Stravinsky (horse)

Stravinsky was a powerfully built bay horse standing 15.3 hands high,{{cite web |url=http://www.coolmore.com/stallions-view.php?list=australia&id=66&panel=stud |title=Stallions :: Stravinsky |publisher=Coolmore |accessdate=30 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404134934/http://www.coolmore.com/stallions-view.php?list=australia&id=66&panel=stud |archivedate=4 April 2012 }} with a white star and a white sock on his near foreleg.{{cite web|url=http://www.thoroughbrednet.co.nz/oaksdemo/stravinsky06.asp |title=Stravinsky. The Oaks Stud. NZ |publisher=Thoroughbrednet.co.nz |date= |accessdate=30 October 2011}} He was sired by the disqualified 2000 Guineas winner Nureyev out of the mare Fire The Groom. Apart from Stravinsky, Nureyev was the sire of the winners of at least forty-five Group One/Grade I including Peintre Celebre, Spinning World, Zilzal, Fasliyev and Wolfhound. His career as a stallion has been described as "outstanding".{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/301723/nureyev |title=Nureyev stud record |publisher=Racing Post |date= |accessdate=23 September 2011}} Stravinsky's dam Fire The Groom won the Grade I Beverly D. Stakes in 1991 and was a half sister of the Haydock Sprint Cup winner Dowsing.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/500343/stravinsky |publisher=Racing Post|title=Stravinsky |date= |accessdate=30 October 2011}}

Stravinsky was sent to the Keeneland Sales as a yearling in July 1997, where he was bought for $625,000 by the bloodstock agent Dermot "Demi" O'Byrne, acting on behalf of John Magnier and his Coolmore organisation.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/51246/fire-the-groom/progeny-sales|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125014250/https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/51246/fire-the-groom/progeny-sales|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 November 2023|url-access=subscription |title=Fire The Groom Statistics |publisher=Racing Post |date= |accessdate=30 October 2011}} He was sent into training with Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle and was ridden in all of his races by Michael Kinane.

Although he was trained throughout his career in Ireland, Stravinsky was sent to England for his first appearance, when he ran in a maiden race at York in August. Before he arrived in for the race he had established a reputation as a potentially exceptional horse on the strength of his home performances.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-averti-can-silence-stravinsky-1113658.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-averti-can-silence-stravinsky-1113658.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Averti can silence Stravinsky |work=The Independent |date=19 August 1999 |accessdate=30 October 2011 |location=London}} He tracked the leaders and, having had problems obtaining a clear run, quickened away from his rivals to record an "impressive" two length win.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/107/york/1998-08-20/255599 |work=Racing Post |title=Moorestyle Convinial Maiden result|date= |accessdate=30 October 2011}} Despite the modest status of the race Stravinsky was briefly made favourite for the following year's 2000 Guineas at odds as short as 4/1.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-ballydoyle-takes-glory-in-morny-1173807.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-ballydoyle-takes-glory-in-morny-1173807.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Racing: Ballydoyle takes glory in Morny |work=The Independent |date=24 August 1998 |accessdate=30 October 2011 |location=London}}

A month later, Stravinsky was moved directly up to Group One class for the Prix de la Salamandre at Longchamp. He was last of the five runners entering the straight, and although he showed what one correspondent described as "a dazzling change of gear"{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/aljabr-calls-the-tune-over-stravinsky-1199338.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/aljabr-calls-the-tune-over-stravinsky-1199338.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Aljabr calls the tune over Stravinsky |work=The Independent |date=20 September 1998 |accessdate=30 October 2011 |location=London |first=Sue |last=Montgomery}} to move into second he was unable to catch the front-running Aljabr and finished second, beaten half a length, with the rest of the runners a further four lengths back. He had drifted to the right when making his challenge and the stewards, taking the view that he had interfered with other runners, demoted him from second to last place.

