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Sixties Song
SireSixties Icon
GrandsireGalileo
DamBlissful Song
DamsireUnbridled's Song
SexStallion
FoaledSeptember 24, 2013
CountryArgentina
ColourBay
BreederHaras Firmamento
OwnerHaras Santa Elena
Stud Savini
TrainerAlfredo F. Gaitán Dassié
Nicolás Alfredo Gaitán
Record16: 5-3-1
EarningsARS: $7,634,033
CLP: $192,000,000
Major wins
Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (2016)

Gran Premio Latinoamericano (2017)

Copa de Oro (2018)
Awards
Argentine Champion Stayer (2016)
Argentine Champion Older Horse (2018)

Sixties Song (foaled 24 September 2013) is an Argentine-bred thoroughbred racehorse who became the first South American horse to run at Royal Ascot after winning the Group 1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini and Group 1 Gran Premio Latinoamericano.[1]

Background[edit]

Sixties Song is a bay horse with a star and two hind socks.[2] He was bred by Haras Firmamento and foaled on September 24, 2013.[3] During his career in Argentina, he weighed 485 to 502 kilograms.[3]

Sixties Icon, Sixties Song's sire, was the first son of his sire Galileo to win a classic, doing so by winning the 2006 St. Leger Stakes. He won several other graded stakes before retiring to stand stud at Norman Court. His first two crops included Group 3 Premio Primi Passi winner Chilworth Icon and Grade 2 Royal Heroine Stakes winner Nancy from Nairobi.[4] Sixties Icon started shuttling to Argentina for the 2012 season, standing at Haras La Pasion, where he would sire Sixties Song.[5]

Sixties Song's dam, Blissful Song, had a mediocre racing career, winning twice in 16 starts.[6] She was sold for $30,000 as a broodmare or racing prospect at the 2009 Keeneland November breeding stock sale[4] to Haras Firmamento, who had her bred to Candy Ride on southern hemisphere time before importing her and her in utero foal in June, 2011. That foal was Celestial Candy, who would go on to win four group stakes races.[7] Sixties Song was her third foal.[8]

Celestial Bliss, Blissful Song's dam and Sixties Song's second dam, was a half-sister to three Group 1 winners, including Paradise Creek[4] and Forbidden Apple.[7] She also produced Celestial Woods, dam of Bobby's Kitten.[4]

Sixties Song was noted to be "very professional and smart" by trainer Alfredo F. Gaitán Dassié.[9] He favored a harder, drier track over a softer one.[10]

Race career[edit]

Three-year-old season (2016–2017)[edit]

Sixties Song broke his maiden by six lengths in a 1600-meter race on the turf at Hipódromo de San Isidro after finishing second in a maiden over 1400 meters on the dirt at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo.[3] In his next race, Sixties Song won again, by five lengths in a 2000-meter turf race for winners of one or two races.[11] Moving into stakes company, he finished fifth in the Group 1 Gran Premio Jockey Club and second in the Group 2 Clásico Provincia de Buenos Aires.[3]

Sixties Song was considered a longshot for the Group 1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini, with most attention being on the favorites He Runs Away, winner of the Gran Premio Jockey Club and Group 1 Gran Premio Nacional that year, and Don Inc, winner of the Group 1 Gran Premio 25 de Mayo that year. Quiz Kid, winner of the previous year's Group 1 Carreras de las Estrellas Classic, led for the first 2200 meters of the 2400-meter race before tiring and falling back.[12] Sixties Song ran far back for most of the race and entering the stretch,[4] but produced a strong closing run with Puerto Escondido, Going Past, and He Runs Away at his side. Sixties Song prevailed over the tight finish by a half neck.[12] Following the victory, offers were made to purchase Sixties Song, but Haras Santa Elena declined.[13] The win gave trainer Alfredo F. Gaitán Dassié his third Group 1 win that day, after Nashville Texan in the Group 1 Gran Premio Felix de Alzaga Unzué and Le Ken in the Group 1 Gran Premio Joaquin S. de Anchorena.[14]

