Connaught (horse)

Connaught was a "big, burly, immensely powerful" bay horse with a white blaze and white socks on his hind legs bred in the United Kingdom by his owner Jim Joel. He was sired by St. Paddy the winner of The Derby and St. Leger Stakes in 1960. His dam Nagaika won the Solario Stakes as a two-year-old in 1956 and was bought by Joel a year later. As a broodmare she had already produced Court Sentence, who won the St James's Palace Stakes in 1962. Nagaika was the great-granddaughter of Neomenie, a mare whose other descendants included the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Nikellora. The colt was sent into training with Noel Murless at his Warren Place Stable in Newmarket, Suffolk. Murless had been British flat racing Champion Trainer on five occasions before taking charge of Connaught and went on to win the four more championships. The horse was ridden in all of his major races by the young Scottish jockey Sandy Barclay who had been Champion Apprentice in 1966, before becoming Murless's stable jockey in 1968. ==Racing career==

1967: two-year-old season Connaught built up a big reputation in training gallops but his first racecourse appearance a complete failure. He was scheduled to make his debut in the Convivial Maiden Stakes at York Racecourse in August 1967 but refused to enter the starting stalls and was withdrawn from the race. In October he was entered in the Observer Gold Cup at Doncaster Racecourse (the most valuable event for two-year-olds run in Britain) and finished fifth behind Vaguely Noble. 1968: three-year-old season Connaught made good progress in the winter of 1967/1968 and was expected to run well in his seasonal debut in the Greenham Stakes but again refused to enter the stalls and did not take part. Despite his temperamental problems he was well backed for the 2000 Guineas and started at odds of 13/2 but after showing good speed in the early stages he faded to finish ninth of the ten runners behind Sir Ivor. When moved up in distance for the Chester Vase over one and a half miles he showed better form when finishing second to Remand. for the King Edward VII Stakes and recorded his first win, beating Ribero by twelve lengths. He was scheduled to run in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood Racecourse in July but broke away from his handler, galloped away and was subsequently withdrawn from the race. 1969: four-year-old season On his first appearance as a four-year-old Connaught started the 6/5 favourite In June he attempted repeat his 1969 success the Prince of Wales's for a second time. Starting the 10/11 favourite, he won by four lengths from Hotfoot and broke his own course record. In the Eclipse Stakes he started at odds of 5/4 against two opponents; Karabas and Nor. He delayed the race for some time as he was once again very reluctant to enter the stalls, and then almost unseated Barclay when swerving at the start. He soon recovered, took the lead after a furlong and never looked in danger of defeat, winning by two and a half lengths from Karabas. His winning time established a new course record, bettering the mark set by his sire St Paddy in 1961. ==Assessment==

Connaught was given a peak Timeform rating of 130 in 1970. ==Stud record==

Connaught was retired from racing to become a breeding stallion and produced a steady stream of stakes winners before being pensioned from stud duty in the mid 1980s. He died in 1987 at the age of twenty-two. Connaught's best winners included; • Sauceboat (1972), won Child Stakes • Sir Montagu (1973), won Ebor Handicap • Connaught Ranger (1974), won Triumph Hurdle, Ascot Hurdle • Miss Pinkie (1974), won Fillies' Mile • Remainder Man (1975), won Ormonde Stakes, second 2000 Guineas, third Derby sire of One Man • Connaught Bridge (1976), won Yorkshire Oaks, Nassau Stakes • Playboy Jubilee (1977), won Dee Stakes • Clare Island (1979), won Princess Elizabeth Stakes ==Pedigree==

{{Pedigree Connaught is inbred 5D x 4D to the stallion Ksar, meaning that he appears fifth generation (via Tourbillon) and fourth generation on the dam side of his pedigree. ==References==