Goldikova facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Goldikova |
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Goldikova, by Dorset-based equine artist Charles Church
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| Sire | Anabaa (US) |
| Grandsire | Danzig |
| Dam | Born Gold (US) |
| Damsire | Blushing Groom |
| Sex | Mare |
| Foaled | 15 March 2005 |
| Died | 5 January 2021 (aged 15) |
| Country | Ireland |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Wertheimer et Frère |
| Owner | Wertheimer et Frère |
| Trainer | Freddy Head |
| Record | 27: 17–6–3 |
| Earnings | €5,201,564 ($7,176,551) |
| Major wins | |
| Prix Chloé (2008) Prix Rothschild (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) Prix du Moulin (2008) Falmouth Stakes (2009) Prix Jacques Le Marois (2009) Prix d'Ispahan (2010, 2011) Queen Anne Stakes (2010) Prix de la Forêt (2010) Breeders' Cup wins: |
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| Awards | |
| European Horse of the year (2010) European Champion Older Horse (2009, 2010) American Champion Female Turf Horse (2009, 2010) |
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| Honours | |
| United States Racing Hall of Fame inductee (2017) | |
Goldikova (born March 15, 2005 – died January 5, 2021) was an amazing French Thoroughbred racehorse. She is famous for winning the Breeders' Cup Mile three times! This made her a true champion. In 2010, she was even named the European Horse of the Year.
Goldikova raced mostly in France. But she also competed in the United States and England. She won 14 big races called Group One races. Nine of these wins were against male horses. This was a huge achievement! She was the only European horse to win more than 10 Group One races since the 1970s. Her jockey, Olivier Peslier, rode her in every single race.
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About Goldikova
Goldikova was bred by Alain and Gérard Wertheimer. Her father was a horse named Anabaa, who won a big race called the July Cup. Her mother, Born Gold, also had another famous foal named Galikova.
Goldikova was trained by Freddy Head. He used to be a champion jockey himself in France.
Goldikova's Racing Career
2007: Two-Year-Old Season
When Goldikova was two years old, she raced twice and won both times! She won the Prix de Toutevoie and the Prix de la Lorie. Both races were held at Chantilly Racecourse in France.
2008: Three-Year-Old Season
Goldikova started her three-year-old season in April 2008. She had a few close finishes at first. Then, she won three races in a row. Her first win was the Prix Chloé. After that, she won the Prix Rothschild. In this race, she beat two other famous horses, Darjina and Natagora.
Her third win that year was the Prix du Moulin in September. She beat Darjina and Natagora again. She also defeated a top Irish horse named Henrythenavigator. Goldikova then traveled to the United States. She won the 2008 Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita Park in California. She was even considered for an Eclipse Award as the best female turf horse that year.
2009: Four-Year-Old Season
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In 2009, Goldikova started her season in May. She then won England's Falmouth Stakes in July. On August 2, she won her second Prix Rothschild in a row. This race was at Deauville-La Touques Racecourse. Just two weeks later, she won her sixth Group One race. This was the Prix Jacques Le Marois, where she easily beat the male horses.
Goldikova then went back to Santa Anita Park. She won her second Breeders' Cup Mile! She showed a different racing style this time. She was near the back for most of the race. Then, she made a huge move around the final turn. She surged past other horses to win in a fast time.
2010: Five-Year-Old Season
After her 2009 Breeders' Cup win, Goldikova rested. She started training again in February 2010. On May 23, she won her first race of the year, the Prix d'Ispahan. She set a new record for that race!
On June 15, Goldikova won the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in England. This was her ninth Group One victory. It was also her sixth win against male horses. On August 1, Goldikova won her third Prix Rothschild in a row. Her jockey, Olivier Peslier, said she won very easily. Two weeks later, she raced in the Prix Jacques Le Marois. She finished second, which was her first loss of the year. Her team thought the soft ground was the reason.
On October 3, Goldikova won the Prix de la Forêt. She beat 16 male horses in this race! By winning, she broke a record for the most Group One wins by a European female horse.
On November 6, 2010, Goldikova made history! She became the first horse ever to win a Breeders' Cup race three times. She won the Breeders' Cup Mile again at Churchill Downs. She beat a top male horse named Gio Ponti. Later that month, Goldikova won two Cartier Racing Awards. She was named Horse of the Year and Champion Older Horse. She was the only horse to win the Champion Older Horse award twice!
2011: Six-Year-Old Season
Goldikova started her six-year-old season on May 22. She won the Prix d'Ispahan for the second time. On June 14, she finished second in the Queen Anne Stakes.
Goldikova won her 14th Group One race, setting a new European record. This was her fourth straight win in the Prix Rothschild! On August 15, she tried to win her 15th Group One race. But the ground was soft, which she didn't like. She finished second in the Prix Jacques Le Marois.
Before her final race, Goldikova ran in the Prix de la Forêt. She finished second by a very small margin. On November 4, 2011, Goldikova ran her last race. She finished third in the Breeders' Cup Mile. She was trying to win it for an amazing fourth time.
Awards and Recognition
Goldikova was one of the best horses in the world. In 2008, she was rated the 6th best horse. In 2009, she was rated the second best horse in the world! Only Sea the Stars, another famous champion, was rated higher. In 2010, she was the top-rated female horse.
In 2017, Goldikova was honored by being added to the American Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. This is a very special award for top racehorses.
Retirement and Reproduction
Goldikova retired from racing right after her last Breeders' Cup race. In 2012, she started a new career as a mother. She had her first foal, a male horse, on February 3, 2013. She had other foals too. Goldikova passed away on January 5, 2021.
Foaling Record
- 2013: Goldikovic (IRE), a bay male horse.
- 2014: Terrakova (IRE), a bay female horse. She won the Prix Cléopâtre (Gr.3) and placed third in the Prix de Diane.
- 2016: A female horse by Intello (GER).
See also
- List of leading Thoroughbred racehorses
- Repeat winners of horse races