Sixties Song was named the Argentine Champion Stayer for 2016.[3]

For his next race, Sixties Song left Argentina for the first time, heading to Valparaiso Sporting Club in Chile for the Group 1 Gran Premio Latinoamericano, run over a distance of 2400 meters on the dirt that year.[3][15] On the day of the race, Sixties Song got caught up in a stall, scraping against the wall and receiving a minor injury. He was inspected by a veterinarian and declared safe to run.[16] In the race, Sixties Song ran in fifth to sixth place for most of the race before making a move in the stretch. He took the lead 300 meters from home and held it to win[13] by 21⁄4 lengths.[15] Even prior to the race, there had been discussions about taking advantage of a scheme by Ascot and the Latin American Racing Channel providing the winner with entry in and funds for running in the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at the Royal Ascot meet, with the Hardwicke Stakes as a potential prep race.[17]

By March 2017, Sixties Song was the top-ranked racehorse in South America.[18]

Before heading out to Great Britain for a try at Ascot, Sixties Song raced once more as a three-year-old in Argentina, in the Group 1 Gran Premio 25 de Mayo, run on May 25, 2017. Sixties Song started as the favorite and led for the first 11⁄4 miles of the 2400-meter race at Hipódromo de San Isidro. Sixties Song tired 400 meters from home, allowing Ordak Dan to slip past him on the inside for the win, with Sixties Song finishing third.[19] The track was very soft for that race.[14]

In preparation for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Gaitán traveled to Great Britain for reconnaissance, noting the undulating course at Ascot and the right-handed direction rather than the left-handed direction more common in South America. Potential jockeys mentioned for the race included Frankie Dettori, Olivier Peslier, and Silvestre da Sousa along with Sixties Song's usual jockey in Argentina, Juan Cruz Villagra.[20] Sixties Song trained in a right-handed direction during early morning exercise at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo in preparation.[9]

Four-year-old season (2017–2018)[edit]

Having been bred on southern hemisphere time, Sixties Song turned four on July 1, 2017.[3][14]

Sixties Song shipped straight from Argentina to London, arriving on July 23 after a 20-hour journey. From there, he traveled to Abingdon Place in Newmarket to train up to the King George. At that point, Jamie Spencer was the intended jockey for the race, although he would end up not riding Sixties Song. The Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was mentioned as a potential race after the King George for Sixties Song.[14]

By July 28, 2017, Gérald Mossé had been decided upon as Sixties Song's rider for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, with early odds of 66–1. On the upcoming race, Gaitán said "We made the right decision to bring Sixties Song here. We know we're fighting with the best horses in Europe and it will be tough. But we know we have an excellent horse. To stay in our country isn't the right way. If you have an excellent horse, like we have, the right way is to take a challenge. It's a risk but we're very proud of what we're doing."[21]

Sixties Song "took hold early" in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but weakened within the last three furlongs of the finish line, finishing the race last of 10, 35 lengths behind the winner, Enable.[22]

Returning from Great Britain, Sixties Song suffered various health complications due to the stress, including ulcers, kidney problems, and an enlarged spleen.[23]

His first start back in Argentina was the Group 1 Gran Premio Dardo Rocha, the most important race at Hipódromo de La Plata and his first race on the dirt since his debut.[24] Sixties Song was one of the three leading horses for most of the race, but he ceased to be a factor by the time the field entered the homestretch, finishing sixth.[25]

To close out the year and his four-year-old season, Sixties Song contested his second Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini. Going into the race Puerto Escondido, who had finished second behind Sixties Song the previous year, was considered to be his main rival.[26] Sixties Song ran well early in the race, but failed to perform in the stretch, eventually finishing second to last as Puerto Escondido ran on to win the race.[27]

At the end of 2017, Sixties Song was co-ranked 59th on the World's Best Racehorse Rankings list with a rating of 119.[28]

Five-year-old season (2018–2019)[edit]

