High-Rise (3 May 1995 – 13 June 2012) was a Thoroughbred race horse and sire, bred in Ireland, but trained in the United Kingdom, Dubai and the United States. He is best known as the winner of the Derby in 1998.

High-Rise
Racing colours of Obaid Al Maktoum
SireHigh Estate
GrandsireShirley Heights
DamHigh Tern
DamsireHigh Line
SexStallion
Foaled1995
CountryIreland
ColourBay
BreederMohammed Obaid Al Maktoum
OwnerMohammed Obaid al Maktoum
Godolphin Racing
TrainerLuca Cumani (1997–98)
Saeed bin Suroor (1999–2000)
Kiaran McLaughlin (2000)
Record13: 5-2-2
Earnings£1,209,785
Major wins
Lingfield Derby Trial (1998)
Epsom Derby (1998)
Dubai City of Gold (2000)
Last updated on August 24, 2007

Background

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High-Rise was a bay horse bred in Ireland by his owner Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum a cousin of Sheikh Mohammed.[1]

He was the best offspring of his sire, High Estate[2] the Champion European two-year-old of 1988.[3] His dam, High Tern was a minor winner, and a sister of High Hawk, a top-class stayer (Premio Roma) who produced the Breeders' Cup Turf winner In The Wings.[4]

High-Rise was first sent into training with Luca Cumani at Newmarket, Suffolk.

Racing career

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1997: two-year-old season

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High-Rise made his racecourse debut at the very end of the 1997 British flat-racing season, when he was entered in an eighteen-runner maiden race at Doncaster. He ran prominently, but after looking outpaced in the straight, he produced a strong late to lead close to the finish and win by a short head.[5]

1998: three-year-old season

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Spring

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High-Rise began his three-year-old season with a run in a minor stakes event at Pontefract. Starting the 2/1 favourite he was moved up to take the lead a furlong from the finish and quickly went clear of the field. His jockey, Jason Weaver, eased the colt down in the closing stages as he recorded a three and a half length win.[6]

He was then moved up in class for the Group Three Lingfield Derby Trial. As its name suggests, this race is often an important indicator of Derby form, and had produced several winners of the Epsom race, including Kahyasi, trained by Luca Cumani ten years previously. Ridden by Frankie Dettori High-Rise took the lead two furlongs out and ran on strongly under pressure to win by a neck from Sadian.[7] After the race, Cumani described High-Rise as "a very nice horse" with "a real turn of foot", but seemed undecided about running him in the Derby.[8]

Summer

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The favourite for the 1998 Derby was the filly Cape Verdi, winner of the 1,000 Guineas, who was ridden by Frankie Dettori. Her main danger was expected to come from the Ballydoyle colts Second Empire and King of Kings, with High-Rise being largely ignored as a 20/1 outsider, despite being the only unbeaten horse in the field.[9] Ridden by Olivier Peslier, High-Rise was held up in the early stages and was still towards the rear as the field turned into the straight, led by the 150/1 outsider Sunshine Street. From two furlongs out, High-Rise began to make rapid progress, catching Sunshine Street to take the lead a furlong from the finish. The only challenger was Cape Verdi's stable companion, City Honours, who was produced with a strong run along the inside by John Reid. The two colts raced alongside each other in the closing strides and reached the line almost together, with High-Rise, under a strong ride from Peslier, winning by a head.[10] Peslier, who was cautioned by the stewards for his frequent use of the whip, praised the colt's speed and courage: "He absolutely flew... he's a fighter".[11]

Plans to run High-Rise against the Prix du Jockey-Club winner Dream Well in the Irish Derby, which would have involved paying a £75,000 supplementary fee, were abandoned after Cumani decided that the horse needed more time to recover between races.[12]

High-Rise did not run again till late July, when he was made 11/4 favourite for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot He raced more prominently than at Epsom and produced a sustained run in the straight, despite hanging to the left under pressure, and finished second, a length behind Swain. Although he had been defeated, it was arguably his best performance,[13] as he finished ahead of notable horses such as Royal Anthem, Daylami and Silver Patriarch.[14]

Following the race, High-Rise's connections announced that the colt would stay in training as a four-year-old.[15]

