Avonbridge (horse)
Encyclopedia
Avonbridge is a retired British Thoroughbred
racehorse and active sire. He won three Group races including the Group One
Prix de l'Abbaye
in a career which lasted from 2002 to 2005. In his final year he was named European Champion Sprinter at the Cartier Racing Awards. He currently stands as a stallion in Hampshire
.
high, was bred at the Fawley House Stud in Oxfordshire
by his owner, John Deer.
Avonbridge’s sire, Averti, was a sprinter who won the King George Stakes
at Goodwood
in 1997. He sired the winners of over two hundred races, with Avonbridge being his most important winner. As a son of Averti, Avonbridge is a male-line descendent of the Godolphin Arabian
, unlike more than 95% of modern thoroughbreds, who descend directly from the Darley Arabian
. His dam, Alessia won one race as a two year old and became a successful broodmare, producing, in addition to Avonbridge, the Prix de l’Abbaye winner Patavellian. She was also a half sister to the Park Hill Stakes
winner, Casey.
Avonbridge was sent as a weanling
to the Tattersalls
sales in November 2000 where was sold for 29,000gns
. Although his vendor was listed as the Fawley Stud and his buyer was given as the BBA (British Bloodstock Agency), he was in fact “bought in” by his breeders, meaning that his ownership did not actually change.
Avonbridge was trained throughout his career by Roger Charlton
at Beckhampton, Wiltshire
and was ridden in sixteen of his twenty-two races by Steve Drowne
.
in August. Later in the same month he recorded his first win making almost all the running and going clear in the closing stages to win a maiden at Lingfield at odds of 20/1.
Two weeks later he carried top weight of 133lbs
in a Nursery (a handicap race for two-year-olds) at Goodwood
. Ridden by Seb Sanders
he tracked the leaders before taking the lead inside the final furlong
to win "readily" by a length. In October Avonbridge was moved up to Listed
class for the Rockingham Stakes at York
. He started the 2/1 favourite and completed his hat-trick
, taking the lead inside the final furlong and staying on well to beat Cumbrian Venture by half a lengths.
in April he finished a length second to Striking Anbition, with the future Champion Sprinter Somnus
in fifth. In May he again finished second to Striking Ambition in the Cranarvon Stakes at Newbury
, although on this occasion the margin was reduced to a head. On his next start, Avonbridge recorded his only win of the season, leading all the way and running on strongly near the finish to win the Cathedral Stakes at Salisbury
in June.
Avonbridge was then stepped up significantly in class as he was sent to France for the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest
over 1300m at Deauville in August. He raced prominently before being sent into the lead by Steve Drowne approaching the final 200m, he was headed in the closing stages by Porlezza
but stayed on well to finish third, beaten just over a length. The performance established Avonbridge as a top class sprinter, but he was unable to win again that year despite starting favourite in his two remaining races. He finished fourth in the Prix de Meautry
at the end of August and third behind Fayr Jag in the Ridgewood Pearl Stakes
at the Curragh
in September.
at Newmarket
. He recovered from being blocked in the closing stages to take the lead inside the final furlong but was caught on the line and beaten a short head by the filly Frizzante
. In June Avonbridge recorded his first important win in the Group Two
Prix du Gros Chene
at Chantilly
. Drowne sent the colt into the lead from the start and although challengers emerged he quickened "in good style" in the closing stages to beat Porlezza by half a length. Avonbridge was then sent to Royal Ascot where he started favourite for the Golden Jubilee Stakes
but finished only fifth to Fayr Jag.
Avonbridge ran three times in the second half of the season, performing respectably, but failing to win. He finished fourth in the King George Stakes
at Goodwood and fourth again in the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes
at York after leading briefly in the closing stages. On his final start of the year he finished fifth of the fifteen starters in the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp in October.
.
Avonbridge started a 40/1 outsider for the Group One July Cup
at Newmarket but ran much better than his odds suggested, going to the front at half way and leading into the final furlong. He was overtaken by Pastoral Pursuits in the closing stages but kept on well to finish second. The result was particularly unfortunate for Steve Drowne, who had been the winner's regular rider, but as Roger Charlton's stable jockey was required to partner Avonbridge. In August he ran a rare bad race when only seventh in the Nunthorpe at York.
He attempted to lead all the way in the Diadem Stakes at Newmarket in September but was caught inside the final furlong and finished third to Baron's Pit and Fayr Jag. On his final start, Avonbridge was sent to Longchamp for a second attempt at the Prix de l'Abbaye. He started slowly, and was towards the back of the field in the early stages before Drowne produced the colt with a sustained challenge in the last 400m. Avonbridge "flashed through the field" and caught his stable companion Striking Ambition in the last strides to record his biggest win by a short neck. Avonbridge's half-brother, Patavellian, also trained by Roger Charlton, finished close behind in fifth. The celebrations were delayed for fifteen minutes as the stewards inquired into possible interference between the first two but result remained unaltered. Charlton was delighted by the result saying, "I'm just thrilled for the owners, the lads in the yard - it's just great."
