My Love (horse)
Encyclopedia
My Love was a French Thoroughbred
racehorse and sire. In a career that lasted from 1947 to 1948 he ran eight times and won three races. In the summer of 1948 he became the third French-trained horse to win the Epsom Derby
and the fifth horse to win both the Derby and the Grand Prix de Paris
. At the end of the season he was retired to stud but he had little success before or after being exported to Argentina in 1951.
. The colt was trained at Chantilly
by Richard “Dick” Carver an Englishman whose family had been based in France for many years. Carver had never been to Epsom
before My Love ran in the 1948 Derby.
My Love’s sire, Vatellor was a high class racehorse who won eight races in France including the race now called the Prix Jean Prat
. He later became a successful stallion being Champion sire in France in 1956 and getting such notable performers as Pearl Diver
, Nikellora (Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
) and Vattel (Grand Prix de Paris
). My Love’s dam, For My Love was bred by Volterra and won two small races, but produced no other horses of importance.
over 2200m at Longchamp and then finished third to Rigolo and Flush Royal in the Prix Greffulhe
. At this point in the season, My Love was not considered a serious Derby contender and was available at odds of 100/1. On his next start on May 9 he was moved up in distance for the Prix Hocquart
over 2400m and showed improved form, winning in "brilliant" style from Turmoil and Flush Royal. Shortly after the race the Aga Khan, reportedly acting on the advice of My Love’s Australian jockey Rae Johnstone, bought a half share in the colt for £15,000.
At Epsom My Love started at 100/9 (approximately 11/1) in a field of thirty-two runners, the largest since 1862. The 2000 Guineas winner My Babu
started favourite at 7/2, in front of a crowd estimated at up to 1,000,000 which included the King and the Prime Minister
. My Love was held up at the back of the field by Rae Johnstone in the early stages as Tory II made the running. Turning into the straight the French-trained Royal Drake overtook the leader and went clear. Johnstone switched My Love to the outside and the colt produced what was described as a "brilliant burst of speed" to catch Royal Drake well inside the final furlong and win by one and a half lengths with Noor four lengths further back in third. The second and third placed horses were owned by Volterra and the Aga Khan respectively.
At the end of June My Love returned to Longchamp for the Grand Prix de Paris, at that time the most valuable race in France ($16,800), for which he was made 2/1 favourite. As at Epsom, he was held up at the rear of the field in the early running before making a "terrific run" in the straight. He became the first horse since Spearmint
in 1906 to complete the Derby-Grand Prix double, beating Flush Royal by a length with the Prix du Jockey Club
winner Bey in third. In September attempted to complete a unique treble by adding the St Leger
at Doncaster
. He was strongly fancied in the build-up to the race with Noor and the improving American-bred Black Tarquin being seen as his most serious rivals. My Love started favourite for a race that with a prize of £15,368 was the most valuable ever run in Britain but finished unplaced behind Black Tarquin and Alycidon
. My Love was then retired to stud.
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 and sire. In a career that lasted from 1947 to 1948 he ran eight times and won three races. In the summer of 1948 he became the third French-trained horse to win the Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
and the fifth horse to win both the Derby and the 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:...
. At the end of the season he was retired to stud but he had little success before or after being exported to Argentina in 1951.
Background
My Love was bred in France by his original owner Leon Volterra, who later sold a half share in the colt to the Aga KhanAga Khan III
Sir Sultan Muhammed Shah, Aga Khan III, GCSI, GCMG, GCIE, GCVO, PC was the 48th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. He was one of the founders and the first president of the All-India Muslim League, and served as President of the League of Nations from 1937-38. He was nominated to represent India to...
. The colt was trained at Chantilly
Chantilly
Chantilly may refer to:*Chantilly, Oise, a French city located in the Oise département in the Picardie région*Château de Chantilly, a historic château located in the town of Chantilly, France*Chantilly cream, a sweet whipped cream used in pastry...
by Richard “Dick” Carver an Englishman whose family had been based in France for many years. Carver had never been to Epsom
Epsom Downs Racecourse
Epsom Downs is a Grade 1 racecourse near Epsom, Surrey, England. The "downs" referred to in the name are part of the North Downs. The course is best known for hosting the Epsom Derby, the United Kingdom's premier thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old colts and fillies, over a mile and a half...
before My Love ran in the 1948 Derby.
My Love’s sire, Vatellor was a high class racehorse who won eight races in France including the race now called the 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 later became a successful stallion being Champion sire in France in 1956 and getting such notable performers as Pearl Diver
Pearl Diver
Pearl Diver was a French Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career which lasted from 1946 and 1948 he ran thirteen times and won four races...
, Nikellora (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...
) and Vattel (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:...
). My Love’s dam, For My Love was bred by Volterra and won two small races, but produced no other horses of importance.