Autumn

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In October, he made his only other appearance of the season, when he started 4/1 for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on soft ground at Longchamp. Ridden by Mick Kinane he stayed on strongly after being unable to find a clear run in the closing stages and finished seventh, beaten three lengths, behind Sagamix.[16]

The horse was being prepared for the Breeders' Cup Turf when it was announced that he would be sent to Saeed bin Suroor to be prepared for the following year's Dubai World Cup. Cumani described the decision as "a bit of a shock"[17]

1999: four-year-old season

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Before the start of the 1999 season, High-Rise was transferred to the ownership of Godolphin Racing. Although he was believed to be one of Godolphin's best hopes for the Dubai World Cup, and was described as being in "cracking form"[18] prior to the race he ran very disappointingly, finishing tailed off last of the eight runners behind Almutawakel.

High-Rise was then off the course for almost six months. On his reappearance, he ran a promising race in the Arc Trial at Newbury finishing three quarters of a length second to Fantastic Light, with the two finishing nine lengths clear of the other runners. At Newmarket a month later he finished sixth, beaten three lengths the Champion Stakes, finishing strongly after being blocked and losing his place in a rough race.[19]

High-Rise's intended target for the end of the season was the Breeders' Cup Turf, but when nineteen runners were entered for the fourteen runner race, he was named only third reserve, and his connections re-routed him to the Japan Cup.[20] The change in plan proved profitable as High-Rise earned £268,000 in the Tokyo race, in which he finished third behind Special Week and Indigenous, ahead of notable performers such as Montjeu, Borgia and Stay Gold.[21]

2000: five-year-old season

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High-Rise returned to Dubai in the winter of 1999/2000. In February, he recorded his first win since the Derby when he took the Dubai City of Gold "comfortably" by two and a half lengths.[22] The performance was described by one trade paper as a "brilliant return to form." A month later he finished third of sixteen runners to Fantastic Light in the Dubai Sheema Classic, but returned from the race with an ankle injury which kept him off the racecourse for the next ten weeks.[23]

Before his next race High-Rise's ownership was transferred back to Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum and the horse was moved to the stable of Kiaran McLaughlin in New York.[24] He made only one start for his new trainer, finishing last of the eight runners behind Manndar in the Manhattan Handicap at Belmont Park.

Following this race it was announced that High-Rise had fractured a sesamoid bone[13] and would not race again. He was then retired to stud.

Race record

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Date Race Dist (f) Course Class Prize (£K) Odds Runners Placing Margin Time Jockey Trainer
7 November 1997 EBF Cooperative Bank Maiden Stakes 7 Doncaster M 3 8/1 18 1 Short head 1:31.42 Royston Ffrench Luca Cumani
21 April 1998 Buttercross Limited Stakes 10 Pontefract 5 2/1 8 1 3.5 2:21.10 Jason Weaver Luca Cumani
9 May 1998 EBF Hedgehope Maiden Stakes 12 Lingfield 3 31 15/8 6 1 Neck 2:24.80 Frankie Dettori Luca Cumani
6 June 1998 Derby 12 Epsom 1 598 20/1 15 1 Head 2:33.88 Olivier Peslier Luca Cumani
25 July 1998 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes 12 Ascot 1 354 11/4 8 2 1 2:29.06 Olivier Peslier Luca Cumani
4 October 1998 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 12 Longchamp 1 404 4/1 14 7 3.25 2:34.50 Michael Kinane Luca Cumani
28 March 1999 Dubai World Cup 10 Nad Al Sheba 1 10 8 8 45 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor
19 September 1999 Arc Trial 11 Newbury L 28 10/11 6 2 0.75 2:21.51 Olivier Peslier Saeed bin Suroor
16 October 1999 Champion Stakes 10 Newmarket Rowley 1 228 5/1 13 6 3 2:05.57 Olivier Peslier Saeed bin Suroor
28 November 1999 Japan Cup 12 Tokyo 1 1071 19/1 15 3 1.5 2:25.50 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor
24 February 2000 Dubai City of Gold 12 Nad Al Sheba L 34 7 1 2.5 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor
25 March 2000 Dubai Sheema Classic 12 Nad Al Sheba 3 731 16 3 5 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor
10 June 2000 Manhattan Handicap 10 Belmont Park 1 146 3/1 9 8 19.5 1:59.61 John R. Velazquez Kiaran McLaughlin

