Selkirk (horse)

Selkirk (February 19, 1988 – January 3, 2013)[2] was an American-bred Thoroughbred race horse and sire who raced mainly in Europe. Bred in Pennsylvania and owned by American philanthropist businessman George W. Strawbridge Jr., he was trained by Ian Balding.[3] At the end of 1991, his third year, he had a record of 3-1-2 out of seven starts. In total, he had won six of his 15 starts.[3] He retired from racing in 1993 and began his stud career at Kirsten Rausing's Lanwades stud farm in Newmarket, England, where he sired 92 stakes winners from 987 foals. He died on January 3, 2013, at the age of 25.

Selkirk
Selkirk during his stud retirement in the 1990s.
(Courtesy of Lanwades Stud)
SireSharpen Up
GrandsireAtan
DamAnnie Edge
DamsireNebbiolo
SexStallion
FoaledFebruary 19, 1988[1]
CountryUnited States (bred)
Europe (raced)
ColourChestnut
BreederGeorge W. Strawbridge Jr.
OwnerGeorge W. Strawbridge Jr.
TrainerIan Balding
JockeyJohn Reid
Ray Cochrane
Record15:6-2-3
EarningsUSD$843,661
£519080.15
Major wins
Stardom Stakes (1990)
Fortune Stakes (1991)
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (1991)
Celebration Mile (1992)
Lockinge Stakes (1992)
Challenge Stakes (1992)
Honours
Timeform's European champion miler (1991, 1992)

Background

Selkirk was a chestnut horse with a white blaze and long white socks on his hind legs, bred in Pennsylvania by his owner George Strawbridge. He was sired by Sharpen Up, a British racehorse who won the Middle Park Stakes in 1971[4] before becoming a successful breeding stallion. His other progeny included Pebbles, Kris and Diesis. Selkirk's dam, Annie Edge was a successful racemare for Strawbridge on both sides of the Atlantic, winning the Park Stakes in 1983,[5] and the New York Stakes a year later. Strawbridge sent his colt to be raced in Europe and trained at Ian Balding's Kingsclere training facility near Watership Down, Hampshire, England.

Racing career

1990: two-year-old season

Selkirk never contested a maiden race, instead starting his career in a Listed stakes event. On September 14 Selkirk won his debut race in the Stardom Stakes at Goodwood by four lengths with a time of 1m 38.56s. He was immediately moved up to the highest level for the Group One Grand Critérium at Longchamp on October 6 in which finished fourth at around three lengths behind champion Hector Protector.

1991: three-year-old season

In the first half of the year, Selkirk had begun to experience pain and his racing began to falter. Veterinarian Simon Knapp discovered that the horse had an un-descended or trapped testicle. Surgery and subsequent recovery was required.[6]

On September 6, Selkirk returned to racing. The Milcars Temple Fortune Stakes at Kempton Park was his first impressive win as he broke the course record by almost three seconds, winning by five lengths with a time of 1m 36.43s.[6] Both owner and trainer took the win as a sign Selkirk was not only back in racing form, but also more improved. He was entered into the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on September 28 against the best milers of Europe, such as Kooyonga and Shadayid. Selkirk won that race by 1+1⁄2 lengths at a time of 1m 44.34s.[3]

His previous victory allowed him to be highweighted at the 1991 English Free Handicap at 7 to 9+1⁄2 furlongs. He received his first honor in 1991 as Timeform named him Europe's Champion Miler. This honor followed him into his fourth year and 1992.

1992: four-year-old season

On his first appearance of the new season Selkirk won the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 15 by 2+1⁄2 lengths over Lahib (1m 36.99s). In July he finished second to Marling by only a head in the Sussex Stakes, and on August 29 he won the Celebration Mile (1m 41.72s) by 2+1⁄2 over Steinbeck, the latter two races at Goodwood. Selkirk was set to become the first horse since Brigadier Gerard in 1972 to win consecutive runnings of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, but his regular jockey Ray Cochrane had been suspended. Former jockey John Reid and Selkirk finished third. His next 2+1⁄2-length finish came on October 15 at Newmarket in the seven-furlong Challenge Stakes with a time of 1m 22.27s over Thourios. Native-American Selkirk finished his racing career on October 31 at Gulfstream Park at the Breeders' Cup Mile. The tight turns and high humidity of the track proved difficult for Selkirk and he came in fifth across the wire, five lengths behind winner Lure.[3][6]

Stud career

At the age of five, Selkirk retired to Kirsten Rausing's Lanwades Stud farm in Newmarket, England. The horse's stud fee in 1993 was USD$32,506 (£20,000). That price had doubled by 2005. Within 20 years, he had sired 92 stakes winners from 987 foals, 16 of which became Grade/Group 1 winners and two top line winners.[3] His most successful offspring included Classic winners Wince and Kastoria as well as Nahrain, Cityscape, Sublimity and the Pretty Polly Stakes winner Thistle Bird.[7]

Death

Selkirk died of old age on January 3, 2013. Of his death, Kirsten Rausing stated: "We will greatly miss him, but his memory will live on, not only here at the stud, but throughout the Thoroughbred industry in this country and abroad."[3] Former trainer Ian Balding added: "He was a wonderful racehorse first and then went on to prove himself as a champion stallion ... He was just a lovely horse to have anything to do with. Most people used to say he wanted soft ground but he went on anything."[8]

