Hareeba
Encyclopedia
Hareeba was an Australia
n Thoroughbred
racehorse who won six Black Type
races including two Group One
(G1) sprints in the 1990s.
He was a bay gelding sired by Al Hareb (won GB William Hill Futurity Stakes) out of Headford Lass (GB) (Red Alert (IRE)-Deep Company (GB)).
on 28 October 1993. This was followed with easy wins at Ballarat, Moonee Valley, and Flemington. In his two city wins, he broke the course record for 1,200 metres in winning by nine lengths at Moonee Valley, and defeated the following year's Caulfield Cup winner, Paris Lane, by three lengths at Flemington. After a brief let-up, Hareeba was tried in Black Type
company for the first time, and finished a close second to Lady Jakeo in the 1994 Australia Made Stakes
. While defeated, he had finished in front of the multiple Group One winners Primacy and Schillaci
, but, in a foretaste of what would be ongoing issue over the next three years, was injured and had to be spelled.
At four, he failed first-up in the Manikato Stakes
, but won the Bobby Lewis Quality
second-up, and recorded further wins, later in the spring, in the Sir Rupert Steele Stakes
and the Southcorp Stakes
. In the new year, he resumed with an 'amazing display of sheer speed and power' in the 1995 Australia Made Stakes, which was run down the straight at Flemington (with Moonee Valley closed for renovations). Starting odds-on, Hareeba raced out to a massive lead on the flat side, and, over the closing stages, racecaller John Russell exclaimed that 'Down the grandstand side, it's Spanish Mix from Schillaci and Sequalo, but Hareeba's all on his own - he's going to bolt in!' He won by five-and-a-half lengths. At his next start, he raced below his best when unplaced behind Mahogany
in the Lightning Stakes
, and carried topweight of 58.5 kilograms when runner-up to All Our Mob
in the Newmarket Handicap
. Back to his best, he defeated Mahogany and Schillaci in the Stanley Wootton Stakes
and again in the George Ryder Stakes
(from which he was later disqualified). Hareeba was then injured, and was off the scene for almost 12 months.
When he resumed in the 1996 Stanley Wootten Stakes, he started favourite but finished last of six behind All Our Mob. Following another let-up, he finished second to Mamzelle Pedrille in a Flying on the Gold Coast, and scored a course record-breaking win in the QTC Cup, under topweight of 60 kilograms. Seemingly with the Stradbroke Handicap
at his mercy, as he was dropping to 57 kilograms, Hareeba continued his 'enigmatic' ways, and was unplaced. He returned at six for a final campaign, and was unplaced in the 1997 Rubiton Stakes
before breaking down completely in trackwork. Connections tried to save him, and wrapped his injured leg in bandages, but, ultimately, he had to be euthanased.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n 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 who won six Black Type
Group races
Group races are the highest standard of Thoroughbred horseraces in Australia. The Australian Pattern Committee recommends to the Australian Racing Board which races shall be designated as Group races...
races including 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...
(G1) sprints in the 1990s.
He was a bay gelding sired by Al Hareb (won GB William Hill Futurity Stakes) out of Headford Lass (GB) (Red Alert (IRE)-Deep Company (GB)).
Racing career
Hareeba had three starts a two-year-old without success, but returned at three, and, after two further defeats, broke his maiden at Yarra GlenYarra Glen, Victoria
Yarra Glen is a town in Victoria, Australia, 40 km north-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Yarra Ranges...
on 28 October 1993. This was followed with easy wins at Ballarat, Moonee Valley, and Flemington. In his two city wins, he broke the course record for 1,200 metres in winning by nine lengths at Moonee Valley, and defeated the following year's Caulfield Cup winner, Paris Lane, by three lengths at Flemington. After a brief let-up, Hareeba was tried in Black Type
Group races
Group races are the highest standard of Thoroughbred horseraces in Australia. The Australian Pattern Committee recommends to the Australian Racing Board which races shall be designated as Group races...
company for the first time, and finished a close second to Lady Jakeo in the 1994 Australia Made Stakes
Australia Stakes
The William Reid Stakes, formerly Australia Stakes, is a Group 1 Australian thoroughbred horse race at Weight for Age, run over a distance of 1200 metres at Moonee Valley Racecourse, Melbourne in February. Prizemoney in 2010 was A$500,000....
