Riverman
Encyclopedia
This article is about the racehorse. For the song by Nick Drake, see Five Leaves Left
.
Riverman (1969-1999) was a French
Thoroughbred
racehorse
. Foaled in Kentucky
, he was bred by Harry F. Guggenheim of the prominent American Guggenheim family
. Riverman was from the mare
River Lady and sired by Guggenheim's stallion Never Bend
, a grandson of the extremely important sire, Nearco
.
Purchased by French perfume magnate Pierre Wertheimer
, head of the House of Chanel
, the colt raced under the colors of his wife, Germaine.
Trained
by Alec Head
, Riverman was sent to the track in 1971 where he won the Prix Yacowlef
and finished second in the Critérium de Maisons-Laffitte
. The following year, he won the Group II Prix Jean Prat
plus two Group One
races, the Prix d'Ispahan
and the Poule d'Essai des Poulains
. Sent to race in England
, he notably ran third to Brigadier Gerard in July's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and second to him in October's Champion Stakes
.
duty in 1974, Riverman stood at Haras du Quesnay
in Calvados
until 1980 when he was sent to Gainesway Farm
in Kentucky
. The leading sire in France
in 1980 and 1981, Riverman sired Group One winners All At Sea
, Loup Sauvage, Latin American, Pillaster, River Flyer, River Special, Rousillon plus other important Group One winners and Champions such as:
Riverman was the damsire of Spinning World
, the Champion Three-Year-Old in Ireland (1996) and Champion Older Horse in France (1997) and of Six Perfections
, the 2002 European Champion Two-Year-Old Filly
. As well, Riverman sired the mare Tugela who produced the great Australian Racing Hall of Fame
superstar Makybe Diva
, the only horse to ever win three consecutive Melbourne Cup
s and who is Australasia's
all-time leading money earner.
Through his sons, Riverman is the grandsire of the great filly Hatoof
who was a Champion in France in 1991 and 1993 and was voted the 1994 United States Eclipse Award for Outstanding Female Turf Horse
. Riverman was also the grandsire of Vintage Crop
, the 1993 European Top Stayer
, Paradise Creek
, a multiple Grade I winner in the U.S. and winner of the 1994 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Male Turf Horse
, and of Sakhee
, winner of the 2001 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
.
Riverman died at age thirty in July 1999 at Gainesway Farm.
Five Leaves Left
Five Leaves Left, recorded in 1969, was the first of three albums by British folk musician Nick Drake. Like Bryter Layter but unlike Pink Moon, this album contains no completely solo songs...
.
Riverman (1969-1999) was a French
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...
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...
. Foaled in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, he was bred by Harry F. Guggenheim of the prominent American Guggenheim family
Guggenheim family
The Guggenheim family is an American family, of Swiss Jewish ancestry. Beginning with Meyer Guggenheim, who arrived in America in 1847, the family were known for their global successes in mining and smelting . During the 19th century, the family possessed one of the largest fortunes in the world...
. Riverman was from the mare
Mare (horse)
A mare is an adult female horse or other equine.In most cases, a mare is a female horse over the age of three, and a filly is a female horse age three and younger. However, in Thoroughbred horse racing, a mare is defined as a female horse more than four years old; in harness racing a mare is a...
River Lady and sired by Guggenheim's stallion Never Bend
Never Bend
Never Bend was an American Thoroughbred Champion racehorse and a leading sire in England.-Two-Year-Old Champion:Foaled at Claiborne Farm for owner/breeder Harry F. Guggenheim, Never Bend was the dominant two-year-old racing in the United States in 1962...
, a grandson of the extremely important sire, Nearco
Nearco
Nearco was an Italian bred Thoroughbred racehorse described by Thoroughbred Heritage as "one of the greatest racehorses of the Twentieth Century" and "one of the most important sires of the century." He was not only unbeaten, winning 14 races at distances from 5 furlongs to 1 mile 7 furlongs ,...
.
Purchased by French perfume magnate Pierre Wertheimer
Pierre Wertheimer
Pierre Wertheimer was a French businessman.In October 1910, Pierre Wertheimer married Germaine Revel, a daughter of a stockbroker and a member of the Lazard family of investment bankers....
, head of the House of Chanel
Chanel
Chanel S.A. is a French fashion house founded by the couturier Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, well established in haute couture, specializing in luxury goods . She gained the name "Coco" while maintaining a career as a singer at a café in France...
, the colt raced under the colors of his wife, Germaine.
Trained
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
by Alec Head
Alec Head
Alec Head was a prominent French horseman and breeder and the owner of Haras du Quesnay near Deauville. A descendant of the great trainers who founded the English Racing Colony in Chantilly, Oise, Head's grandfather was a jockey-turned-trainer, as was his father William Head who was a very...
