Raven's Pass
Encyclopedia
Raven's Pass is an American-bred, British
-trained Thoroughbred
racehorse
most notable for being the first English-trained winner of the Grade I
Breeders' Cup Classic
at Santa Anita Park
in Arcadia, California
.
, who also sired 2004 Kentucky Derby
and Preakness Stakes
winner Smarty Jones
, his dam Ascutney was by Lord At War, making him a half-brother to the Miami Mile Handicap
winner Gigawatt. He was bred and raced by Stonerside Stable
of Paris, Kentucky
until the farm and its bloodstock were sold in September of 2008 to Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, daughter of King Hussein I of Jordan and a wife of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
, who owns Darley Racing
, owner of the other half-interest in the horse.
Raven's Pass was trained at Newmarket, Suffolk by John Gosden
and ridden in all but two of his races by Jimmy Fortune
.
at Ascot
. His progress continued when he stepped up to group race level for the first time and won the Group 3 Solario Stakes
at Sandown
by seven lengths. In his final start as a two-year-old he was sent off as second favourite for the Group One Dewhurst Stakes
at Newmarket
, but could only manage third place behind the juvenile champion New Approach
.
. In April he was prepared up for the first Classic by running a short-head second to the top class Twice Over
in the Group III Craven Stakes
at Newmarket. Three weeks later he returned to Newmarket for the Group I 2,000 Guineas. In a strong field he ran fourth- four and a half lengths behind Henrythenavigator.
The pair met again in the Group One St. James's Palace Stakes
at Royal Ascot in June. Henrythenavigator
prevailed again, but the margin was reduced to three quarters of a length. After a slightly disappointing trip to France, in which he finished runner-up to Tamayuz in the Group One Prix Jean Prat
, he lined up against Henrythenavigator for the third time in the Group I Sussex Stakes
at Goodwood
in July. The result was the same as before, but this time the margin of victory was only a head.
In August Raven's Pass was dropped down a level and gained his first win of the year in the Group II Celebration Mile
at Goodwood, before a fourth clash with Henrythenavigator in the Group I Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
at Ascot. Raven's Pass managed to get the better of his rival for the first time and registered his biggest win in Europe.
The final meeting between Raven's Pass and Henrythenavigator
came a month later in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita
. In this race Fortune was replaces as the colt's jockey by Frankie Dettori
. The American Champion
Curlin took the lead early in the straight, but was passed by the two European colts, with Raven's Pass claiming the victory, becoming the first English-trained winner of the Classic.
.
Raven's Pass was a finalist for the Eclipse Award
's American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse for 2008.
organisation.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
-trained 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...
most notable for being the first English-trained winner of the Grade I
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
Breeders' Cup Classic
Breeders' Cup Classic
The Breeders' Cup Classic is a Grade I Weight for Age thoroughbred horse race for 3 year olds and older run at a distance of 1¼ miles on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships...
at Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent racing events in the United States during the winter and in spring. With its backdrop of the purple San Gabriel Mountains, it is considered by many as the world's most beautiful race...
in Arcadia, California
Arcadia, California
Arcadia is an affluent city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, and located approximately northeast of downtown Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Valley and at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains....
.
Background
Raven's Pass was sired by Elusive QualityElusive Quality
Elusive Quality is a thoroughbred racehorse.Elusive Quality stands at stud at Darley America's Jonabell Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. He raced in the colours of Darley's principal, Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum. Prior to standing at Darley America he stood at Gainsborough Farm in Versailles, Kentucky...
, who also sired 2004 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...
and Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
winner Smarty Jones
Smarty Jones
Smarty Jones is a thoroughbred race horse, and winner of the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. He finished second in the Belmont Stakes that took place on June 5th, 2004....
, his dam Ascutney was by Lord At War, making him a half-brother to the Miami Mile Handicap
Miami Mile Handicap
The Miami Mile Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually during the last week of April at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Florida...
winner Gigawatt. He was bred and raced by Stonerside Stable
Stonerside Stable
Stonerside Stable is an American Thoroughbred horse breeding farm and horse racing operation in Paris, Kentucky. Until September 2008 it was owned by Robert and Janice McNair, who also own the National Football League team, the Houston Texans...
of Paris, Kentucky
Paris, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,183 people, 3,857 households, and 2,487 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 4,222 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 84.23% White, 12.71% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.16%...
until the farm and its bloodstock were sold in September of 2008 to Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, daughter of King Hussein I of Jordan and a wife of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , also Sheikh Mohammed, , is the Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates , and absolute monarch of Dubai.-Personal life and education:...
, who owns Darley Racing
Darley Racing
Darley Racing is a one of the world's preeminent thoroughbred horse racing operations. It is controlled by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and vice-president of the United Arab Emirates....
, owner of the other half-interest in the horse.
Raven's Pass was trained at Newmarket, Suffolk by John Gosden
John Gosden
John Gosden is a racehorse trainer. Having trained over 2,000 winners since his return to England in 1989, including winners of the Breeders' Cup Classic, the Derby, the King George, the 1,000 Guineas and the St. Leger, he is generally considered one of the most successful racehorse trainers of...
and ridden in all but two of his races by Jimmy Fortune
Jimmy Fortune
Jimmy Fortune is an American country music singer. He hails from Lovingston, Virginia.-Biography:...