In 2018, ownership of Sixties Song transferred to Stud Savini, a partnership of Haras Santa Elena, Stud Mayflower, and Stud Dark Horse, who would own him for the rest of his racing career, and his trainer changed to Nicolás Alfredo Gaitán, son of the Alfredo Gaitán Dassié.[3][10]

Sixties Song returned to the racecourse on July 13, 2018, in the Group 2 Clásico Chacabuco. He started as the favorite in the 2400-meter turf race and ran midpack for most of the race. Moving into the stretch, Sixties Song threatened for the lead, but never severely challenged, finishing a well-beaten last.[29]

On September 1, Sixties Song ran in the Group 1 Gran Premio General San Martín, also a 2400-meter turf race at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo. He stayed near the pace, but again weakened in the stretch, finishing sixth.[30]

To address his enlarged spleen that had developed since the King George, Sixties Song was given a change of diet and treatments.[31]

Sixties Song raced again on October 27, in the Group 1 Copa de Oro. The week before the race, Nicolás Gaitán noted that Sixties Song was showing more like his old self again. Sixties Song stalked the pace for much of the race, and in the stretch again showed his ability, going on to win comfortably by two lengths.[23]

With the win and seeming return to form, Sixties Song was well-regarded for the 2018 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini.[32] Sixties Song ran second to Il Mercato by a head.[33] The course was heavy,[34] a condition unfavored by Sixties Song.[10]

At the end of 2018, Sixties Song was co-ranked 221st on the World's Best Racehorse Rankings list with a rating of 115.[35] He was named the Argentine Champion Older Horse.[3]

Sixties Song's final race was the Gran Premio Latinoamericano, run in 2019 at Club Hípico de Santiago over 2400 meters on a turf course. He ran poorly, finishing tenth of fourteen.[36]

Race statistics[edit]

Date Age Distance Surface Race Grade Track Odds Time Field Finish Winning (losing) margin Jockey Ref
Aug 6, 2016 3 1400 meters Dirt Premio Todo Un Amiguito Maiden Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo 3.85* 1:21.75 8 2 (1⁄2 neck) Eduardo Ortega Pavón [37]
Aug 20, 2016 3 1600 meters Turf Premio Predador 2013 Maiden Hipódromo de San Isidro 2.10* 1:35.37 12 1 6 lengths Eduardo Ortega Pavón [38]
Sep 17, 2016 3 2000 meters Turf Premio Todo Tango Key 2015 Conditional Hipódromo de San Isidro 1.80* 2:04.93 4 1 5 lengths Eduardo Ortega Pavón [39]
Oct 8, 2016 3 2000 meters Turf Gran Premio Jockey Club I Hipódromo de San Isidro 3.15 1:59.75 10 5 (41⁄2 lengths) Eduardo Ortega Pavón [40]
Nov 11, 2016 3 2400 meters Turf Clásico Provincia de Buenos Aires II Hipódromo de San Isidro 2.60 2:27.64 7 2 (1⁄2 length) Eduardo Ortega Pavón [41]
Dec 17, 2016 3 2400 meters Turf Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini I Hipódromo de San Isidro 22.50 2:26.88 15 1 1⁄2 neck Juan Cruz Villagra [42]
Mar 3, 2017 3 2400 meters Turf Gran Premio Latinoamericano I Valparaiso Sporting Club 9.40 2:24.88 16 1 21⁄4 lengths Juan Cruz Villagra [15]
May 25, 2017 3 2400 meters Turf Gran Premio 25 de Mayo I Hipódromo de San Isidro 2.20* 2:38.64 12 3 (31⁄4 lengths) Juan Cruz Villagra [43]
Jul 29, 2017 4 12 furlongs Turf King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes I Ascot 33/1 2:36.22 10 10 (35 lengths) Gérald Mossé [22]
Nov 19, 2017 4 2400 meters Dirt Gran Premio Dardo Rocha I Hipódromo de La Plata 2.85* 2:31.79 11 6 (121⁄2 lengths) Juan Cruz Villagra [44]
Dec 16, 2017 4 2400 meters Turf Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini I Hipódromo de San Isidro 7.60 2:29.16 13 12 (241⁄2 lengths) Pablo Gustavo Falero [45]
Jul 13, 2018 5 2400 meters Turf Clásico Chacabuco II Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo 2.75* 2:30.98 9 8 (121⁄2 lengths) Pablo Gustavo Falero [46]
Sep 1, 2018 5 2400 meters Turf Gran Premio General San Martín I Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo 6.40 2:29.12 9 6 (91⁄2 lengths) Pablo Gustavo Falero [47]
Oct 27, 2018 5 2400 meters Turf Copa de Oro I Hipódromo de San Isidro 8.90 2:25.78 12 1 2 lengths Pablo Gustavo Falero [48]
Dec 15, 2018 5 2400 meters Turf Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini I Hipódromo de San Isidro 3.20* 2:28.52 18 2 (Head) Pablo Gustavo Falero [49]
Mar 10, 2019 5 2000 meters Turf Gran Premio Latinoamericano I Club Hípico de Santiago 10.10 1:56.68 15 10 (141⁄4 lengths) Pablo Gustavo Falero [36]

