Celtic Arms
Encyclopedia
Celtic Arms
Celtic Arms (foaled January 20, 1991 in France
- dead in 1998) was a Thoroughbred
racehorse
who competed successfully in both France and the United States. Bred by Georges Wegliszewski, he was out of the mare
Amour Celtique, a daughter of American horse Northfields, winner of the Hawthorne
and Louisiana Derby
s. His sire was multiple French stakes winner, Comrade In Arms, a son of one of Britain's
great runners, Brigadier Gerard.
Purchased by Jean-Louis Bouchard, Celtic Arms was trained in France by Pascal Bary
. He made his racing debut as a juvenile with a third-place finish in the Prix Yacowlef
at Deauville-La Touques Racecourse. Jockey Dominique Boeuf
then rode him to victory in the Prix de Condé
, his most important performance of 1993.
As a three-year-old, under jockey Gerald Mosse
, Celtic Arms finished third in the 1994 Group One
Grand Prix de Paris
and won the Group One Prix Lupin
at Longchamp Racecourse. Mosse was the jockey for another of the colt's Group One wins in the Prix du Jockey Club
at Chantilly Racecourse
. Sent to Churchill Downs
in Louisville, Kentucky
for the 1994 Breeders' Cup Turf
, Celtic Arms was part of one of the strongest international fields in the 1½ mile event's history. In a race run in track-record time, he was ridden by Kent Desormeaux
and up against winner Tikkanen plus other notable runners such as Fraise
, Hatoof
, Paradise Creek
, Volochine, and Raintrap
. Celtic Arms was in the thick of things after a mile and a quarter but then faded from third to finish in tenth place.
After being purchased by Gary A. Tanaka, in 1995 Celtic Arms raced exclusively in the United States. Rodney Rash
handled Celtic Arms's conditioning duties with his best results that year a second in the Grade I Caesars International Handicap at Monmouth Park and a third in the Grade 1 Turf Classic Invitational at Belmont Park
. Making his second appearance in that year's Breeders Cup Turf, held in 1995 at Belmont Park
, under jockey Gary Stevens Celtic Arms started from the far outside in post position thirteen. He was never in contention and finished tenth behind winner, Northern Spur
.
In 1996, Celtic Arms won the G-1 Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup Turf Stakes for what would turn out to be the last win for 36-year-old trainer Rodney Rash, who died from a rare blood disorder a few days later on March 1, 1996. The colt's training was then assumed by Rash's 27-year-old assistant, Ben Cecil, who won the first-ever race of his training career when Celtic Arms captured the G-2 Pan American Handicap
in March.
Retired to stud
duty, Celtic Arms sired several foals born in 1997 and 1998. He died in an accident in 1998.
Celtic Arms (foaled January 20, 1991 in 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...
- dead in 1998) was a 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...
who competed successfully in both France and the United States. Bred by Georges Wegliszewski, he was out of 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...
Amour Celtique, a daughter of American horse Northfields, winner of the Hawthorne
Hawthorne Derby
The Hawthorne Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1965 at Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney/Cicero, Illinois, near Chicago. Raced in October, it is open to three-year-old horses...
and Louisiana Derby
Louisiana Derby
The Louisiana Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana. Usually run in early March, the race is open to horses, age three, willing to race 11/8 miles on the dirt. A Grade II event, it currently offers a purse of...
s. His sire was multiple French stakes winner, Comrade In Arms, a son of one of Britain's
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...
great runners, Brigadier Gerard.
Purchased by Jean-Louis Bouchard, Celtic Arms was trained in France by Pascal Bary
Pascal Bary
Pascal Bary is a French racehorse trainer.He has been training since 1981, having previously worked as an assistant to François Boutin...
. He made his racing debut as a juvenile with a third-place finish in 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....
at Deauville-La Touques Racecourse. Jockey Dominique Boeuf
Dominique Boeuf
Dominique Boeuf is a jockey in Thoroughbred flat racing. He began his career while still a teen and won his first race on 15 September 1984. Three years later, he got his first Group One win aboard Groom Dancer in the 1987 Prix Lupin...
then rode him to victory in the Prix de Condé
Prix de Condé
The Prix de Condé is a Group 3 flat horse race in France which is open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,800 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.-History:...