.
2007: two-year-old season
Raven's Pass began his career as an unconsidered outsider in a maiden race at Yarmouth in July, which he won at odds of 20-1, ridden by David Kinsella. Later in the same month he confirmed his ability with a five length victory over better opposition in the Listed Winkfield StakesWinkfield Stakes
The Winkfield Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July....
at Ascot
Ascot 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...
. His progress continued when he stepped up to group race level for the first time and won the Group 3 Solario Stakes
Solario Stakes
The Solario Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 7 furlongs and 16 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
at Sandown
Sandown Racecourse
Sandown Racecourse is one of the four horse racing venues located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Built for the Victoria Amateur Turf Club, it is the only metropolitan racecourse built in the 20th century and was opened before a crowd of 52,000, in June 1965.Sandown Racecourse is situated 25...
by seven lengths. In his final start as a two-year-old he was sent off as second favourite for the Group One Dewhurst Stakes
Dewhurst Stakes
The Dewhurst Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.The event was established in 1875, and it...
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...
, but could only manage third place behind the juvenile champion New Approach
New Approach
New Approach is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and active stallion. He won the 2008 Epsom Derby, and was rated the best racehorse in the world in the 2008 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings....
.
2008: three-year-old season
The first half of Raven's Pass's three-year-old career was marked by a run of notable performances, narrow defeats and the establishment of a long-running series of encounters with the Irish colt HenrythenavigatorHenrythenavigator
Henrythenavigator is an American-bred and Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He won the 2,000 Guineas, the Irish 2,000 Guineas, the St...
. In April he was prepared up for the first Classic by running a short-head second to the top class Twice Over
Twice Over
Twice Over is a thoroughbred racehorse trained by Henry Cecil and owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah of Juddmonte Farms. Twice Over was bred in Great Britain.-2008 Season:...
in the Group III Craven Stakes
Craven Stakes
The Craven Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid April.The event serves as a trial for the first...
at Newmarket. Three weeks later he returned to Newmarket for the Group I 2,000 Guineas. In a strong field he ran fourth- four and a half lengths behind Henrythenavigator.
The pair met again in the Group One St. James's Palace Stakes
St. James's Palace Stakes
The St. James's Palace Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
at Royal Ascot in June. Henrythenavigator
Henrythenavigator
Henrythenavigator is an American-bred and Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He won the 2,000 Guineas, the Irish 2,000 Guineas, the St...
prevailed again, but the margin was reduced to three quarters of a length. After a slightly disappointing trip to France, in which he finished runner-up to Tamayuz in the Group One Prix Jean Prat
Prix Jean Prat
The Prix Jean Prat is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Chantilly over a distance of 1,600 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early July.-History:...
, he lined up against Henrythenavigator for the third time in the Group I Sussex Stakes
Sussex Stakes
The Sussex Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August.-History:...
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 July. The result was the same as before, but this time the margin of victory was only a head.
In August Raven's Pass was dropped down a level and gained his first win of the year in the Group II Celebration Mile
Celebration Mile
The Celebration Mile is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late August....
at Goodwood, before a fourth clash with Henrythenavigator in the Group I Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile , and it is now scheduled to take place each year in October. As of 2011, it is run on Champions Day as the final race...
at Ascot. Raven's Pass managed to get the better of his rival for the first time and registered his biggest win in Europe.
The final meeting between Raven's Pass and Henrythenavigator
Henrythenavigator
Henrythenavigator is an American-bred and Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He won the 2,000 Guineas, the Irish 2,000 Guineas, the St...
came a month later in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita
Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent racing events in the United States during the winter and in spring. With its backdrop of the purple San Gabriel Mountains, it is considered by many as the world's most beautiful race...
. In this race Fortune was replaces as the colt's jockey by Frankie Dettori
Frankie Dettori
Lanfranco "Frankie" Dettori, MBE is an Italian horse racing jockey and celebrity. Dettori has been Champion Jockey on three occasions and has ridden the winners of more than 500 Group races.. He has had many successes in his role of stable jockey to Godolphin Racing...
. The American Champion
Eclipse Award
The Eclipse Award is an American thoroughbred horse racing award named after the 18th century British racehorse and sire, Eclipse. The Eclipse Awards, honoring the champions of the sport, are sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association , Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers...
Curlin took the lead early in the straight, but was passed by the two European colts, with Raven's Pass claiming the victory, becoming the first English-trained winner of the Classic.
Assessment
The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities ranked Raven's Pass as the third best Thoroughbred racehorse of 2008, one pound behind the joint leaders Curlin and New ApproachNew Approach
New Approach is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and active stallion. He won the 2008 Epsom Derby, and was rated the best racehorse in the world in the 2008 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings....
.
Raven's Pass was a finalist for the Eclipse Award
Eclipse Award
The Eclipse Award is an American thoroughbred horse racing award named after the 18th century British racehorse and sire, Eclipse. The Eclipse Awards, honoring the champions of the sport, are sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association , Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers...
's American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse for 2008.
Stud record
Raven's Pass was retired to stand as a stallion at the Kildangan Stud, as part of the Darley StudDarley Stud
Darley Stud is a Thoroughbred breeding operation owned by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and vice-president of the United Arab Emirates. Darley breeds horses in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Dubai, Japan and Australia....
organisation.