Career races
Date Race & Course
(# furlongs)		 Race Outcome* Winning Time
(mins:secs)		 Jockey
September 14, 1990[9]Stardom Stakes at Goodwood (8)1/5, 4 lengths ahead Balaat1:38.56John Reid
October 6, 1990[10]Grand Critérium at Longchamp (8)4/5, 5+3⁄4 behind Hector Protector1:41.10John Reid
March 30, 1991[11]Easter Stakes at Kempton Park (8)2/10, 2 b. Corrupt1:41.63John Reid
May 11, 1991[12]Lingfield Derby Trial at Lingfield Park (11)3/8, 5 b. Corrupt2:27.01John Reid
May 21, 1991[13]Predominate Stakes at Goodwood (10)3/8, 1 b. Man From Eldorado2:7.98John Reid
June 29, 1991[14]Royal Mail Stakes at Newcastle (8)4/7, 2+1⁄2 b. Radwell1:40.47Ray Cochrane
September 6, 1991[15]Milcars Temple Fortune Stakes
at Kempton Park (8)		1/14, 5 a. Susurration1:36.43**Ray Cochrane
September 28, 1991[16]Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot (8)1/9, 1+1⁄2 a. Kooyonga1:44.34Ray Cochrane
May 15, 1992[17]Lockinge Stakes at Newbury (8)1/10, 2+1⁄2 a. Lahib1:36.99Ray Cochrane
May 31, 1992[18]Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp (9)6/11, 6 b. Zoman1:54.60Ray Cochrane
June 29, 1992[19]Sussex Stakes at Goodwood (8)2/8, head b. Marling1:36.68Ray Cochrane
August 29, 1992[20]Celebration Mile at Goodwood (8)1/7, 2+1⁄2 a. Steinbeck1:41.72Ray Cochrane
September 26, 1992[21]Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot (8)3/9, 3+1⁄2 b. Lahib1:44.50John Reid
October 15, 1992[22]Challenge Stakes at Newmarket (7)1/8, 2+1⁄2 a. Thourios1:22.27Ray Cochrane
October 31, 1992[23]Breeders' Cup Mile at Gulfstream Park (8)5/5, 5+1⁄4 b. Lure1:32.80Ray Cochrane

* Place finished, distance won/lost by.
** A course record at the time.

Pedigree
Pedigree of Selkirk, chestnut stallion, 1988[24]
Sire
Sharpen Up, ch 1969 8.9f		 Atan, ch 1961 Native Dancer, br. 1950 Polynesian, br. 1942
Geisha, gr. 1942
Mixed Marriage Tudor Minstrel
Persian Maid
Rocchetta, ch 1995 Rockefella Hyperion
Rockfel
Chambiges Majano
Chanterelle
Dam
Annie Edge, ch 1980		 Nebbiolo, 12.6f Yellow God Red God
Sally Deans
Novara Birkhahn
Norbelle
Friendly Court Be Friendly Skymaster
Lady Sliptic
No Court Court Harwell
Tiger's Bay

References
  1. "SElkirk pedigree". Equineline. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
  2. Stevens, Martin (2013-01-05). "Champion miler and leading sire Selkirk dies". Racing Post. Retrieved 2013-01-05.
  3. Hammonds, Evan (January 4, 2013). "Champion, Top Sire Selkirk Dead at 25". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  4. Mortimer, Roger; Onslow, Richard; Willett, Peter (1978). Biographical Encyclopedia of British Flat Racing. Macdonald and Jane's. ISBN 0-354-08536-0.
  5. Timeform (1984). Racehorses of 1983. Timeform. ISBN 0-900599-40-5.
  6. "Kingsclere: Selkirk". kingsclere.com. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  7. "Selkirk Stud Record". Racing Post. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
  8. "Balding salutes outstanding miler Selkirk". The West Australian. 2013-01-05. Retrieved 2013-01-05.
  9. "Goodwood Result – 14 Sep 1990". Racing Post. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  10. "Longchamp (FR) Result – 06 Oct 1990". Racing Post. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  11. "Kempton Result – 30 Mar 1991". Racing Post. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  12. "Lingfield Result – 11 May 1991". Racing Post. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  13. "Goodwood Result – 21 May 1991". Racing Post. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  14. "Newcastle Result – 29 Jun 1991". Racing Post. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  15. "Kempton Result – 06 Sep 1991". Racing Post. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  16. "Ascot Result – 28 Sep 1991". Racing Post. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  17. "Newbury Result – 15 May 1992". Racing Post. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  18. "Longchamp (FR) Result – 31 May 1992". Racing Post. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  19. "Goodwood Result – 29 Jul 1992". Racing Post. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  20. "Goodwood Result – 29 Aug 1992". Racing Post. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  21. "Ascot Result – 26 Sep 1992". Racing Post. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  22. "Newmarket Result – 15 Oct 1992". Racing Post. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  23. "Gulfstream park (USA) Result – 31 Oct 1992". Racing Post. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  24. "Selkirk pedigree". lanwades.com. Retrieved 2013-01-05.
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