Rockfel

Rockfel

Sire	Felstead
Grandsire	Spion Kop
Dam	Rockliffe
Damsire	Santorb
Sex	Mare
Foaled	1935
Country	United Kingdom
Colour	Brown
Breeder	Weir Bank Stud
Owner	Hugo Cunliffe-Owen
Trainer	Ossie Bell
Record	13: 8–0–2
Major wins
Princess Elizabeth Stakes (1938) 1000 Guineas (1938) Epsom Oaks (1938) Champion Stakes (1938)
Honours
Top-rated British three-year-old (1938) Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket

Rockfel (1935–November 1941) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare, best known for winning two Classics in 1938. In a career which lasted from July 1937 until May 1939 she ran thirteen times and won eight races. Rockfel began her career at the lowest level, being beaten in a selling race, but improved to become recognised as one of the best British racemares of the 20th century. In 1938 she was the dominant three-year-old in England, winning the 1000 Guineas over one mile at Newmarket and the Oaks over one and a half miles at Epsom. In the autumn she defeated colts in the Champion Stakes and the Aintree Derby and was retired after winning her only race as a four-year-old. She produced one foal before dying in November 1941.

Background

Rockfel was a brown mare with a white blaze and three white socks, and was described in her prime as having "a very plain head and a light neck".^[1] She was sired by the Epsom Derby winner Felstead out of the mare Rockliffe who won ten minor races for her owner Lord Londonderry. The mating of Felstead and Rockliffe was arranged by Londonderry, who then sold the pregnant mare for 3,000 guineas to Felstead's owner Sir Hugo Cunliffe-Owen. The resulting filly was therefore officially bred by Cunliffe-Owen's Weir Park Stud.^[2]

Rockfel was sent into training with the Australian Oswald Marmaduke Dalby "Ossie" Bell at his Delamere House stable in Lambourn Berkshire.^[3] According to the Bloodstock Breeders' Review, Rockfel was an unusually intelligent and independent horse, leading to her being nicknamed "the old lady", by Bell's stable staff.^[4]

Racing career

1937: two-year-old season

Until 1946 there was no requirement for two-year-old British racehorses to have official names^[5] and the filly who became Rockfel remained unnamed throughout 1937. On her racecourse debut she finished unplaced in a selling race at Sandown Park in July. After finishing unplaced again she showed the first signs of ability when running third, beaten a head and a short head in a maiden race at Newmarket Racecourse over six furlongs on 28 September. "The Rockliffe filly" won at the fourth attempt when taking the five furlong Askham Maiden Plate at York Racecourse on 7 October.^[6] In the Free Handicap, a rating of the season's best two-year-olds, she was given a weight of 108 pounds, twenty-five pounds below the top-rated Portmarnock and twenty-one pounds behind the leading filly Radiant.^[5]

1938: three-year-old season

In the spring of 1938 Rockfel showed improved form to finish third in the Free Handicap over seven furlongs and then recorded her most important success up to that time when winning the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom.^[2] At Newmarket Rockfel started at odds of 8/1 for the 1000 Guineas against nineteen other fillies. Ridden by Sam Wragg she led from the start and after being briefly challenged by Laughing Water two furlongs from the finish she drew away to win comfortably by one and a half lengths from Laughing Water, with Solar Flower third.^[7]

In the Oaks a month later, Sam Wragg was replaced as her jockey by his brother Harry and Rockfel started 3/1 favourite. She led from the start and won by four lengths from Radiant with Solar Flower third. Her winning time of 2:37.00 was 1.5 seconds faster than that recorded by Bois Roussel when winning the Derby at the same meeting.^[8] Rockfel was brought back in distance for the one mile Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot in which she failed when attempting to concede fourteen pounds to the winner Solar Flower. In the Hyperion Stakes at the next Ascot meeting Rockfel defeated Solar Flower for the third time in four meetings, this time conceding three pounds.^[2]

In October, Rockfel was tried against colts and older horses in the ten furlong Champion Stakes at Newmarket. Ridden again by Harry Wragg she won by five lengths from the 2000 Guineas winner Pasch, who had been strongly fancied to beat her.^[1] On her final start of the season she again raced against colts in the thirteen furlong Aintree Derby on November 10. She led from the start and accelerated away from her rivals in the closing stages, winning by three lengths from the Jockey Club Cup winner Foxglove and the St Leger runner-up Challenge. After the race the filly was escorted to the winner's enclosure by a "guard of honour" formed by cheering spectators. Wragg was reported to have described the filly as the best horse he had ever ridden, calling her a "perfect racing machine".^[9]

1939: four-year-old season

Rockfel was kept in training at four and was aimed Ascot Gold Cup where she was expected to meet Bois Roussel.^[10] She began the season by easily winning the March Stakes at Newmarket in spring but then developed training problems and was retired to stud without racing again.^[2]

