Mark of Esteem
| Mark of Esteem | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sire | Darshaan |
| Grandsire | Shirley Heights |
| Dam | Homage |
| Damsire | Ajdal |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 26 March 1993[1] |
| Died | May 2014[2] |
| 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) Timeform rating: 137 | |
| Last updated on 31 May 2024 | |
Mark of Esteem(26 March 1993 – 21 May 2014) was an Irish-bredthoroughbredracehorse. In his two years of racing, he won four races and placed once from seven runs, with earnings of £365,139.
Background
[edit]Mark of Esteem was a bay horse with a whiteblazebred at theDalham HallStud bySheikh Mohammed.He was sired by thePrix du Jockey Clubwinner Darshaan. His dam Homage was a daughter of theJuly Cupwinner Ajdal.[3]
Racing career
[edit]1995: two-year-old season
[edit]As a juvenile, Mark of Esteem finished second on his first start before winning amaiden raceatGoodwoodby threelengths.The horse was subsequently the subject of a disagreement between its trainer,Henry Cecil,and its owner, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Cecil wanted to run Mark of Esteem in the Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot but Maktoum believed him to be lame and unfit to run. When Cecil took the disagreement public, Maktoum removed all of his 40 horses from Cecil's Warren Place stables.[4]Mark of Esteem was subsequently trained by Saeed bin Suroor for Godolphin.
1996: three-year-old season
[edit]His first three-year-old start came in the first Classic of the 1996 season following a winter in Dubai: the2000 Guineas StakesatNewmarket.Mark of Esteem won by a short head in a photo finish from Even Top andBijou d'Inde.
His next start in theSt. James's Palace Stakeswas a loss to Bijou d'Inde.
Mark of Esteem then won the Group TwoCelebration Mileat Goodwood by three and a half lengths and the Group OneQueen Elizabeth II Stakesat Ascot, where he scored by over a length from1000 Guineas-winning fillyBosra Shamwho was having her first race for several months and backed up the form by winning theChampion Stakesthe following month. This was the third win of the day for jockeyFrankie Dettoriat a major meeting when he 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 theBreeders' Cup Mileat Woodbine.
Assessment
[edit]Mark of Esteem was retired with a Timeform rating of 137.
Stud career & After retirement from stud duty
[edit]Mark of Esteem stood at a stud under the Darley banner where he had much success including his siring of Derby winnerSir Percy[5]and the 1000 Guineas winnerAmeerat.His progeny also includes group winners High Accolade,Reverenceand Ordnance Row.[6]
In 2007, he retired from stud duty due to declining fertility.[5]on 21 May 2014, he was euthanized following a short illness.[2][7]
Pedigree
[edit]| 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)[3] |
References
[edit]- ^ab"FREE 5-Cross Pedigree".www.equineline.com.
- ^abMark Of Esteem (IRE)Retrieved 2019-03-09
- ^ab"Thoroughbred Bloodlines - Biddy - Family 17-b".www.bloodlines.net.
- ^"Sheikh speaks out on Cecil".The Independent.Retrieved17 July2018.
- ^abPagones, Rachel (8 February 2007)."Mark Of Esteem removed from stud duties on veterinary advice".The Racing Post.Retrieved24 June2013.
- ^Racing Post
- ^Champion Mark of Esteem Dies at 21Retrieved 2019-03-09