Romanised (foaled 5 February 2015) is an Irish
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. As a juvenile in 2017 he won one of his four races and finished second in the
Solario Stakes
The Solario Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old horses. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres), and it is scheduled to take pla ...
. In the following year he recorded an upset victory in the
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 ...
and finished unplaced in his other starts. As a four-year-old he won the
Minstrel Stakes and the
Prix Jacques Le Marois
The Prix Jacques Le Marois is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbred colts and fillies aged three years or older. It is run in August each year at Deauville over a distance of ...
and was narrowly beaten in a controversial race for the
Prix du Moulin
The Prix du Moulin de Longchamp is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,600 metres (about 1 mile), and it is s ...
. He won a second Minstrel Stakes in 2020.
Background
Romanised is a
bay horse
Bay is a hair coat color of horses, characterized by a reddish-brown or brown body color with a black point coloration on the mane, tail, ear edges, and lower legs. Bay is one of the most common coat colors in many horse breeds.
The black a ...
with a white
star
A star is a luminous spheroid of plasma (physics), plasma held together by Self-gravitation, self-gravity. The List of nearest stars and brown dwarfs, nearest star to Earth is the Sun. Many other stars are visible to the naked eye at night sk ...
and three white
socks
A sock is a piece of clothing worn on the feet and often covering the ankle or some part of the Calf (leg), calf. Some types of shoes or boots are typically worn over socks. In ancient times, socks were made from leather or matted animal hair. ...
bred by the Aherne family (mother Monica and her sons Gerry, Mikey and P.J.) at the Prospect Stables in
County Tipperary
County Tipperary () is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster and the Southern Region, Ireland, Southern Region. The county is named after the town of Tipperary (tow ...
. He was sold when only a week old foal to the bloodstock agent John McCormack. The colt entered the ownership of the Singaporean businessman
Charles Ng
Charles Chi-tat Ng (born Ng Chi-tat) ( zh, t=吳志達, j=ng4 zi3 daat6; born 24 December 1960) is a Hong Kong-born convicted serial killer who committed numerous crimes in the United States. He is believed to have raped, tortured, and murder ...
and was sent into training with Ken Condon at the Osborne Lodge Stable,
The Curragh
The Curragh ( ; ) is a flat open plain in County Kildare, Ireland. This area is well known for horse breeding and training. The Irish National Stud is on the edge of Kildare town, beside the Irish National Stud#The Japanese Gardens, Japane ...
,
County Kildare
County Kildare () is a Counties of Ireland, county in Ireland. It is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster and is part of the Eastern and Midland Region. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the Local gove ...
.
He was from the eighth crop of foals sired by
Holy Roman Emperor
The Holy Roman Emperor, originally and officially the Emperor of the Romans (disambiguation), Emperor of the Romans (; ) during the Middle Ages, and also known as the Roman-German Emperor since the early modern period (; ), was the ruler and h ...
, one of the leading European two-year-olds of his generation, who unusually began his stud career as a three-year-old. The best of his other progeny have included
Homecoming Queen
Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni or other former members of an organization to celebrate the organization's existence. It is a tradition in many high schools, colleges, and churches in the United States and Canada.
United St ...
,
Mongolian Khan
Mongolian Khan (foaled 19 October 2011) is a retired Australian-bred New Zealand-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and breeding stallion. In 2015 he won the 140th running of the New Zealand Derby before going on to win the Australian Derby becoming ...
and
Designs On Rome
Designs On Rome (foaled 17 March 2010) was an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse. He was best known for his performances in Hong Kong where he was named Hong Kong Horse of the Year, Horse of the Year in 2014.
Background
Designs On Rome was a ba ...
. Romanised's dam Romantic Venture had a very brief racing career, winning a
maiden race
In horse racing, a maiden race is an event for horses that have not won a race. Horses that have not won a race are referred to as maidens. Maiden horse races are held over a variety of distances and under conditions with eligibility based on the s ...
on her racecourse debut and finishing unplaced in the
Matron Stakes on her only subsequent start. Romantic Venture was a half-sister to Designs of Rome and closely related to
Grey Swallow
Grey Swallow (19 February 2001 – 25 August 2021) was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a racing career which lasted from July 2003 until October 2006 he competed in five countries and won six of his fifteen races. He was unbeaten in ...
