Rail Link (horse)
Rail Link (26 March 2003 – 20 May 2022[1]) was a thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 2006.
| Rail Link | |
|---|---|
 Rail Link at the 2006 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe | |
| Sire | Dansili |
| Grandsire | Danehill |
| Dam | Docklands |
| Damsire | Theatrical |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 2003 |
| Country | Great Britain |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Juddmonte Farms |
| Owner | Khalid Abdullah |
| Trainer | André Fabre |
| Record | 7: 5-1-0 |
| Earnings | £1,074,965 |
| Major wins | |
| Prix du Lys (2006) Grand Prix de Paris (2006) Prix Niel (2006) Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2006) | |
Background
Rail Link was trained by André Fabre,[2] and was ridden by jockey Christophe Soumillon[3] or Stéphane Pasquier[4] for owner Khalid Abdullah.[5]
Racing career
Unraced at two,[2] he made an inauspicious start to his three-year-old career, unseating his rider on his debut at Saint-Cloud,[5] and then finishing second in its next race at Chantilly Racecourse. From then on he was undefeated in five races, winning the Prix Gouvernant, Prix du Lys, Grand Prix de Paris and Prix Niel.[5]
On 1 October 2006 he won the 85th Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, defeating Pride, Deep Impact, Shirocco, and Hurricane Run.[4]
During the Winter of 2006–7, he suffered a tendon problem and was taken out of training. He was expected to return in the Summer of 2007, but the injury was too serious and he was retired from racing.[6] He was sent to stud at Juddmonte Farms.
Pedigree
| Sire Dansili[5] |
Danehill[7] | Danzig | Northern Dancer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pas de Nom | |||
| Razyana | His Majesty | ||
| Spring Adieu | |||
| Hasili[7] | Kahyasi | Ile de Bourbon | |
| Kadissya | |||
| Kerali | High Line | ||
| Sookera | |||
| Dam Docklands[8] |
Theatrical[8] | Nureyev | Northern Dancer |
| Special | |||
| Tree of Knowledge | Sassafrás | ||
| Sensibility | |||
| Dockage | Riverman | Never Bend | |
| River Lady | |||
| Golden Alibi | Empery | ||
| Charming Alibi |
References
- Arc Winner Rail Link Passes At 19
- McGrath, Chris (21 July 2006). "Rail Link on track to redeem unlucky sire". The Independent. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
- Gina Rarick (2006-10-01). "Horse Racing: Rail Link chugs past favorites for victory". New York Times. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
- "Rail Link takes shock Arc victory". BBC News. 2006-10-01. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
- Marcus Armytage (2007-09-19). "Injured Arc winner Rail Link is retired". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
- Sue Montgomery (2007-07-19). "Racing: Arc winner Rail Link will retire to stud following tendon injury". The Independent. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
- Chris McGrath (2006-07-21). "Racing: Rail Link on track to redeem unlucky sire". The Independent. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
- Tony Smurthwaite (2007-07-19). "2006 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Rail Link retired". Thoroughbred Times. Archived from the original on 2012-09-25. Retrieved 2011-09-04.