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Castle Gandolfo - the Lingfield Meteor
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Castle Gandolfo,
the horse who set the standard of with a rating of 81 in the Sandform
ratings is a horse by which all others are measured. To put this
performance into perspective the following horses then and since are
still 2 lengths shy of his performance: ARAMRAM 79, DUPONT 78,TUMBLEWEED
CHARM 77, AUTUMN GLORY 79, COURT MASTERPIECE 79, BABODANA 76, MAC LOVE
76, JACK SULLIVAN 75, ECCENTRIC 77, VORTEX 77, TE QUIERO 77.
Bred by Orpendale (KY) and trained by Aiden O'Brien, Castle Gandolfo's
breeding is as you would expect for the trainer - sired by Gone West out
of Golden Oriole who herself was by NORTHERN DANCER.
0n the 28th April 2001 on soft going at the Curragh and piloted home by
the maestro Mick Kinane, Castle Gandolfo scored a 1/2L victory over
Marionnaud with Zaffrani 1-1/2L further back over 6F in a time of
1m16.3.
He followed that up on the 14th of October 2001 where he scored again as
a 2yo in the Group 3 Beresford stakes at the Curragh over a mile on a
yielding track in a time of 1m44.7 with Camp David 7L behind.
Later that month on October 27th 2001, he ran within 3/4L of HIGH
CHAPARRAL when finishing second over a mile in the Racing Post Trophy
Group-1.
Castle Gandolfo's massive 81 performance was a result of a mile race run
at Lingfield on the 6th April 2002 in the Fosters-International Trial
Stakes Class B2 conditions race. In this race he beat ARAMRAM by
2-1/2L AND DUPONT by a further length in a time of 1m36.5 on a slow
course.
That run had been set up for the horse by the Lingfield course in
preparation for his tilt at the Kentucky Derby. What is perhaps
even more impressive about this rating of 81 was that he cruised to the
lead and actually won without having to extend himself.
In the Kentucky Derby he was ridden by Jerry Bailey one of the all-time
great jockeys. Starting from post position 11 he ran at the rear of the
field moving from 15th to 12th in the final stages in a disappointing
effort. He had run well below par that is for sure, but 12th place
in one of the toughest races in the world is not a bad. WAR EMBLEM was
the winner that fine day in a time of 2m01.1 - he had led throughout
passing the mile marker in a time of 1m36.7.
Castle Gandolfo was also placed 5th over 7F in the Malibu stakes Grade 1
at Santa Anita, USA, the winner that day was Debonair Joe in a time of
1m22.4.
Castle Gandolfo later went on to sire duties as a Walmac stallion.
However in September 2004 the horse reared up, fell over backwards and
broke his neck at Haras Mocito Guapo in Chile. The then 5yo son of Gone
West and former European juvenile star was taken from us before he could
make any impact as a stallion.
As a very compact and powerful 2yo and whilst not outshining other stars
of his era, nonetheless he was a star also. Like many a shooting star
flashing before the eyes, too many of these fine animals are taking away
from us at an early age, for sire duties or in death. One
thing is for sure - in the 'Sport of Kings' it is horses like Castle
Gandolfo who are the 'Kings'.
Submitted by
Gary Pollard.
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