Notnowcato

Notnowcato, a 16.1-hand{{cite web|url=http://www.lts-uk.com/notnowcato_main.html |title=Stallion :: Notnowcato |publisher=Lts-uk.com |date=15 July 2010 |accessdate=10 September 2011}} chestnut horse with a narrow, white stripe, was bred by the Rothschild family at their own Southcourt Stud near Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England. His unusual name is a reference to The Pink Panther film series.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075066/quotes|title=The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976)|publisher=IMDb}} He was sent into training with Sir Michael Stoute at Newmarket.

As a son of the Hungerford Stakes winner Inchinor,{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/589778/notnowcato |title=Notnowcato pedigree |publisher=Racing Post |accessdate=5 September 2011}} he is a representative of the Byerley Turk sire line,{{cite web|url=http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricSires/SireLineschts/SireLineBT.html |title=Byerley Turk Line |publisher=Tbheritage.com |accessdate=5 September 2011}} unlike more than 95% of modern thoroughbreds, who descend directly from the Darley Arabian.{{cite web|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn7941-95-of-thoroughbreds-linked-to-one-superstud.html |title=95% of thoroughbreds linked to one superstud|work=New Scientist |accessdate=5 September 2011}} Aside from Notnowcato, Inchinor, who died in 2003, sired over five hundred winners including the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner Summoner, the Prix de Diane winner Latice and the sprinter Cape of Good Hope.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/75954/inchinor |title=Inchinor|publisher=Racing Post |accessdate=10 September 2011}} Notnowcato is the first-recorded foal of his dam, Rambling Rose, who won the Listed Galtres Stakes at York in 1998.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/431099/rambling-rose |publisher=Racing Post |title=Rambling Rose race record |date=2 June 2011 |accessdate=5 September 2011}}

Notnowcato began his career as a two-year-old in 2004 with placed efforts at Warwick and Salisbury.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/52/salisbury/2004-09-29/358158 |publisher=Racing Post |title=Portway Novices Stakes|accessdate=5 September 2011}} The following year he proved himself to be a useful and consistent performer, winning two handicaps at Newmarket{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/38/newmarket/2005-04-30/382035 |publisher=Racing Post |title=Curragh Handicap|accessdate=5 September 2011}}{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/38/newmarket/2005-10-14/392012 |publisher=Racing Post |title=William Brindle Handicap |accessdate=5 September 2011}} from six starts. He was obviously some way below top class (his official rating was 101),{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/589778/notnowcato|publisher=Racing Post|title=Notnowcato race record|accessdate=25 August 2011}} but his steady improvement suggested that he could develop into a Group race performer.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/racing-value-lies-with-asset-to-collect-guineas-474029.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112035102/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/racing-value-lies-with-asset-to-collect-guineas-474029.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 November 2012 |title=Value lies with Asset to collect Guineas |work=The Independent |date=14 April 2006 |accessdate=10 September 2011}}

As a four-year-old, Notnowcato continued his "rapid progress", signalling his arrival at a higher level by winning the Earl of Sefton Stakes on his debut in impressive style.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/racing-spectre-of-stoute-overshadows-bond-ambition-474823.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112034949/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/racing-spectre-of-stoute-overshadows-bond-ambition-474823.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 November 2012 |title=Spectre of Stoute overshadows Bond ambition |work=The Independent |date=20 April 2006 |accessdate=5 September 2011}} A month later he followed up with a victory over a stronger field, including Group race winners Hattan (Chester Vase) and Bandari (Princess of Wales's Stakes), in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown Park.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/54/sandown/2006-05-30/408907 |publisher=Racing Post |title=Brigadier Gerard Stakes |accessdate=5 September 2011}} He finished only fifth in a highly anticipated{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/2006/0619/princeofwaless.html |title=Magnificent seven set for Royal showdown |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |date=19 June 2006 |accessdate=5 September 2011}} renewal of the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, but, in being beaten less than two lengths behind proven Group One winners Ouija Board, Electrocutionist, Manduro and David Junior he proved that he was a capable of competing at the highest level. This impression was re-inforced when Notnowcato finished second to David Junior in the Eclipse Stakes, with Ouija Board, who had trouble finding a clear run, back in fifth.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/54/sandown/2006-07-08/406765 |publisher=Racing Post |title=Eclipse Stakes (2006) |accessdate=5 September 2011}}

At York for the International Stakes he was partnered for the first time by Ryan Moore and recorded his best win up to that point. Taking the lead two furlongs out he showed his ability to "dig deep"{{cite web|last=Schweitzer |first=Mary |url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/34978/notnowcato-surprises-foes-in-juddmonte-international |title=Notnowcato Surprises Foes in Juddmonte International |work=BloodHorse |accessdate=5 September 2011}} by staying on strongly to claim a short-head win over Maraahel, with the odds-on favourite Dylan Thomas in fourth.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/2344001/Moore-grabs-first-Group-One.html|title=Moore grabs first Group One|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=23 August 2006|accessdate=26 August 2011}}

