Observatory (horse)

Observatory
Sire	Distant View
Grandsire	Mr Prospector
Dam	Stellaria
Damsire	Roberto
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	17 February 1997[1]
Country	United States
Colour	Chestnut
Breeder	Juddmonte Farms
Owner	Khalid Abdulla
Trainer	John Gosden
Record	10: 6-2-0
Earnings	£369,145
Major wins
Jersey Stakes (2000) Lennox Stakes (2000) Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (2000) Prix d'Ispahan (2001)

Observatory is a thoroughbred race horse. He won the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot, and the Prix d'Ispahan in France.

Background

Observatory was a chestnut horse bred in Kentucky by Juddmonte Farms, the breeding operation of his owner Khalid Abdulla. He was one of the best horses sired by Distant View who won the Sussex Stakes in 1994.^[2]

Racing career

1999: two-year-old season

Observatory began his racing career by winning a maiden race at Yarmouth Racecourse but when moved up in class he finished last of the four runners in the Mill Reef Stakes. On his final appearance of the year he returned to Yarmouth and won a minor race over six furlongs in October.^[3]

2000: three-year-old season

Observatory began his second season by finishing second in a Listed race at Newmarket Racecourse on 3 June and was then sent to Royal Ascot for the Group Three Jersey Stakes over seven furlongs. He started at odds of 11/2 in a nineteen-runner field and won by one and a half lengths from Umistim.^[4] At Goodwood Racecourse on 4 August he added a win in the Lennox Stakes, beating Three Points by one and half lengths^[5] but in the Celebration Mile at the same course later that month he was beaten into second by Medicean.

On 23 September Observatory started a 14/1 outsider for the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot. Giant's Causeway started favourite in a field which also included Medicean, Best of the Bests (Prix Guillaume d'Ornano), Indian Lodge (Prix du Moulin) and Crimplene. After placing the colt just behind the leaders, Kevin Darley produced the colt with a sustained run down the centre of the straight to take the lead inside the final furlong and win by half a length from Giant's Causeway.^[6]

2001: four-year-old season

On his first appearance as a four-year-old, Observatory was sent to France for the Group One Prix d'Ispahan over 1850 metres at Longchamp Racecourse on 20 May. Starting the 11/10 favourite against four opponents he took the lead over 200 metres from the finish and held off a challenge from Hightori to win by a short head.^[7] At Royal Acot in June he finished fourth behind Fantastic Light, Kalanisi and Hightori in the Prince of Wales's Stakes]]. He did not race again and was retired to stud at the end of the season.

Stud career

The best of Observatory's offspring has been Twice Over.^[8]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Observatory, chestnut stallion, 1997^[1]

Sire Distant View (USA) 1991	Mr Prospector (USA) 1970	Raise A Native	Native Dancer
			Raise You
		Gold Digger	Nashua
			Sequence
	Seven Springs (USA) 1982	Irish River	Riverman
			Irish Star
		La Trinite	Lyphard
			Promessa
Dam Stellaria (USA) 1986	Roberto (USA) 1969	Hail To Reason	Turn-To
			Nothirdchance
		Bramalea	Nashua
			Rarelea
	Victoria Star (CAN) 1972	Northern Dancer	Nearctic
			Natalma
		Solometeor	Victoria Park
			Solar Display (Family: 4-j)[9]

• Observtory was inbred 4 × 4 to Nashua, meaning that this stallion appears twice in the fourth generation of his pedigree.

References

1. "Observatory pedigree". equineline.com.
2. "Distant View - Stud Record". Racing Post.
3. "Results From The 4.10 Race At Yarmouth - 19 October 1999 - Racing Post". racingpost.com.
4. "Jersey Stakes result". Racing Post. 21 June 2000.
5. "Lennox Stakes result". Racing Post. 4 August 2000.
6. "Queen Elizabeth II Stakes result". Racing Post. 23 September 2000.
7. "Prix d'Ispahan reult". Racing Post. 20 May 2001.
8. "Observatory - Stud Record". Racing Post.
9. "Lady Lumley - Family 4-j". Thoroughbred Bloodlines. Retrieved 2013-09-12.