Speciosa

Speciosa
Sire	Danehill Dancer
Grandsire	Danehill
Dam	Specifically
Damsire	Sky Classic
Sex	Mare
Foaled	28 April 2003
Country	Ireland
Colour	Bay
Breeder	K and Mrs Cullen
Owner	Pam Sly, Michael Sly, Tom Davies.
Trainer	Pam Sly
Record	17: 4-3-2
Earnings	£343,628
Major wins
Rockfel Stakes (2005) Nell Gwyn Stakes (2006) 1000 Guineas (2006)

Speciosa (foaled 28 April 2003) is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. In a racing career which lasted from June 2005 and October 2007 she ran seventeen times and won four races. As a two-year-old, she won two of her six races including an upset win in the Group Two Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse. As a three-year-old she won the Nell Gwyn Stakes and then took the Classic 1000 Guineas for her trainer and part owner Pam Sly. She failed to win in nine subsequent races although she placed second in the Earl of Sefton Stakes and the Pretty Polly Stakes. She was retired at the end of the 2007 season to become a broodmare. Her front-running style and unconventional background made her a popular Classic winner.

Background

Speciosa, a bay horse with a white blaze and two white socks, was bred in Ireland by K Cullen. She was large, heavily built mare, standing 16.2 hands high as a three-year-old.^[1] Her dam, Specifically, a daughter of the Canadian champion Sky Classic won one minor race and has produced several other winners including Major Rhythm, a gelding who won the Stars and Stripes Handicap in 2006. Specifically was closely related to Touching Wood, a colt finished second in the Epsom Derby and won the St Leger in 1982.^[2] Speciosa was sired by Danehill Dancer, a stallion whose progeny have won (as of 2012), more than 700 races and more than £13m in prize money.^[3]

In April 2005 the two-year-old Speciosa was offered for sale at Doncaster where she was bought for 30,000 guineas by Pam Sly.^[4] At the time, Sly trained fewer than twenty horses at her farm at Thorney, near Peterborough in Cambridgeshire.^[5] She was mainly known for training jumpers and until Speciosa arrived, she had never had a runner in a Group race.^[6] Pam Sly owned the filly in partnership with her son Michael and the London-based G. P. Tom Davies.^[7] Shortly after buying Speciosa, Sly engaged the Limerick-born jockey Michael "Micky" Fenton to ride her in a training gallop. According to Fenton, who has been described as a "journeyman jockey", the filly "flew down the gallops" and he became her regular partner, riding her in fourteen of her seventeen races.^[8] Speciosa was a highly nervous and temperamental filly: in her early career she was treated with magnesium in an attempt to calm her temperament.^[9]

Racing career

Speciosa began her career by running in maiden races at minor tracks in the summer of 2005. She finished second on her debut at Ripon in June, eighth at Nottingham in July and third at Leicester in August. She was successful at her fourth attempt, winning a maiden at Beverley Racecourse by a head despite veering to the left in the closing stages.^[10] Despite the modest standard of her form, Speciosa was then moved up in class to contest the Group Two May Hill Stakes at Doncaster in September. The 50/1 outsider of the eight runners, she took an early lead which she held until the final furlong before finishing third to Nasheej. Five weeks later, she started at odds of 20/1 in the Group Two Rockfel Stakes over seven furlongs at Newmarket. Fenton sent the filly to the front from the start, and she maintained her lead to the finish, winning by a neck from Violette with the future Sun Chariot Stakes winner Spinning Queen in sixth.^[11] During the winter of 2005/2006, Speciosa's owners turned down several large offers to buy the filly: Pam Sly was over-ruled by her partners after advising them to accept a £1,000,000 bid.^[12]

Speciosa began her three-year-old season in the Nell Gwyn Stakes a trial race for the 1000 Guineas run at Newmarket in April, in which, as a previous Group race winner, she carried a three pounds weight penalty. She led throughout the race and prevailed by a length from Spinning Queen, although she again showed a tendency to hang left inside the final furlong.^[13] Nineteen days later, Speciosa was the 10/1 fourth choice in the betting for the 1000 Guineas, behind Rumplestiltskin, Nannina and Flashy Wings. On Newmarket's wide Rowley Mile course, the field of thirteen runners split into two groups, with Speciosa taking the lead of the larger group racing nearest the stands. In the final quarter mile, many of the runners began to tire on the soft ground, but Speciosa stayed on under pressure, and although she yet again drifted to the left, she won by two lengths from Confidential Lady with Nasheej in third.^[14] Speciosa's victory was enthusiastically received by the Newmarket crowd, who gave the filly and her connections three cheers. Pam Sly described the win as being "for all the little people" and the success of a small stable was contrasted with those achieved by the major international racing organisations such as Coolmore/Ballydoyle and Godolphin.^[12]

Pam Sly paid a £20,000 supplementary fee to run Speciosa in the Epsom Oaks a month later, as the filly had not been one of the original entries for the mile and a half race.^[15] Starting at odds of 5/1, Speciosa led until the final quarter mile before being overtaken and finishing fourth to the Irish-trained filly Alexandrova. Her two remaining race results of 2006 were a ninth to Nasheej in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and a sixth in the Group Two Park Stakes at Doncaster in September.

