Miswaki (February 22, 1978 – December 17, 2004) was an American-bred
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 that was a
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 in France and a
stakes race winner in the United States. He was an important
sire
Sire is an archaic respectful form of address to reigning kings in Europe. In French and other languages it is less archaic and relatively more current. In Belgium, the king is addressed as "Sire..." in both Dutch and French.
The words "sire" an ...
of 97 stakes race winners and was the
Leading broodmare sire in Great Britain and Ireland in 1999 and 2001.
Breeding and ownership
Bred in
Florida
Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...
, Miswaki was sired by the very important
Mr. Prospector that became a two-time
leading sire in North America
The list below shows the leading Father, sire of Thoroughbred Horse racing, racehorses in North America for each year since 1830. This is determined by the amount of prize money won by the sire's progeny during the year. It is restricted to Stallio ...
and a nine-time
leading broodmare sire in North America. His dam was Hopespringseternal, a daughter of
Buckpasser
Buckpasser (1963– March 6, 1978) was a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse
Horse racing is an equestrian performance activity, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a ...
, the 1966
American Horse of the Year
The American Award for Horse of the Year, or simply Horse of the Year, one of the Eclipse Awards, is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. Because Thoroughbred horse racing in the United States has no governing body to san ...
and
Hall of Fame
A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or Wiktionary:fame, fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actu ...
inductee that became a four-time leading broodmare sire in North America.
Miswaki was purchased and raced by
Etti Plesch, a prominent horsewoman in Europe, who as at the end of 2011, is the only female to have won
The Derby twice, doing it first in 1961 with
Psidium
''Psidium'' is a genus of trees and shrubs in the family Myrtaceae. It is native to warmer parts of the Western Hemisphere (Mexico, Central and South America, the West Indies the Galápagos islands). Many of the species bear edible fruits, and ...
then with
Henbit in 1980. In addition, she won the 1970
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 ...
with
Sassafras.
Racing career
Miswaki was conditioned for racing by one of France's leading trainers,
François Boutin
François Boutin (21 January 1937 – 1 February 1995) was a France, French Thoroughbred horse trainer.
The son of a farmer, he was born in the village of Beaunay in the northerly Seine Maritime département. He began riding horses at a young ag ...
. Raced at age two, he made four starts on grass in 1980, winning the
Prix Yacowlef
The Prix Yacowlef is a Conditions races, Listed Flat racing, flat Horse racing, horse race in France open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. Since 2016, it is run each November at Chantilly Racecourse over a ...
at
Deauville-La Touques Racecourse
Hippodrome Deauville-La Touques is a race track for thoroughbred horse racing located in Deauville in the Calvados (department), Calvados Departments of France, département, in the Normandy (administrative region), Normandy ''Regions of France, r ...
in his debut. After a runner-up finish in Deauville's Group One
Prix Morny, he won the Group One
Prix de la Salamandre at
Longchamp. Sent to England's
Newmarket Racecourse
Newmarket Racecourse is a British Thoroughbred horse racing venue in Newmarket, Suffolk, Newmarket, Suffolk, comprising two individual racecourses: the Rowley Mile and the July Course. Newmarket is often referred to as the headquarters of ...
for the Group One
Dewhurst Stakes
The Dewhurst Stakes is a Group races, Group 1 Flat racing, flat Horse racing, horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old Colt (horse), colts and Filly, fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mi ...
, Miswaki ran third to winner,
Storm Bird
Storm Bird (19 April 1978 – 3 December 2004) was a Canada, Canadian-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred horse racing, racehorse and Horse breeding#Terminology, sire. He was the outstanding European two-year-old of 1980, when he was unbeaten in f ...
.
For his three-year-old campaign in 1981, Miswaki was sent to race in the United States, where he made nine starts for Hall of Fame trainer
Woody Stephens
Woody Stephens (September 1, 1913 – August 22, 1998) was an American Thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame trainer.
Biography
Born Woodford Cefis Stephens in Stanton, Kentucky, he had a younger brother named William Ward Stephens who also b ...
. The colt won three
allowance race
The following is a glossary of North American horse racing.
