Prince 1952 Tulyar 1953 Pinza 1954 Never Say Die 1955 Phil Drake 1956 Lavandin 1957 Crepello 1958 Hard Ridden 1959 Parthia 1960 St. Paddy 1961 Psidium 1962 Larkspur 1963 Relko 1964 Santa Claus 1965 Sea Bird 1966 Charlottown 1967 Royal Palace 1968 Sir Ivor 1969 Blakeney 1970 Nijinsky ₩ 1971 Mill Reef 1972 Roberto 1973 Morston 1974 Snow Knight 1975 Grundy 1976 Empery 1977 The Minstrel 1978 Shirley Heights 1979 Troy 1980 Henbit 1981 Shergar 1982 Golden Fleece 1983 Teenoso 1984 Secreto 1985 Slip Anchor 1986 Shahrastani 1987 Reference Point 1988 Kahyasi 1989 Nashwan 1990 Quest for Fame 1991 Generous 1992 Dr Devious 1993 Commander in Chief 1994 Erhaab 1995 Lammtarra 1996 Shaamit 1997 Benny the Dip 1998 High-Rise 1999 Oath 2000 Sinndar 2001 Galileo 2002 High Chaparral 2003 Kris Kin 2004 North Light 2005 Motivator 2006 Sir Percy 2007 Authorized 2008 New Approach 2009 Sea the Stars 2010 Workforce 2011 Pour Moi 2012 Camelot 2013 Ruler of the World 2014 Australia 2015 Golden Horn

Legend - ₩ = Triple Crown Winners, ♥ = Filly

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winners

1951 Supreme Court 1952 Tulyar 1953 Pinza 1954 Aureole 1955 Vimy 1956 Ribot 1957 Montaval 1958 Ballymoss 1959 Alcide 1960 Aggressor 1961 Right Royal 1962 Match 1963 Ragusa 1964 Nasram 1965 Meadow Court 1966 Aunt Edith ♥ 1967 Busted 1968 Royal Palace 1969 Park Top ♥ 1970 Nijinsky 1971 Mill Reef 1972 Brigadier Gerard 1973 Dahlia ♥ 1974 Dahlia ♥ 1975 Grundy 1976 Pawneese 1977 The Minstrel 1978 Ile de Bourbon 1979 Troy 1980 Ela-Mana-Mou 1981 Shergar 1982 Kalaglow 1983 Time Charter ♥ 1984 Teenoso 1985 Petoski 1986 Dancing Brave 1987 Reference Point 1988 Mtoto 1989 Nashwan 1990 Belmez 1991 Generous 1992 St Jovite 1993 Opera House 1994 King's Theatre 1995 Lammtarra 1996 Pentire 1997 Swain 1998 Swain 1999 Daylami 2000 Montjeu 2001 Galileo 2002 Golan 2003 Alamshar 2004 Doyen 2005 Azamour 2006 Hurricane Run 2007 Dylan Thomas 2008 Duke of Marmalade 2009 Conduit 2010 Harbinger 2011 Nathaniel 2012 Danedream ♥ 2013 Novellist 2014 Taghrooda ♥ 2015 Postponed

Legend - ♥ = Filly

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