Rewilding (horse)
Encyclopedia
Rewilding was a thoroughbred
racehorse
. He won races at Royal Ascot and in Dubai. His finest hour came when winning the 2011 Prince Of Wales Stakes, beating Australian superstar So You Think. As a 3-year-old he won the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood and the Great Voltiguer Stakes at York.
Rewilding was put down after the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at the Betfair
Weekend at Ascot Racecourse
on Saturday, 23 July 2011. The horse tripped and broke its leg, throwing jockey Frankie Dettori
to the ground. The jockey received no serious injuries in the incident.
races and finished third in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
. Since retiring to stud he has sired the winners of over a hundred races including Oriental Tiger (Gerling-Preis), Iota (Preis der Diana
) and Königstiger (Gran Criterium
). Darara was a top-class racemare, winning the Prix Vermeille
in 1986 and was a half-sister to the Prix du Jockey Club
winner and notable sire Darshaan
. She has been a highly successful broodmare producing, apart from Rewilding, the Group One winners Dar Re Mi
, Darazari (Ranvet Stakes
) and River Dancer (Queen Elizabeth II Cup
).
Rewilding was bred at the Watership Down Stud, near Sydmonton
, Berkshire
. As a yearling he was sent to the Tattersalls
sales where he was bought for 500,000 gns
by John Ferguson Bloodstock representing Sheikh Mohammed
.
and made his debut at Longchamp in October, when he finished a neck second to Handsome Devil in the Prix de Belleville. Three weeks later, he recorded his first win when beating three previous winners in the Prix Coaraze at Maisons-Laffitte Racecourse
.
at Longchamp. Ridden by Mixime Guyon he stayed on strongly in the straight to finish one and a half lengths second to Planteur, five lengths clear of the rest of the field. After this reace Sheikh Mohammed transferred him to the Godolphin Racing team. He was sent to be trained in England by Mahmood Al Zarooni in England to be prepared for the Epsom Derby
.
On his first English start, he was made evens favourite for the Listed
Cocked Hat Stakes
at Goodwood
, a recognised Derby Trial. Frankie Dettori
who rode Rewilding in all his starts from this point on, tracked the leaders on Rewilding, before moving the colt to the lead a furlong out. Rewilding went clear and pulled away to win "easily" by four lengths.
At Epsom, Rewilding was made 9/2 second favourite behind the Aidan O'Brien
-trained Jan Vermeer. He was slowly away and towards the rear for most of the race, before making steady progress in the straight to finish third, seven and a half lengths behind Workforce
.
Rewilding was off the course for two nd a half months before re-appearing in the Great Voltigeur Stakes
at York
. Dettori held the colt up in the early stages before sending him into the lead a furlong out. Rewilding soon went clear and won impressively by four lengths from Midas Touch.
On his final start of the season, Rewilding was made even-money favourite for the St Leger
over one mile six and a half furlongs at Doncaster
. As on his previous starts, Rewilding was held up before challenging in the straight. On this occasion, however, he was unable to reach the lead and faded in the closing stages to finish sixth behind Arctic Cosmos
.
on Dubai World Cup
night at Nad Al Sheba
. As usual, the race attracted an international field, with runners from Britain, Hong Kong, South Africa, France, Saudi Arabia, Japan and the United States. Rewilding started favourite and won "comfortably", pulling clear in the closing stages to win by three and three quarter lengths.
On his return to England, Rewilding was sent to Royal Ascot for the Prince of Wales's Stakes
in which he was matched against the Australasian champion So You Think
. The rest of the field included Planteur, Jan Vermeer, Twice Over
and Debussy
, but So You Think, who had won both his starts in Ireland in spring was sent off the 4/11 favourite. Ryan Moore sent So You Think into the lead two furlongs out and made a long run for home. As most of his rival began to struggle, Dettori brought Rewilding up on the outside to challenge. So You Think and Rewilding raced alongside each other througout the final furlong, with Rewilding pulling ahead in the final straides to win by a neck.
On his final start, Rewilding was made 3/1 second favourite for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot
. Dettori held him up in last place before moving up to challenge in the straight. Two furlongs from the finish, Rewilding veered sharply left and fell heavily. He immediately returned to his feet but had sustained a broken leg and was put down on the course.
Rewilding was assessed at 121, making him the equal twenty-sixth best horse in the world, and the twelfth best three-year-old.
At the time of his death he was rated the third best racehorse in the world and the best in the Intermediate distance division.
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...
. He won races at Royal Ascot and in Dubai. His finest hour came when winning the 2011 Prince Of Wales Stakes, beating Australian superstar So You Think. As a 3-year-old he won the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood and the Great Voltiguer Stakes at York.
Rewilding was put down after the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at the Betfair
Betfair
Betfair is the world's largest Internet betting exchange. The company is based in Hammersmith in West London, England. Since Betfair was launched in June 2000 it has become the largest online betting company in the UK and the largest betting exchange in the world. Betfair claim to have over 3...
