Vintage Crop facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vintage Crop |
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Vintage Crop at the National Stud in 2013.
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| Sire | Rousillon |
| Grandsire | Riverman |
| Dam | Overplay |
| Damsire | Bustino |
| Sex | Gelding |
| Foaled | 1 March 1987 |
| Died | 14 July 2014 (aged 27) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Colour | Chestnut |
| Breeder | Bertram & Diana Firestone |
| Owner | Dr. Michael Smurfit |
| Trainer | Dermot Weld |
| Record | 28: 16-3-3 |
| Earnings | £1,065,808 |
| Major wins | |
| Cesarewitch Handicap (1992) Curragh Cup (1993, 1995) Irish St. Leger (1993, 1994) Melbourne Cup (1993) Saval Beg Stakes (1994) Ballycullen Stakes (1995) |
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| Awards | |
| Cartier Champion Stayer (1993) | |
| Honours | |
| Life-size statue at Curragh Racecourse Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan Racecourse |
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| Last updated on 22 May 2014 | |
Vintage Crop (born March 1, 1987, died July 14, 2014) was a famous Thoroughbred racehorse. He was born in the United Kingdom but trained in Ireland. Vintage Crop is best known for making history. He was the first horse from the northern part of the world to win Australia's biggest race, the Melbourne Cup.
This amazing horse was a gelding with a chestnut coat. He raced in flat racing events in Ireland, England, and Australia. He competed from 1992 to 1995. During his career, Vintage Crop won 16 races. In 1993, he was named the Cartier Award for Top Stayer for his excellent performance.
Vintage Crop became internationally famous in 1993 after his Melbourne Cup win. A statue of him stands at the Curragh Racecourse in Ireland. He even returned to Australia for the Melbourne Cup in 1994 and 1995. He finished seventh and third in those races. His trainer, Dermot Weld, later won the Melbourne Cup again in 2002 with another Irish horse, Media Puzzle.
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About Vintage Crop
Vintage Crop was a chestnut horse. He had a white star on his forehead and three white socks on his legs. He was bred in the United Kingdom by Bertram and Diana Firestone.
His Family
Vintage Crop's father was a stallion named Rousillon. Rousillon was an American horse who raced in Europe. He won important races like the Queen Anne Stakes. Vintage Crop was one of Rousillon's first foals. Vintage Crop's mother was a mare named Overplay. She won two smaller races.
His Owners and Trainer
Vintage Crop was owned by Michael Smurfit. He was trained by Dermot Weld. Weld trained Vintage Crop at the Curragh in Ireland.
Vintage Crop's Racing Career
Vintage Crop had an exciting racing career. He competed in many different types of races.
Starting His Career
Vintage Crop began racing in October 1991. He won a two-mile flat race. After that, he raced in National Hunt races, which involve jumping over obstacles. He won two novice hurdle races in December.
In 1992, he returned to flat racing. He won handicap races at Gowran Park and Tralee. He also raced in the Group One Irish St. Leger. In October, he went to England. There, he won the Cesarewitch Handicap by a large margin. He won by eight lengths.
His Amazing 1993 Season
In 1993, Vintage Crop briefly went back to hurdling. He finished sixth in the Champion Hurdle. Then, he focused on long-distance flat races. He won a race at Leopardstown and the Curragh Cup. He also placed in other races like the Saval Beg Stakes.
On September 18, he raced in the Irish St Leger again. He won the race by two and a half lengths. After this win, Vintage Crop traveled to Australia. He aimed to be the first foreign horse to win the Melbourne Cup.
Winning the Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is a very famous race. Vintage Crop, ridden by Mick Kinane, ran a powerful race. He passed Te Akau Nick near the finish line. Vintage Crop won by three lengths. This was a historic win for a horse trained outside Australia.
Later Races
In 1994, Vintage Crop won the Saval Beg Stakes. He also finished second in the Ascot Gold Cup. After winning another race, he raced in the Irish St Leger again. He won this race for the second time. Later that year, he competed in the 1994 Melbourne Cup. He carried the most weight in the race and finished seventh.
As an eight-year-old in 1995, Vintage Crop continued to race. He won a race at Leopardstown and the Curragh Cup for the second time. He also won the Ballycullen Stakes. In his very last race, he finished third in the 1995 Melbourne Cup.
Retirement Life
After his racing career, Vintage Crop retired to the Irish National Stud in Kildare. This is a special place where famous horses live. Visitors could come and see him. He was part of the stud's Living Legends exhibit. Other famous horses like Kicking King and Moscow Flyer also lived there.
Vintage Crop passed away on July 14, 2014. He was 27 years old. He was buried on the K Club golf course. A large grave marker honors his memory.
See also
- List of millionaire racehorses in Australia
- List of Melbourne Cup winners
