Mark of Esteem
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2013) |
| Mark of Esteem | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Darshaan |
| Grandsire | Shirley Heights |
| Dam | Homage |
| Damsire | Ajdal |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 26 March 1993[1] |
| Country | Ireland |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Sheikh Mohammed |
| Owner | Godolphin |
| Trainer | Saeed bin Suroor |
| Record | 7: 4-1-0 |
| Earnings | £365,139 |
| Major wins | |
| 2000 Guineas Stakes (1996) Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (1996) Celebration Mile (1996) | |
Mark of Esteem (foaled 1993) is a retired Irish bred thoroughbred racehorse. In his two years of racing, he won four races and placed once from seven runs, with earnings of £365,139.
Background
Mark of Esteem is a bay horse with a white blaze bred at the Dalham Hall Stud by Sheikh Mohammed. He was sired by the Prix du Jockey Club winner Darshaan. His dam Homage was a daughter of the July Cup winner Ajdal.[2]
Racing career
1995: two-year-old season
As a juvenile, Mark of Esteem finished second on his first start before winning a maiden race at Goodwood by three lengths.
1996: three-year-old season
His first three-year-old start came in the first Classic of the 1996 season: the 2000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket. Mark of Esteem won by a short head in a photo finish from Even Top and Bijou d'Inde.
His next start in the St. James's Palace Stakes was a loss to Bijou d'Inde.
Mark of Esteem then won the Group Two Celebration Mile at Goodwood by three and a half lengths and the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot, where he scored by over a length from Classic-winning Henry Cecil filly Bosra Sham. This was the third win of the day for jockey Frankie Dettori at a major meeting when he famously went on to win all seven races. Official handicappers hailed it as the best performance of his generation over a mile for a decade. Mark of Esteem's final start was in America, but he failed to show the same acceleration from mid-division in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Woodbine.
Assessment
Mark of Esteem was retired with a Timeform rating of 137.
Stud career
Mark of Esteem stood at a stud under the Darley banner where he had much success including his siring of Derby winner Sir Percy[3] and the 1000 Guineas winner Ameerat. His progeny also includes group winners High Accolade, Reverence and Ordnance Row.[4]
In 2007, he retired from stud duty due to declining fertility.[3]
Pedigree
| Sire Darshaan (GB) 1981 |
Shirley Heights (GB) 1975 |
Mill Reef | Never Bend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milan Mill | |||
| Hardiemma | Hardicanute | ||
| Grand Cross | |||
| Delsy (FR) 1972 |
Abdos | Arbar | |
| Pretty Lady | |||
| Kelty | Venture VII | ||
| Marilla | |||
| Dam Homage (GB) 1989 |
Ajdal (USA) 1984 |
Northern Dancer | Nearctic |
| Natalma | |||
| Native Partner | Raise A Native | ||
| Dinner Partner | |||
| Home Love (USA) 1976 |
Vaguely Noble | Vienna | |
| Noble Lassie | |||
| Homespun | Round Table | ||
| Gal I Love (Family: 17-b)[2] |
References
- ^ a b http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=2473649®istry=T&horse_name=$Mark%20of%20Esteem%20(IRE)&dam_name==Homage%20(GB)&foaling_year=1993&nicking_stats_indicator=Y
- ^ a b http://www.bloodlines.net/TB/Families/Family17b.htm
- ^ a b Pagones, Rachel (8 February 2007). "Mark Of Esteem removed from stud duties on veterinary advice". The Racing Post. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ http://www.racingpost.com/bloodstock/stallionbook/stallion_home.sd?horse_id=105212&tab=details