2012

FLORIDA Pearl, winner of nine Grade 1 races, died last Saturday evening at the Irish National Stud.

A statement issued by the INS said: “We are saddened to inform you that on the evening of May 5, 2012, a decision was made on veterinary advice to euthanise Florida Pearl.

“The 20-year-old gelding, in residence at the Irish National Stud for five years, was diagnosed with a condition known as haemangisarcoma, a word deriving from ‘malignant cancer of the blood vessels’. It is a rare condition which swiftly affects many organs once it spreads from its primary focus. In this case it originated in the spleen.

“Florida Pearl was a firm favourite among visitors to the INS and earned his retirement after a career which included Grade 1 wins in seven seasons. One of the greatest steeplechasers we have seen, his speed was also obvious in his Cheltenham Champion Bumper success.

“Out thanks and sympathies go to the O’Leary family and the Mullins family who have many great memories to treasure.”

A graduate of the Costello nursery in Newmarket-On-Fergus, Co Clare, for whom he won a point-to-point, Florida Pearl was trained under National Hunt rules by Willie Mullins for Archie and Violet O’Leary. He won 16 of his 33 starts for them, most notably four Hennessy Cognac Gold Cups at Leopardstown.

Retired from racing following his success in the 2004 Hennessy, Florida Pearl had spent the last five years at the Irish National Stud in company with Moscow Flyer, Vintage Crop and the late Danoli.

FLORIDA PEARL (IRE) – the facts

FOALED in 1992, Florida Pearl was by Florida Son out of Ice Pearl (Flatbush). He was bred by Patricia MacKean at Sweet Wall Stud, Co Antrim

Florida Pearl was acquired privately by the late Tom Costello and won a point-to-point on his racing debut at Lismore, Co Waterford for trainer John Costello in March, 1996

He ran in two bumpers, winning both, at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day 1996 and at Cheltenham in March 1997. His other 31 starts were over fences and he never ran over hurdles

Seven jockeys won races on him – Tony Costello, James Nash, Richard Dunwoody, Paul Carberry, Richard Johnson, Adrian Maguire and Barry Geraghty. The only other jockeys to ride him in races were Ruby Walsh (four times) and Conor O’Dwyer (once)

Although he won two races at the Cheltenham Festival, the 1997 Champion Bumper and the 1998 SunAlliance Chase, Leopardstown was undoubtedly his favourite track. He raced there 12 times, winning eight times including four Hennessy Cognac Gold Cups

Street Sense turns on the classic style

2007

SECOND time around, Carl Nafzger let the scene at Churchill Downs speak for itself.

In 1990 the trainer touched a national television audience when providing 91-year-old owner Frances Genter the details of Unbridled’s Kentucky Derby victory.

As a second triumph in the famous American contest appeared imminent, Nafzger stood relatively silent in his box atop the packed Louisville venue. All that really needed to be said had been spelled out by the trainer months beforehand.

Moments after Street Sense ran away from the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile by 10 widening lengths, Naftzer was asked about the colt’s future. “The plan,” he pointedly stated, “is to return here with him for the Derby.”

Street Sense was back at his home track for that very goal. In Saturday’s $2 million Run for the Roses, the son of Street Cry enjoyed the benefit of a perfect ride from veteran Calvin Borel, who sat tight in his trademark style along the rail before turning Street Sense free on the final turn.

Once given his cue, Street Sense turned on his burst of speed, passing Hard Spun with a dazzling move on his way to a convincing two and a quarter length victory.

Street Sense vanquished two longstanding marks in the Kentucky Derby annals. He is the first two-year-old champion since the great Spectacular Bid to return and triumph in the Derby, and the only Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner to be adorned with the famous blanket of roses.

First for Borel

First place in the 133rd Derby was worth $1.45 million, and it was a first Triple Crown victory for Borel, who learned his craft on the bush tracks of Louisiana.

The steady veteran donned the blue and yellow silks of Jim Tafel, rewarded at the age of 83 for his long, loyal partnership with Nafzger. They campaigned the champion filly Banshee Breeze and Travers Stakes winner Unshaded, both offspring of Unbridled.

[Street Sense stood this year at Jonabell Farm for $75,000. He went on after his classic success to add a victory in the Grade 1 Travers Stakes to his career record of six wins in 13 starts, and he was runner-up in the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes. He has sired the winners of more than $90 million and they include Grade 1 winners McKinzie, Maxfield, Wedding Toast, Sense Of Occasion, Sweet Reason, Dixie Blossoms, Hallowed Crown, Politeness, Speaker’s Corner, Aubby K, Callback and Street Fancy]

Poor support from breeders

1932

CAPTAIN Gerald Martin said many pleasant things about the assistance given by the press to the Horsebreeders’ Association at their meeting held recently.

We are grateful to Captain Martin for his praise, and to the members of the Association for their recognition of work done in the common interest of our horse industry.

However, not one person in 20 engaged in bloodstock production supports the Association. The thoughtless many do not realise the time and trouble which must necessarily be spent by officials of the Association gathering their facts and compiling their statistics for publication in newspapers throughout the world.

Far too many people are critics from outside the organisation. If only they would come inside the organisation their criticism would be useful. It is not equable that a comparatively few breeders should be compelled to bear the cost of financing the Association. Only £93 have been subscribed this year!

Suspend temporarily

Captain Martin was forced to say that he had to suspend temporarily a certain proportion of the work he had planned, because there was insufficient money available to carry it through. Mr J.C Sullivan’s proposal that every stallion owner whose horse was let at a fee of 10 guineas or more should agree to pay an annual subscription of £2 was approved.