Assessment and honours

At the end of 1938, Rockfel was rated equal with the Derby winner Bois Roussel, when both were assigned a weight of 133 pounds in the three-year-old version of the Free Handicap. Early in 1939 it was reported that she had been favourably compared to Pretty Polly and Sceptre.^[10]

In their book, A Century of Champions, based on the Timeform rating system, John Randall and Tony Morris rated Rockfel a "great" winner of the 1000 Guineas and Oaks and the seventh best British-trained filly of the 20th century.^[4]

The Rockfel Stakes a Group Two race for two-year-old fillies at Newmarket was named in the mare's honour in 1981.^[11]

Stud record

Rockfel's time at stud was brief: in November 1941 she became ill and died of a "twisted gut". Earlier that year she had produced her only foal, a colt sired by Hyperion. Named Rockefella, he won three races and sired the 2000 Guineas winner Rockavon and the leading Japanese sire^[12] China Rock. Rockefella was also the damsire of Sharpen Up, the sire of Pebbles, Kris, Diesis and Sharpo.

Pedigree

Pedigree of Rockfel (GB), brown mare, 1935^[13]
Sire Felstead (GB)	Spion Kop	Spearmint	Carbine
		Spearmint	Maid of the Mint
		Hammerkop	Gallinule
		Hammerkop	Concussion
	Felkington	Lemberg	Cyllene
		Lemberg	Galicia
		Comparison	William the Third
		Comparison	Combine
Dam Rockliffe (GB)	Santorb	Santoi	Queen's Birthday
		Santoi	Merry Wife
		Countess Torby	Morganatic
		Countess Torby	All Square
	Sweet Rocket	Rock Flint	Rock Sand
		Rock Flint	Trigger
		Bustle	Eager
		Bustle	Sophie Arnould (Family 7-a)^[14]

References

1 2 "ROCKFEL BEATS PASCH". Evening Post. 26 November 1938. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
1 2 3 4 Mortimer, Roger; Onslow, Richard; Willett, Peter (1999). Biographical Encyclopedia of British Flat Racing. Macdonald and Jane’s. ISBN 0-354-08536-0.
↑ "Person Profile : Captain Oswald Bell". Horseracing History Online. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
1 2 Morris, Tony; Randall, John (1999). A Century of Champions. Portway Press,. ISBN 1-901570-15-0.
1 2 Morris, Tony; Randall, John (1990). Horse Racing: Records, Facts, Champions(Third Edition). Guinness Publishing. ISBN 0-85112-902-1.
↑ "THE ONE THOUSAND". Evening Post. 30 April 1938. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
↑ "NEVER HEADED". Auckland Star. 17 May 1938. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
↑ "ROCKFEL, FAVORITE, WINS ENGLISH OAKS". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
↑ "ANOTHER SCEPTRE?". Evening Post. 14 January 1939. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
1 2 "GOLD CUP CLASH". Evening Post. 17 May 1939. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
↑ Abelson, Edward; Tyrrel, John (1993). The Breedon Book of Horse Racing Records. Breedon Books Publishing. ISBN 1-873626-15-0.
↑ "Leading Sires of Japan". Tbheritage.com. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
↑ "Rockfel pedigree". equineline.com. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
↑ "Vicissitude - Family 7-a". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 2012-08-27.