Having had a hard race, Notnowcato was given a break to "freshen him up" for an autumn campaign.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/racing-moore-joins-eacutelite-with-notnowcato-412956.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/racing-moore-joins-eacutelite-with-notnowcato-412956.html |archive-date=21 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Moore joins élite with Notnowcato|work=The Independent |date=23 August 2006 |accessdate=10 September 2011}} These plans came to nothing, however, as he ran an "uncharacteristically flat"{{cite web|author=Chris McGrath|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing/chris-mcgrath-new-approachs-ruthless-streak-can-prove-bolger-has-another-monster-on-his-hands-397371.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing/chris-mcgrath-new-approachs-ruthless-streak-can-prove-bolger-has-another-monster-on-his-hands-397371.html |archive-date=21 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=New Approach's ruthless streak |work=The Independent |date=20 October 2007 |accessdate=10 September 2011}} race when finishing last of eight behind Pride in the Champion Stakes{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/38/newmarket/2006-10-14/414132 |publisher=Racing Post |title=Champion Stakes |accessdate=5 September 2011}} and did not return until 2007.

He began his five-year-old season, with a fourth place behind the Breeders' Cup Turf winner Red Rocks in the Gordon Richards Stakes, before travelling outside England for the first and only time to challenge for the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh. Under a strong ride from Johnny Murtagh (who was warned by the stewards for excessive use of the whip) he took up the lead in the straight and stayed on under pressure to hold off Dylan Thomas by a head, with Youmzain four lengths back in third.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/178/curragh/2007-05-27/434238 |publisher=Racing Post |title=Tattersalls Gold Cup |accessdate=5 September 2011}} After the race, Dylan Thomas's trainer, Aidan O'Brien offered "no excuses".{{cite web|url=http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/international-news/2007/may/27/notnowcato-holds-off-dylan-thomas-in-tattersalls-gold-cup.aspx|title=Notnowcato holds off Dylan Thomas in Tattersalls Gold Cup|work=Thoroughbred Times|date=27 May 2007|accessdate=25 August 2011}} At Royal Ascot he was part of a small, but exceptionally strong field for the Prince of Wales's Stakes. He finished third behind the 2007 World Champion Manduro and Dylan Thomas, with Red Rocks fourth and the 2006 Derby winner Sir Percy last of the six runners.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2007-06-20/429755 |publisher=Racing Post |title=Prince of Wales's Stakes (2007) |accessdate=5 September 2011}}

The 2007 Eclipse Stakes was expected to be a contest between the 2007 Derby winner Authorized and the Ballydoyle-trained four-year-old George Washington, who had been rated the equal-best horse in Europe in 2006. Ryan Moore, re-united for the race with Notnowcato, had noticed that the pace of the turf course was uneven, and decided to take advantage of this fact.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jul/08/horseracing.news|title=Notnowcato's Eclipse as Moore plan pays off|work=The Guardian|date=8 July 2007|accessdate=25 August 2011}} As the horses entered the straight, Moore moved Notnowcato sharply to the left to race on the stands side, completely isolated from the other seven runners. While Authorized held off the challenge of George Washington on the far side, Notnowcato kept on strongly along the stands rail to score an upset length-and-a-half victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/54/sandown/2007-07-07/430469 |publisher=Racing Post |title=Eclipse Stakes (2007) |accessdate=5 September 2011}} Moore was effusive in his praise for the colt, saying "he's got a lot of class and a great heart" and offering his opinion that "our lad proved he is the best mile-and-a-quarter horse in this country".{{cite web|last=Deane |first=Thomas |url=http://sport.scotsman.com/horse-racing/Moore-hails-Eclipse-hero-Notnowcato.3302526.jp |title=Moore hails Eclipse hero Notnowcato |work=The Scotsman |accessdate=5 September 2011}} Others, however, considered him a lucky winner, with Chris McGrath in the Independent claiming that Authorized was a "victim of tactics"{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/racing-moores-vigilance-leaves-authorized-a-victim-to-tactics-456511.html |title=Moore's vigilance leaves Authorized a victim to tactics |work=The Independent |date=9 July 2007 |accessdate=10 September 2011}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} who had been "mugged in a messy race".{{cite web|author=Chris McGrath|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing/chris-mcgrath-winkle-value-to-eclipse-the-stars-1731029.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing/chris-mcgrath-winkle-value-to-eclipse-the-stars-1731029.html |archive-date=21 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Chris McGrath: Winkle value to eclipse The Stars |work=The Independent |date=4 July 2009 |accessdate=10 September 2011}}

On his next start, Notnowcato finished third to Authorized and Dylan Thomas in his attempt to win a second International Stakes.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/107/york/2007-08-21/435457 |publisher=Racing Post |title=International Stakes (2007) |accessdate=5 September 2011}} For the second year in a row his poorest performance came in his seasonal finale in the Champion Stakes, this time finishing a remote sixth to the French colt Literato.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/38/newmarket/2007-10-20/437769 |publisher=Racing Post |title=Champion Stakes (2007) |accessdate=5 September 2011}}

Earlier speculation concerning a challenge for the Breeders' Cup Classic{{cite web|last=Haskin |first=Steve |url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/40603/steve-haskins-bc-countdown-law-of-the-land?id=40603 |title=Steve Haskin's BC Countdown: Law of the Land |work=BloodHorse |accessdate=5 September 2011}} came to nothing, and he was retired to stud.