1947: two-year-old season
My Love provided little evidence of potential as a two-year-old in 1948. He ran twice without winning, although he was beaten only a head on his debut.1948: three-year-old season
In the spring of 1948, My Love ran in the major French middle-distance trial races (Poules des Produits). In April he finished second to Flush Royal in the Prix NoaillesPrix Noailles
The Prix Noailles is a Group 2 flat horse race in France which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,000 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in April.-History:...
over 2200m at Longchamp and then finished third to Rigolo and Flush Royal in the Prix Greffulhe
Prix Greffulhe
The Prix Greffulhe is a Group 2 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Saint-Cloud over a distance of 2,000 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...
. At this point in the season, My Love was not considered a serious Derby contender and was available at odds of 100/1. On his next start on May 9 he was moved up in distance for the Prix Hocquart
Prix Hocquart
The Prix Hocquart is a Group 2 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,200 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...
over 2400m and showed improved form, winning in "brilliant" style from Turmoil and Flush Royal. Shortly after the race the Aga Khan, reportedly acting on the advice of My Love’s Australian jockey Rae Johnstone, bought a half share in the colt for £15,000.
At Epsom My Love started at 100/9 (approximately 11/1) in a field of thirty-two runners, the largest since 1862. The 2000 Guineas winner My Babu
My Babu
My Babu was a French-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who became one of the most influential sires in American breeding of show jumpers, eventers and hunters. His descendants include Bruce Davidson's former eventing mount JJ Babu, Anky van Grunsven's dressage horse Bonfire, and puissance and grand prix...
started favourite at 7/2, in front of a crowd estimated at up to 1,000,000 which included the King and the Prime Minister
Clement Attlee
Clement Richard Attlee, 1st Earl Attlee, KG, OM, CH, PC, FRS was a British Labour politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951, and as the Leader of the Labour Party from 1935 to 1955...
. My Love was held up at the back of the field by Rae Johnstone in the early stages as Tory II made the running. Turning into the straight the French-trained Royal Drake overtook the leader and went clear. Johnstone switched My Love to the outside and the colt produced what was described as a "brilliant burst of speed" to catch Royal Drake well inside the final furlong and win by one and a half lengths with Noor four lengths further back in third. The second and third placed horses were owned by Volterra and the Aga Khan respectively.
At the end of June My Love returned to Longchamp for the Grand Prix de Paris, at that time the most valuable race in France ($16,800), for which he was made 2/1 favourite. As at Epsom, he was held up at the rear of the field in the early running before making a "terrific run" in the straight. He became the first horse since Spearmint
Spearmint (horse)
Spearmint was a classic winning English Thoroughbred racehorse and a good sire. He sired classic winners in three countries: Great Britain, Ireland and the United States. His daughters produced the winners of eight classic races...
in 1906 to complete the Derby-Grand Prix double, beating Flush Royal by a length with 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...
winner Bey in third. In September attempted to complete a unique treble by adding the St Leger
St. Leger Stakes
The St. Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.Established in 1776, the St. Leger...
at Doncaster
Doncaster Racecourse
Doncaster Racecourse is a racecourse in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England. It hosts two of Great Britain's 31 Group 1 flat races, the St Leger Stakes and the Racing Post Trophy.- History :...
. He was strongly fancied in the build-up to the race with Noor and the improving American-bred Black Tarquin being seen as his most serious rivals. My Love started favourite for a race that with a prize of £15,368 was the most valuable ever run in Britain but finished unplaced behind Black Tarquin and Alycidon
Alycidon
Alycidon was a Thoroughbred racehorse who was foaled in 1945 and died in 1963. He was a top-class British stayer who became the Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland in 1955, despite having low fertility and a relatively short career at stud.-Breeding:...
. My Love was then retired to stud.
Assessment
In their book A Century of Champions, John Randall and Tony Morris rated Grand Parade an “average” Derby winner.Stud career
My Love was based in France for his first three seasons at stud, but the foals he sired in Europe made little impact. He was sold to the Argentinian government in 1951, exported and auctioned in Buenos Aries where he fetched a sum of £46,250. The date of My Love’s death is not recorded, but his last foals would appear to have been conceived in either 1962 or 1963.Pedigree
- My Love was inbredInbreedingInbreeding is the reproduction from the mating of two genetically related parents. Inbreeding results in increased homozygosity, which can increase the chances of offspring being affected by recessive or deleterious traits. This generally leads to a decreased fitness of a population, which is...
3x4 to TeddyTeddy (horse)Teddy was a French racehorse and an influential sire, especially for lines in Italy, France, and the United States. He is considered one of the most influential sires in the 20th century.-Racing career:...
. This means that the stallion appears in both the third and fourth generations of his pedigree.