, Riverman was sent to the track in 1971 where he won the Prix Yacowlef
Prix Yacowlef
The Prix Yacowlef is a Listed flat horse race in France open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Deauville over a distance of 1,000 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late June or early July....
and finished second in the Critérium de Maisons-Laffitte
Critérium de Maisons-Laffitte
The Critérium de Maisons-Laffitte is a Group 2 flat horse race in France which is open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Maisons-Laffitte over a distance of 1,200 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late October or early November.-History:The event was established in...
. The following year, he won the Group II 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:...
plus two 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...
races, the Prix d'Ispahan
Prix d'Ispahan
The Prix d'Ispahan is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,850 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...
and the Poule d'Essai des Poulains
Poule d'Essai des Poulains
The Poule d'Essai des Poulains, sometimes referred to as the French 2,000 Guineas, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts...
. Sent to race 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...
, he notably ran third to Brigadier Gerard in July's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and second to him in October's Champion Stakes
Champion Stakes
The Champion 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 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October...
.
Champion sire
Retired to studHorse breeding
Horse breeding is reproduction in horses, and particularly the human-directed process of selective breeding of animals, particularly purebred horses of a given breed. Planned matings can be used to produce specifically desired characteristics in domesticated horses...
duty in 1974, Riverman stood at Haras du Quesnay
Haras du Quesnay
Haras du Quesnay, known as "Le Quesnay", is a thoroughbred horse breeding farm in France about four miles outside the city of Deauville on 3 km², established in 1907 by wealthy American sportsman William Kissam Vanderbilt. He sold the property to another American horseman, A. Kingsley Macomber,...
in Calvados
Calvados
The French department of Calvados is part of the region of Basse-Normandie in Normandy. It takes its name from a cluster of rocks off the English Channel coast...
until 1980 when he was sent to Gainesway Farm
Gainesway Farm
Gainesway Farm is an American Thoroughbred horse breeding business in Lexington, Kentucky. It was originally called Greentree Farms.The 1,500 acre property has been home to sires such as Youth and Exceller and numerous others who are buried on the property...
in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. The leading sire in France
Leading sire in France
The list below shows the leading Thoroughbred sire of racehorses in France for each year since 1887. This is determined by the amount of prizemoney won by the sire's progeny during the season .-----References:* -See also:*...
in 1980 and 1981, Riverman sired Group One winners All At Sea
All at Sea
All at Sea is a naval ruleset for Games Workshop's miniature wargame The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game. The official rules were a modified version of the Warhammer Boat rules, adapted by Nick Davis and first presented in Games Workshop's White Dwarf magazine .The game's mechanics centred...
, Loup Sauvage, Latin American, Pillaster, River Flyer, River Special, Rousillon plus other important Group One winners and Champions such as:
- Bahri - Queen Elizabeth II StakesQueen Elizabeth II StakesThe 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...
, St. James's Palace StakesSt. James's Palace StakesThe 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.... - Detroit - filly who won the 1980 Prix de l'Arc de TriomphePrix de l'Arc de TriompheThe 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...
, 1980 French Horse of the Year, Champion 3-year-old filly in France - Gold RiverGold River (horse)Gold River was a French Thoroughbred filly racehorse best known for winning France's most prestigious race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Owned and bred by Jacques Wertheimer, the president of the renowned French perfumery, Chanel, Gold River was sired by Riverman, owned by Germaine Wertheimer...
- filly who won the 1981 Prix de l'Arc de TriomphePrix de l'Arc de TriompheThe 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...
, Champion 3-year-old filly in France - Hailsham - won the 1991 Derby ItalianoDerby ItalianoThe Derby Italiano is a Group 2 flat horse race in Italy open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Capannelle over a distance of 2,200 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
- Irish RiverIrish RiverIrish River was a French Thoroughbred racehorse who won seven Group One races in France during his two-years of racing.Bred and raced by Mrs. Raymond Ades, he was out of the mare Irish Star...
- French Horse Racing Hall of FameFrench Horse Racing Hall of FameThe French Horse Racing Hall of Fame as established by France Galop, the governing authority for Thoroughbred horse races in France. French Horse Racing is a nationally honored sport, as each year thousands gather to observe the races...
, won ten of twelve starts, Champion 2-Year-Old in France, Champion Miler in France - River MemoriesRiver MemoriesRiver Memories is a Thoroughbred racehorse who competed successfully in France and North America.Bred and raced by Alan Clore, River Memories raced in France at age two and three...
- won the Prix de PomonePrix de PomoneThe Prix de Pomone is a Group 2 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbred fillies and mares 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 event is named after Pomona, the Roman goddess of...
, Prix Maurice de NieuilPrix Maurice de NieuilThe Prix Maurice de Nieuil is a Group 2 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,800 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.-History:...
, Canadian International StakesCanadian International StakesThe Canadian International Stakes is a $2 million Grade I Canadian stakes race on Turf for thoroughbred racehorses three years of age and up held annually in October at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario....