A week after his win in Paris, it was announced that Avonbridge would be retired to stand at the Whitsbury Manor Stud. He replaced his sire Averti who had been based at the stud before his death in December 2004.
, an indication of the low standards among European sprinters that season. He was awarded a peak Timeform
rating of 123.
in Hampshire, England. He made a promising start to his stud career, being one of the leading first-season sires in 2009. In his first three crops of foals he has sired the winners of well over a hundred races. His best runner to date had been Temple Meads, winner of the Mill Reef Stakes
in 2010. He currently stands at a stud fee of £3,500.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse and active sire. He won three Group races including the Group One
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
Prix de l'Abbaye
Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp
The Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged two years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,000 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early October.-History:The Prix de l'Abbaye was one of two major...
in a career which lasted from 2002 to 2005. In his final year he was named European Champion Sprinter at the Cartier Racing Awards. He currently stands as a stallion in Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
.
Background
Avonbridge, a bay horse standing 16 handsHand (unit)
The hand is a non-SI unit of measurement of length, now used only for the measurement of the height of horses in some English-speaking countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA. With origins in ancient Egypt, it was originally based on the breadth of a human hand...
high, was bred at the Fawley House Stud in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a county in the South East region of England, bordering on Warwickshire and Northamptonshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ....
by his owner, John Deer.
Avonbridge’s sire, Averti, was a sprinter who won the King George Stakes
King George Stakes
The King George Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 5 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August....
at Goodwood
Goodwood Racecourse
Goodwood Racecourse is a horse-racing track five miles north of Chichester, West Sussex, in England controlled by the family of the Duke of Richmond, whose seat is nearby Goodwood House...
in 1997. He sired the winners of over two hundred races, with Avonbridge being his most important winner. As a son of Averti, Avonbridge is a male-line descendent of the Godolphin Arabian
Godolphin Arabian
The Godolphin Arabian , also known as the Godolphin Barb, was an Arabian horse who was one of three stallions that were the founders of the modern Thoroughbred horse racing bloodstock...
, unlike more than 95% of modern thoroughbreds, who descend directly from the Darley Arabian
Darley Arabian
The Darley Arabian was one of three dominant foundation sires of modern Thoroughbred horse racing bloodstock, the other two being the Godolphin Arabian and the Byerley Turk. This bay Arabian horse was bought in Aleppo, Syria by Thomas Darley in 1704 and shipped back to Aldby Park in England, where...
. His dam, Alessia won one race as a two year old and became a successful broodmare, producing, in addition to Avonbridge, the Prix de l’Abbaye winner Patavellian. She was also a half sister to the Park Hill Stakes
Park Hill Stakes
The Park Hill Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.The event was...
winner, Casey.
Avonbridge was sent as a weanling
Weanling
A weanling is an animal that has just been weaned. The term is usually used to refer to a type of young horse, a foal that has been weaned, usually between the ages of 6 months and a year. Once a year old, the horse is referred to as a yearling.-References:...
to the Tattersalls
Tattersalls
Tattersalls is the main auctioneer of race horses in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It was founded in 1766 by Richard Tattersall , who had been stud groom to the second Duke of Kingston. The first premises occupied were near Hyde Park Corner, in what was then the outskirts of London...
sales in November 2000 where was sold for 29,000gns
Guinea (British coin)
The guinea is a coin that was minted in the Kingdom of England and later in the Kingdom of Great Britain and the United Kingdom between 1663 and 1813...
. Although his vendor was listed as the Fawley Stud and his buyer was given as the BBA (British Bloodstock Agency), he was in fact “bought in” by his breeders, meaning that his ownership did not actually change.
Avonbridge was trained throughout his career by Roger Charlton
Roger Charlton
Roger J. Charlton is an English racehorse trainer and a former flat racing jockey. He trains horses in Beckhampton Stables in Wiltshire, England. He has had many successes as a trainer in England and Europe, including victories in both the Epsom Derby and the Prix du Jockey Club in 1990...
at Beckhampton, Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
and was ridden in sixteen of his twenty-two races by Steve Drowne
Steve Drowne
Steve Drowne is a professional Flat racing jockey. Growing up, he attended Newmarket Racing School. His father was a Devon farmer.Drowne is one of racing's most respected senior riders. He has a long association with trainer Roger Charlton.- External links :...
.
