Princequillo
Encyclopedia
Princequillo was a Thoroughbred
racehorse
conceived in France
and born in Ireland
. He is known for his performances in long-distance races and his successes as a sire.
, had been standing at the Haras de Cheffreville stud farm in France
and was mated to the mare Cosquilla but when World War II
broke out, the pregnant mare was shipped to Ireland where she gave birth to Princequillo. With the danger from German
bomb
ing and the likelihood there would be no racing for some considerable time, Cosquilla's owners shipped her and her young colt to the safety of the United States
.
, owned by Prince Dimitri Djordjadze
of Georgia
and his American-born wife, Audrey Emery
. They placed him under the care of future Hall of Fame trainer
, Horatio Luro
. Princequillo proved to be a horse of great endurance who won several important races at longer distances. He broke the Saratoga Race Course
record for 1¾ miles and his performances were such that he is considered, with the notable exception of Kelso, to be the best long-distance runner in American racing history.
and sent to the Hancock family's Ellerslie Stud in Albemarle County, Virginia
and later to their Claiborne Farm
near Paris, Kentucky
. At stud
, Princequillo sired 64 stakes winners and became one of the most important large-heart
-producer stallions. He sired the filly
Misty Morn
, the 1955 U.S. Champion 3-Yr-Old Filly and U.S. Champion Handicap Female
, plus the 1958 American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly, Quill
. Princequillo's sons include Hill Prince
and Round Table
, both of whom won U.S. Horse of the Year
honors and U.S. Racing Hall of Fame
inductees.
Princequillo was the Leading sire in North America
for 1957 and 1958 and Leading broodmare sire
from 1966 through 1970 and again in 1972 and 1973. Among his daughters' progeny are Mill Reef
, Fort Marcy
, High Echelon
, Triple Crown
winner Secretariat
, and Secretariat's chief rival Sham
. His son Prince John
was Leading broodmare sire
in 1979, 1980, 1982 and 1986. Princequillo's descendants include Triple Crown
winner Seattle Slew
and U.S. Horse of the Year
winners A.P. Indy
and Cigar
, the second greatest money winner of all time. Zenyatta
and John Henry
are also in his line of progeny.
Princequillo died of a heart attack
in 1964 and is buried at Claiborne Farm.
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
Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport: Flat racing and National Hunt racing...
conceived 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...
and born in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. He is known for his performances in long-distance races and his successes as a sire.
Background
His sire, Prince RosePrince Rose
Prince Rose was a Belgian Thoroughbred racehorse, often referred to as the best horse in Begian racing. Bred in England by Lord Durham, Prince Rose was sired by Rose Prince out of the mare Indolence...
, had been standing at the Haras de Cheffreville stud farm 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...
and was mated to the mare Cosquilla but when World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
broke out, the pregnant mare was shipped to Ireland where she gave birth to Princequillo. With the danger from German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
bomb
Bomb
A bomb is any of a range of explosive weapons that only rely on the exothermic reaction of an explosive material to provide an extremely sudden and violent release of energy...
ing and the likelihood there would be no racing for some considerable time, Cosquilla's owners shipped her and her young colt to the safety of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Racing Career
In July 1942, Princequillo made his American racing debut and after a few races was purchased by Boone Hall StableBoone Hall
The Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens is an antebellum plantation located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina and listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
, owned by Prince Dimitri Djordjadze
Dimitri Djordjadze
Prince Dimitri Jorjadze was a Georgian nobleman, Ambassador Hotel executive and race car driver. He was a member of the nobility of the province of Tiflis, who became exiled after the overthrow of Tsarist Russia and the subsequent Bolshevik takeover.The 6'3" Prince was probably best known in...
of Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
and his American-born wife, Audrey Emery
Audrey Emery
Anna Audrey Emery was an American heiress and socialite who was the wife of one of the last Russian Grand Dukes....
