Henry navigates a course to the New World
October 30th 2008 06:22
Henrythenavigator has been retired to Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Kentucky. This announcement is a coup for US racing as it was thought initially that Henrythenavigator would stand at Coolmore in Ireland. A service fee has not yet been announced.
(photo: coolmore.com)
Readers of Racingwrite will no doubt already know the high regard that I hold for this brilliant horse. My only disappointment is that we did not get to see him grace a racetrack for even longer.
Henrythenavigator’s final appearance when second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on the Pro-Ride track at Santa Anita is no doubt a deciding factor in this decision to base him in the US. His now proven ability to perform on synthetic tracks - and beating home Curlin - add to his already illustrious performances.
Henrythenavigator possesses qualities that should make him a great asset to the US breeding industry. His bloodlines are impeccable being out of Sequoyah, a Group One winning juvenile herself, who is in turn a sister to Group One winning Champion Two-Year-Old Filly Listen.
As a two-year-old Henrythenavigator showed precocious speed when he won his maiden (over 7 furlongs) by seven lengths, before dropping back in distance to 6 furlongs and easily defeating 19 opponents in the Group Two Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot - in record time.
He is an outstanding miler who will sire horses who can sprint - and on his pedigree and by his example he will sire horses who can also run 10 furlongs (at least). A versatile stallion who should be able to put the stamp of speed or stamina according to the family of the mares served. His sire Kingmambo has sired several horses who can run staying trips. He sired Rule Of Law who won the longest of all the English classics - the St Leger. In addition he has sired champion mile and a half performers El Condor Pasa and Lemon Drop Kid.
(photo: coolmore.com)
Henrythenavigator was an extremely sound racehorse who displayed great courage - which is no better illustrated than his narrow victory over fellow champion New Approach in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
And in a desirable trait for the US racing scene Henrythenavigator displayed both soundness and durability. He was at his best on firm ground - his subsequent easy victory over New Approach in the Irish 2000 Guineas testament to his exciting turn-of-foot on fast ground.
Henrythenavigator won four consecutive Group One races this year, including the English and Irish 2000 Guineas; the St James’s Palace Stakes (in record time) and the Sussex Stakes.
“It’s great to have a horse of Henrythenavigator’s class and bloodlines retiring here. Twice he won in record time at Royal Ascot, twice he beat Epsom Derby winner New Approach, three times he beat Raven’s Pass and four times he won at Gr.1 level. He is also rated an even better miler than his sire Kingmambo and is out of a Gr.1 winning 2-y-o by Sadler’s Wells. His conformation is excellent too so basically he’s the complete package.” - Dermot Ryan, manager of Ashford Stud.
“When you have a horse that shows so much speed at home you are never sure they are milers until you see them doing it. He was brilliant today and he showed his devastating turn of foot which makes really good horses so special.” - Aidan O’Brien, after Henry proved his ability at the longer trip.
It’s well worth having a look at Henrythenavigator’s thrilling win in the English 2000 Guineas - defeating both New Approach and Raven’s Pass:
Henrythenavigator
(photo: coolmore.com)
Readers of Racingwrite will no doubt already know the high regard that I hold for this brilliant horse. My only disappointment is that we did not get to see him grace a racetrack for even longer.
Henrythenavigator’s final appearance when second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on the Pro-Ride track at Santa Anita is no doubt a deciding factor in this decision to base him in the US. His now proven ability to perform on synthetic tracks - and beating home Curlin - add to his already illustrious performances.
Henrythenavigator possesses qualities that should make him a great asset to the US breeding industry. His bloodlines are impeccable being out of Sequoyah, a Group One winning juvenile herself, who is in turn a sister to Group One winning Champion Two-Year-Old Filly Listen.
As a two-year-old Henrythenavigator showed precocious speed when he won his maiden (over 7 furlongs) by seven lengths, before dropping back in distance to 6 furlongs and easily defeating 19 opponents in the Group Two Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot - in record time.
He is an outstanding miler who will sire horses who can sprint - and on his pedigree and by his example he will sire horses who can also run 10 furlongs (at least). A versatile stallion who should be able to put the stamp of speed or stamina according to the family of the mares served. His sire Kingmambo has sired several horses who can run staying trips. He sired Rule Of Law who won the longest of all the English classics - the St Leger. In addition he has sired champion mile and a half performers El Condor Pasa and Lemon Drop Kid.
Ashford Stud
(photo: coolmore.com)
Henrythenavigator was an extremely sound racehorse who displayed great courage - which is no better illustrated than his narrow victory over fellow champion New Approach in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
And in a desirable trait for the US racing scene Henrythenavigator displayed both soundness and durability. He was at his best on firm ground - his subsequent easy victory over New Approach in the Irish 2000 Guineas testament to his exciting turn-of-foot on fast ground.
Henrythenavigator won four consecutive Group One races this year, including the English and Irish 2000 Guineas; the St James’s Palace Stakes (in record time) and the Sussex Stakes.
“It’s great to have a horse of Henrythenavigator’s class and bloodlines retiring here. Twice he won in record time at Royal Ascot, twice he beat Epsom Derby winner New Approach, three times he beat Raven’s Pass and four times he won at Gr.1 level. He is also rated an even better miler than his sire Kingmambo and is out of a Gr.1 winning 2-y-o by Sadler’s Wells. His conformation is excellent too so basically he’s the complete package.” - Dermot Ryan, manager of Ashford Stud.
“When you have a horse that shows so much speed at home you are never sure they are milers until you see them doing it. He was brilliant today and he showed his devastating turn of foot which makes really good horses so special.” - Aidan O’Brien, after Henry proved his ability at the longer trip.
It’s well worth having a look at Henrythenavigator’s thrilling win in the English 2000 Guineas - defeating both New Approach and Raven’s Pass:
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