Lashkari
Encyclopedia
Lashkari is a British
-bred Thoroughbred
racehorse
, best known for winning the inaugural running of the Breeders' Cup Turf
in 1984.
Named for Lashkari in Helmand Province
, Afghanistan
, he was bred and raced by H.H. Aga Khan IV
. Lashkari was out of the French mare Larannda – a daughter of Right Royal, who was a multiple Group One
winner in England
and France
. Lashkari was sired by Mill Reef
, whose Group One
wins included the Epsom Derby
and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
and who was voted 1971's European Horse of the Year
.
A late bloomer who first went to the track at age three, under French trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre
Lashkari won four of his eight starts in 1984. His first major win came in the Prix du Conseil de Paris
at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris
; this earned him the chance to compete in the first edition of the Breeders' Cup
races at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California
. Entered in the 1½ mile Breeders' Cup Turf
, under jockey Yves Saint-Martin
Lashkari caught the world champion filly All Along
in the homestretch to win by a neck. Of the other nine horses in the race, Lashkari defeated Strawberry Road
(who finished fourth) and the 1982 Kentucky Derby
winner Gato Del Sol
(who finished eighth).
At age four in 1985, Lashkari won once in five starts and finished second in the Group 2 Grand Prix de Deauville
. In the fall he returned to the United States to defend his Breeders' Cup Turf title, but finished fourth to Pebbles
. Retired to stand at his owner's stud
, Lashkari met with some success; he sired Erdelistan, the 1990 winner of the G-1 Gran Premio del Jockey Club
. He is also the damsire of 2000 Epsom Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner, Sinndar
.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
-bred Thoroughbred
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
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
, best known for winning the inaugural running of the Breeders' Cup Turf
Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Emirates Airlines.The forerunner...
in 1984.
Named for Lashkari in Helmand Province
Helmand Province
Helmand is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the southwest of the country. Its capital is Lashkar Gah. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region, providing water for irrigation....
, Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, he was bred and raced by H.H. Aga Khan IV
Aga Khan IV
Prince Karim, Aga Khan IV, NPk, NI, KBE, CC, GCC, GCIH, GCM is the 49th and current Imam of the Shia Imami Nizari Ismaili Muslims. He has held this position under the title of Aga Khan since July 11, 1957, when, at the age of 20, he succeeded his grandfather, Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan...
. Lashkari was out of the French mare Larannda – a daughter of Right Royal, who was a multiple Group One
Group One
Group One or Group 1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. Group One races may be run under handicap conditions in Australia but in Europe weight-for-age conditions always apply. Races may be also restricted to age groups or a...
winner in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. Lashkari was sired by Mill Reef
Mill Reef
Mill Reef was a Champion Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was bred in the United States but was trained in the United Kingdom throughout his racing career which lasted from 1970 to 1972. Mill Reef won twelve of his fourteen races and finished second in the other two...
, whose Group One
Group One
Group One or Group 1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. Group One races may be run under handicap conditions in Australia but in Europe weight-for-age conditions always apply. Races may be also restricted to age groups or a...
wins included the Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year, usually on the first Sunday in October.Popularly referred to as the...
and who was voted 1971's European Horse of the Year
European Horse of the Year
European Horse of the Year is an award in European Thoroughbred horse racing. Since 1991 the honor has been part of the Cartier Racing Awards. It is presented annually by Cartier SA to a horse of any age racing in Europe.-Honorees:...
.
A late bloomer who first went to the track at age three, under French trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre
Alain de Royer-Dupré
Alain de Royer-Dupré is a leading French thoroughbred racehorse trainer. He grew up at the Haras de Saint Lô, a national stud farm in Normandy of which his father was Assistant Director and later Director, responsible for government-owned stallions based at farms in the local...
Lashkari won four of his eight starts in 1984. His first major win came in the Prix du Conseil de Paris
Prix du Conseil de Paris
The Prix du Conseil de Paris is a Group 2 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October....
at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
; this earned him the chance to compete in the first edition of the Breeders' Cup
Breeders' Cup
The Breeders' Cup World Championships is an annual series of Thoroughbred horse races, most but not all Grade I, operated by Breeders' Cup Limited, a company formed in 1982. From its inception in 1984 through 2006, it was a single-day event; starting in 2007, it expanded to two days. The location...
races at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California
Inglewood, California
Inglewood is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, southwest of downtown Los Angeles. It was incorporated on February 14, 1908. Its population stood at 109,673 as of the 2010 Census...
. Entered in the 1½ mile Breeders' Cup Turf
Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Emirates Airlines.The forerunner...
, under jockey Yves Saint-Martin
Yves Saint-Martin
Yves Saint-Martin is a retired champion jockey in French Thoroughbred horse racing. He is widely considered one of the greatest riders in French racing history....
Lashkari caught the world champion filly All Along
All Along
All Along was a champion Thoroughbred racemare that was foaled in France. She was one of the top fillies of the last part of the 20th century, racing mostly in Europe.-Background:...
in the homestretch to win by a neck. Of the other nine horses in the race, Lashkari defeated Strawberry Road
Strawberry Road
Strawberry Road was a champion Australian Thoroughbred racehorse who went on to race in Germany, France, the United States, and Japan...
(who finished fourth) and the 1982 Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
winner Gato Del Sol
Gato Del Sol
Gato Del Sol was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. He was foaled at Stone Farm in Paris, Kentucky, the son of U.S...
(who finished eighth).
At age four in 1985, Lashkari won once in five starts and finished second in the Group 2 Grand Prix de Deauville
Grand Prix de Deauville
The Grand Prix de Deauville is a Group 2 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Deauville over a distance of 2,500 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.-History:The race was first run on August 6, 1866, and it was...
. In the fall he returned to the United States to defend his Breeders' Cup Turf title, but finished fourth to Pebbles
Pebbles (horse)
Pebbles was a champion British-bred Thoroughbred race horse, the first British-trained racehorse to win a Breeders' Cup race.She was foaled in 1981 and was initially owned by her breeder, Marcos Lemos...
. Retired to stand at his owner's stud
Stud (animal)
A stud animal is a registered animal retained for breeding. The terms for the male of a given animal species usually imply that the animal is entire—that is, not castrated—and therefore capable of siring offspring...
, Lashkari met with some success; he sired Erdelistan, the 1990 winner of the G-1 Gran Premio del Jockey Club
Gran Premio del Jockey Club
The Gran Premio del Jockey Club is a Group 1 flat horse race in Italy which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at San Siro, Milan, over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.Past winners of the event include Tenerani and...
. He is also the damsire of 2000 Epsom Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner, Sinndar
Sinndar
Sinndar, is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. He is notable for his unique achievement in winning the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in the same year.-Background:...
.