Helissio (1993–2013) was a

Thoroughbred The Thoroughbred is a list of horse breeds, horse breed developed for Thoroughbred racing, horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thorough ...

racehorse Horse racing is an equestrian performance activity, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its bas ...

who was

European Horse of the Year The Cartier Racing Awards are awards in European horse racing, founded in 1991, and sponsored by Cartier SA, Cartier. The award winners are decided by points earned in group races (40%) plus the votes cast by British racing journalists (30%) and re ...

for 1996. A son of Fairy King by

Northern Dancer Northern Dancer (May 27, 1961 – November 16, 1990) was a Thoroughbred that, in 1964, became the first Canadian-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby. After being retired from racing, he became one of the most successful Stallion, sires of the 2 ...

, he was owned by the Spanish businessman Enrique Sarasola and trained by

Élie Lellouche Élie Lellouche (born 5 March 1952 in Tunis) is a French trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses and jockeys.Afrique magazine - Issues 150-159 - Page 63 1998 "Victory Mill n'a pas été très heureuse lors de sa réapparition à Maisons-Laffitte, en é ...

. A seven-time

Group One Group One, Group 1, Grade I or G1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. In Europe, the level of races for Thoroughbred racing is determined using the Pattern races, Pattern race sys ...

winner, his career highlight was victory in the 1996

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe () is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris over a distance ...

at Longchamp by five lengths, which earned him a high Timeform rating of 136. He failed to reproduce that form in the 1997 Arc, finishing well behind the winner

Peintre Celebre Peintre Celebre (17 March 1994 – 19 October 2018) was an American-bred, French-trained champion thoroughbred racehorse. He won the French Derby and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1997. Background Peintre Celebre was bred and owned by busi ...

. Retired after his four-year-old campaign, Helissio stood at

stud Stud may refer to: Animals * Stud (animal), an animal retained for breeding ** Stud farm, a property where livestock are bred Arts and entertainment * Stud (band), a British progressive rock group * The Stud (bar), a gay bar in San Francisco * ...

at the Widden Stud in Australia and

Shadai Stallion Station is a thoroughbred breeding facility located in Abira on the island of Hokkaido in Japan. The farm was begun in the late 1970s to early 1980s by the late Zenya Yoshida, and is now run jointly by his sons (Katsumi, Haruya, and Teruya Yoshida), know ...

in Japan. He later stood at

The National Stud The National Stud is a Thoroughbred stud farm in Newmarket which is owned by the Jockey Club. As well as commercial breeding services, it undertakes education and training activities and allows the public to visit the working stud on organised ...

in Newmarket, England, Larkinglass Farm and Park House Stud. He sired: Helenus, a top class Australian three-year-old stayer; the brilliant Japanese horse

Pop Rock Pop rock (also typeset as pop/rock) is a fusion genre and form of rock music characterized by a strong commercial appeal, with more emphasis on professional songwriting and recording craft, and less emphasis on attitude than standard rock musi ...

; and Weekend Beauty, the dam of six-time Group One winner Weekend Hussler. Helissio died of a heart attack at Scarvagh House Stud in Ireland on 8 October 2013.

References

Helissio at The National Stud
{{Cartier Champion Three-year-old Colt 1993 racehorse births 2013 racehorse deaths Racehorses bred in Orne Racehorses trained in France Arc winners Cartier Award winners European Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Thoroughbred family 10-c