Assessment and honours

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In the 1998 International Classification (the forerunner of the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings) High-Rise was given a rating of 127, equal to Real Quiet, Victory Gallop and Dr Fong and one pound below the top-rated three-year-old Desert Prince.[25]

High-Rise was given a peak Timeform rating of 130[26] In their book A Century of Champions, John Randall and Tony Morris rated High-Rise as an "inferior" Derby winner.[27]

Since 1999, Pontefract Racecourse, where High-Rise won on his three-year-old debut, have staged a race named in his honour.[28]

Stud career

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High-Rise stood as a stallion in Japan for the Darley organisation at the Lex Company stud, Shizunai[29] at an initial fee of £8,000.[30]

High-Rise returned to Ireland in 2004, to stand at the Park House Stud, County Carlow at a stud fee of €1,500.[31] He was marketed as a National Hunt stallion. Died on 13 June 2012.[32]

Pedigree

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Pedigree of High-Rise (IRE), bay stallion, 1995
Sire
High Estate (IRE)
1986
Shirley Heights
1975
Mill Reef Never Bend
Milan Mill
Hardiemma Hardicanute
Grand Cross
Regal Beauty
1981 
Princely Native Raise a Native
Charlo
Dennis Belle Crafty Admiral
Evasion
Dam
High Tern (IRE)
1982
High Line
1966 
High Hat Hyperion
Madonna
Time Call Chanteur
Aleria
Sunbittern
1970
Sea Hawk Herbager
Sea Nymph
Pantoufle Panaslipper
Etoile de France (Family: 9-a)

References

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  1. ^ "Sheikh Mohammed Obaid al Maktoum". Breederscup.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  2. ^ "High Estate | Stud Record | Bloodstock Stallion Book". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  3. ^ "Bloodstock: High Estate back to stand at Newmarket". 12 September 2000. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2011 – via The Free Library.
  4. ^ "High-Rise". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  5. ^ "EBF Co-operative Bank Maiden Stakes". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 14 October 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  6. ^ "Buttercross Stakes". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 14 October 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  7. ^ "Lingfield Derby Trial". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  8. ^ Montgomery, Sue (10 May 1998). "Racing: Cumani takes the High road to Epsom – Sport". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  9. ^ Holt, Simon (6 June 1998). "Power of Kinane can enable Empire to strike back". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  10. ^ "Epsom Derby result". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 14 October 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  11. ^ Montgomery, Sue (7 June 1998). "Racing: Cumani's answer to girl power – Sport". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  12. ^ Wood, Greg (24 June 1998). "Racing: Caution grounds High-Rise plans – Sport". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  13. ^ a b "Racing: DERBY WINNER RETIRED". Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2011 – via The Free Library.
  14. ^ "King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  15. ^ Edmondson, Richard (5 August 1998). "Leisure and pleasure on hold for High-Rise". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  16. ^ "Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  17. ^ "Racing: Cumani loses High-Rise". The Independent. London. 24 October 1998. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  18. ^ Edmondson, Richard (22 March 1999). "Worldly top class in Dubai". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  19. ^ "Champion Stakes". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  20. ^ "High-Rise snub stuns Godolphin". 28 October 1999. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2011 – via The Free Library.
  21. ^ "Japan Cup". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  22. ^ "Dubai City of Gold". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  23. ^ "High-Rise to be trained in US". Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2011 – via The Free Library.
  24. ^ "High-Rise in Derby Day return to action". 10 June 2000. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2011 – via The Free Library.
  25. ^ Live Blog (13 January 1999). "Intikhab in a different class". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  26. ^ "SAHorseracing.COM – South African Horseracing and Betting". Sahracing.com. Archived from the original on 26 March 2006. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  27. ^ Morris, Tony; Randall, John (1999). A Century of Champions. Portway Press. p. 205. ISBN 1-901570-15-0.
  28. ^ "High-Rise Stakes". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  29. ^ "Slip Anchor". The Observer. London. 9 February 2011. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  30. ^ "High-Rise going to stud in Japan". 11 August 2000. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2011 – via The Free Library.
  31. ^ "park house stud". BloodHorse. 28 January 2004. Archived from the original on 26 March 2006. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  32. ^ "Derby winners at stud". Sportingpost.co.za. 1 June 2011. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
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