, his most important performance of 1993.
As a three-year-old, under jockey Gerald Mosse
Gérald Mossé
Gérald Mossé is a jockey in thoroughbred horse racing. He began riding professionally in April 1983 and his success during his apprenticeship under Patrick-Louis Biancone led to an offer to ride for renowned trainer François Boutin and his stable of horses belonging to Jean-Luc Lagardère...
, Celtic Arms finished third in the 1994 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...
Grand Prix de Paris
Grand Prix de Paris
The Grand Prix de Paris is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.-History:...
and won the Group One Prix Lupin
Prix Lupin
The Prix Lupin was a Group 1 flat horse race in France which was open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It was run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,100 metres , and it was scheduled to take place each year in May....
at Longchamp Racecourse. Mosse was the jockey for another of the colt's Group One wins in the Prix du Jockey Club
Prix du Jockey Club
The Prix du Jockey Club, sometimes referred to as the French Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
at Chantilly Racecourse
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....
. Sent to Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs, located in Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, is a Thoroughbred racetrack most famous for hosting the Kentucky Derby annually. It officially opened in 1875, and held the first Kentucky Derby and the first Kentucky Oaks in the same year. Churchill Downs...
in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
for the 1994 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...
, Celtic Arms was part of one of the strongest international fields in the 1½ mile event's history. In a race run in track-record time, he was ridden by Kent Desormeaux
Kent Desormeaux
Kent Jason Desormeaux is an American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey who holds the U.S. record for most races won in a single year, 1989.-Brief biography:...
and up against winner Tikkanen plus other notable runners such as Fraise
Fraise
Fraise was an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 1992 Breeders' Cup Turf. Bred by Allen E. Paulson, he was sired by Strawberry Road, the 1983 Australian Horse of the Year which Paulson acquired in 1986...
, 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...
, 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...
, Volochine, and Raintrap
Raintrap
Raintrap is a British Thoroughbred racehorse. His dam was Juddmonte Farms Suntrap, a daughter of the 1972 Epsom Derby winner, Roberto...
. Celtic Arms was in the thick of things after a mile and a quarter but then faded from third to finish in tenth place.
After being purchased by Gary A. Tanaka, in 1995 Celtic Arms raced exclusively in the United States. Rodney Rash
Rodney Rash
Rodney R. Rash was an American trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses.Born in Frederick, Maryland, Rash grew up on a dairy farm and was exposed to the sights and sounds of Thoroughbred horse racing when he helped his father deliver hay to horse farms and racetracks...
handled Celtic Arms's conditioning duties with his best results that year a second in the Grade I Caesars International Handicap at Monmouth Park and a third in the Grade 1 Turf Classic Invitational at Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
. Making his second appearance in that year's Breeders Cup Turf, held in 1995 at Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
, under jockey Gary Stevens Celtic Arms started from the far outside in post position thirteen. He was never in contention and finished tenth behind winner, Northern Spur
Northern Spur
Northern Spur was a Thoroughbred racehorse who raced in France and the United States. Bred at Robert Sangster's Swettenham Stud in Swettenham, Cheshire, England, he was a son of the champion sire Sadler's Wells and out of the mare, Fruition...
.
In 1996, Celtic Arms won the G-1 Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup Turf Stakes for what would turn out to be the last win for 36-year-old trainer Rodney Rash, who died from a rare blood disorder a few days later on March 1, 1996. The colt's training was then assumed by Rash's 27-year-old assistant, Ben Cecil, who won the first-ever race of his training career when Celtic Arms captured the G-2 Pan American Handicap
Pan American Handicap
The Pan American Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at the end of March at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida...
in March.
Retired to 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...
duty, Celtic Arms sired several foals born in 1997 and 1998. He died in an accident in 1998.