Weekend at Ascot Racecourse
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...
on Saturday, 23 July 2011. The horse tripped and broke its leg, throwing jockey Frankie Dettori
Frankie Dettori
Lanfranco "Frankie" Dettori, MBE is an Italian horse racing jockey and celebrity. Dettori has been Champion Jockey on three occasions and has ridden the winners of more than 500 Group races.. He has had many successes in his role of stable jockey to Godolphin Racing...
to the ground. The jockey received no serious injuries in the incident.
Background
Rewilding was sired by the Irish-bred, German-trained horse Tiger Hill out of Darara. Tiger Hill won three Group OneConditions 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...
races and finished third in the 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...
. Since retiring to stud he has sired the winners of over a hundred races including Oriental Tiger (Gerling-Preis), Iota (Preis der Diana
Preis der Diana
The Preis der Diana, sometimes referred to as the German Oaks, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Germany which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Düsseldorf over a distance of 2,200 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early August.The event was...
) and Königstiger (Gran Criterium
Gran Criterium
The Gran Criterium is a Group 1 flat horse race in Italy which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at San Siro, Milan, over a distance of 1,600 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October....
). Darara was a top-class racemare, winning the Prix Vermeille
Prix Vermeille
The Prix Vermeille is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbred fillies and mares 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 in September.-History:The event was established in 1897, and it...
in 1986 and was a half-sister to 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 and notable sire Darshaan
Darshaan
Darshaan was an French Thoroughbred racehorse and a Champion sire and broodmare sire. Bred and raced by the Aga Khan IV, he was out of the French mare, Delsy, a daughter of the 1961 Grand Critérium winner, Abdos...
. She has been a highly successful broodmare producing, apart from Rewilding, the Group One winners Dar Re Mi
Dar Re Mi
Dar Re Mi is a Thoroughbred racehorse owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber and trained by John Gosden. Dar Re Mi is a daughter of Singspiel out of the mare Darara. Singspiel is one of the most successful stallions in the world and his other top horses include Hibaayeb and Moon Ballad. Dar Re Mi notably...
, Darazari (Ranvet Stakes
Ranvet Stakes
The Ranvet Stakes is a 2000 metre weight-for-age Thoroughbred horse race for three year olds and over, run at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney Australia, early in March each year...
) and River Dancer (Queen Elizabeth II Cup
Queen Elizabeth II Cup
The Queen Elizabeth II Cup is a Group One Thoroughbred horse race at Sha Tin Racecourse in the New Territories, Hong Kong. Established in 1975 by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, it is run annually in April at a distance of 2,000 metres on turf. Prior to 1997 it was run at 2,200 metres...
).
Rewilding was bred at the Watership Down Stud, near Sydmonton
Sydmonton
Sydmonton is a small village and estate in the Basingstoke and Deane district of Hampshire, England. Its nearest town is Newbury, which lies approximately north-west from the village.-Governance:...
, 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...
. As a yearling he was sent to the Tattersalls
Tattersalls
Tattersalls is the main auctioneer of race horses in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It was founded in 1766 by Richard Tattersall , who had been stud groom to the second Duke of Kingston. The first premises occupied were near Hyde Park Corner, in what was then the outskirts of London...
sales where he was bought for 500,000 gns
Guinea (British coin)
The guinea is a coin that was minted in the Kingdom of England and later in the Kingdom of Great Britain and the United Kingdom between 1663 and 1813...
by John Ferguson Bloodstock representing Sheikh Mohammed
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , also Sheikh Mohammed, , is the Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates , and absolute monarch of Dubai.-Personal life and education:...
.
2009: two-year-old season
Rewilding was sent into training with André FabreAndré Fabre
André Fabre is a French thoroughbred horse racing trainer.The son of a diplomat, Fabre graduated from university with a law degree but then decided to pursue a career in thoroughbred horse racing. He began by working in the stables as a groom then as a schooling rider...
and made his debut at Longchamp in October, when he finished a neck second to Handsome Devil in the Prix de Belleville. Three weeks later, he recorded his first win when beating three previous winners in the Prix Coaraze at Maisons-Laffitte Racecourse
Maisons-Laffitte Racecourse
The Hippodrome de Maisons-Laffitte at 1 avenue de la Pelouse in the northwestern Parisian suburb of Maisons-Laffitte in France is a turf horse racing facility and track for Thoroughbred flat racing...
.
2010: three-year-old season
Rewilding made his three-year-old debut in the Group Two 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:...
at Longchamp. Ridden by Mixime Guyon he stayed on strongly in the straight to finish one and a half lengths second to Planteur, five lengths clear of the rest of the field. After this reace Sheikh Mohammed transferred him to the Godolphin Racing team. He was sent to be trained in England by Mahmood Al Zarooni in England to be prepared for 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...
.
On his first English start, he was made evens favourite for the Listed
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...
Cocked Hat Stakes
Cocked Hat Stakes
The Cocked Hat Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 1 mile and 3 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
at Goodwood
Goodwood Racecourse
Goodwood Racecourse is a horse-racing track five miles north of Chichester, West Sussex, in England controlled by the family of the Duke of Richmond, whose seat is nearby Goodwood House...