. They placed him under the care of future Hall of Fame trainer
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
, Horatio Luro
Horatio Luro
Horatio A. Luro was a thoroughbred horse racing trainer in the United States.Born in Argentina into a wealthy family that had been involved with horses for several generations, a suave young Horatio Luro grew up as something of a playboy and maintained this lifestyle after moving to the United...
. Princequillo proved to be a horse of great endurance who won several important races at longer distances. He broke the Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
record for 1¾ miles and his performances were such that he is considered, with the notable exception of Kelso, to be the best long-distance runner in American racing history.
Stud Career
Retired after his four-year-old racing season, Princequillo was purchased by Arthur B. HancockArthur B. Hancock
Arthur Boyd Hancock was an American breeder of Thoroughbred racehorses who established the renowned Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky....
and sent to the Hancock family's Ellerslie Stud in Albemarle County, Virginia
Albemarle County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 79,236 people, 31,876 households, and 21,070 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile . There were 33,720 housing units at an average density of 47 per square mile...
and later to their Claiborne Farm
Claiborne Farm
Claiborne Farm is a thoroughbred Horse breeding operation in near Paris, Kentucky. It was established in 1910, by Arthur B. Hancock, owner of Ellerslie Farm in Albemarle County, Virginia, and has been operated by members of his family ever since.-Owners:...
near Paris, Kentucky
Paris, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,183 people, 3,857 households, and 2,487 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 4,222 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 84.23% White, 12.71% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.16%...
. At stud
Horse breeding
Horse breeding is reproduction in horses, and particularly the human-directed process of selective breeding of animals, particularly purebred horses of a given breed. Planned matings can be used to produce specifically desired characteristics in domesticated horses...
, Princequillo sired 64 stakes winners and became one of the most important large-heart
Heart
The heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions...
-producer stallions. He sired the filly
Filly
A filly is a young female horse too young to be called a mare. There are several specific definitions in use.*In most cases filly is a female horse under the age of four years old....
Misty Morn
Misty Morn
Misty Morn was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred and owned by Gladys Mills Phipps' Wheatley Stable, at age three Misty Morn broke the Jamaica Racetrack track record en route to winning the 1955 Gallant Fox Handicap. The filly ended up the year as the U.S...
, the 1955 U.S. Champion 3-Yr-Old Filly and U.S. Champion Handicap Female
Eclipse Award for Outstanding Older Female Horse
The Eclipse Award for Champion Older Female Horse is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor. The Daily Racing Form began naming an annual champion in 1936. Starting in 1950, the Thoroughbred Racing Associations began naming its own champion. The following list provides the name of the horses...
, plus the 1958 American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly, Quill
Quill (horse)
Quill was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who was the 1958 Champion Two-Year-Old Filly in the United States.-References:*...
. Princequillo's sons include Hill Prince
Hill Prince
Hill Prince was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who earned Champion honors in his first three years of racing. Trained by Casey Hayes for owner Christopher Chenery, at age two Hill Prince won six of the first seven races he entered and was the American Co-Champion Two-Year-Old Colt, sharing the...
and Round Table
Round Table (horse)
Round Table was an American Thoroughbred Hall of Fame racehorse. He is considered the greatest turf horse in American racing history. He was foaled at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, on the night of April 6, 1954...
, both of whom won U.S. Horse of the Year
Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year
The American Award for Horse of the Year is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. It has been awarded since 1887 to the horse, irrespective of age, whose performance during the racing year is deemed the most outstanding....
honors and U.S. Racing Hall of Fame
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
inductees.
Princequillo was the Leading sire in North America
Leading sire in North America
The list below shows the leading sire of Thoroughbred racehorses in North America for each year since 1830. This is determined by the amount of prizemoney won by the sire's progeny during the year...
for 1957 and 1958 and Leading broodmare sire
Leading broodmare sire in North America
The list below shows the leading Thoroughbred sire of broodmares in North America for each year since 1924. This is determined by the amount of prizemoney won during the year by racehorses which were foaled by a daughter of the sire.-----References:* *...
from 1966 through 1970 and again in 1972 and 1973. Among his daughters' progeny are Mill Reef
Mill Reef
Mill Reef was a Champion Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was bred in the United States but was trained in the United Kingdom throughout his racing career which lasted from 1970 to 1972. Mill Reef won twelve of his fourteen races and finished second in the other two...