.
Racing career
2017: two-year-old season
Romanised was ridden by
Shane Foley in all but one of his races as a two-year-old. The colt made his racecourse debut in a
maiden race
In horse racing, a maiden race is an event for horses that have not won a race. Horses that have not won a race are referred to as maidens. Maiden horse races are held over a variety of distances and under conditions with eligibility based on the s ...
over six
furlongs
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and United States customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to any of 660 feet, 220 yards, 40 rods, 10 chains, or approximately 201 metres. It is no ...
at
Navan Racecourse
Navan Racecourse is a horse racing venue at Proudstown near Navan, County Meath, Ireland, approximately 48 kilometres from Dublin. The course stages Flat racing but is best known for National Hunt racing. Navan Racecourse is owned by Horse Racin ...
on 24 April and started a
14/1 outsider in an eighteen-runner field. He started slowly but stayed on strongly in the closing stages to win by half a
length
Length is a measure of distance. In the International System of Quantities, length is a quantity with Dimension (physical quantity), dimension distance. In most systems of measurement a Base unit (measurement), base unit for length is chosen, ...
from the
Jessica Harrington
Jessica Jane Harrington (née Fowler, born 12 February 1947)
is an Irish professional horse trainer. Harrington specialises in National Hunt racing but has also had success in Flat racing.
Personal life
Harrington was born in London. Her father ...
-trained Brick By Brick. The colt was then stepped up sharply in class when he was sent to England to contest the
Group 2 The term Group 2 may refer to:
* Alkaline earth metal
The alkaline earth metals are six chemical elements in group (periodic table), group 2 of the periodic table. They are beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (B ...
Coventry Stakes
The Coventry Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old horses. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres), and it is scheduled to take plac ...
at
Royal Ascot
Ascot Racecourse is a dual-purpose British racecourse, located in Ascot, Berkshire, England, about 25 miles west of London. Ascot is used for thoroughbred horse racing, and it hosts 13 of Britain's 36 annual Flat Group 1 races and three Gra ...
and finished seventh, beaten two and a quarter lengths by the winner Rajasinghe after struggling to obtain a clear run in the last quarter mile. On 13 August Romanised was ridden by
Pat Smullen
Patrick Joseph Smullen (22 May 1977 – 15 September 2020), was an Irish jockey who won the Irish flat racing Champion Jockey title nine times. In a career running from 1992 to 2018 he rode 1,845 winners in Ireland and 47 in Britain. Amongst hi ...
when he started the 8/1 fourth choice in the betting for the Group 1
Phoenix Stakes
The Phoenix Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres), and it is ...
at the
Curragh
The Curragh ( ; ) is a flat open plain in County Kildare, Ireland. This area is well known for horse breeding and training. The Irish National Stud is on the edge of Kildare town, beside the Japanese Gardens. Pollardstown Fen, the larges ...
. After being restrained at the rear of the field he made some progress in the closing stages but never looked likely to win and came home sixth behind the
Aidan O'Brien
Aidan Patrick O'Brien (born 16 October 1969 in County Wexford, Ireland)[ Aidan O'Brien bio NTRA. ...](_blank)
-trained
Sioux Nation
The Sioux or Oceti Sakowin ( ; Dakota language, Dakota/Lakota language, Lakota: ) are groups of Native Americans in the United States, Native American tribes and First Nations in Canada, First Nations people from the Great Plains of North Ame ...
. Romanised was then sent to England for a second time for the Group 3
Solario Stakes
The Solario Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old horses. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres), and it is scheduled to take pla ...
over seven furlongs at
Sandown Park
Sandown Park is a horse racing course and leisure venue in Esher, Surrey, England, located in the outer suburbs of London. It hosts 5 Grade One National Hunt races and one Group 1 flat race, the Eclipse Stakes. It regularly has horse racin ...
on 2 September and finished second to
Masar, beaten two lengths by the winner.
2018: three-year-old season
Foley rode Romanised in all of his 2018 starts. The colt made his debut on 7 May in the
Listed Tetrarch Stakes
The Tetrarch Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres) at the Curragh in early May.