Notnowcato received a peak Timeform rating of 131+,{{cite web|url=http://www.knowsley.com/stanley_house/index.htm|title=Stanley House Stud Homepage|publisher=Stanley House Stud|accessdate=25 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827143044/http://www.knowsley.com/stanley_house/index.htm|archive-date=27 August 2011|url-status=dead}} although his official end of year Timeform rating in 2007 was 128.{{cite web|last=Armytage |first=Marcus |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/8611048/Coral-Eclipse-The-Top-10-winners-of-the-past-40-years.html |title=Coral-Eclipse: The Top 10 winners of the past 40 years |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=1 July 2011 |accessdate=5 September 2011}}

In the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings he was rated at 121 in 2006, making him the twentieth-best racehorse in the world, and in 2007 he was rated at 123, placing him thirteenth.{{cite web|url=http://www.horseracingintfed.com/resources/2007Rankings/2007_WorldRankings.asp |title=The 2007 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings |publisher=International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities |accessdate=5 September 2011}} In the latter year he was rated six pounds below Authorized and Dylan Thomas, despite having beaten both.

Notnowcato retired to stand as a stallion at the Stanley House Stud at Newmarket, with an initial stud fee of £8,000.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing/dylan-thomas-tops-the-price-list-for-sires-off-to-stud-398615.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing/dylan-thomas-tops-the-price-list-for-sires-off-to-stud-398615.html |archive-date=21 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Dylan Thomas tops the price list for sires off to stud |work=The Independent |date=2 November 2007 |accessdate=10 September 2011}} His first crop of foals reached the racecourse in 2011. In June 2012, Notnowcato's son, Fast Or Free, won the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot. In 2013, Knockhouse Stud in County Kilkenny, Ireland purchased Notnowcato.{{cite web|url=http://bloodstock.racingpost.com/news/bloodstock/notnowcato-has-sights-switched-to-jumps-scene/1572034/|title=Notnowcato has sights switched to jumps scene|work=Racing Post}}

The most successful of his offspring included Redkirk Warrior (winner of the 2017 and 2018 Group 1 Newmarket Handicap as well as the Black Caviar Lightning), Custom Cut (winner of seven Group races including the Group 2 Sandown Mile, Group 2 Joel Stakes and Group 2 Solonaway Stakes) and Long Dog (Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle and Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle).{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/589778/notnowcato|publisher=Racing Post|title=Notnowcato – Stud Record}}

Notnowcato collapsed and died of a suspected heart attack when covering a mare at Knockhouse Stud late in 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/bloodstock/bloodstock-latest/death-of-notnowcato-three-time-group-1-winner-and-dual-purpose-sire-at-17/413172|work=Racing Post|title=Death of Notnowcato, three-time Group 1 winner and dual-purpose sire, at 17|first=Martin|last=Stevens|date=10 December 2019}}

{{Pedigree

|name = Notnowcato (GB), chestnut stallion, 2002

|inf =

|f = Inchinor (GB)
1990

|m = Rambling Rose (GB)
1995

|ff = Ahonoora
1975

|fm = Inchmurrin
1985　

|mf = Cadeaux Genereux
1985　

|mm = Blush Rambler
1988

|fff = Lorenzaccio

|ffm = Helen Nichols

|fmf = Lomond

|fmm = On Show

|mff = Young Generation

|mfm = Smarten Up

|mmf = Blushing Groom

|mmm = Nikitina

|ffff = Klairon

|fffm = Phoenissa

|ffmf = Martial

|ffmm = Quaker Girl

|fmff = Northern Dancer

|fmfm = My Charmer

|fmmf = Welsh Pageant

|fmmm = African Dancer

|mfff = Balidar

|mffm = Brig O'Doon

|mfmf = Sharpen Up

|mfmm = Languissola

|mmff = Red God

|mmfm = Runaway Bride

|mmmf = Nijinsky

|mmmm = Vela (Family: 2)}}

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM_nOZ9Wa7E youtube clip of 2006 International Stakes (Japanese audio)]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXOO8EpDhGk youtube clip of 2007 Eclipse Stakes (Japanese audio)]
• [http://www.knockhousestud.com/site/stallions/notnowcato/ Notnowcato at Knockhouse Stud]

Category:2002 racehorse births

Category:2019 racehorse deaths

Category:Racehorses bred in the United Kingdom

Category:Racehorses trained in the United Kingdom

Category:Thoroughbred family 2-u

Category:Byerley Turk sire line