, Flower Bowl Invitational StakesFlower Bowl Invitational StakesThe Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes is an American Grade I race for thoroughbred fillies and mares run in early October at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York... - Rivlia - Graded stakes winner in France and multiple Grade I winner in CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
- TriptychTriptych (horse)Triptych was a Thoroughbred filly racehorse known for her toughness who went on racing until the age of six, travelling around the world always taking on the very best. Bred in Kentucky, she was a descendant through both her sire and dam of the great runner and sire, Nearco...
- multiple stakes winner including the Irish 2,000 Guineas and back-to-back Coronation CupCoronation CupThe Coronation Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
s in 1987 and 1988.
Riverman was the damsire of Spinning World
Spinning World
Spinning World is a French thoroughbred racehorse who was one of the top European milers during the 1990s.After winning the 1996 Irish 2,000 Guineas at The Curragh in Ireland, and the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville Racecourse in France, Spinning World finished second to Da Hoss in the...
, the Champion Three-Year-Old in Ireland (1996) and Champion Older Horse in France (1997) and of Six Perfections
Six Perfections (horse)
Six Perfections is a champion Thoroughbred race horse, bred by the Niarchos family. She is best known for her 2003 win in the Breeders' Cup Mile....
, the 2002 European Champion Two-Year-Old Filly
Cartier Racing Award
The Cartier Racing Awards are awards in European horse racing, founded in 1991, and sponsored by Cartier jewelers. The award winners are decided by points earned in group races plus the votes cast by British racing journalists and readers of the Racing Post and Daily Telegraph newspapers.Eight...
. As well, Riverman sired the mare Tugela who produced the great Australian Racing Hall of Fame
Australian Racing Hall of Fame
The Australian Racing Hall of Fame is part of the Australian Racing Museum which documents and honours the horseracing legends of Australia. The museum officially opened in 1981 and created the Hall of Fame in 2000....
superstar Makybe Diva
Makybe Diva
Makybe Diva is a British-bred, Australian-trained Thoroughbred who became the first racehorse to win the famed Melbourne Cup on three occasions: 2003, 2004, and 2005. In 2005, she also won the Cox Plate. Makybe Diva is the highest stakes-earner in Australasian horse racing history, with winnings...
, the only horse to ever win three consecutive Melbourne Cup
Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is Australia's major Thoroughbred horse race. Marketed as "the race that stops a nation", it is a 3,200 metre race for three-year-olds and over. It is the richest "two-mile" handicap in the world, and one of the richest turf races...
s and who is Australasia's
Australasia
Australasia is a region of Oceania comprising Australia, New Zealand, the island of New Guinea, and neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. The term was coined by Charles de Brosses in Histoire des navigations aux terres australes...
all-time leading money earner.
Through his sons, Riverman is the grandsire of the great filly Hatoof
Hatoof
Hatoof is a Thoroughbred Champion racehorse who competed internationally out of a base in Chantilly, France under trainer Criquette Head for owner Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Racing at age 2 in France, Hatoof started three times, winning once and placing second on two occasions...
who was a Champion in France in 1991 and 1993 and was voted the 1994 United States Eclipse Award for Outstanding Female Turf Horse
Eclipse Award for Outstanding Female Turf Horse
The American Champion Female Turf Horse award is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor. It is part of the Eclipse Awards program and is awarded annually to a female horse for her performance on grass race courses....
. Riverman was also the grandsire of Vintage Crop
Vintage Crop
Vintage Crop was a popular Thoroughbred racehorse who competed in flat racing in Ireland, England, and Australia from 1992 to 1995. He won 16 races in Ireland and England, and one of his greatest achievements was winning over two miles and two furlongs in the 1992 Cesarewitch Handicap at...
, the 1993 European Top Stayer
Cartier Racing Award
The Cartier Racing Awards are awards in European horse racing, founded in 1991, and sponsored by Cartier jewelers. The award winners are decided by points earned in group races plus the votes cast by British racing journalists and readers of the Racing Post and Daily Telegraph newspapers.Eight...
, Paradise Creek
Paradise Creek (horse)
Paradise Creek was a millionaire American Thoroughbred racehorse and successful sire. He was bred in Kentucky by Bertram R. Firestone and raced under the same Firestone banner as his owner. He finished racing with a record of 14-7-1 in 25 starts with career earnings of $3,401,415. Paradise Creek...
, a multiple Grade I winner in the U.S. and winner of the 1994 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Male Turf Horse
Eclipse Award for Outstanding Male Turf Horse
The American Champion Male Turf Horse award is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor. In 1971 it became part of the Eclipse Awards program and is awarded annually to a Colt or Gelding, regardless of age, for their performance on grass race courses....
, and of Sakhee
Sakhee
Sakhee is a British Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred by the racing interests of Dubai's Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum, his sire Bahri was almost exclusively a miler who won two Group One races at that distance...
, winner of the 2001 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...
.
Riverman died at age thirty in July 1999 at Gainesway Farm.