History
The event ...
at
Naas Racecourse
Naas Racecourse is a horse racing venue in Naas, County Kildare, Ireland, approximately 18 miles from Dublin. The course stages both Flat racing and National Hunt racing and in 2010 fifteen race meetings were held there.
The Naas Races Company w ...
in which he encountered trouble in running before finishing sixth behind the
Dermot Weld
Dermot K. Weld (born 29 July 1948), in Kildare, is a former jockey, and one of Ireland's most successful racehorse trainers, setting the record in 2000 for the most winners trained in Ireland with 2,578. He won the Irish Flat Training Champion ...
-trained Imaging. Nineteen days later the colt was stepped up to the highest class for the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh and went off a 25/1 outsider in an eleven-runner field. The British-trained Elarqam (fourth in the
2000 Guineas
The 2000 Guineas Stakes is a Group 1 flat race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile (1.6 km) and scheduled to take place each yea ...
) started favourite ahead of
U S Navy Flag, while the other contenders included Gustav Klimt (
Superlative Stakes
The Superlative Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old horses. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres), and it is ...
) and Zihba (
Amethyst Stakes
The Amethyst Stakes is a Listed race, Listed Flat racing, Flat Horse racing, horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 ...
). Romanised raced at the rear of the field before making steady progress after switching to the outside in the straight. He overtook U S Navy Flag 100 metres from the finish and kept on well to win by two and a quarter lengths. Ken Condon, who had not trained a winner since July 2017, said "It's the stuff of dreams. We’ve been struggling just even to get a winner. But we knew he was a lovely horse. You can have a horse and you like him but sure, who are we to like a horse? How are you going to take on the might of
Godolphin and
Ballydoyle
Ballydoyle is a racehorse training facility located in County Tipperary in Ireland. It is a sister thoroughbred facility to Coolmore Stud, and both are owned by John Magnier, son in law to the racehorse trainer Vincent O'Brien. The current trai ...
? I knew we were a longshot coming in here but I felt he was going to run a big race. He's always shown talent and just seems to have come to himself."
In June Romanised was sent to England and started the 6/1 third choice for the
St James's Palace Stakes
The St James's Palace Stakes is a Group races, Group 1 Flat racing, flat Horse racing, horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old Colt (horse), colts. It is run at Ascot Racecourse, Ascot ...
at
Royal Ascot
Ascot Racecourse is a dual-purpose British racecourse, located in Ascot, Berkshire, England, about 25 miles west of London. Ascot is used for thoroughbred horse racing, and it hosts 13 of Britain's 36 annual Flat Group 1 races and three Gra ...
but was never able to challenge the leaders and came home seventh of the ten runners behind
Without Parole
Without Parole, (foaled 20 March 2015) is a retired British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and breeding stallion. After showing promise when winning his only start as a two-year-old he progressed in the following spring, following a win in a minor ...
, beaten more than six lengths by the winner. On 12 August at
Deauville Racecourse
Hippodrome Deauville-La Touques is a race track for thoroughbred horse racing located in Deauville in the Calvados département, in the Normandy ''région'' of France. Originally called Hippodrome de la Touques, it was named for the Touques River ...
in France, the colt was matched against older horses for the first time in the Group 1
Prix Jacques Le Marois
The Prix Jacques Le Marois is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbred colts and fillies aged three years or older. It is run in August each year at Deauville over a distance of ...
. He raced closer to the lead than usual but was outpaced in the closing stages and finished fifth behind
Alpha Centauri
Alpha Centauri (, α Cen, or Alpha Cen) is a star system in the southern constellation of Centaurus (constellation), Centaurus. It consists of three stars: Rigil Kentaurus (), Toliman (), and Proxima Centauri (). Proxima Centauri ...
. On his final start of the year Romanised was a 40/1 outsider when he finished ninth of eleven runners behind
Roaring Lion
Roaring Lion (22 February 190811 July 1999) was a Trinidadian calypsonian (calypso singer/composer). His 65-year career began in the early 1930s and he is best known for his compositions "Ugly Woman" (1933), " Mary Ann" and "Netty, Netty", wh ...
in the
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres), and it is ...
at Ascot on 20 October.
