Persian Punch
Encyclopedia
Persian Punch was a Thoroughbred
racehorse
trained in the United Kingdom
. He was frequently heralded by the Racing Post
and his fans as the most popular horse in training during the final years of his career. He had his own fan club and website.
He was sired by Persian Heights out of Rum Cay who was trained by Roger Curtis at Lambourn
, Berkshire
. He has a half brother by Mozart, Classic Punch.
Persian Punch was trained throughout his racing career by David Elsworth
at Whitsbury Manor Racing Stables, Fordingbridge
, Wiltshire
, England. His most famous stablemate was Desert Orchid
, retired by then but still leading out the 2 year olds. Persian Punch was owned by Jeff Smith, owner of Littleton Stud, whose silks had been carried by many famous racehorses including Lochsong
and Chief Singer. Persian Punch's lad was Derek Brown.
Persian Punch won 20 races and was placed in 19 of his 63 races, amassing total prize money of over £1million for his owner, Jeff Smith. Although he never won a Group 1
race (he was only ever placed), he won 13 European Pattern races, equalling the record of Ardross
, Acatenango
and Brigadier Gerard.
At the age of 10 he was just denied the Stayers Triple Crown of Goodwood Cup
, Ascot Gold Cup
and Doncaster Cup
when Mr Dinos beat him into 2nd place at Ascot
. He won three Jockey Club Cup
s, a Doncaster Cup
, two Goodwood Cup
s, three Henry II Stakes
and two Lonsdale Cup
s.
Persian Punch also travelled to Australia on two occasions, and finished third in the 1998 and 2001 Melbourne Cup
s.
Persian Punch earned the 2001 and 2003 Cartier Award for Top Stayer
.
Persian Punch died on 28 April 2004, when he collapsed at the end of the Sagaro Stakes
at Ascot. His fan club contacted Newmarket Racecourse
where he had his most wins, and his last victory, to request a memorial there to him. The Persian Punch Memorial Fund was founded and a lifesize bronze by Philip Blacker was unveiled on the anniversary of his last win. This was mostly funded by Jeff Smith but fans were given the opportunity to contribute and their names are displayed on a plaque.
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...
trained in the United Kingdom
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...
. He was frequently heralded by the Racing Post
Racing Post
The Racing Post is a British daily horse racing, greyhound racing and sports betting newspaper, appearing in print form and online.From 30 May 2011 - 3 July 2011 it had a circulation of 56,507.-History:...
and his fans as the most popular horse in training during the final years of his career. He had his own fan club and website.
He was sired by Persian Heights out of Rum Cay who was trained by Roger Curtis at Lambourn
Lambourn
Lambourn is a large village and civil parish in the northwestern part of the ceremonial county of Berkshire in England. Its metropolitan district has a population of 4,017, and is most noted for its associations with British National Hunt racehorse training....
, Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
. He has a half brother by Mozart, Classic Punch.
Persian Punch was trained throughout his racing career by David Elsworth
David Elsworth
David Elsworth is a horse trainer living in the United Kingdom. He is perhaps best known for being the trainer of Desert Orchid, 1988 Grand National winner Rhyme 'n' Reason and 1990 Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Barnbrook Again - just three horses amongst a host of top-class performers over...
at Whitsbury Manor Racing Stables, Fordingbridge
Fordingbridge
Fordingbridge is a town and civil parish with a population of 5,700 on the River Avon in the New Forest District of Hampshire, England, near to the Dorset and Wiltshire borders and on the edge of the New Forest. It is south west of London, and south of the city of Salisbury. Fordingbridge is a...
, Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
, England. His most famous stablemate was Desert Orchid
Desert Orchid
Desert Orchid , affectionately known as Dessie, was an English racehorse. The gallant grey achieved iconic status within National Hunt racing, where he was much loved by supporters for his front-running attacking style, iron will and extreme versatility. He was rated the fifth best National Hunt...
, retired by then but still leading out the 2 year olds. Persian Punch was owned by Jeff Smith, owner of Littleton Stud, whose silks had been carried by many famous racehorses including Lochsong
Lochsong
Lochsong is a bay Thoroughbred filly who twice won the Cartier Award as Top European Sprinter and was voted 1993 European Horse of the Year....
and Chief Singer. Persian Punch's lad was Derek Brown.
Persian Punch won 20 races and was placed in 19 of his 63 races, amassing total prize money of over £1million for his owner, Jeff Smith. Although he never won a Group 1
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
race (he was only ever placed), he won 13 European Pattern races, equalling the record of Ardross
Ardross (horse)
Ardross was a Thoroughbred racehorse who was a co-holder of the record for consecutive wins in European racing. Ardross was bred by trainer Paddy Prendergast for his American owner Elisabeth Ireland Poe who was also the breeder of Meadow Court. His sire was Run the Gantlet, a son of U.S. Racing...
, Acatenango
Acatenango (horse)
Acatenango was a German Thoroughbred racehorse. Sired by the Deutsches Derby winner and German Champion sire, Surumu, he was out of the English mare Aggravate...
and Brigadier Gerard.
At the age of 10 he was just denied the Stayers Triple Crown of Goodwood Cup
Goodwood Cup
The Goodwood Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 2 miles , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August.-History:...
, Ascot Gold Cup
Ascot Gold Cup
The Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
and Doncaster Cup
Doncaster Cup
The Doncaster Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 2 miles and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September....
when Mr Dinos beat him into 2nd place at Ascot
Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races...
. He won three Jockey Club Cup
Jockey Club Cup
The British Champions Long Distance Cup, formerly known as the Jockey Club Cup, is a Group 3 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 2 miles...
s, a Doncaster Cup
Doncaster Cup
The Doncaster Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 2 miles and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September....
, two Goodwood Cup
Goodwood Cup
The Goodwood Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 2 miles , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August.-History:...
s, three Henry II Stakes
Henry II Stakes
The Henry II Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 2 miles and 78 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late May....
and two Lonsdale Cup
Lonsdale Cup
The Lonsdale Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 2 miles and 88 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
s.
Persian Punch also travelled to Australia on two occasions, and finished third in the 1998 and 2001 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.
Persian Punch earned the 2001 and 2003 Cartier Award for 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...
.
Persian Punch died on 28 April 2004, when he collapsed at the end of the Sagaro Stakes
Sagaro Stakes
The Sagaro Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late April or early May....
at Ascot. His fan club contacted Newmarket Racecourse
Newmarket Racecourse
The town of Newmarket, in Suffolk, England, is the headquarters of British horseracing, home to the largest cluster of training yards in the country and many key horse racing organisations. Newmarket Racecourse has two courses - the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course. Both are wide, galloping...
where he had his most wins, and his last victory, to request a memorial there to him. The Persian Punch Memorial Fund was founded and a lifesize bronze by Philip Blacker was unveiled on the anniversary of his last win. This was mostly funded by Jeff Smith but fans were given the opportunity to contribute and their names are displayed on a plaque.