1000 Guineas winners

1814 Charlotte 1815 Filly by Selim 1816 Rhoda 1817 Neva 1818 Corinne 1819 Catgut 1820 Rowena 1821 Zeal 1822 Whizgig 1823 Zinc 1824 Cobweb 1825 Tontine 1826 Problem 1827 Arab 1828 Zoe 1829 Young Mouse 1830 Charlotte West 1831 Galantine 1832 Galata 1833 Tarantella 1834 May-day 1835 Preserve 1836 Destiny 1837 Chapeau d'Espagne 1838 Barcarolle 1839 Cara 1840 Crucifix ‡ 1841 Potentia 1842 Firebrand 1843 Extempore 1844 Sorella 1845 Pic-nic 1846 Mendicant 1847 Clementine 1848 Canezou 1849 The Flea 1850 Lady Orford 1851 Aphrodite 1852 Kate 1853 Mentmore Lass 1854 Virago 1855 Habena 1856 Manganese 1857 Imperieuse 1858 Governess 1859 Mayonaise 1860 Sagitta 1861 Nemesis 1862 Hurricane 1863 Lady Augusta 1864 Tomato 1865 Siberia 1866 Repulse 1867 Achievement 1868 Formosa ₩ ‡ 1869 Scottish Queen 1870 Hester 1871 Hannah ₩ 1872 Reine 1873 Cecilia 1874 Apology ₩ 1875 Spinaway 1876 Camelia 1877 Belphoebe 1878 Pilgrimage 1879 Wheel of Fortune 1880 Elizabeth 1881 Thebais 1882 St Marguerite 1883 Hauteur 1884 Busybody 1885 Farewell 1886 Miss Jummy 1887 Reve d'Or 1888 Briarroot 1889 Minthe 1890 Semolina 1891 Mimi 1892 La Fleche ₩ 1893 Siffleuse 1894 Amiable 1895 Galeottia 1896 Thais 1897 Chelandry 1898 Nun Nicer 1899 Sibola 1900 Winifreda 1901 Aida 1902 Sceptre ₩ ‡ 1903 Quintessence 1904 Pretty Polly ₩ 1905 Cherry Lass 1906 Flair 1907 Witch Elm 1908 Rhodora 1909 Electra 1910 Winkipop 1911 Atmah 1912 Tagalie 1913 Jest 1914 Princess Dorrie 1915 Vaucluse 1916 Canyon 1917 Diadem 1918 Ferry 1919 Roseway 1920 Cinna 1921 Bettina 1922 Silver Urn 1923 Tranquil 1924 Plack 1925 Saucy Sue 1926 Pillion 1927 Cresta Run 1928 Scuttle 1929 Taj Mah 1930 Fair Isle 1931 Four Course 1932 Kandy 1933 Brown Betty 1934 Campanula 1935 Mesa 1936 Tide-way 1937 Exhibitionnist 1938 Rockfel 1939 Galatea II 1940 Godiva 1941 Dancing Time 1942 Sun Chariot ₩ 1943 Herringbone 1944 Picture Play 1945 Sun Stream 1946 Hypericum 1947 Imprudence 1948 Queenpot 1949 Musidora 1950 Camaree 1951 Belle of All 1952 Zabara 1953 Happy Laughter 1954 Festoon 1955 Meld ₩ 1956 Honeylight 1957 Rose Royale 1958 Bella Paola 1959 Petite Etoile 1960 Never Too Late 1961 Sweet Solera 1962 Abermaid 1963 Hula Dancer 1964 Pourparler 1965 Night Off 1966 Glad Rags 1967 Fleet 1968 Caergwrle 1969 Full Dress 1970 Humble Duty 1971 Altesse Royale 1972 Waterloo 1973 Mysterious 1974 Highclere 1975 Nocturnal Spree 1976 Flying Water 1977 Mrs McArdy 1978 Enstone Spark 1979 One in a Million 1980 Quick As Lightning 1981 Fairy Footsteps 1982 On The House 1983 Ma Biche 1984 Pebbles 1985 Oh So Sharp ₩ 1986 Midway Lady 1987 Miesque 1988 Ravinella 1989 Musical Bliss 1990 Salsabil 1991 Shadayid 1992 Hatoof 1993 Sayyedati 1994 Las Meninas 1995 Harayir 1996 Bosra Sham 1997 Sleepytime 1998 Cape Verdi 1999 Wince 2000 Lahan 2001 Ameerat 2002 Kazzia 2003 Russian Rhythm 2004 Attraction 2005 Virginia Waters 2006 Speciosa 2007 Finsceal Beo 2008 Natagora 2009 Ghanaati 2010 Special Duty 2011 Blue Bunting 2012 Homecoming Queen 2013 Sky Lantern 2014 Miss France 2015 Legatissimo 2016 Minding

Legend - ₩ = Fillies Triple Crown winners, † = Epsom Derby winners, ‡ = 2000 Guineas Stakes winners