2019: four-year-old season
In 2019 and 2020 Romanised was ridden in all of his races by Billy Lee. He began his third campaign by finishing fifth to Imaging in the
Gladness Stakes over seven furlongs at Naas on 13 April beaten less than two lengths by the winner. The colt was then sent to England for the Group 1
Lockinge Stakes
The Lockinge Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres) at New ...
at
Newbury Racecourse
Newbury Racecourse is a racecourse and events venue in the civil parish of Greenham, adjoining the town of Newbury, Berkshire, Newbury in Berkshire, England. It has courses for flat races and over jumps. It hosts one of Great Britain's List of ...
on 18 May and came home fourth of the fourteen runners behind
Mustashry,
Laurens and
Accidental Agent. In the
Queen Anne Stakes
The Queen Anne Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres), and is scheduled to take p ...
at Royal Ascot on 18 June Romanised started a 25/1 outsider but belied his odds as he overcame repeated problems in attempting to obtain a clear run to finish a close fourth behind
Lord Glitters, Beat The Bank and
One Master. On 20 July Romanised was dropped back in distance and class for the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes over seven furlongs at the Curragh and started the 2/1 second favourite behind the British-trained Hey Gaman (
Prix du Palais-Royal). All The King's Men led from the start before giving way to Hey Gaman but Romanised, who had raced in mid-division for most of the way, overtook the favourite inside the final furlong and won by a length to record his first victory in over a year. After the race Condon commented "Billy was delighted with him and said when the gap came he quickened up very smartly. He said when he got to the front he was always just doing enough. He's gone very professional this year, more relaxed and easier to deal with. I thought it was a lovely performance."
On 11 August at Deauville Romanised ran for the second time in the Prix Jacques Le Marois and started at odds of 7/2 in an eight-runner field. The three-year-old filly
Watch Me started favourite while the other fancied contenders included
Study of Man
Study of Man (foaled 9 April 2015) is an Irish-bred, French-trained retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active breeding stallion. After winning his only race as a juvenile in 2017 he developed into a top-class performer in the following spring, ...
, Shaman (runner-up in the
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 ...
) and
Line of Duty
''Line of Duty'' is a British police procedural and serial drama television programme created by Jed Mercurio and produced by World Productions for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). It began broadcasting on BBC Two on 26 June 2012. ...
(
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf
The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf is an American Thoroughbred horse race for two-year-old horses, run on a grass course at a distance of one mile. It is part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, the ''de facto'' year-end championship for North ...
). Romanised settled in fifth place as his pacemaker Success Days disputed the early lead with Vocal Music before making a forward move 400 metres from the finish. Shaman went to the front 300 metres out but Romanised gained the advantage 120 metres from the finish and won "readily" by a length and a quarter. Ken Condon said "There's nothing like winning a Classic, but I've been watching racing since I was knee-high to a grasshopper and I've been very much aware of the history and prestige of this race. To get his name on the roll of honour means an awful lot. He was very impressive and it was great to see... he's more mature this season, he seems to be improving and I'd say that might be a career-best."
At
Longchamp Racecourse
The Longchamp Racecourse (, ) is a 57 hectare horse-racing facility located on the Route des Tribunes at the Bois de Boulogne in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, 16th arrondissement of Paris, France. It is used for flat racing and is noted for ...
on 8 September Romanised was made the 3.2/1 favourite for the
Prix du Moulin
The Prix du Moulin de Longchamp is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,600 metres (about 1 mile), and it is s ...
. After racing in mid-division he took the lead approaching the last 200 metres but was overtaken in the closing stages and beaten a nose by
Circus Maximus
The Circus Maximus (Latin for "largest circus"; Italian language, Italian: ''Circo Massimo'') is an ancient Roman chariot racing, chariot-racing stadium and mass entertainment venue in Rome, Italy. In the valley between the Aventine Hill, Avent ...
after being impeded as the winner hung to the left in the closing stages. After an inquiry by the racecourse stewards the result was allowed to stand. Ken Condon stated that his trainee's owner Robert Ng was lodging an appeal commenting "He's a great sportsman but thinks it's a pretty cut and dried case. To be fair to the horse, to his record and career, that's what's going to happen". On 19 September an appeal panel upheld the original decision. Ng's racing manager Rupert Pritchard-Gordon said "It's a little disappointing but ultimately it's their decision. Everyone has their own opinion, we thought we had a very good case... The decision didn't go our way but we felt it was worth a try."
