Mark of Esteem
Mark of Esteem | |
---|---|
Sire | Darshaan |
Grandsire | Shirley Heights |
Dam | Homage |
Damsire | Ajdal |
Sex | Stallion |
Foaled | 26 March 1993[1] |
Country | Ireland |
Colour | Bay |
Breeder | Sheikh Mohammed |
Owner | Godolphin |
Trainer | Saeed bin Suroor |
Record | 7: 4-1-0 |
Earnings | £365,139 |
Major wins | |
2000 Guineas Stakes (1996) Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (1996) Celebration Mile (1996) |
Mark of Esteem (foaled 1993) 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.
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. His dam Homage was a daughter of the July Cup winner Ajdal.[2]
Racing career
1995: two-year-old season
As a juvenile, Mark of Esteem finished second on his first start before winning a maiden race 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 2000 Guineas Stakes 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[3] and the 1000 Guineas winner Ameerat. His progeny also includes group winners High Accolade, Reverence and Ordnance Row.[4]
In 2007, he retired from stud duty due to declining fertility.[3]
Pedigree
Sire Darshaan (GB) 1981 |
Shirley Heights (GB) 1975 |
Mill Reef | Never Bend |
---|---|---|---|
Milan Mill | |||
Hardiemma | Hardicanute | ||
Grand Cross | |||
Delsy (FR) 1972 |
Abdos | Arbar | |
Pretty Lady | |||
Kelty | Venture VII | ||
Marilla | |||
Dam Homage (GB) 1989 |
Ajdal (USA) 1984 |
Northern Dancer | Nearctic |
Natalma | |||
Native Partner | Raise A Native | ||
Dinner Partner | |||
Home Love (USA) 1976 |
Vaguely Noble | Vienna | |
Noble Lassie | |||
Homespun | Round Table | ||
Gal I Love (Family: 17-b)[2] |
References
- 1 2 http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=2473649®istry=T&horse_name=$Mark%20of%20Esteem%20(IRE)&dam_name==Homage%20(GB)&foaling_year=1993&nicking_stats_indicator=Y
- 1 2 http://www.bloodlines.net/TB/Families/Family17b.htm
- 1 2 Pagones, Rachel (8 February 2007). "Mark Of Esteem removed from stud duties on veterinary advice". The Racing Post. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ↑ http://www.racingpost.com/bloodstock/stallionbook/stallion_home.sd?horse_id=105212&tab=details