3 minute read
Rich Hill Stud's new boy on the block, Sir Percy, is a stallion with serious sire potential.
Photo by Racing and Sports
At two, he attained Champion status as an unbeaten winner of 4 races from 1200-1400m.
With his success over Horatio Nelson in the Gr.1 Newmarket Dewhurst Stakes (1400m) featuring foremost, Sir Percy finished the season with a time form rating of 122 and was the highest rated English 2YO in 2005.
Under the guidance of Marcus Tregoning, the Anthony Pakenham-owned juvenile would then carve out his place in English racing history with Classic success at three.
At his first start back, Sir Percy finished second to the World Champion miler, George Washington, in the Gr.1 2000 Guineas (1600m).
It would be at his second start in that he would fell England's ultimate 3YO prize, the Gr.1 English Derby (2400m).
Rearward throughout, the son of Mark of Esteem showed a tremendous turn of foot when asked by jockey Martin Dwyer, ominously descending on pacemakers Dylan Thomas and Dragon Dancer along the rails.
Snatching victory in the shadows of the post, Sir Percy bravely hit the wire with a short head to spare from Dragon Dancer, with Dylan Thomas a further head back in third.
With previous victors of this elusive Dewhurst Stakes- English Derby double including the breed shaping sires Mill Reef and Nijinksy, Sir Percy announced himself amongst the elite with the Derby win and at the close of the 2006 season, would be awarded Great Britain's Champion 3YO with a timeform rating of 129.
At four, Sir Percy ventured to Dubai to tackle the Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2400m). Although struck a couple of times in the early race jostling, ran on to finish a creditable fourth to Vengeance of Rain (NZ).
Retiring later that season with five wins from 10 races, the NZ$3 million (approximately) earner took up residence at the leading English Thoroughbred farm Lanwades Stud in Newmarket.
Impressed by the horse's superb credentials, Rich Hill Stud's John Thompson was naturally enthusiastic at the prospect of shuttling Sir Percy to New Zealand.
“His race record spoke for itself really. He was unbeaten at two, he was a sound horse and he trained on at three to win the Derby - which to my thinking makes him perfect for New Zealand,” said Thompson.
“These days to be commercial, you need to be able to get a few early runners, so with his early ability and subsequent 3YO form, he stood out as being a great opportunity.
“The other thing about him is he has a lovely English pedigree that should cross well with our mares down here.”
Sir Percy is by Darshaan sire Mark of Esteem, who was 1996's Champion 3YO in England and the Champion 3YO Miler in Europe.
At stud, Mark of Esteem has transmitted this ability into the Gr.1 ambassadors Reverence, Bribon, Ameerat, Sir Percy and with 24 stakes winners.
Sir Percy's dam Percy's Lass won the Gr.3 September Stakes in 1988 and was herself a daughter of her 1969 Epsom Derby winner, Blakeney.
Distaff descendants of Blakeney have proven highly successful for Rich Hill Stud, with Pentire proving case and point.
Further, access to the proven Never Bend bloodline is another important pedigree parallel with Pentire.
The dominant lines in Sir Percy's pedigree are Nearco/Nasrullah and Tourbillon/Djebel, which are also combined in Never Bend's pedigree.
To view Rich Hill Stud's subsequent mating suggestions for Sir Percy, please click here
Sir Percy will be available for viewing at Rich Hill Stud's Open Day on August 23 and will stand for a fee of NZ$15,000 plus GST in 2009.
- NZTM