2020: five-year-old season
The 2020 flat racing season in Britain and Ireland was disrupted by the
COVID-19
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...
with many races being cancelled or rescheduled before racing resumed
behind closed doors
Behind Closed Doors may refer to:
Film, television and radio Film
* ''Behind Closed Doors'' (1929 film), an early talkie starring Virginia Valli
* Behind Closed Doors (1961 film), ''Behind Closed Doors'' (1961 film), an Italian comedy film by Dino ...
in June. Romanised made his first appearance of the year in the Minstrel Stakes on 18 July and started the 9/4 second favourite behind the
Gladness Stakes winner Lancaster House. After racing in third place he overcame some problems in running before overtaking the front-running favourite just inside the final furlong and drawing ahead in the closing stages to win by one and three quarter lengths. Condon felt that the ground was softer than ideal for the horse but said "It's lovely to see him back. We were anxious to start him on his own doorstep and what better place than here in a race he's won before and obviously he has good form here. I'm delighted with that... He had a blow too, but it's important after being out for so long as there is no substitute for a match, you can do all the training you like."
In August Romanised attempted to repeat his 2019 success in the Prix Jacques le Marois but despite making some progress from the rear of the field in the last 400 metres he never looked to be a serious threat and came home fifth of the seven runners behind
Palace Pier. In the following month he contested the Prix du Moulin again but was never in contention and finished last of the six runners. After a break of over two months the horse was dropped in class for a minor race on the
Polytrack
The track surface of a horse racing track refers to the material of which the track is made. There are three types of track surfaces used in modern horse racing. These are:
*Turf, the most common track surface in Europe
*Dirt, the most common trac ...
surface at
Dundalk Stadium
Dundalk Stadium is a horse and greyhound racing venue in Ireland. It is located to the north of Dundalk in County Louth.
The total build cost €35million with a modern grandstand, elevated viewing areas, restaurant and bars.
Horse racing
T ...
in November when he started odds on favourite but after taking the lead and looking the likely winner he was overtaken in the closing stages and finished third. On his final appearance Romanised was sent to contest the
Hong Kong Mile
The Hong Kong Mile is a Conditions races, Group 1 Flat racing, flat Horse racing, horse race in Hong Kong which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 1,600 metres (about 1 mile) at Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha ...
at
Sha Tin Racecourse
Sha Tin Racecourse is one of the two racecourses for horse racing in Hong Kong. It is located in Sha Tin District, Sha Tin in the New Territories. It is managed by Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Penfold Park is encircled by the track, and the Ho ...
on 13 December. Starting a 118/1 outsider he never recovered from a poor start and finished last of te sixteen runners behind
Golden Sixty.
Six days after his run in Hong Kong it was announced that Romanised had been retired from racing. Condon commented "From when he first commenced fast work in the spring of his two-year-old year, Romanised showed that precocity, speed and class that were the hallmarks of his racing career. His biggest attributes were his superior cruising speed and an electric turn of foot."
Stud career
Romanised began his career as a breeding stallion at Haras de Bouquetot near
Clarbec in
Normandy
Normandy (; or ) is a geographical and cultural region in northwestern Europe, roughly coextensive with the historical Duchy of Normandy.
Normandy comprises Normandy (administrative region), mainland Normandy (a part of France) and insular N ...
, standing at a fee of €7,000.
Pedigree
*Romanised is
inbred
Inbreeding is the production of offspring from the mating or breeding of individuals or organisms that are closely related genetically. By analogy, the term is used in human reproduction, but more commonly refers to the genetic disorders an ...
4 × 4 to Northern Dancer, meaning that this stallion appears twice in the fourth generation of his pedigree.
References
{{Reflist
2015 racehorse births
Racehorses bred in Ireland
Racehorses trained in Ireland
Thoroughbred family 8-f
Irish Classic Race winners