Additional glossaries at:
*Glossary of Australian and New Zealand punting
*Glossary of equestrian terms
This is a basic glossary of equestrian terms that includes both technical term ...
s plus the ungraded Charles Hatton Stakes at
Elmont, New York
Elmont is an unincorporated Hamlet (New York), hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) located in northwestern Hempstead, New York, Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, Nassau County, New York, United States, along its border with the borough ...
's
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a thoroughbred racing, thoroughbred horse racetrack in Elmont, New York, just east of New York City limits best known for hosting the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the American Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United Stat ...
.
At stud
Beginning in 1982, Miswaki spent his entire 22-year
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
* ...
career at
Walmac International Farm in
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is a Consolidated city-county, consolidated city coterminous with and the county seat of Fayette County, Kentucky, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census the city's population was 322,570, making it the List of ...
. Pensioned in August 2004, he died on December 17 that same year and was buried in the equine cemetery at Walmac International.
Grave Matters at Thoroughbred Heritage
/ref>
The two most notable of Miswaki's successful progeny are the great racing mare Urban Sea
Urban Sea (18 February 1989 – 2 March 2009) was an American bred Thoroughbred racemare best known for winning France's most prestigious race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, in 1993 and for her importance as a world-class broodmare. She is one ...
, that won the 1993 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 ...
and is the dam of Galileo
Galileo di Vincenzo Bonaiuti de' Galilei (15 February 1564 – 8 January 1642), commonly referred to as Galileo Galilei ( , , ) or mononymously as Galileo, was an Italian astronomer, physicist and engineer, sometimes described as a poly ...
and Sea the Stars
Sea The Stars (foaled 6 April 2006) is a retired champion Irish Thoroughbred racehorse regarded as one of the greatest racehorses of all time. He won the 2000 Guineas, the Derby, the Eclipse Stakes – the first colt to accomplish this treble ...
, and Black Tie Affair, the 1991 American Horse of the Year
The American Award for Horse of the Year, or simply Horse of the Year, one of the Eclipse Awards, is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. Because Thoroughbred horse racing in the United States has no governing body to san ...
.
Miswaki sired:
* Bachelor Duke, won the 2004 Irish 2,000 Guineas
The Irish 2,000 Guineas is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres), and it ...
* Black Tie Affair, 1991 American Horse of the Year
The American Award for Horse of the Year, or simply Horse of the Year, one of the Eclipse Awards, is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. Because Thoroughbred horse racing in the United States has no governing body to san ...
& Breeders' Cup Classic
The Breeders' Cup Classic is a Grade I Weight for Age thoroughbred horse race for 3-year-olds and older run at a distance of on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States as part of the Breeders' Cup World Champion ...
winner
* Etoile Montante, filly whose wins include the 2003 G1 Prix de la Forêt
The Prix de la Forêt is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,400 metres (about 7 furlongs), and ...
in France and the 2004 G2 Palomar Handicap
The Yellow Ribbon Handicap (formerly known as the Palomar Handicap) is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The Grade II race is run on turf at a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles (8. ...
in the United States.
* Germignaga, won the 1996 Oaks d'Italia
The Oaks d'Italia is a Group 2 flat horse race in Italy open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Milan over a distance of 2,200 metres (about 1 mile and 3 furlongs), and it is scheduled to take place each year in May or June.
It ...
* Kistena, multiple stakes winner in France including the Group One Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp
The Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged two years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,000 metres (about 5 furlongs ...
* Marvelous Crown, won 1994 Japan Cup
The is one of the most prestigious horse races in Japan. It is contested on the last Sunday of November, post time of 15:40 at Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu, Tokyo at a distance of 2400 meters (about miles) run under weight for age conditions with ...
* Misil, won three 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 ...
races including the 1993 Gran Premio del Jockey Club
The Gran Premio del Jockey Club is a Group 2 flat horse race in Italy open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Milan over a distance of 2,400 metres (about 1½ miles), and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.
T ...
* Umatilla, won Karrakatta Plate
The Karrakatta Plate is a Perth Racing Group 2 Thoroughbred horse race for two-year-olds, run at set weights, over a distance of 1200 metres at Ascot Racecourse, Perth, Western Australia in April. Total prize money is A$500,000.