Speciosa remained in training as a four-year-old but failed to win in six races. She began her season by racing against colts in the Earl of Sefton Stakes and produced a promising performance^[16] to finish second to the 2007 World Champion Manduro. Her only other placing came in June, when she was runner-up to Peeping Fawn in the Group One Pretty Polly Stakes.^[17] She finished unplaced in the Lockinge Stakes, the Nassau Stakes and the Sun Chariot Stakes, all Group One events. On her final appearance, she led for the first six furlongs of the Champion Stakes at Newmarket, before finishing seventh of the twelve runners behind Literato.^[18]

Stud record

Speciosa's first foal, a colt by Oasis Dream Vermuyden, was foaled in March 2009.^[19] She was covered again by Oasis Dream in 2009, a filly foal Specialty, and was one of the first book of mares sent to Sea The Stars in 2010.^[7]

2009 Vermuyden (GB) : Bay gelding, foaled 16 March, by Oasis Dream (GB) - unplaced in 6 starts in England 2013-14

2010 Specialty (IRE) : Bay filly, foaled 1 April, by Oasis Dream (GB) - won twice and placed five times from 14 starts in England 2012-14

2011 Asteroidea (GB) : Bay filly, foaled 29 March, by Sea The Stars (IRE) - won once and placed three times from 6 starts in England 2013-14

2012 Sperrin (IRE) : Bay colt, foaled 9 April, by Dubawi (IRE) - placed fourth twice from 3 starts in England 2014-15

2013 Filly by Teofilo (IRE)

2014 Leveck (IRE) : Colt by Dutch Art (GB)

2015 Colt by Dark Angel (IRE) and to be rested. In 2016 visits Kyllachy (GB).

Pedigree

Pedigree of Speciosa (IRE), bay filly, 2003^[20]
Sire Danehill Dancer (IRE) 1993	Danehill 1986	Danzig	Northern Dancer
		Danzig	Pas de Nom
		Razvana	His Majesty
		Razvana	Spring Adieu
	Mira Adonde 1986	Sharpen Up	Atan
		Sharpen Up	Rocchetta
		Lettre D'Amour	Caro
		Lettre D'Amour	Lianga
Dam Specifically (USA) 1994	Sky Classic 1987	Nijinsky	Northern Dancer
		Nijinsky	Flaming Page
		No Class	Nodouble
		No Class	Classy Quillo
	Specificity 1988	Alleged	Hoist the Flag
		Alleged	Princess Pout
		Mandera	Vaguely Noble
		Mandera	Foolish One (Family 8-d)^[2]

Speciosa is inbred 4x4 to Northern Dancer, meaning that this stallion appears twice in the fourth generation of her pedigree.

References

↑ Horse Racing. "Speciosa on course for Coronation". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
1 2 "Feronia - Family 8-d". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
↑ "Danehill Dancer Stud Record". Bloodstock.racingpost.com. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
↑ "Doncaster sales". Bloodstock.racingpost.com. 2012-07-31. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
↑ "Speciosa controls pace in convincing One Thousand Guineas score". Thoroughbred Times. 2006-05-07. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
↑ Horse Racing. "Speciosa puts Sly in Classic spotlight". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
1 2 By Martin Stevens6:11PM 4 DEC 2009 (2009-12-04). "Speciosa booked in for Sea The Stars visit". Bloodstock.racingpost.com. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
↑ "REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL; Peter Thomas talks to Micky Fenton about life as a journeyman jockey". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
↑ Horse Racing. "Sly happy with Speciosa's near-perfect pitch". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
↑ "EBF BP Acetyls Saltend Maiden Fillies' Stakes". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
↑ "Rockfel Stakes". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
1 2 Horse Racing. "Speciosa strikes major blow for 'little people'". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
↑ "Nell Gwyn Stakes". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
↑ "1000 Guineas". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
↑ Lysaght, Cornelius (2006-05-31). "BBC SPORT | Other Sport... | Horse Racing | Pam bids for Epsom fairytale". BBC News. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
↑ Horse Racing. "Speciosa spot on for Lockinge". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
↑ "Pretty Polly Stakes". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
↑ "Champion Stakes". Racing Post. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
↑ "Guineas Heroine Speciosa Foals her first". Juddmonte.com. 2009-03-18. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
↑ "Speciosa pedigree". equineline.com. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2012-08-05.