On his third and final start of the season, Stravinsky was sent to England again for the Group One Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket for which he started 13/8 joint-favourite, having reportedly shown "sparkling" form in home trails.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Stravinsky+given+the+Dewhurst+go-ahead.-a060708544 |title=Stravinsky given the Dewhurst go-ahead|via=The Free Library |date= |accessdate=30 October 2011}} He was held up in the early stages but despite having "every chance" he was unable to reach the lead and finished third behind the outsiders' Mujahid and Auction House. He was reported to be unsuited by the "sloppy" ground conditions, but others felt that he had failed through lack of stamina.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-mujahid-triumph-boosts-aljabr-1179324.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-mujahid-triumph-boosts-aljabr-1179324.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Racing: Mujahid triumph boosts Aljabr – Sport |work=The Independent |date=19 October 1998 |accessdate=30 October 2011 |location=London}}

In the early spring of 1999, Stravinsky was again strongly fancied for the 2000 Guineas and was 5/1 favourite for the Newmarket Classic before reappearing on the racecourse.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+Curragh%3A+Stravinsky+must+pass+his+audition.-a060183973 |title=The Curragh: Stravinsky must pass his audition. |via=The Free Library |date=27 March 1999 |accessdate=30 October 2011}} His three-year-old debut was his first and only race in his "home" country as he started odds-on favourite for a minor seven furlong race at the Curragh in March. He took the lead a furlong out but was unable to hold off the late challenge of Tarfaa (who was receiving four pounds) and was beaten a neck.

The colt missed both the 2000 Guineas and its Irish equivalent and did not reappear until the Group Three Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. He finished only fourth, beaten five lengths by Lots of Magic, and was seen to be racing with his head carried awkwardly to one side.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/1999-06-16/268092 |publisher=Racing Post |title=Jersey Stakes result|date= |accessdate=30 October 2011}} After four successive defeats, Stravinsky started at 8/1 for the July Cup at Newmarket, his first race over six furlongs since his two-year-old debut. It was also the first time the colt had raced in a visor. Kinane held the colt up in the early stages before moving him up to take the lead a furlong out. He quickened clear of the field in "sensational"{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-stravinsky-fulfils-a-dream-1105267.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-stravinsky-fulfils-a-dream-1105267.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Stravinsky fulfils a dream |work=The Independent |date=9 July 1999 |accessdate=30 October 2011 |location=London}} fashion to win by four lengths from Bold Edge in a course record time of 1:109.51.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/174/newmarket-july/1999-07-08/266468 |publisher=Racing Post |title=July Cup result|date= |accessdate=30 October 2011}} The Racing Post called his performance a "memorable display of sheer class" while pointing out that the opposition was not particularly strong for a Group One race.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Straight+from+the+mould%3B+Stravinsky's+July+Cup+success+puts+a+new...-a060179798 |title=Stravinsky's July Cup puts a new spin on an old trick |via=The Free Library |date=13 July 1999 |accessdate=30 October 2011}} Aidan O'Brien blamed himself for the colt's relative lack of success saying that "we tried to stretch him and make him a miler... maybe it was me messing him up."

A month later, Stravinsky was moved down to the minimum distance of five furlongs (1000m) for the Nunthorpe Stakes at York. Before the start, he displayed the "quirky aspect" of his character by attempting to break out of the starting stalls. Once the race began the colt was settled in the middle of the field before taking up the running approaching the final furlong. He moved clear and in the words of The Independent "blew away"{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-obrien-aims-stravinsky-at-world-crown-1113855.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-obrien-aims-stravinsky-at-world-crown-1113855.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=O'Brien aims Stravinsky at world crown |work=The Independent |date=20 August 1999 |accessdate=30 October 2011 |location=London}} the opposition to win by a length and a half from the French-trained filly Sainte Marine.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/107/york/1999-08-19/269319 |publisher=Racing Post |title=Nunthorpe Stakes result |date= |accessdate=30 October 2011}}

On his final racecourse appearance, Stravinsky was sent to the United States for the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Gulfstream Park, although O'Brien had also considered running him in the Mile.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Stravinsky+may+go+for+Breeders'+Mile.-a060171851 |title=Stravinsky may go for BC Mile.|via=The Free Library |date= |accessdate=30 October 2011}} Racing on dirt for the first time after a two-and-a-half month break, Stravinsky was prominent in the early stages but finished sixth of the fourteen runners, four lengths behind Artax.

In the official International Classification of European two-year-old for 1998, Stavinsky was given a rating of 118, five pounds below the Mujahid, making him the seventh best colt of the year.{{cite news|author=Hallowe'en |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/intikhab-in-a-different-class-420874.html |title=Intikhab in a different class – Sport |work=Irish Independent |date= 13 January 1999|accessdate=30 October 2011}}

At the 1999 Cartier Racing Awards, Stravinsky was named European Champion Sprinter.{{cite web|url=http://turfcall.blogspot.com/2009/10/cartier-awards-media-release-october-8.html |title=CARTIER AWARDS MEDIA RELEASE |publisher=Turfcall.blogspot.com |date=8 October 2009 |accessdate=24 October 2011}}

Timeform assessed him at 120 as a two-year-old and 133 as a three-year-old. A rating of 130 is considered the mark of an above average European Group One winner.