History
The race ...
, successful sire in Australia
* Urban Sea
Urban Sea (18 February 1989 – 2 March 2009) was an American bred Thoroughbred racemare best known for winning France's most prestigious race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, in 1993 and for her importance as a world-class broodmare. She is one ...
, 1993 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 ...
winner
Miswaki was the damsire of:
* Dalakhani
Dalakhani (16 February 2000 – 15 January 2021) was an Irish thoroughbred race horse owned and bred by Aga Khan IV and trained by Alain de Royer-Dupré. therefore half-brother to Daylami.
Racing career
Dalakhani won four Group One races: Crité ...
, won the 2003 G1 Prix du Jockey Club
The Prix du Jockey Club, sometimes referred to as the French Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Chantilly ov ...
* Daylami
Daylami (20 April 1994 – 5 April 2023) was a Thoroughbred Champion racehorse and sire who was bred in Ireland, but trained in France, Dubai and the United Kingdom. In a career which lasted from 1996 until 1999, he raced in five different ...
, 1999 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 ...
, winner of the G1 Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current ...
* Galileo
Galileo di Vincenzo Bonaiuti de' Galilei (15 February 1564 – 8 January 1642), commonly referred to as Galileo Galilei ( , , ) or mononymously as Galileo, was an Italian astronomer, physicist and engineer, sometimes described as a poly ...
, 2001 European Champion Three-Year-Old Colt
The Cartier Racing Awards are awards in European horse racing, founded in 1991, and sponsored by Cartier. The award winners are decided by points earned in group races (40%) plus the votes cast by British racing journalists (30%) and readers of th ...
* Hernando, won the 1993 G1 Prix du Jockey Club
The Prix du Jockey Club, sometimes referred to as the French Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Chantilly ov ...
* Jimwaki, won the 1997 Grande Premio Brasi
* Landseer (horse), Landseer, won 2002 G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains
Molof (Ampas, Poule, Powle-Ma) is a poorly documented Papuan languages, Papuan language spoken by about 200 people in :id:Molof, Senggi, Keerom, Molof village, Senggi District, Keerom Regency.
Classification
Stephen Wurm, Wurm (1975) placed it a ...
* My Typhoon
My Typhoon (foaled 2002 in Ireland) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse whom the NTRA calls "one of the world's best-bred horses."
Background
Bred in Ireland by David Tsui's Sunderland Holdings, she was sired by Giant's Causeway, a son of S ...
, multiple stakes winner
* Sadowa, won the 2002 Premio Regina Elena
The Premio Regina Elena is a Group 3 flat horse race in Italy open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a distance of 1,600 metres (about 1 mile) at Capannelle in April or May.
It is Italy's equivalent of the ...
* Sea the Stars
Sea The Stars (foaled 6 April 2006) is a retired champion Irish Thoroughbred racehorse regarded as one of the greatest racehorses of all time. He won the 2000 Guineas, the Derby, the Eclipse Stakes – the first colt to accomplish this treble ...
, 2009 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 ...
, winner of The Derby and 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 ...
* Talkin Man, 1994 Canadian Champion Two-Year-Old Colt
* Silence Suzuka
Silence Suzuka (Japanese language, Japanese : サイレンススズカ; May 1, 1994 - November 1, 1998) was a Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Graded stakes race, Grade I Takarazuka Kinen in 1998. In the same year, his career and life ...
, won 1998 Takarazuka Kinen
The Takarazuka Kinen (宝塚記念) is a Grade I flat horse race in Japan for Thoroughbreds aged three and over a distance of 2,200 metres (approximately miles) at Hanshin Racecourse (阪神競馬場) in late June. It is one of the two "All-Sta ...
References
* ''Horses & Husbands -The Memoirs of Etti Plesch'' (2007) Dovecote Press
{{reflist
1978 racehorse births
2004 racehorse deaths
Racehorses bred in Florida
Racehorses trained in France
Racehorses trained in the United States
British Champion Thoroughbred broodmare sires
Thoroughbred family 16-g