1000 Guineas winners

1814 Charlotte 1815 Filly by Selim 1816 Rhoda 1817 Neva 1818 Corinne 1819 Catgut 1820 Rowena 1821 Zeal 1822 Whizgig 1823 Zinc 1824 Cobweb 1825 Tontine 1826 Problem 1827 Arab 1828 Zoe 1829 Young Mouse 1830 Charlotte West 1831 Galantine 1832 Galata 1833 Tarantella 1834 May-day 1835 Preserve 1836 Destiny 1837 Chapeau d'Espagne 1838 Barcarolle 1839 Cara 1840 Crucifix ‡ 1841 Potentia 1842 Firebrand 1843 Extempore 1844 Sorella 1845 Pic-nic 1846 Mendicant 1847 Clementine 1848 Canezou 1849 The Flea 1850 Lady Orford 1851 Aphrodite 1852 Kate 1853 Mentmore Lass 1854 Virago 1855 Habena 1856 Manganese 1857 Imperieuse 1858 Governess 1859 Mayonaise 1860 Sagitta 1861 Nemesis 1862 Hurricane 1863 Lady Augusta 1864 Tomato 1865 Siberia 1866 Repulse 1867 Achievement 1868 Formosa ₩ ‡ 1869 Scottish Queen 1870 Hester 1871 Hannah ₩ 1872 Reine 1873 Cecilia 1874 Apology ₩ 1875 Spinaway 1876 Camelia 1877 Belphoebe 1878 Pilgrimage 1879 Wheel of Fortune 1880 Elizabeth 1881 Thebais 1882 St Marguerite 1883 Hauteur 1884 Busybody 1885 Farewell 1886 Miss Jummy 1887 Reve d'Or 1888 Briarroot 1889 Minthe 1890 Semolina 1891 Mimi 1892 La Fleche ₩ 1893 Siffleuse 1894 Amiable 1895 Galeottia 1896 Thais 1897 Chelandry 1898 Nun Nicer 1899 Sibola 1900 Winifreda 1901 Aida 1902 Sceptre ₩ ‡ 1903 Quintessence 1904 Pretty Polly ₩ 1905 Cherry Lass 1906 Flair 1907 Witch Elm 1908 Rhodora 1909 Electra 1910 Winkipop 1911 Atmah 1912 Tagalie 1913 Jest 1914 Princess Dorrie 1915 Vaucluse 1916 Canyon 1917 Diadem 1918 Ferry 1919 Roseway 1920 Cinna 1921 Bettina 1922 Silver Urn 1923 Tranquil 1924 Plack 1925 Saucy Sue 1926 Pillion 1927 Cresta Run 1928 Scuttle 1929 Taj Mah 1930 Fair Isle 1931 Four Course 1932 Kandy 1933 Brown Betty 1934 Campanula 1935 Mesa 1936 Tide-way 1937 Exhibitionnist 1938 Rockfel 1939 Galatea II 1940 Godiva 1941 Dancing Time 1942 Sun Chariot ₩ 1943 Herringbone 1944 Picture Play 1945 Sun Stream 1946 Hypericum 1947 Imprudence 1948 Queenpot 1949 Musidora 1950 Camaree 1951 Belle of All 1952 Zabara 1953 Happy Laughter 1954 Festoon 1955 Meld ₩ 1956 Honeylight 1957 Rose Royale 1958 Bella Paola 1959 Petite Etoile 1960 Never Too Late 1961 Sweet Solera 1962 Abermaid 1963 Hula Dancer 1964 Pourparler 1965 Night Off 1966 Glad Rags 1967 Fleet 1968 Caergwrle 1969 Full Dress 1970 Humble Duty 1971 Altesse Royale 1972 Waterloo 1973 Mysterious 1974 Highclere 1975 Nocturnal Spree 1976 Flying Water 1977 Mrs McArdy 1978 Enstone Spark 1979 One in a Million 1980 Quick As Lightning 1981 Fairy Footsteps 1982 On The House 1983 Ma Biche 1984 Pebbles 1985 Oh So Sharp ₩ 1986 Midway Lady 1987 Miesque 1988 Ravinella 1989 Musical Bliss 1990 Salsabil 1991 Shadayid 1992 Hatoof 1993 Sayyedati 1994 Las Meninas 1995 Harayir 1996 Bosra Sham 1997 Sleepytime 1998 Cape Verdi 1999 Wince 2000 Lahan 2001 Ameerat 2002 Kazzia 2003 Russian Rhythm 2004 Attraction 2005 Virginia Waters 2006 Speciosa 2007 Finsceal Beo 2008 Natagora 2009 Ghanaati 2010 Special Duty 2011 Blue Bunting 2012 Homecoming Queen 2013 Sky Lantern 2014 Miss France 2015 Legatissimo

Legend - ₩ = Fillies Triple Crown winners, † = Epsom Derby winners, ‡ = 2000 Guineas Stakes winners

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