2002: two-year-old season
Avonbridge began his career by running unplaced in a twenty runner maiden race at WindsorWindsor Racecourse
Windsor Racecourse, also known as Royal Windsor Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Windsor, Berkshire, England. It is one of only two figure-of-eight courses in the United Kingdom, the other being at Fontwell Park. It abandoned National Hunt jump racing in December 1998,...
in August. Later in the same month he recorded his first win making almost all the running and going clear in the closing stages to win a maiden at Lingfield at odds of 20/1.
Two weeks later he carried top weight of 133lbs
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
in a Nursery (a handicap race for two-year-olds) at Goodwood
Goodwood Racecourse
Goodwood Racecourse is a horse-racing track five miles north of Chichester, West Sussex, in England controlled by the family of the Duke of Richmond, whose seat is nearby Goodwood House...
. Ridden by Seb Sanders
Seb Sanders
Seb Sanders is a flat race jockey.He came into racing by getting a job with trainer Bryan McMahon, and it was for McMahon that Sanders rode his first winner on 12 June 1990 on Band On The Run....
he tracked the leaders before taking the lead inside the final furlong
Furlong
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and U.S. customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to 220 yards, 660 feet, 40 rods, or 10 chains. The exact value of the furlong varies slightly among English-speaking countries....
to win "readily" by a length. In October Avonbridge was moved up to Listed
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
class for the Rockingham Stakes at York
York Racecourse
York Racecourse is a horse racing track in the southwest of the city of York in North Yorkshire, England with a spectator capacity of 60,000. The most famous race to be held at York on an annual basis is the Ebor Handicap, which is run during the Ebor Festival meeting in August...
. He started the 2/1 favourite and completed his hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
, taking the lead inside the final furlong and staying on well to beat Cumbrian Venture by half a lengths.
2003: three-year-old season
Avonbridge was campaigned in Listed sprint races in the first half of 2003. In the Pavilion Stakes at AscotAscot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races...
in April he finished a length second to Striking Anbition, with the future Champion Sprinter Somnus
Somnus (horse)
Somnus is a retired British champion Thoroughbred racehorse. One of the best European two-year-olds in 2002, he developed into a leading the following year when he won the Group One Haydock Sprint Cup...
in fifth. In May he again finished second to Striking Ambition in the Cranarvon Stakes at Newbury
Newbury Racecourse
Newbury Racecourse is a racecourse in the civil parish of Greenham, adjoining the town of Newbury in Berkshire, England. It has courses for flat races and over jumps...
, although on this occasion the margin was reduced to a head. On his next start, Avonbridge recorded his only win of the season, leading all the way and running on strongly near the finish to win the Cathedral Stakes at Salisbury
Salisbury Racecourse
Salisbury Racecourse is a flat racecourse in the United Kingdom featuring thoroughbred horse racing. It is located four miles from Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. Fifteen races a year are held here between early May and mid-October...
in June.
Avonbridge was then stepped up significantly in class as he was sent to France for the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest
Prix Maurice de Gheest
The Prix Maurice de Gheest is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Deauville over a distance of 1,300 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.-History:...
over 1300m at Deauville in August. He raced prominently before being sent into the lead by Steve Drowne approaching the final 200m, he was headed in the closing stages by Porlezza
Porlezza
Porlezza is a comune on Lake Lugano in the Province of Como in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 60 km north of Milan and about 25 km north of Como...
but stayed on well to finish third, beaten just over a length. The performance established Avonbridge as a top class sprinter, but he was unable to win again that year despite starting favourite in his two remaining races. He finished fourth in the Prix de Meautry
Prix de Meautry
The Prix de Meautry is a Group 3 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Deauville over a distance of 1,200 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.-History:...
at the end of August and third behind Fayr Jag in the Ridgewood Pearl Stakes
Ridgewood Pearl Stakes
The Ridgewood Pearl Stakes, also known as the TRI Equestrian Stakes, is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged four years or older...
at the Curragh
Curragh Racecourse
The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.- History :...
in September.
2004: four-year-old season
Avonbridge began 2004 with a "highly-promising" run in the Palace House StakesPalace House Stakes
The Palace House Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 5 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late April or early May.The event is named after...
at Newmarket
Newmarket Racecourse
The town of Newmarket, in Suffolk, England, is the headquarters of British horseracing, home to the largest cluster of training yards in the country and many key horse racing organisations. Newmarket Racecourse has two courses - the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course. Both are wide, galloping...
. He recovered from being blocked in the closing stages to take the lead inside the final furlong but was caught on the line and beaten a short head by the filly Frizzante
Frizzante (horse)
Frizzante is a former racehorse owned by Jan Hopper and Elizabeth Grundy trained by Newmarket based James Fanshawe. She won the 2004 Group 1 July Cup and also claimed the Group 3 Palace House Stakes in the same year. She is full sister to current sprinter Firenze and half sister to 2007 Steward's...