, a recognised Derby Trial. Frankie Dettori
Frankie Dettori
Lanfranco "Frankie" Dettori, MBE is an Italian horse racing jockey and celebrity. Dettori has been Champion Jockey on three occasions and has ridden the winners of more than 500 Group races.. He has had many successes in his role of stable jockey to Godolphin Racing...
who rode Rewilding in all his starts from this point on, tracked the leaders on Rewilding, before moving the colt to the lead a furlong out. Rewilding went clear and pulled away to win "easily" by four lengths.
At Epsom, Rewilding was made 9/2 second favourite behind the Aidan O'Brien
Aidan O'Brien
Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates....
-trained Jan Vermeer. He was slowly away and towards the rear for most of the race, before making steady progress in the straight to finish third, seven and a half lengths behind Workforce
Workforce (horse)
Workforce is a 2007-born thoroughbred racehorse that won the 2010 Epsom Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, ridden by Ryan Moore. The bay colt is trained by Sir Michael Stoute and owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah.-Pedigree:...
.
Rewilding was off the course for two nd a half months before re-appearing in the Great Voltigeur Stakes
Great Voltigeur Stakes
The Great Voltigeur Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
at York
York Racecourse
York Racecourse is a horse racing track in the southwest of the city of York in North Yorkshire, England with a spectator capacity of 60,000. The most famous race to be held at York on an annual basis is the Ebor Handicap, which is run during the Ebor Festival meeting in August...
. Dettori held the colt up in the early stages before sending him into the lead a furlong out. Rewilding soon went clear and won impressively by four lengths from Midas Touch.
On his final start of the season, Rewilding was made even-money favourite for 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...
over one mile six and a half furlongs 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 :...
. As on his previous starts, Rewilding was held up before challenging in the straight. On this occasion, however, he was unable to reach the lead and faded in the closing stages to finish sixth behind Arctic Cosmos
Arctic Cosmos
Arctic Cosmos is a British racehorse and winner of the 2010 St. Leger Stakes. He was bought for 47,000 guineas at Tattersalls Blandford Bloodstock and John Gosden for his wife Rachel Hood....
.
2011: four-year-old season
In the winter of 2010-2011 Rewilding moved to Dubai with the rest of the Godolphin team. His first target was the Sheema ClassicDubai Sheema Classic
The Dubai Sheema Classic is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Arab Emirates open to thoroughbreds which are four-years-old or above. It is run over a distance of 2,400 metres on the turf track at Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, and it takes place annually during the Dubai World Cup Night in...
on Dubai World Cup
Dubai World Cup
The Dubai World Cup is a Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1996 and from 2010 at the Meydan Racecourse in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates...
night at Nad Al Sheba
Nad Al Sheba
Nad Al Sheba is a locality in Dubai, United Arab Emirates . Situated south of the Dubai Creek, Nad Al Sheba is best known for its racecourse, the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, which hosted the Dubai World Cup annually until 2009...
. As usual, the race attracted an international field, with runners from Britain, Hong Kong, South Africa, France, Saudi Arabia, Japan and the United States. Rewilding started favourite and won "comfortably", pulling clear in the closing stages to win by three and three quarter lengths.
On his return to England, Rewilding was sent to Royal Ascot for the Prince of Wales's Stakes
Prince of Wales's Stakes
The Prince of Wales's Stakes 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 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
in which he was matched against the Australasian champion So You Think
So You Think
So You Think is a New Zealand-bred Thoroughbred racehorse, now majority owned by Coolmore Stud of Ireland. So You Think came to prominence through winning the 2009 and 2010 Cox Plates, Australia's premier weight for age race. His second Cox Plate win came at just his tenth career start...
. The rest of the field included Planteur, Jan Vermeer, Twice Over
Twice Over
Twice Over is a thoroughbred racehorse trained by Henry Cecil and owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah of Juddmonte Farms. Twice Over was bred in Great Britain.-2008 Season:...
and Debussy
Debussy (horse)
Debussy is a thoroughbred racehorse and winner of the 2010 Arlington Million....
, but So You Think, who had won both his starts in Ireland in spring was sent off the 4/11 favourite. Ryan Moore sent So You Think into the lead two furlongs out and made a long run for home. As most of his rival began to struggle, Dettori brought Rewilding up on the outside to challenge. So You Think and Rewilding raced alongside each other througout the final furlong, with Rewilding pulling ahead in the final straides to win by a neck.
On his final start, Rewilding was made 3/1 second favourite for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes 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...
. Dettori held him up in last place before moving up to challenge in the straight. Two furlongs from the finish, Rewilding veered sharply left and fell heavily. He immediately returned to his feet but had sustained a broken leg and was put down on the course.
Assessment
In the 2010 World Thoroughbred Racehorse RankingsWorld Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
The World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings are compiled by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities , an organization established in 2003 with headquarters in Paris, France made up of members from around the world....
Rewilding was assessed at 121, making him the equal twenty-sixth best horse in the world, and the twelfth best three-year-old.
At the time of his death he was rated the third best racehorse in the world and the best in the Intermediate distance division.