Epsom Oaks winners

1779 Bridget 1780 Tetotum 1781 Faith 1782 Ceres 1783 Maid of the Oaks 1784 Stella 1785 Trifle 1786 Yellow Filly 1787 Annette 1788 Nightshade 1789 Tag 1790 Hippolyta 1791 Portia 1792 Volante 1793 Caelia 1794 Hermione 1795 Platina 1796 Parisot 1797 Nike 1798 Bellissima 1799 Bellina 1800 Ephemera 1801 Eleanor † 1802 Scotia 1803 Theophania 1804 Pelisse 1805 Meteora 1806 Bronze 1807 Briseis 1808 Morel 1809 Maid of Orleans 1810 Oriana 1811 Sorcery 1812 Manuella 1813 Music 1814 Medora 1815 Minuet 1816 Landscape 1817 Neva 1818 Corinne 1819 Shoveler 1820 Caroline 1821 Augusta 1822 Pastille ‡ 1823 Zinc 1824 Cobweb 1825 Wings 1826 Lilias 1827 Gulnare 1828 Turquoise 1829 Green Mantle 1830 Variation 1831 Oxygen 1832 Galata 1833 Vespa 1834 Pussy 1835 Queen of Trumps 1836 Cyprian 1837 Miss Letty 1838 Industry 1839 Deception 1840 Crucifix ‡ 1841 Ghuznee 1842 Our Nell 1843 Poison 1844 The Princess 1845 Refraction 1846 Mendicant 1847 Miami 1848 Cymba 1849 Lady Evelyn 1850 Rhedycina 1851 Iris 1852 Songstress 1853 Catherine Hayes 1854 Mincemeat 1855 Marchioness 1856 Mincepie 1857 Blink Bonny † 1858 Governess 1859 Summerside 1860 Butterfly 1861 Brown Duchess 1862 Feu de Joie 1863 Queen Bertha 1864 Fille de l'Air 1865 Regalia 1866 Tormentor 1867 Hippia 1868 Formosa ₩ ‡ 1869 Brigantine 1870 Gamos 1871 Hannah ₩ 1872 Reine 1873 Marie Stuart 1874 Apology ₩ 1875 Spinaway 1876 Camelia (dh) 1876 Enguerrande (dh) 1877 Placida 1878 Jannette 1879 Wheel of Fortune 1880 Jenny Howlet 1881 Thebais 1882 Geheimniss 1883 Bonny Jean 1884 Busybody 1885 Lonely 1886 Miss Jummy 1887 Reve d'Or 1888 Seabreeze 1889 L'Abbesse de Jouarre 1890 Memoir 1891 Mimi 1892 La Fleche ₩ 1893 Mrs Butterwick 1894 Amiable 1895 La Sagesse 1896 Canterbury Pilgrim 1897 Limasol 1898 Airs and Graces 1899 Musa 1900 La Roche 1901 Cap and Bells II 1902 Sceptre ₩ ‡ 1903 Our Lassie 1904 Pretty Polly ₩ 1905 Cherry Lass 1906 Keystone II 1907 Glass Doll 1908 Signorinetta † 1909 Perola 1910 Rosedrop 1911 Cherimoya 1912 Mirska 1913 Jest 1914 Princess Dorrie 1915 Snow Marten 1916 Fifinella † 1917 Sunny Jane 1918 My Dear 1919 Bayunda 1920 Charlebelle 1921 Love in Idleness 1922 Pogrom 1923 Brownhylda 1924 Straitlace 1925 Saucy Sue 1926 Short Story 1927 Beam 1928 Toboggan 1929 Pennycomequick 1930 Rose of England 1931 Brulette 1932 Udaipur 1933 Chatelaine 1934 Light Brocade 1935 Quashed 1936 Lovely Rosa 1937 Exhibitionnist 1938 Rockfel 1939 Galatea II 1940 Godiva 1941 Commotion 1942 Sun Chariot ₩ 1943 Why Hurry 1944 Hycilla 1945 Sun Stream 1946 Steady Aim 1947 Imprudence 1948 Masaka 1949 Musidora 1950 Asmena 1951 Neasham Belle 1952 Frieze 1953 Ambiguity 1954 Sun Cap 1955 Meld ₩ 1956 Sicarelle 1957 Carrozza 1958 Bella Paola 1959 Petite Etoile 1960 Never Too Late 1961 Sweet Solera 1962 Monade 1963 Noblesse 1964 Homeward Bound 1965 Long Look 1966 Valoris 1967 Pia 1968 La Lagune 1969 Sleeping Partner 1970 Lupe 1971 Altesse Royale 1972 Ginevra 1973 Mysterious 1974 Polygamy 1975 Juliette Marny 1976 Pawneese 1977 Dunfermline 1978 Fair Salinia 1979 Scintillate 1980 Bireme 1981 Blue Wind 1982 Time Charter 1983 Sun Princess 1984 Circus Plume 1985 Oh So Sharp ₩ 1986 Midway Lady 1987 Unite 1988 Diminuendo 1989 Snow Bride 1990 Salsabil 1991 Jet Ski Lady 1992 User Friendly 1993 Intrepidity 1994 Balanchine 1995 Moonshell 1996 Lady Carla 1997 Reams of Verse 1998 Shahtoush 1999 Ramruma 2000 Love Divine 2001 Imagine 2002 Kazzia 2003 Casual Look 2004 Ouija Board 2005 Eswarah 2006 Alexandrova 2007 Light Shift 2008 Look Here 2009 Sariska 2010 Snow Fairy 2011 Dancing Rain 2012 Was 2013 Talent 2014 Taghrooda 2015 Qualify 2016 Minding

Legend - ₩ = Fillies Triple Crown Winners, † = Epsom Derby Winners, ‡ = 2,000 Guineas Stakes Winners

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