, Fort Marcy
Fort Marcy (horse)
Fort Marcy was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. His grandsire was the important Italian horse, Nearco. In 1970 he earned three Champion titles including Co-Horse of the Year honors. He competed for six years until his retirement at the end of the 1971 racing season.Fort Marcy died in 1991 at...
, High Echelon
High Echelon
High Echelon was an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 1970 Belmont Stakes. Bred by the partnership of Isidor Bieber and owner/trainer Hirsch Jacobs, his sire was the 1965 Florida Derby winner Native Charger who was a son of U.S...
, Triple Crown
United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
In the United States, the "Triple Crown" is usually the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, a series of three Thoroughbred horse races for three-year-old horses run in May and early June of each year consisting of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.While Daily Racing Form...
winner Secretariat
Secretariat (horse)
Secretariat was an American Thoroughbred racehorse, that in 1973 became the first U.S. Triple Crown champion in 25 years, setting new race records in two of the three events in the Series—the Kentucky Derby , and the Belmont Stakes —records that still stand today.Secretariat was sired by Bold...
, and Secretariat's chief rival Sham
Sham (horse)
Sham , an American thoroughbred race horse, was one of the fastest horses of the 20th century, but was overshadowed by his larger-than-life peer and half-cousin, Secretariat. He was a dark seal brown in color. While racing, he wore green and yellow blinkers...
. His son Prince John
Prince John (horse)
Prince John was an American Thoroughbred racehorse whom Bloodhorse magazine called "one of the greatest broodmare sires of all time." Bred in Kentucky, he was sired by Princequillo, a two-time leading sire in North America and a nine-time leading broodmare sire. He was out of the mare, Not...
was Leading broodmare sire
Leading broodmare sire in North America
The list below shows the leading Thoroughbred sire of broodmares in North America for each year since 1924. This is determined by the amount of prizemoney won during the year by racehorses which were foaled by a daughter of the sire.-----References:* *...
in 1979, 1980, 1982 and 1986. Princequillo's descendants include Triple Crown
United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
In the United States, the "Triple Crown" is usually the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, a series of three Thoroughbred horse races for three-year-old horses run in May and early June of each year consisting of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.While Daily Racing Form...
winner Seattle Slew
Seattle Slew
Seattle Slew was an American Thoroughbred race horse who won the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in 1977, the tenth of eleven horses to accomplish the feat. He remains the only horse to win the Triple Crown while undefeated. In the Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 U.S...
and U.S. Horse of the Year
Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year
The American Award for Horse of the Year is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. It has been awarded since 1887 to the horse, irrespective of age, whose performance during the racing year is deemed the most outstanding....
winners A.P. Indy
A.P. Indy
A.P. Indy is a champion stallion Thoroughbred racehorse bred in Kentucky, USA, by William Farish III and William Kilroy. He is known for his ancestry, his own record, and his successful progeny. He was sired by Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew through mare Weekend Surprise, who herself was sired...
and Cigar
Cigar (horse)
Cigar , is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse, who in 1995 and 1996 became the first American racehorse racing against top-class competition to win 16 consecutive races since the Triple Crown winner, Citation did so in 1948 and 1950...
, the second greatest money winner of all time. Zenyatta
Zenyatta
Zenyatta is a retired American champion Thoroughbred racehorse, winner of 19 consecutive races in a 20-race career and American record-holder for consecutive victories without defeat in unrestricted races....
and John Henry
John Henry
The most notable use of the name John Henry is in a ballad, "John Henry", describing the folk figure John Henry as a "steel-driving man".John Henry may also refer to:-People:* John Flournoy Henry , U.S...
are also in his line of progeny.
Princequillo died of a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
in 1964 and is buried at Claiborne Farm.