. In June Avonbridge recorded his first important win in the Group Two
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
Prix du Gros Chene
Prix du Gros Chêne
The Prix du Gros Chêne is a Group 2 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Chantilly over a distance of 1,000 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late May or early June....
at Chantilly
Chantilly Racecourse
Chantilly Racecourse is a Thoroughbred turf racecourse for flat racing in Chantilly, Oise, France, about north of the centre of the city of Paris....
. Drowne sent the colt into the lead from the start and although challengers emerged he quickened "in good style" in the closing stages to beat Porlezza by half a length. Avonbridge was then sent to Royal Ascot where he started favourite for the Golden Jubilee Stakes
Golden Jubilee Stakes
The Golden Jubilee Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.-History:...
but finished only fifth to Fayr Jag.
Avonbridge ran three times in the second half of the season, performing respectably, but failing to win. He finished fourth in the King George Stakes
King George Stakes
The King George Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 5 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August....
at Goodwood and fourth again in the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes
Nunthorpe Stakes
The Nunthorpe Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged two years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 5 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
at York after leading briefly in the closing stages. On his final start of the year he finished fifth of the fifteen starters in the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp in October.
2005: five-year-old season
Avonbridge's championship season began with another attempt at the Palace House Stakes. As usual, Avonbridge raced prominently in a race run at a "furious pace" before Drowne moved him through a gap along the rails and into the lead a furlong out. He stayed on well and won by half a length from Ashdown Express. Charlton called it "a career-best effort." Repeating his 2004 campaign, Avonbridge returned to Chantilly for the Prix du Gros Chene, in which he finished third, beaten one and a half lengths behind The Trader and BenbaunBenbaun
Benbaun is a mountain in County Galway, Ireland, the highest of the Twelve Bens, and the highest peak in Galway. As the highest point in Galway, it is the 10th highest county peak in Ireland....
.
Avonbridge started a 40/1 outsider for the Group One July Cup
July Cup
The July Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July....
at Newmarket but ran much better than his odds suggested, going to the front at half way and leading into the final furlong. He was overtaken by Pastoral Pursuits in the closing stages but kept on well to finish second. The result was particularly unfortunate for Steve Drowne, who had been the winner's regular rider, but as Roger Charlton's stable jockey was required to partner Avonbridge. In August he ran a rare bad race when only seventh in the Nunthorpe at York.
He attempted to lead all the way in the Diadem Stakes at Newmarket in September but was caught inside the final furlong and finished third to Baron's Pit and Fayr Jag. On his final start, Avonbridge was sent to Longchamp for a second attempt at the Prix de l'Abbaye. He started slowly, and was towards the back of the field in the early stages before Drowne produced the colt with a sustained challenge in the last 400m. Avonbridge "flashed through the field" and caught his stable companion Striking Ambition in the last strides to record his biggest win by a short neck. Avonbridge's half-brother, Patavellian, also trained by Roger Charlton, finished close behind in fifth. The celebrations were delayed for fifteen minutes as the stewards inquired into possible interference between the first two but result remained unaltered. Charlton was delighted by the result saying, "I'm just thrilled for the owners, the lads in the yard - it's just great."
A week after his win in Paris, it was announced that Avonbridge would be retired to stand at the Whitsbury Manor Stud. He replaced his sire Averti who had been based at the stud before his death in December 2004.
Assessment
At the Cartier Racing Awards in November 2005, Avonbridge was named European Champion Sprinter. He was not, however, highly-rated enough to merit an entry in the 2005 World Thoroughbred Racehorse RankingsWorld Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
The World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings are compiled by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities , an organization established in 2003 with headquarters in Paris, France made up of members from around the world....
, an indication of the low standards among European sprinters that season. He was awarded a peak Timeform
Timeform
Timeform Publications is a publishing company in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England founded in 1948 to provide information to fans, bettors, and others involved in the horse racing industry...
rating of 123.
Stud career
Since 2006, Avonbridge has stood as a stallion at the Whitsbury Manor Stud near FordingbridgeFordingbridge
Fordingbridge is a town and civil parish with a population of 5,700 on the River Avon in the New Forest District of Hampshire, England, near to the Dorset and Wiltshire borders and on the edge of the New Forest. It is south west of London, and south of the city of Salisbury. Fordingbridge is a...
in Hampshire, England. He made a promising start to his stud career, being one of the leading first-season sires in 2009. In his first three crops of foals he has sired the winners of well over a hundred races. His best runner to date had been Temple Meads, winner of the Mill Reef Stakes
Mill Reef Stakes
The Mill Reef Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Newbury over a distance of 6 furlongs and 8 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September....
in 2010. He currently stands at a stud fee of £3,500.