Nasram (1960 – after 1970), also known as Nasram II, was an American-bred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are ...
race horse
Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, 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 basic ...
and
sire who was trained in the United States and France. His early career was undistinguished but in July 1964 he recorded an upset win over
Santa Claus
Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring children gifts during the late evening and overnigh ...
in the
. Nasram was retired from racing at the end of the season and stood as a breeding stallion in America and Germany.
Background
Nasram was a bay horse bred in
Kentucky
Kentucky ( , ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States and one of the states of the Upper South. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north; West Virginia and Virgini ...
by his owners Mr and Mrs Howell E. Jackson. He was sired by
Nasrullah who was the
Leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland
The title of champion, or leading, sire of racehorses in Great Britain and Ireland is awarded to the stallion whose offspring have won the most prize money in Britain and Ireland during the flat racing season. The current champion is Frankel, who ...
in 1951 and went on to become the
Leading sire in North America The list below shows the leading sire of Thoroughbred 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 stallions which are based i ...
on five occasions. Nasram's dam, La Mirambule won the
Prix Vermeille
The Prix Vermeille is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres (about 1½ miles), a ...
in 1952 and was later bought by the Jackson's and exported to America.
Racing career
1962: two-year-old season
As a two-year-old, Nasram was trained in the United States, but failed to win.
1963: three-year-old season
Nasram was sent to Europe to be trained by
Etienne Pollet at
Chantilly. He won the
Prix du Lys but appeared to be just below top class.
1964: four-year-old season
As a four-year-old, Nasram was moved to the stable of the Australian-born Ernie Fellows. In July he was sent to England to contest the
at
Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse ("ascot" pronounced , often pronounced ) is a dual-purpose British racecourse, located in Ascot, Berkshire, England, which is used for thoroughbred horse racing. It hosts 13 of Britain's 36 annual Flat Group 1 horse races a ...
. The
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, also known as the Epsom Derby or the Derby, and as the Cazoo Derby for sponsorship reasons, is a Group 1 flat horse race in England open to three-year-old colts and fillies. It is run at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey ...
winner Santa Claus started favourite at odds of 2/13, with only Nasram and two others opposing him. Ridden by Bill Pyers Nasram appeared well-suited by the hard ground and led from the start. He was never seriously challenged and recorded one of the biggest upsets in British racing history in winning by two lengths from Santa Claus,
with Royal Avenue a further four lengths away in third. The King George was Nasram's only win in eight starts in 1964. In October he was unplaced behind
Prince Royal and Santa Claus.
Assessment
Nasram was awarded a rating of 125 by
Timeform
Timeform is a sports data and content provider located in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. Founded in 1948, it provides systematic information on form to punters and others involved in the horse racing industry. The company was purchased by ...
in 1964.
In their book ''A Century of Champions'', John Randall and Tony Morris rated Nasram the worst horse ever to win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, describing him as a "faint-hearted front-runner who capitulated when challenged".
Stud record
Nasram had some success as a stallion. He sired the 1970
Everglades Stakes
The Everglades Stakes was an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Hialeah Park in Hialeah, Florida. For three-year-old horses, the mile race was run on dirt until 1994 when it was converted to a race on turf. It was elevated to G ...
winner
Naskra, who went on to be a successful stallion. He was also the sire of the German champion
Athenagoras who won the
Deutsches Derby
The Deutsches Derby is a Group 1 flat horse race in Germany open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Hamburg-Horn over a distance of 2,400 metres (about 1½ miles), and it is scheduled to t ...
,
Aral-Pokal and
Grosser Preis von Baden
The Grosser Preis von Baden is a Group 1 flat horse race in Germany open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Baden-Baden over a distance of 2,400 metres (about 1½ miles), and it is sched ...
.
Pedigree
References
{{King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Winners
1960 racehorse births
Racehorses trained in France
Racehorses bred in Kentucky
Thoroughbred family 11-d
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winners