Stud career[edit]

Sixties Song retired to stud at Haras El Turf,[2] standing his first season in 2020.[3] His first foals started racing in 2024.[50]

Pedigree[edit]

Pedigree of Sixties Song (ARG), bay stallion, foaled 2013[51]
Sire
Sixties Icon (GB)
2003 		Galileo (IRE)
1998 		Sadler's Wells (USA) Northern Dancer (CAN)
Fairy Bridge (USA)
Urban Sea (USA) Miswaki (USA)
Allegretta (GB)
Love Divine (GB)
1997 		Diesis (GB) Sharpen Up (GB)
Doubly Sure (GB)
La Sky (IRE) Law Society (USA)
Maryinsky (USA)
Dam
Blissful Song (USA)
2004 		Unbridled's Song (USA)
1993 		Unbridled (USA) Fappiano (USA)
Gana Facil (USA)
Trolley Song (USA) Caro (IRE)
Lucky Spell (USA)
Celestial Bliss (USA)
1990 		Relaunch (USA) In Reality (USA)
Foggy Note (USA)
North of Eden (IRE) Northfields (USA)
Tree of Knowledge (IRE)

References[edit]

  1. ^ Milnes, David. "South American first as Sixties Song heads for Ascot". www.racingpost.com. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  2. ^ a b "STALLIONS EN". Haras El Turf. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Perfil Sixties Song". www.studbook.org.ar. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  4. ^ a b c d e Porter, Alan (2016-12-20). "Sixties Song a Groovy Performer". www.bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  5. ^ "Perfil Sixties Icon (GB)". www.studbook.org.ar. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  6. ^ "Blissful Song Profile". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  7. ^ a b Caulfield, Andrew (2017-02-01). "Galileo, quite magnifico". The Owner Breeder. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  8. ^ "Perfil Blissful Song (USA)". www.studbook.org.ar. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  9. ^ a b "Sixties Song camp living Ascot dream ahead of King George". www.sportinglife.com. 2017-07-25. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  10. ^ a b c Mitagstein, Diego (2018-10-26). ""Sixties Song está bárbaro, más asentado; esperamos vuelva a su nivel"" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  11. ^ "Noticias - Sixties Song (Sixties Icon) conquistó Condicional (2000m-Pasto-SI)". Elturf com - Hípica Latinoamericana. 2016-09-17. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  12. ^ a b Delfino, Carlos (2016-12-17). "Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini 2016: victoria de Sixties Song en un espectacular final". LA NACION (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  13. ^ a b "Diario El Dia de La Plata www.eldia.com". www.eldia.com (in Spanish). 2017-03-06. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  14. ^ a b c d Berry, Emma (2017-07-25). "Argentinian Star On Song For Ascot". TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  15. ^ a b c "2017 Gran Premio Latinoamericano". www-b.sporting.cl (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  16. ^ Carrizo, Pablo (2017-03-08). "Sixties Song escribió una de las mejores páginas del turf argentino". Revista Palermo. pp. 12–16. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  17. ^ Burton, Scott (2017-03-08). "Sixties Song set to be first Argentine-trained runner at the meeting". www.racingpost.com. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  18. ^ Hammonds, Evan (2017-03-05). "OSAF Raising South America's Profile". www.bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  19. ^ "Ordak Dan Earns a Place in the Breeders' Cup Turf". www.bloodhorse.com. 2017-05-26. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  20. ^ Milnes, David (2017-06-15). "South American first as Sixties Song heads for Ascot". www.racingpost.com. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  21. ^ Milnes, David (2017-07-28). "All you need to know about Argentinian raider Sixties Song". www.racingpost.com. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  22. ^ a b "Full Result 3.35 Ascot | 29 July 2017 | Racing Post". www.racingpost.com. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  23. ^ a b Mitagstein, Diego (2018-10-28). "Volvió Sixties Song; volvió el campeón; la historia". Turf Diario (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  24. ^ Salazar, Enrique (2017-11-17). "Este Domingo en La Plata: EL CAMPEÓN SIXTIES SONG REAPARECERÁ EN EL "DARDO ROCHA" (G1) – Hipismo Mundial" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  25. ^ Salazar, Enrique (2017-11-19). "Falló Sixties Song: CALCOLATORE SORPRENDIÓ EN EL GRAN PREMIO DARDO ROCHA (G1) – Hipismo Mundial" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  26. ^ Burns, Michael (2017-12-15). "Defending Top Two Renew Rivalry in Pellegrini". TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  27. ^ Burns, Michael (2017-12-17). "Puerto Escondido Savors Pellegrini Glory". TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  28. ^ "The LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings For 3yos and upwards which raced in 2017". www.ifhaonline.org. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  29. ^ Suchecki, Juan (2018-07-14). "El Expresso no esperó a Sixties Song". El Turf. pp. 4–5. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  30. ^ Suchecki, Juan (2018-09-14). "Tiger Feet rugió fuerte en el General San Martín". El Turf. pp. 46–47. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  31. ^ "Latinoamericano 2019 | En territorio familiar Sixties Song (ARG)". 𝟏𝟎 𝐅𝐮𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬 (in Spanish). 2019-03-04. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  32. ^ Gluckson, Jim (2018-12-13). "Sixties Song (ARG) Leads Field Of 19 Vying For Gran Premio International Carlos Pellegrini, Breeders' Cup Berth". Paulick Report | Shining Light on the Horse Industry. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  33. ^ "Por una cabeza: Il Mercato, con Juan Carlos Noriega, ganó el Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini". infobae (in European Spanish). 2018-12-16. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  34. ^ Hammonds, Evan (2019-03-07). "Sixties Song Seeks Second Latinoamericano Victory". www.bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  35. ^ "The LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings For 3yos and upwards which raced in 2018". www.ifhaonline.org. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  36. ^ a b "2019 Gran Premio Latinoamericano". Club Hípico de Santiago (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  37. ^ "Todo Un Amiguito". www.studbook.org.ar. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  38. ^ "Predador 2013". www.studbook.org.ar. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  39. ^ "Todo Tango Key 2015". www.studbook.org.ar. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  40. ^ "Gran Premio Jockey Club". www.studbook.org.ar. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  41. ^ "Clásico Provincia de Buenos Aires". www.studbook.org.ar. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  42. ^ "2016 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini". www.studbook.org.ar. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  43. ^ "Gran Premio 25 de Mayo". www.studbook.org.ar. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  44. ^ "Gran Premio Dardo Rocha". www.studbook.org.ar. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  45. ^ "2017 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini". www.studbook.org.ar. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  46. ^ "Clásico Chacabuco". www.studbook.org.ar. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  47. ^ "Clásico General San Martín". www.studbook.org.ar. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  48. ^ "Copa de Oro". www.studbook.org.ar. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  49. ^ "2018 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini". www.studbook.org.ar. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  50. ^ "Padrillo Sixties Song". www.studbook.org.ar. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  51. ^ "Sixties Song Horse Pedigree". www.pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
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