Stravinsky had stood as a stallion for Coolmore Stud in Ireland and the United States and had also been shuttled to stand in Australia for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season. As of 2011, his bases were the Shizunai Stallion Station in Japan and the Cambridge Stud in New Zealand.{{cite web |url=http://www.nztm.co.nz/Media-Centre/Latest-Updates/Stravinsky-Returns-Permanently-to-Cambridge-Stud.aspx |title=Stravinsky Returns to Cambridge Stud |publisher=NZTM |date=13 May 2011 |accessdate=30 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120912145027/http://www.nztm.co.nz/Media-Centre/Latest-Updates/Stravinsky-Returns-Permanently-to-Cambridge-Stud.aspx |archivedate=12 September 2012 }} His best performers in Europe have been the Group One winning sprinters Benbaun (Prix de l'Abbaye) and Soldier's Tale,{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/500343/stravinsky |title=Stravinsky Stud Record |publisher=Racing Post |date= |accessdate=30 October 2011}} while he had sired the VRC Oaks winner Serenade Rose in Australia.

Stravinsky was pensioned from stud duty in 2019 after standing at Shizunai.

The Japan Bloodhorse Breeders Association announced that Stravinsky died in Japan on 21 November 2023, at the age of 27.{{cite web |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/273572/stallion-stravinsky-dies-in-japan-at-age-27|title=Stallion Stravinsky Dies in Japan at Age 27|last=King|first=Byron|date=24 November 2023|publisher=The BloodHorse|access-date=24 November 2023}}

{{Pedigree

|name = Stravinsky (USA), bay stallion, 1996{{cite web|url=http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=4068670®istry=T&horse_name=Stravinsky&dam_name=Fire%20the%20Groom&foaling_year=1996&nicking_stats_indicator=Y |title=Stravinsky pedigree |website=Equineline|date=8 May 2012 |accessdate=1 July 2012}}

|inf =

|f = Nureyev (USA)
1977

|m = Fire The Groom (IRE)
1987

|ff = Northern Dancer
1961　

|fm = Special
1969　

|mf = Blushing Groom
1974　

|mm = Prospector's Fire
1976　

|fff = Nearctic

|ffm = Natalma

|fmf = Forli

|fmm = Thong

|mff = Red God

|mfm = Runaway Bride

|mmf = Mr. Prospector

|mmm = Native Street

|ffff = Nearco

|fffm = Lady Angela

|ffmf = Native Dancer*

|ffmm = Almahmoud

|fmff = Aristophanes

|fmfm = Trevisa

|fmmf = Nantallah

|fmmm = Rough Shod

|mfff = Nasrullah

|mffm = Spring Run

|mfmf = Wild Risk

|mfmm = Aimee

|mmff = Raise a Native

|mmfm = Gold Digger

|mmmf = Native Dancer*

|mmmm = Beaver Street (Family: 3-d)}}

• Stravinsky was inbred 4 × 4 × 5 to Native Dancer. This means that the stallion appeared twice in the fourth generation of his pedigree (above) and once in the fifth generation as the sire of Raise a Native.

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.blacktypepedigree.com/horse/Stravinsky_USA-453449/3?descendants-horse-id=453449&descendants-yob_from=1600&descendants-yob_to=2015&descendants-sex=all&descendants-dam_name=&descendants-grandfather_name=&descendants-orderby=name&descendants-orderbytype=asc&descendants-filter=1&op=Filter&form_build_id=form-nkVAyqtQreDVgwnfx4sTbIaRNgiwsAVsPV97uHJq_5k&form_token=dAp4R3Pwo_4t0qv7v5o09044mBQ6q24fizxhfndjhmg&form_id=horse_descendants_form Stravinsky's blacktype progeny]

Category:1996 racehorse births

Category:2023 racehorse deaths

Category:Cartier Award winners

Category:Thoroughbred family 3-d

Category:Racehorses bred in Kentucky

Category:Racehorses trained in Ireland