. While defeated, he had finished in front of the multiple Group One winners Primacy and Schillaci
Schillaci (horse)
Schillaci was an Australian Thoroughbred racehorse who was an eight-time Group One winner. He was by Salieri out of Biscarina . A huge grey gelding, Schillaci was a $70,000 purchase at the 1990 yearling sales, and was named after Salvatore Schillaci, who was the leading goal scorer at the 1990...
, but, in a foretaste of what would be ongoing issue over the next three years, was injured and had to be spelled.
At four, he failed first-up in the Manikato Stakes
Manikato Stakes
The Manikato Stakes is a MVRC Group One Australian Thoroughbred horse race run under Weight for Age conditions, over a distance of 1200 metres at Moonee Valley Racecourse, Melbourne in September...
, but won the Bobby Lewis Quality
Bobby Lewis Quality
The Bobby Lewis Quality is a VRC Group 3 Australian Thoroughbred quality handicap horse race for four year olds and upwards, over a distance of 1200 metres at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne in September...
second-up, and recorded further wins, later in the spring, in the Sir Rupert Steele Stakes
Gilgai Stakes
The Gilgai Stakes is a VRC Group 2 Australian Thoroughbred horse race for three year olds and upwards, at set weights with penalties, over a distance of 1200 metres. It is held annually at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne in October...
and the Southcorp Stakes
Salinger Stakes
The Salinger Stakes is a Victoria Racing Club Group 2 Australian Thoroughbred horse race held at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne on VRC Derby Day. The event is an open handicap run over a distance of 1200 metres. Total prize money for the race is A$300,000 and $2,000 trophy...
. In the new year, he resumed with an 'amazing display of sheer speed and power' in the 1995 Australia Made Stakes, which was run down the straight at Flemington (with Moonee Valley closed for renovations). Starting odds-on, Hareeba raced out to a massive lead on the flat side, and, over the closing stages, racecaller John Russell exclaimed that 'Down the grandstand side, it's Spanish Mix from Schillaci and Sequalo, but Hareeba's all on his own - he's going to bolt in!' He won by five-and-a-half lengths. At his next start, he raced below his best when unplaced behind Mahogany
Mahogany
The name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored hardwood. It is a native American word originally used for the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, known as West Indian or Cuban mahogany....
in the Lightning Stakes
Lightning Stakes
The Lightning Stakes is a Group 1 Australian thoroughbred horse race at Weight for Age, run over a distance of 1000 metres at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne in February. Prizemoney is A$750,000...
, and carried topweight of 58.5 kilograms when runner-up to All Our Mob
All our mob
All Our Mob was an Australian Thoroughbred racehorse who was a four-time Group One winner. He was by What A Guest out of All Sold . All Our Mob, who had always shown plenty of speed but a tendency to wilt over the closing stages, blossomed in the latter half of his four-year-old season, in the...
in the Newmarket Handicap
Newmarket Handicap
The Newmarket Handicap is a VRC Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia. The event is an open handicap race over 1200 metres...
. Back to his best, he defeated Mahogany and Schillaci in the Stanley Wootton Stakes
Norman Carlyon Stakes
The Norman Carlyon Stakes is a MRC Group 2 Australian Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three years old and over under weight for age conditions, over a distance of 1200 metres...
and again in the George Ryder Stakes
George Ryder Stakes
The George Ryder Stakes is a Group 1 Australian Thoroughbred horse race at Weight for age run over a distance of 1,500 metres at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, Sydney in April...
(from which he was later disqualified). Hareeba was then injured, and was off the scene for almost 12 months.
When he resumed in the 1996 Stanley Wootten Stakes, he started favourite but finished last of six behind All Our Mob. Following another let-up, he finished second to Mamzelle Pedrille in a Flying on the Gold Coast, and scored a course record-breaking win in the QTC Cup, under topweight of 60 kilograms. Seemingly with the Stradbroke Handicap
Stradbroke Handicap
The Stradbroke Handicap is a Group 1 Australian Thoroughbred open handicap horse race, run on the first Saturday in June, over a distance of 1,400 metres at Eagle Farm Racecourse, Brisbane...
at his mercy, as he was dropping to 57 kilograms, Hareeba continued his 'enigmatic' ways, and was unplaced. He returned at six for a final campaign, and was unplaced in the 1997 Rubiton Stakes
Rubiton Stakes
The Rubiton Stakes is a Group 3 Australian Thoroughbred horse race held under Weight for Age conditions, for horses aged three years old and upwards, over a distance of 1100 metres at Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne in February...
before breaking down completely in trackwork. Connections tried to save him, and wrapped his injured leg in bandages, but, ultimately, he had to be euthanased.